Democratic Underground Latest Greatest Lobby Journals Search Options Help Login
Google

They didn't call it an "Exchange". They called it a "Cartel".

Printer-friendly format Printer-friendly format
Printer-friendly format Email this thread to a friend
Printer-friendly format Bookmark this thread
This topic is archived.
Home » Discuss » Archives » General Discussion (1/22-2007 thru 12/14/2010) Donate to DU
 
bvar22 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Mar-10-10 09:25 PM
Original message
They didn't call it an "Exchange". They called it a "Cartel".
When the competing Oil Corporations in the Middle East gathered under one roof, they didn't call it an "Exchange".
They called it a "Cartel".
They did NOT "encourage competition".
They ended it.

I am one of the 45 million "uninsured" Americans.
I understand that after this "reform" passes, I will be herded into the "Exchange" with 45 Million other Americans where I will FORCED to BUY a product from one of the For Profit Health Insurance Corporations sitting on the "Exchange". There will be NO Publicly Owned, Government Administered option available. Under penalty of LAW, I will be FORCED to give my business directly to one of these Corporations.

Obama and the "Centrist" Democrats say that we need an "Exchange" so that I will have access to "One Stop Shopping where I can compare Prices and Plans".
But I can already do this.
So can anyone with Internet Access.
Just Google "Shop for Health Insurance" and see what happens.
You get 52 Million hits.
There are many sites where you can "compare Prices and Plans".
Its easy.

Obama and the "Centrist" Democrats also say that having the Health Insurance Corporations under one roof will force them to "compete" against each other for my business.
Pardon Me, but ROFL.
I've been an American all of my life.
I have directly experienced HOW Big Business works in this country.
When the BIG 5 Health Insurance Corporations look at 45 Million forced customers herded into the "Exchange" Pens, they will NOT "compete" against each other.
They WILL simply divide the herd and go about the shearing.

These people are hardened sociopaths, and already have a documented track record of Collusion in dividing up markets in individual states.
They already know how to do this. It is WHAT they do.
There won't even need to be a spoken word of agreement among the principles.
They already KNOW the rules for MAXIMUM PROFIT.
They will NOT undercut each other. They will NOT "compete".
The prices and packages available on the "Exchange" are going to be miraculously similar.
There will be no REAL bargains.
Its The American Way.

"Oh, but there will be "regulations" against that."
Pardon me again, but more ROFL.
Collusion and Price Fixing is extremely difficult to prove, even IF you have an honest and powerful Watchdog agency....which we don't.
The Price Fixing WILL be done by silent Gentlemen's Agreement.
There will be no way to PROVE it. These people already KNOW how to do this.
They already KNOW the answers if hauled into court.
They will NOT undercut each other.
Remember the Cigarette Execs appearing before Congress?
SOLIDARITY...and Mountains of pure MANDATED PROFIT!

The ONLY way to introduce REAL competition into the "Exchange" was an option to BUY into a plan "like Medicare"..Publicly Owned/Government Administered.
Without the Public Option, the "Exchange" is nothing more than a cattle pen for 45 Million Americans forced to BUY from a de-facto Cartel.


Fix it NOW.
Pass it LATER.
There will be NO "Fixing it Later",
especially after the losses in 2010.


We will be forced to live with THIS bill for a LONG time.
Say "NO!" to Mandated Profits for the Health Insurance Industry.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
ProSense Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Mar-10-10 09:29 PM
Response to Original message
1. Rambling on.
"BUY into a plan 'like Medicare'"

You mean the plan that was fixed after it passed and still needs even more fixing?

Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
bvar22 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Mar-10-10 09:41 PM
Response to Reply #1
3. YES.
A Plan exactly like that.
One that lays a FOUNDATION toward Health Care REFORM.

UNLIKE the current Senate Plan that lays a FOUNDATION that permanently enshrines the For Profit Health Insurance Industry as the only gateway to Health Care in America.
We will have to UNDO the Senate Plan before we can take a step toward the type of Health Care the rest of the civilized WORLD takes for granted.

Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
laughingliberal Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Mar-10-10 09:49 PM
Response to Reply #3
6. Rambling on = Post with more than 2 sentences. nt
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
bvar22 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Mar-10-10 09:54 PM
Response to Reply #6
8. Oh. I forgot to add a
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
laughingliberal Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Mar-10-10 09:55 PM
Response to Reply #8
9. Now isn't that better? Lol. nt
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
laughingliberal Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Mar-10-10 10:09 PM
Response to Reply #8
13. And might I add: DUzy! nt
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
inna Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Mar-10-10 10:10 PM
Response to Reply #8
14. .
:rofl:

That's too funny!

