Plan isn't a takeover, despite Bush claims

[Supersedeas]

<<"A massive, complicated blueprint to have our government take over the decision-making in health care" was the way Bush described Kerry's plan this week. It would, Bush said, "have bureaucrats become the decision-makers."

.....

In justifying his attack, Bush cited cost estimates prepared by Joe Antos, a health care economist with the American Enterprise Institute, a conservative think tank. His study said Kerry's plan is more costly and less efficient than Bush's plan.

.....

Bush's characterization of Kerry's plan is a misrepresentation, said Jeffrey Lemieux, executive director of Centrists.org, a small bipartisan think tank that seeks moderate solutions to policy issues.


Kerry's plan, he said, seeks to avoid the pitfalls of President Clinton (news - web sites)'s failed 1994 health care plan, which was based on requirements that employers offer health insurance. Instead, Kerry would provide tax incentives for employers to offer health coverage to workers.>>


http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&u=usatoday/planisntatakeoverdespitebushclaims


Why aren't other MEDIA sources calling * on this crap!!!???!!!

[hatrack]

1. And if AEI says it, it MUST be true!!!

What a bunch of bullshit.

[mom cat]

2. Fuzzy math!...and not a warm fuzzy.

[yardwork]

3. Another Big Lie

Bureaucrats have already taken over the U.S. medical system. It's already a huge complicated mess that wastes billions of dollars and denies more than a third of Americans (including more than half the country's children) access to basic medical care.

This is the same exact lie that the insurance companies, drug companies, and Republicans teamed up to tell about Clinton's proposal.

As usual, the truth is the opposite of what BushCo is saying. Kerry's plan is a modest proposal that would be a small step in the right direction toward providing health care to millions.

[itzamirakul]

4. Bush wants more privatization

Bush will be against ANY plan that allows the government to provide an affordable health plan to insure that all Americans have decent access to medical care. The lobbyists for the major insurance companies have donated enough money to his coffers to make him reject any comprehensive plan.

[MaineDem]

7. Welcome to DU!

:hi:

It's a great place to be.

[Supersedeas]

10. Yep...lesson...follow the lobbyist and THINKTANKS...welcome itz

[yardwork]

11. Welcome to DU!

[newyawker99]

16. Hi itzamirakul!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[The_Casual_Observer]

5. AEI, bush claimed that his numbers were from an "independent

source". This is about as independent as laura bush.

[yardwork]

12. A variation on "some people say...."

[shockingelk]

6. this is how Kerry should respond

The president sees our cohesive set of action items to lower your healthcare costs as a "massive, complicated blueprint". We need a president who can understand problems and solutions instead of being baffled by them.

[hughee99]

8. One thing I've never really understood...

what is the difference between providing "tax incentives" to encourage companies to do something (like offer health coverage), and corperate welfare, which is providing "tax breaks" which are supposed to be encouraging the company to do something else. The government is doing the same thing in both cases (lowering taxes on corperations), is the only difference what the tax incentives/breaks are meant to encourage? I know it's not really specifically on this subject, but there seems like some bright people on this thread who understand this issue better than myself.

[yardwork]

13. It is exactly on topic! Good for you for you for sussing it out!

The United States has had "socialized medicine" for decades, delivered to the permanently full-time employees of large corporations. Their private health insurance is subsidized by tax breaks given to said large corporations.

[denverbill]

9. Why aren't other MEDIA sources calling * on this crap!!!???!!!

Because they are trying to be 'fair and balanced'. Instead of reviewing the facts and making reasonable conclusions based on the merits of the two sides, the media just takes snippets of quotes from both sides and presents them without conclusion.

Unfortunately, FAUX NEWS is the only exception to the above.

[struggle4progress]

14. kick for lying drunkards

:kick:

[amandabeech]

15. The only half-way decent thing that Bush has said

about health insurance is to allow small businesses to band together to get a better rate. I suppose this would be on a community-rated basis or through trade groups, i.e., "Illinois Association of Dry Cleaners." That way, small businesses would get a volume discount rate like large corporations. The insurance would still be pricey, however.

However, I believe that much of the law and regulation changes to make this possible would happen in the states. I'm unsure of the federal role.

Anybody know more?