Policy Analysis: HR 3962 Division A - Affordable Health Care

[Barack_America]

Policy Analysis: HR 3962 Division A - Affordable Health Care

Ersun Warnke Salem-News.com Business/Economy Reporter

The major change policy wise is in increasing taxes on upper income individuals and using this money to fund health care credits for low wage earners.

(EUGENE, Ore.) - Establishes minimum requirements and eliminates anti-trust exemptions for private insurers. Establishes Health Choices Administration, and Health Insurance Exchange. Establishes public health care option bound by same requirements as private insurers.

Mandates employer and individual health care coverage. Imposes taxes to enforce mandates. Imposes taxes on individuals with incomes over $500,000 or $1,000,000 filing jointly.

At 1990 pages HR 3962 is a dauntingly long and complex piece of legislation. It is safe to say that virtually zero private citizens will read it. Pundits, news anchors, and journalists with an interest in factual reporting may get their staff or interns to read it, but that is probably about as good as it gets. In the gap, most of the other reporting on this issue will be quotes from self interested parties, either repeating complete falsehoods, or selectively cherry picking the facts that suit their own agendas.

This article is a review of the Division A of HR 3962, which is legislation to implement major changes in how health care is delivered for the entire population. I have dutifully read the first 360 pages of the bill in order to provide this analysis...

MUCH More:
http://www.salem-news.com/articles/november082009/health_econ_ew.php

VERY INTERESTING!

[dflprincess]

1. "Virtually Zero private citizens will read it"?

I would bet that a larger percentage of DUers have read most, if not all of the bill than the percentage of House Members who have read any part of it at all.

[Cleita]

3. That is for sure. However, to cut this person some slack, he is talking

about the population at large.

[Cleita]

2. Yes, it is VERY INTERESTING but as complex as all this is, it doesn't establish

a basic health care program, taxed and paid for by the government for everyone. The complexities should only arise after the basics are met that everyone should participate in it and be taxed for it to the extent that they can pay for it or a percentage tax on what they can afford.

[NYC_SKP]

4. You are describing Single Payer. Single Payer was never the objective of HCR this year...

Thus, you are guaranteed to be disappointed.

It's time has not come, it will, but for now ALL the bills have been about modest reform.

[Cleita]

5. Of course we were tremendously disappointed because there was no

reason for it not to be. Modest reforms are wonderful for roads and dams. Here we are talking about life and death. Those of us who know the way it should have gone are certainly going to rethink whom we work for, send money to and vote for in the future.

[dflprincess]

6. The time has never "been right" for progressive change and it never will be

It only happens when we have leaders of courage - something we're sadly lacking these days.

[NYC_SKP]

7. Obama couldn't have forced Congress to vote for U.H.C., let's build a congress that he CAN work with

He's got it in him, but this is not the time.

I imagine this is the best he could get, and he knew it going in.

Look for more overtly progressive leadership from him after his reelection.

It's smart, it's strategic in the mad teabagger atmosphere we find ourselves in right now.

[dflprincess]

8. It would have been nice to see some leadership from Congress as well

As far as an Obama 2nd term goes; I wondered how long that before that would replace "the things will change when...a)we control of both chambers or b) we get the White House or c) we have 60 senators" empty promises we heard for so many years.

I'm afraid that if we don't see some progressive action from Obama long before 2012, there won't be a second term as it will be harder to get us to fall for the next "wait until.." promise and the hope and change thing just won't fly the second time around unless there's something to back it up.

[many a good man]

9. Kick and Recommend

Excellent summary.

[Barack_America]

10. Thanks so much!

:D