:yourock:
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
waiting for hope Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Mar-10-10 10:14 PM
Response to Reply #8
15. Perfect!
:rofl:
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
saracat Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Mar-10-10 10:18 PM
Response to Reply #8
19. Much better now. Thank you.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Political Heretic Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Mar-10-10 10:38 PM
Response to Reply #8
26. ZING! Hilarious.
Nice one.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
ProSense Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Mar-10-10 10:58 PM
Response to Reply #8
30. Oooh look,
pathetic cheap thrills.

:rofl:

Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
laughingliberal Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Mar-10-10 11:18 PM
Response to Reply #30
35. You forgot your link. nt
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
freddie mertz Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-11-10 07:31 AM
Response to Reply #8
41. LOL!!!
Talk about hitting it on the NONSENSICAL head!
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Bluenorthwest Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-11-10 10:34 AM
Response to Reply #8
52. spot on
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
City Lights Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-12-10 05:49 PM
Response to Reply #8
173. Okay, that made me laugh!
:rofl:
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
eridani Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-11-10 07:39 AM
Response to Reply #1
45. You probably prefer the original Social Security, which was actually--
--a mandate that everyone invest in the stock market for retirement or be docked by the IRS. As we all know, that magically turned into a government-run retirement program.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Hello_Kitty Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-11-10 06:34 PM
Response to Reply #45
102. Or the public school system
That started out as parents getting vouchers to send their kids to private schools.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Hell Hath No Fury Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-11-10 11:49 AM
Response to Reply #1
56. Are you done embarrassing yourself?
Really, I mean it.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
tallahasseedem Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-11-10 10:36 PM
Response to Reply #1
123. +1
I think that many people forget this.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Psephos Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Mar-10-10 09:29 PM
Response to Original message
2. Forcing people to buy a corrupt industry's products is not my idea of HCR either. n/t
Edited on Wed Mar-10-10 09:31 PM by Psephos
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
bridgit Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Mar-10-10 09:45 PM
Response to Original message
4. There is more than one way to effect this landscape, even a snooker table has 4 rails:
'Eliminate the antitrust exemption for health insurance companies (Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson)

By Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-Texas) - 02/24/10 12:43 PM ET

The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Affordable Health Care for America Act on November 7, and the Senate passed its own health care reform bill on December 24. Our country faces so many challenges right now that in recent weeks, it seems that momentum for reforming health care has slowed as other issues have taken center stage, particularly the need for another jobs bill to build on the success of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. However, reforming our broken health care system so that every American has access to quality, affordable health care is as important now as it was in November, when I voted in favor of the House bill. In fact, as time passes, reform grows increasingly important -- in the coming months, we will see more and more Americans priced out of the health insurance market.

For example, Anthem Blue Cross of California recently announced that its individual market premiums would rise by as much as 39 percent in the coming months, and the company agreed to postpone the rate increases for two months only when California state officials and Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius asked for a public justification from the company. In 2009, insurance companies in states across the country requested permission to increase rates by double digits -- a particularly shocking example occurred in Michigan, where Blue Cross/Blue Shield attempted to increase rates for plans sold on the individual market by 56 percent.'

http://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/healthcare/83419-eliminate-the-antitrust-exemption-for-health-insurance-companies-rep-eddie-bernice-johnson


