This so-called healthcare bill is a big step backward

[rollingrock]

supporters argue the bill isn't perfect, but is a modest step forward. well, I don't think it is even that. but more like a major step backward. I don't see how this bill improves our healthcare system in anyway. I wouldn't even call it a healthcare bill. The insurance-care bill would be a more accurate description. because the only thing I see this bill accomplishing is lining the pockets of the insurance companies and causing anger and dissatisfaction among large numbers of democratic and especially among independent voters who will be the key in the next election cycle.

[ixion]

1. I agree

kicked and recommended.

[tabatha]

2. When people are denied coverage for pre-existing conditions

how can this be bad? Unrec.

[katanalori]

3. thank you

I agree - it is a BIG deal that we can no longer be denied coverage due to pre-existing conditions. Believe me, the insurance companies deny care on that basis every chance they get. They "find" and "define" a pre-existing condition every chance they get.

[Hello_Kitty]

4. So the insurance companies have to "cover" you now.

What in any of the bills stops them from dicking you around with paperwork and hurdles for years before they pay for your care? It is unbelievable to me that people are willing to just hand the insurance industry a captive market and trust them to do the right thing. With not even a public option to make them compete.

[rollingrock]

5. Those who don't have any preexisting conditions?

this bill won't do anything for them. and the insurance companies will doubtless find a way to jack up the deductibles, premiums and out of pocket expenses for those who do have preexisting conditions, making it prohibitively expensive for them.

[Hello_Kitty]

9. They're going to use having to cover preexisting conditions as a catch-all excuse

To jack up everyone's rates. Oh, and they're allowed to cut subsidies as needed since the plan has to be "revenue neutral".

[rollingrock]

11. Good point

the insurance companies are left with all the power. this bill gives them greater control over everything. the government is given zero ability to contain or control the ever growing costs to the consumer. big step backwards!

[tabatha]

28. There is a cap!!!!

[DemBones DemBones]

21. If you believe that will be in the final bill, I'd like to

interest you in some oceanfront property in Iowa. It's a carrot they're dangling now, trying to keep us from noticing the stick of mandatory insurance and fines if you can't afford mandatory insurance. And the bill doesn't cover preventive health care for women; women have to pay out-of-pocket for gynecologist visits, Pap smears, etc. Why?

[TicketyBoo]

24. Preventative health care for women WILL be covered.

According to documentation on the government's website:

"AMERICA’S WOMEN HAVE THE MOST TO GAIN"

http://edlabor.house.gov/documents/111/pdf/publications/AHCAA-WOMEN-102909.pdf

Scroll to the bottom:

The Affordable Health Care for America Act eliminates all co-pays and deductibles for recommended preventive services.

[happy2bhere]

6. I cannot currently afford health insurance

According to these numbers, I will be able to get free health insurance...


Crunched the #s, & it looks like by Jan/2010 I'll have health insurance for $80 or less/month.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x6913410

[John Q. Citizen]

13. What does it cover?

[LWolf]

7. Yes. nt

[Luminous Animal]

8. It is now being referred to as Health Insurance Reform

more and more. I've noticed this on DU & elsewhere.

I've been making the point for months that this is not a health care bill but rather a health insurance bill. It appears that reality has trumped rhetoric. While we've all been pretending that our Democratic "leaders" were going to expand our access to health care, we now our resigned to the fact that they've succeeded to expand the market share of private insurance corporations.

[sixmile]

10. You're being kind calling it a step backward

I only hope it dies in the senate (small 's' intended).

[Warpy]

12. You need to look a little closer

because this bill ends their antitrust exemption and ability to fix prices, ends their ability to discriminate by gender or pre existing conditions, and has the beginning of a public health insurance option.

Yes, it's worse than we hoped for and much worse than we deserve and takes far too long to put into practice. The Stupak amendment is infuriating.

However, the next step is to eliminate those members of Congress who fought this. That's the way we'll get this thing worked on so that we do get something decent.

[rollingrock]

15. The 'public option' is a misnomer

it isn't an option and it isn't open to the general public.

[sixmile]

17. Righting the wrongs of insurers didn't take this bill

If the goal was to end antitrust, price fixing and discrimination the legislature could have changed the laws. But they didn't.

They had to give a HUGE kickback to their donors in the form of mandated health insurance.

The only mandate I favor is voting out those who take big money from the insurers, pharma and wall street. Politics are infected.

