I'll put this really simply:

final bill comes out, and I believe it would have been much worse with no bill passed.

The republicans are irate, so there must be something good there.
The republicans are very afraid that this will be even moderately successful and that Obama and the Dems will pull some better poll numbers out of this mess and seriously beat the GOP in the upcoming elections. The republicans don't give a shit about health care, only votes.

mark

He'll be one of the few who comes out of this with his reputation intact.

The door has been opened and there is much good in the bill. Most knew it would be a hard fight, and not everything would be in the bill...but for those who will be insured now, for those with preexisting conditions, and for those who were told 'sorry we don't cover that', the bill is monumental.

CHCs and my own personal experience with private insurance subsidized and administered by the state.

1994 all over again.


I mean really, 1am?

They are fooling who?

Kill the bill.

Forcing people to buy insurance is no more the answer to a failed health care system than forcing people to buy houses is the solution to homelessness.

:dem:

-Laelth

If you are just above the poverty line - you now get Medicaid or get insurance paid for by subsidies, the regulations on insurance co are good eventhough they could go further. I don't think it will be revenue neutral and I think it politically is a real loser because people want free health care and not mandates that could cost some serious cash for those without subsidies.

I have a good health care plan through work - so I'm thinking more about those it helps. As long as I'm employed and don't get a serious health problem I'm good.

...the status quo. If you're happy with the current system, then yesterday was a big loss. While the final bill still isn't done, there will be coverage available for many who don't have any insurance now and profit caps...plus with the subsidies, many more will be able to get some type of coverage in the near future and have the government pay for some of it. More important is the money set aside for 10,000 clinics that are the stepping stones to a national system...a place where people can go for preventative care and, if successful, will lead the push for an eventual single payer system. There's more here than many give credit for and does address the important need to expand coverage rather than constrict it.

No matter what type of healtcare reform was passed, someone was going to have to pay for it. If your employer no longer has to contribute, then who? Seems some believed that single payer or public option would have meant free care or almost zero premiums. Truth is you'd still have to pay in and it would go to a new set of government beaurucrats who would play gatekeepers just as the insurance companies do. The essence was to create competition and that's still the goal. It's a lot easier with thousands of clinics up and operating than with what current exists or anything the rushpublicans would come up with.

Not a good bill...but there are good things within that will help many in need.