I have a question about the huge give-away bills to insurance cos.

[johnaries]

If the House and Senate bills are nothing more than "huge give-aways" to insurance companies - then why are the insurance companies against them and spending so much money to try and block them?

Seriously, if these bills were such "give-aways" as so many people here claim, wouldn't insurance companie be spending millions of dollars supporting them instead of spending millions of dollars trying to block them?

Something about the whole "give-away" meme just doesn't add up.

Honestly, a singlepayer system would be best - but it ain't gonna happen. So, we have to do what we can. If anyone wants to argue that it's "not enough", ok, but it's the best that we can do now. Hopefully, we can do better in the future, but that's no reason to obstruct all baby steps to try and reach that goal.

To just make shit up in order to make a point - that's what Republicans do!

Again; if these bills are give-aways to insurance companies, the insurance companies would be pushing for them instead of pushing against them.

A little common sense is a good thing.

[sudopod]

1. Well, it takes two to play three dimensional chess. :3

No, seriously, I think we're getting the "divide and conquer" treatment. Lots of bogus memes are being spread about what's in the bill (jail terms, lol). This carefully crafted misinformation is convincing good people to turn against it, even in the face of fairly straight forward financial evidence that the insurance companies are not pleased with the bills as they stand.

JMHO!

[havocmom]

2. While forcing millions to buy insurance, the bills also change a few rules

Big Insurance wants the forced customers, but not the rules, like they won't be able to deny based on pre-existing conditions.

They want it all. Government enforced purchase, but no regulation.

[Blue_Tires]

3. they want to keep the multi-billion status quo at all costs -- not giving an inch

even though these are the same people who were part of the EARLIEST discussions at the negotiating table; the same people who have had their asses kissed and appeased while being consulted at every stage of the process; the same people keeping their senators in line with cash contributions or threats; and the same people who the lawmakers have bent over backward for trying to get them on board by watering down provision after provision...

But ultimately, for the insurers it is a matter of public perception and propping up their cardboard image...They know a passage of any meaningful reform will affect their bottom line (if only a little), but more importantly, it is an admission that the status quo is fundamentally flawed...For decades they have continually perpetrated the myth that the current for-profit swindle is THE BEST IN THE WORLD!! despite what the facts say...They have said for years private corporation healthcare know what is best for you, is most efficient, doesn't have the financial waste or bureaucracy of 'big gummitt' has the best brains, resources, and most importantly, customer compassion in the world...They have spent hundreds of millions on ads, senators and dirty tricks to prop up the great lie, and I don't think we've even seen them take the gloves off yet....