Say NO! - to health insurance companies being allowed to operate within anti-trust exemption
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
laughingliberal Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Mar-10-10 09:48 PM
Response to Original message
5. bvar 22 nails it again! nt
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Beetwasher Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Mar-10-10 09:54 PM
Response to Original message
7. There Will Be A Non-Profit Option On The Exchange
U forgot to mention that.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
bvar22 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Mar-10-10 09:57 PM
Response to Reply #7
11. Well,
Then you can give us all the details of how this "non-profit" is going to force the Big 5 to compete for my business.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Beetwasher Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Mar-10-10 10:17 PM
Response to Reply #11
18. U Can Figure It Out
It's not difficult.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
saracat Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Mar-10-10 10:20 PM
Response to Reply #18
20.  Perhaps you can explain? If it isn't difficult.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Beetwasher Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Mar-10-10 10:37 PM
Response to Reply #20
24. It Will Still Be Over Your Head
n/t
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
saracat Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Mar-10-10 10:54 PM
Response to Reply #24
27. So the answer is you don't know?
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
laughingliberal Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Mar-10-10 11:14 PM
Response to Reply #27
32. Would seem that's the case. nt
Edited on Wed Mar-10-10 11:15 PM by laughingliberal
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Beetwasher Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-11-10 10:25 AM
Response to Reply #27
48. I Won't Waste My Time Explaining Anything To You
You deserve only mocking.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Raineyb Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-11-10 04:44 PM
Response to Reply #27
88. More like he's making shit up. Because logically there is no answer.
A small non profit won't be able to compete with the big 5. Not to mention having an exchange with lots of different companies breaks up the pool and dilutes buying power which is why single payer is the way to go in the first place.

But the cheerleaders are impervious to logic.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
freddie mertz Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-11-10 07:33 AM
Response to Reply #24
42. Thanks for your substantive contribution.
NOT.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Beetwasher Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-11-10 10:27 AM
Response to Reply #42
49. When People Are Sincere
I treat their requests for information sincerely. Otheriwise, I mock them.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
freddie mertz Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-11-10 11:43 AM
Response to Reply #49
53. Whatever. We could still use the information.
My guess is that you don't have it.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Beetwasher Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-11-10 11:49 AM
Response to Reply #53
55. Oh, I'm Sure You Can "Use" A Lot Of Things
That's my guess.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
freddie mertz Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-11-10 12:05 PM
Response to Reply #55
61. Ouchy! I challenged you to back up your claim.
If you have some information that might shed new light on the topic at hand, why not share it?
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Beetwasher Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-11-10 12:35 PM
Response to Reply #61
62. As I've Said
I only mock insincere requests. MOCK!
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
freddie mertz Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-11-10 12:59 PM
Response to Reply #62
65. What makes you so sure this is insincere? nt.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Beetwasher Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-11-10 01:02 PM
Response to Reply #65
66. I'm Omniscient
Stop that, you'll make it bleed.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
freddie mertz Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-11-10 04:12 PM
Response to Reply #66
87. Just a washer of beets then, I guess.
Or something.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Beetwasher Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-11-10 05:12 PM
Response to Reply #87
91. Let It Bleed!
n/t
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
ooglymoogly Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-11-10 10:23 PM
Response to Reply #49
121. Judging from your previous posts
anyone asking you for information needs to have their bell tower checked...for mocking birds and bats and bells that are cracked.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Beetwasher Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-12-10 10:26 AM
Response to Reply #121
142. Maybe Just You
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
ooglymoogly Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-12-10 12:55 PM
Response to Reply #142
149. Nope, already checked...no mocking birds, no bats and the bells
are sound. It has been mock proofed with pie plates.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Beetwasher Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-12-10 01:27 PM
Response to Reply #149
153. Mmm, Pie
n/t
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
eridani Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-11-10 07:42 AM
Response to Reply #18
46. Of course I can figure it out. I know what happened to Group Health
--in the Puget Sound area after for-profit plans were introduced. They used to have a single plan for everyone at the same price, but they joined the race to the bottom to avoid being put out of business.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Beetwasher Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-11-10 10:28 AM
Response to Reply #46
50. Were There Federal Regulations In Place?
Edited on Thu Mar-11-10 10:29 AM by Beetwasher
Medical loss ratios? Federally mandated minimum coverages?
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
dflprincess Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-11-10 11:07 PM
Response to Reply #50
128. There are MLRs in place in Minnesota
when one of the big non-profits here was audited it was discovered that they had been lying to the state about meeting the MLR.

Regulations only work if there are people in place to enforce them and if violating them carries some real consequences.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Beetwasher Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-12-10 10:29 AM
Response to Reply #128
144. Yes, Enforcement Is Necessary
But that's not a reason to NOT pass regulations. There's always going to be douches who will try to get around the rules, that doesn't mean we shouldn't make them.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
dflprincess Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-12-10 01:17 PM
Response to Reply #144
150. You're living in Wonderland if you think the regulations will be enforced
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Beetwasher Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-12-10 01:26 PM
Response to Reply #150
152. Then Why Pass Anything?
Gee, let's all just give up since there will be douchebags who will try to get around the rules.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
dflprincess Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-12-10 01:36 PM
Response to Reply #152
155. I agree
there is no point in passing a bill that does nothing but dig the crooks that have been robbing us blind further into the system.