I hope the HCR dies in senate.

[NotGivingUp]

14. k & r

[AzDar]

16. K & R

[Bonobo]

18. Huh? Did you read it? It sounds like you did not.

I read it and you are talking through your buttocks.

[sixmile]

19. Please defend your favorite parts of this amazing legislation

I'm thrilled to learn from such an avid reader. Most congress people don't read the bills, but YOU did?

[Bonobo]

20. Here is a partial summary for YOU since you probably need to read it.

Now YOU can tell ME what your complaints are instead of relying on empty rhetoric.

http://emptysuit.wordpress.com/2009/10/29/h-r-3962-summary/

DETAILED SUMMARY

Insurance reforms. Prohibits insurance rating based on health status or pre-existing conditions, and limits age rating to 2:1. Prohibits annual or lifetime limits on medical spending. Grandfathers current individual policies.
Exchange. Creates a new marketplace called the national “Health Insurance Exchange”, with an option for states that agree to meet federal standards to run their own exchange.
Eligibility. People are eligible to enter the Exchange and purchase health insurance on their own as long as they are not enrolled in employer sponsored insurance, Medicare or Medicaid. The Exchange is also open to businesses, starting with small firms and growing over time.
Benefits. Outlines broad categories of covered services in the law, and creates a Health Benefits Advisory Commission, with physicians and other expert members, to help the Secretary of HHS define the essential benefit package.
Public health insurance option. The bill establishes a public health insurance option available within the Exchange to ensure choice, competition and accountability. Like other private plans, the public option must survive on its premiums.
New health insurance options. The legislation authorizes start-up loans to assist states with the creation of health insurance co-operatives as an additional option. It also permits states to enter into agreements to allow for the sale of health insurance across state lines when the state legislatures agree to such compacts.
Repealing the antitrust exemption for insurers. The bill promotes competition among health insurers and medical malpractice insurers by removing the antitrust exemption so that it no longer shields these insurers from liability for fixing prices, dividing up territories, or monopolizing their market.
Help for early retirees (temporary reinsurance program). Creates a $10 billion fund to finance a temporary reinsurance program to help offset the costs of expensive health claims for employers that provide health benefits for retirees age 55-64.
Limitation on post-retirement reductions of retiree healthcare benefits. Prohibits employers from reducing retirees‘ health benefits after those retirees have retired, unless the reduction is also made to benefits for active participants.
Employers. Employers must either provide health insurance to their employees or make a contribution to help fund affordable health insurance. Employers that choose to offer coverage contribute at least 72.5 percent of premium for workers, 65 percent for families.
Small business protections. Small businesses with annual payrolls below $500,000 are exempt from requirements to offer or contribute to coverage, including the 8 percent payroll contribution for failure to provide health benefits to their workers. There is also a tax credit program to help low-wage small businesses offer coverage to their employees.
Small business tax credits. Small business tax credits are available for businesses with 10 or fewer employees and $20,000 or less in average wages. The credits phase-out if the employer has 25 or more employees or if average wages are $40,000 or more.
Individuals. Individuals are required to obtain health insurance coverage or pay a fee equal to lower of 2.5 percent of their adjusted income above the filing threshold or the average premium on the Exchange. Individuals and families below the income tax filing are exempt.

[DemBones DemBones]

22. I don't see any mention of the lack of coverage of

standard women's health care such as gynecological visits, Pap smears, etc., not to mention abortions.

Bet they're covering PSA tests, Viagra, and other "guy stuff." Women are ignored as usual.

[Bonobo]

23. Why would they mention the lack of something in a summary? nt

[TicketyBoo]

26. That's simply not true.

Women's health care is covered. Where did you hear that it wasn't?

http://edlabor.house.gov/documents/111/pdf/publications/AHCAA-WOMEN-102909.pdf

The Affordable Health Care for America Act eliminates all co-pays and deductibles for recommended preventive services.

[sixmile]

27. A blog seems like the right place to read a huge bill

Or are you simply relying on the empty rhetoric that you agree with while denying that insurance mandates are giveaways to corporations?
The ends do not justify the means, in other words.

[Shagbark Hickory]

25. Sometimes you need to take two steps backward to make one step forward. And then

you do the hokey pokey and turn yourself around.
That's what it's all about.

If we get a mandate and it sucks, I think people will finally learn to speak up in this country.