So how many of you are on President Barack Obama’s email list? Yeah, me neither. BUT, I did manage to catch wind of this one:
Dear Friend,
If you’re like most Americans, there’s nothing more important to you about health care than peace of mind.
Given the status quo, that’s understandable. The current system often denies insurance due to pre-existing conditions, charges steep out-of-pocket fees – and sometimes isn’t there at all if you become seriously ill.
It’s time to fix our unsustainable insurance system and create a new foundation for health care security. That means guaranteeing your health care security and stability with eight basic consumer protections:
No discrimination for pre-existing conditions
No exorbitant out-of-pocket expenses, deductibles or co-pays
No cost-sharing for preventive care
No dropping of coverage if you become seriously ill
No gender discrimination
No annual or lifetime caps on coverage
Extended coverage for young adults
Guaranteed insurance renewal so long as premiums are paid
Learn more about these consumer protections at Whitehouse.gov.Over the next month there is going to be an avalanche of misinformation and scare tactics from those seeking to perpetuate the status quo. But we know the cost of doing nothing is too high. Health care costs will double over the next decade, millions more will become uninsured, and state and local governments will go bankrupt.
It’s time to act and reform health insurance, drive down costs and guarantee the health care security and stability of every American family. You can help by putting these core principles of reform in the hands of your friends, your family, and the rest of your social network.
Thank you,
Barack Obama
Notice how the focus is on how much they can supposedly do for us? This is all about the sell, baby. Scare us by telling us how unsustainable things are currently, create a panic (state and local governments will be bankrupt), and offer no solutions except “Let’s act!. RIGHT NOW! BEFORE YOU KILL ONE MORE INNOCENT PERSON YOU MONEY-GRUBBING FASCIST!”
I can’t say this enough, this is not the only option for health care reform. HR-3200 is not the only choice. Why are costs so high? In part because of malpractice costs. We won’t hear about that, because that doesn’t call for the government to swoop down and rescue us.
Gah. Make it stop. Go here and harass your Senator. Learn how to be a 5 Minute Activist!
There is a BIG LIE (or big SECRET) in the ‘Obama-care’ bill, that nobody’s talking about… has nobody noticed? -> http://bit.ly/dsYEj
Baloney!
From the CBO:
… malpractice costs account for less than 2 percent of [health care] spending.
I am not like your usual sycophant commenters. If you want me to stop commenting, just say so.
I really love that you have nothing to do except sit around and comment on blogs you clearly don’t ever agree with. I feel honored.
Where did I say that was the only thing? Oh. Wait. I didn’t. There is an inexplicable rise in costs that cannot be attributed to this. But it’s a problem.
http://www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_index.cfm?DR_ID=12988
http://www.tampabay.com/news/article1021977.ece
http://www.modernhealthcare.com/article/20090707/REG/907079998
No I think you’re funny.