But, Congress is not going to bite the hand that feed it so not only will they pass the Insurance Profit Protection Act, they will see to it that there are very few teeth in the regulations.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Beetwasher Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-12-10 01:43 PM
Response to Reply #155
157. No, I Mean Why Pass Anything, Ever? Why Regulate Anything, Ever?
Why have laws against murder? People are still going to get away with murdering people sometimes, right? According to your logic, why bother?

If additional Federal regulations on the insurance industry is protection for the industry, you've got a funny defintion.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
eridani Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-12-10 10:44 PM
Response to Reply #50
178. Regulation by medical loss ratios is uesless crap
Fifteen states have already tried it and failed abysmally. And the federally mandated minimun coverage is completely useless garbage that pays only 60% of medical expenses. Force people to buy that shit and they won't be able to afford to use it.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Sebastian Doyle Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Mar-10-10 09:58 PM
Response to Reply #7
12. No there won't.
The DLC douchebags demanded it be removed before they would vote for it.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Beetwasher Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Mar-10-10 10:16 PM
Response to Reply #12
16. Wrong
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
saracat Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Mar-10-10 10:20 PM
Response to Reply #16
21. No link?????
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Sebastian Doyle Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Mar-10-10 10:23 PM
Response to Reply #21
22. Apparently the scripted talking points on Bootwasher's workstation
haven't been updated in several months. He's still spinning the exchange version 1.0 (when the public option was still part of it)
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Beetwasher Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Mar-10-10 10:37 PM
Response to Reply #22
25. Umm, Jeenyus, The Non-Profit Is Not The PO, Duh
n/t
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Sebastian Doyle Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Mar-10-10 11:14 PM
Response to Reply #25
31. Then obviously, you don't have a clue what you're talking about.
Rahm really should train you guys better than this.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Beetwasher Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-11-10 10:31 AM
Response to Reply #31
51. Ha! Are You Really Claiming That The Non-Profit Options On The Exchange ARE The Public Option????
:rofl:
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Beetwasher Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Mar-10-10 10:36 PM
Response to Reply #21
23. Where's Yours?
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
saracat Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Mar-10-10 10:56 PM
Response to Reply #23
28. Sorry, I wasn't playing. The one that alleges something has to link.
I was asking a question. You don't need a link to do that because it is assumed you don't know , otherwise you wouldn't be asking the question. See how that works?
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Beetwasher Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-11-10 10:24 AM
Response to Reply #28
47. No?
Edited on Thu Mar-11-10 10:30 AM by Beetwasher
:shrug:

I assume you've read the bill. It's in there. If you claim it's not, let's see your source.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
saracat Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-11-10 01:51 PM
Response to Reply #47
75. See whats there? You must be responding to another poster. I haven't said anything was contained
Edited on Thu Mar-11-10 01:52 PM by saracat
anywhere? Are you in the wrong thread? I am have said something elswhere but not in this thread.I don't provide thinks for other posters.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Beetwasher Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-11-10 02:42 PM
Response to Reply #75
77. Yes?
qwertyuiop?
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
bridgit Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-11-10 01:55 PM
Response to Reply #47
76. Dude give it up, you're posting with some of the reasons the RW rolls the LW so easily...
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Beetwasher Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-11-10 02:44 PM
Response to Reply #76
78. Mmmm, Cannibalism
Pass the salt?
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
ooglymoogly Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-11-10 10:37 PM
Response to Reply #78
124. I prefer a nice bottle of chianti and some fava beans. nt
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
GreenArrow Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-11-10 08:18 PM
Response to Reply #21
111. No, only a voice from on High.
.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Lydia Leftcoast Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-11-10 11:51 AM
Response to Reply #7
57. Minnesota has non-profit insurance companies
that act like a cartel. Same policies, same prices, same silly rules.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Beetwasher Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-11-10 12:49 PM
Response to Reply #57
64. Are They Federally Regulated?
With MLR's, review of premium increases and mandated minimum coverages etc.? I didn't think so.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Lydia Leftcoast Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-11-10 01:09 PM
Response to Reply #64
67. No, but Minnesota has some of the strictest regulations in the country
and they still can't cover everything those weasels do.

