Health Care Reform: between the devil and the deep blue sea...
I am torn. On one hand I strongly advocate Health Care Reform _and_ endorse the efforts of our current administration (and both sides of the aisle) to forge the best resolve they can muster.
Then I read this from a decidedly opinionated organization... FiredoglakeThe Senate health care bill is an ungodly mess of errors, loopholes, and massive giveaways. When the American people find out what's actually in this bill, they will revolt. Here's why:Forces you to pay up to 8% of your income to private insurance corporations -- whether you want to or not (#) If you refuse to buy the insurance, you'll have to pay penalties of up to 2% of your annual income to the IRS (#) After being forced to pay thousands in premiums for junk insurance, you can still be on the hook for up to $11,900 a year in out-of-pocket medical expenses (#) Massive restriction on a woman's right to choose, designed to trigger a challenge to Roe v. Wade in the Supreme Court (#) Paid for by taxes on the middle class insurance plan you have right now through your employer, causing them to cut back benefits and increase co-pays (#) Many of the taxes to pay for the bill start now, but most Americans won't see any benefits -- like an end to discrimination against those with preexisting conditions -- until 2014 when the program begins (#) Allows insurance companies to charge people who are older 300% more than others (#) Grants monopolies to drug companies that will keep generic versions of expensive biotech drugs from ever coming to market (#) No reimportation of prescription drugs, which would save consumers $100 billion over 10 years (#) The cost of medical care will continue to rise, and insurance premiums for a family of four will rise an average of $1000 a year -- meaning in 10 years, you family's insurance premium will be $10,000 more annually than it is right now (#) We desperately need health care reform. But we can't pass the Senate's bill.
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