Will health care reform slow down deficit reduction or do the numbers somehow work out?

[Soupy Liberaltarian]

I'm a bit confused on how the budgeting works out such that health care reform can begin without detracting from the goal of halving the deficit.

[Cleita]

1. For one if employers and unions don't have to add health care packages to their benefits,

it will make a difference in their hiring practices. They will hire older workers and those who have had preexisting conditions. It seems to have worked that way with Canada and other countries with universal health coverage. Also, it should bring down the cost of Worker's Compensation insurance, another big drain on businesses. It's not that these industries won't have to pay into it, but it will be less because the risk is spread at large across the population. Halving the deficit really is about rolling back the Bush and Reagan tax cuts for the wealthy.

[FrenchieCat]

2. Yes, because we will be able to save on the entitlement side

if Health Care and Medicare (part D) are reformed.

Currently, Medicare (Part D) is the 800 deficit gorilla in the room!

Is Bush's Medicare Plan "D" enacted in 03 part of the problem?
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