And I'm not impressed with an MLR of 20%, especially when the companies got along with 5% as recently as the 1990s. There's plenty of room for executive bonuses and fancy buildings in there.

If that's the best the Feds can do, then we're screwed.

A REAL government (not bought off) would say, "You'll accept 5% and you'll like it. That's more profit than supermarkets make."
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Beetwasher Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-11-10 01:14 PM
Response to Reply #67
68. Well, There Will Now Be MORE Regulations And Enforcement
And while the MLR can be better, they are an improvement on status quo. There will ALSO be mandated minumum coverages, federal review of premium increases and more.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Lydia Leftcoast Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-11-10 01:20 PM
Response to Reply #68
69. The MLR could be a LOT better. It's ridiculous.
Edited on Thu Mar-11-10 01:21 PM by Lydia Leftcoast
Considering that the premium levels and out-of-pocket levels in the bill are already unrealistically high for the average person, there shouldn't be ANY premium increases until they agree to a MLR of 5%. Why, with an MLR of 5%, they might actually be able to lower premiums and provide actual health care instead of hiring scads of people to concentrate no denying claims.

I mean, who really runs the country here? Why do corporations get to tell us which laws they're willing to obey? Just try that as an individual and see where it gets you!
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Beetwasher Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-11-10 01:26 PM
Response to Reply #69
70. Well Then! Let's Do Nothing!
That'll certainly help! :eyes:
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
bvar22 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-11-10 02:51 PM
Response to Reply #70
80. No. Not at all.
HERE is WHAT we CAN do:

1)Kill the current nightmare with the fatally flawed "Exchanges", Individual Mandates, Tax increase on the Working Class, and mandated Profits for the HI Industry.
Just put it in the TRASH where it belongs.

2)Immediately break out the good crumbs and offer them as simple, clean, easy to understand, short, Stand Alone Bills. One Bill to outlaw PEC exclusion...one bill to outlaw dumping...one bill to raise the eligibility for Medicaid....
We don't have to eat the whole Shit Pie just to get the good crumbs.

3)Bring them to The Floor, one at a time, for Up or Down Roll Call votes, and LET the Republicans TRY to oppose them. All of a sudden, The Republicans aren't against "The Government Taking Over Health Care",
the Republicans are now FOR Health Insurance Dumping people.

The House successfully DID this last week with a clean Bill removing the Anti-Trust Exemption from the HI Corps.
It passed easily. The Republicans didn't DARE mount an opposition.

4)Offer and expansion of Medicare Buy In eligibility to the unemployed over 55 NOT as "Health Care Reform, but as immediate "Emergency Aid to Americans who want to Work but are currently unemployable due to the bad economy."
LET the Republicans TRY and OPPOSE THAT!
.
.
. and BINGO, the door to Medicare for ALL is wide OPEN and will NEVER be closed, even IF there is a Blood Bath in 2010.
It is EXTREMELY difficult to Take Away something that The People LIKE.
(Try taking Medicare AWAY from a Senior and see what happens! LOL)
As an added PLUS, the Democrats can parade THOUSANDS of grateful Americans in fron of the TV cameras for the 2010 elections.

This CAN be done in less than a week, the same amount of time it took Congress to give Wall Street a Trillion Dollars.
Obama & The Democrats COULD do this...if they wanted to.

The "Lets do Nothing" excuse is as BOGUS as the "We'll Fix it Later" scam.
Another Health Insurance Industry Talking Point.
Same as the "Oh, You want to kill 45,000 Americans!"
Pure Horse Shit.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Beetwasher Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-11-10 02:58 PM
Response to Reply #80
81. Oh, We Won't Be Able To Fix This Later, But We Will Somehow Be Able To Pass Medicare For All Later??
Edited on Thu Mar-11-10 02:59 PM by Beetwasher
On what planet?

Just click your heels together Dorothy! Or will it happen with your magic pixie dust? Wish upon a star?
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
bvar22 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-11-10 03:12 PM
Response to Reply #81
84. Cracking the Medicare door open BEFORE 2010....
...would be immediate benefit FOR the Democratic Party in the 2010 elections.
Can you see the line of grateful Working Class Americans passing in front TV cameras thanking the Democratic Party for their help...and condemning any Republican who tried to oppose it?

I can.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Beetwasher Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-11-10 03:13 PM
Response to Reply #84
85. Go For It! Just Click Your Heals Together!
That always works.

Or if that fails, try the magic beans.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Lydia Leftcoast Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-11-10 03:04 PM
Response to Reply #80
83. Yes
Instead of foisting a corporate welfare bill on the American people, let's take the good provisions separately and force the Republicanites to try to oppose banning rescission and other evil practices. Let the Repubs vote against adding more public health clinics for the working poor in their states. Force them to vote against or accept stuff that people will like, one item at a time.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Beetwasher Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-11-10 03:15 PM
Response to Reply #83
86. Oh, Yeah, That'll Work
Just wish upon a star...
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Lydia Leftcoast Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-11-10 05:31 PM
Response to Reply #86
95. Since it worked with antitrust, why not with other measures?
:shrug:
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Beetwasher Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-11-10 05:36 PM
Response to Reply #95
96. Well, Gee, By That Logic, We Should Be Able To Fix This Bill Then!
Edited on Thu Mar-11-10 05:37 PM by Beetwasher
Since that's worked for SS, Medicare, Civil Rights legislation and on and on. Or is past legislative history only relevant when it supports YOUR personal preferences?

Me, I live in reality on planet earth, where if this legislation fails, we won't get another shot for a VERY long time, if ever. Meanwhile, how many millions will continue to suffer and die without access to healthcare?
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Lydia Leftcoast Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-11-10 06:01 PM
Response to Reply #96
99. Get rid of the mandate to buy private insurance
and we have a deal. Add a public option open to all legal residents of the U.S. without exception, and we really have a deal.

Otherwise, I am resolutely opposed to the mandate.

Why is the PRIVATE mandate the one non-negotiable demand in this bill? Why is it the only thing that can't be bargained away?

Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Beetwasher Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-11-10 07:24 PM
Response to Reply #99
109. Umm u can opt in to a non-profit plan
or choose to pay the tax. U will not be forced to buy private if u don't want to.

Furthermore the best way to control costs is if everyone buys into the system.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Lydia Leftcoast Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-11-10 08:00 PM
Response to Reply #109
110. We have non-profits in Minnesota, and they still suck
Anyone can make themselves LOOK non-profit and still have plenty of money left for multi-million dollar executive salaries and lavish buildings.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Beetwasher Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-11-10 09:51 PM
Response to Reply #110
116. Well Then Its A Good Thing They Will NOW Be Federally Regulated
Edited on Thu Mar-11-10 10:01 PM by Beetwasher
And have to abide by MLR's.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Lydia Leftcoast Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-11-10 10:02 PM
Response to Reply #116
119. I'll believe it when I see it
when my insurance company starts covering preventive care without me having to reapply, when my total out-of-pocket is below $10,000, without my having to reapply.

Or are the insurance companies depredations grandfathered in, so that (in Obama's words) "I can keep the policy I have" or have to do so?
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Beetwasher Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-12-10 10:22 AM
Response to Reply #119
141. Yes, You Will
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
mzmolly Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-12-10 12:14 AM
Response to Reply #110
132. Minnesota Care
was a great program when my family was in need. :shrug:
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Lydia Leftcoast Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-12-10 12:32 AM
Response to Reply #132
134. But the income levels for it are pretty low
Many people who might actually need it make "too much" money to qualify.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
mzmolly Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-12-10 12:55 AM
Response to Reply #134
136. We qualified quite some time ago when my husband was between jobs.
It was a huge relief considering the price of continuing ala cobra was $1800 monthly. Here are the current income limits as an FYI.

http://edocs.dhs.state.mn.us/lfserver/Legacy/DHS-4346-ENG

We paid based upon income as well and were never denied a claim.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
mzmolly Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-12-10 12:12 AM
Response to Reply #96
131. +1
:hi:
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
tigereye Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-11-10 06:36 PM
Response to Reply #67
104. I really think health care should be regulated like a utility with price caps
and plenty of over-sight.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Lydia Leftcoast Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-11-10 06:46 PM
Response to Reply #104
106. That's how they do it in Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands
and other countries that use private insurance companies as the basis of their system.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
tigereye Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-11-10 08:33 PM
Response to Reply #106
112. yes, it's so bizarre how stubborn we are in defending a system here that is
so callous.

Too bad the antis aren't able to look at the cost -efficiency of European systems. :evilgrin:
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
mzmolly Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-12-10 12:15 AM
Response to Reply #104
133. This legilsation is a step
in that direction.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
tigereye Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-12-10 02:11 PM
Response to Reply #133
161. hmm, I really haven't read enough to get a good feel for the over-all
focus of it - I think common sense has been lost in all the yammering about "socialism" as per usual. Sigh.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
mzmolly Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-12-10 02:48 PM
Response to Reply #161
166. There are too many bogus talking points on both
sides of the "no" spectrum. It's either a "socialist takeover" or "not real reform". I look forward to learning more about the final product. Though, even the Senate bill with all it's flaws is a huge step forward.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
tigereye Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-12-10 03:18 PM
Response to Reply #166
167. yes, I think many of the points seem fine, particularly stopping refusals for
Edited on Fri Mar-12-10 03:18 PM by tigereye
PEC. Nothing is perfect. Something needs to happen and this is probably the best we are going to get at this point.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
mzmolly Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-12-10 06:15 PM
Response to Reply #167
177. Agreed. Imagine if perfection was the only option people voted for
when it came to social security, medicare and medicaid? :shrug:
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
druidity33 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-11-10 06:29 PM
Response to Reply #64
101. The current legislation
DOES NOT provide adequate regulation, has a terrible MLR and the mandates have no price controls...

so your point is?

:shrug:


Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Beetwasher Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-11-10 06:51 PM
Response to Reply #101
107. Meh
It's better than status quo and can b built upon once in place. U might b surprised to know that I would agree that the regs and MLR's should b strengthened. It's a point not worth scrapping the bill for and in fact may b improved sooner rather than later via the recon fix. In the end though even as is its a significant improvement.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Lydia Leftcoast Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-11-10 10:09 PM
Response to Reply #107
120. If it's going to be so easy to reform it, why wait to do so?
Reform it first; then pass it.

Should be simple if it's going to be so easy to reform it later.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
scarletwoman Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-11-10 11:23 PM
Response to Reply #120
129. I'm minded of an old song...
You'll get pie in the sky when you die...
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Beetwasher Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-12-10 10:27 AM
Response to Reply #120
143. No One Said It Would Be Easy
Additionally, who knows exactly what will need to be patched, and exactly how, until we see what the shits at the insurance co's are gonna try to do to continue to fuck w/ the system.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Lydia Leftcoast Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-12-10 11:54 AM
Response to Reply #143
146. You said
until we see what the shits at the insurance co's are gonna try to do to continue to fuck w/ the system.

My point exactly!

We KNOW, based on past behavior, that the insurance companies are going to continue to fuck with the system.

Then why coddle them? If we MUST have private insurance, why are our Dems so scared to regulate their asses off as Germany, the Netherlands, and Switzerland do? (No pre-existing conditions, no rescissions, premiums based solely on household income, no deductibles, annual limits on copays, requirements to pay bills in full within ten days with no arguments, required basic coverage although companies may add "sweeteners" for competitive advantage)

Imposing regulations like that would be EXTREMELY popular with the voters.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Beetwasher Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-12-10 12:01 PM
Response to Reply #146
147. If You Call New Federal Regulations Coddling, Then You Have A Funny Definition
They are going to be regulated like they never have been before. Will it be enough? Probably not, but it's a start. Why you have a problem with that, I can't fathom.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Beetwasher Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-12-10 12:03 PM
Response to Reply #143
148. Dupe
Edited on Fri Mar-12-10 12:03 PM by Beetwasher
n/t
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Hell Hath No Fury Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-11-10 12:00 PM
Response to Reply #7
59. I currently have insurance through Kaiser --
a not-for-profit health insurance company.

Sometikes I can afford my co-pays. Sometimes I cannot. The surgery I need is too expensive for me right now, so I continue to wait until it is affordable for me. I've been waiting close to two years now.

My Mom has Medicare. She has had three surgeries in that same time period. All paid for just fine, no problems.

Still think a non-profit option will "fix" the problem of forced purchase of insurance?
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Beetwasher Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-11-10 12:47 PM
Response to Reply #59
63. Not Alone It Won't Fix It, But With Federal Regulations, MLR's
Minimum coverage requirements, reveiw of premium increases etc. it will certainly help.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
bvar22 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-11-10 02:59 PM
Response to Reply #63
82. "Regulations" were discussed in the OP.
Did you read it?
You haven't offered a cogent rebuttal to anything specific that I posted in the OP,
but I do appreciate you kicking this thread to the top where more people can read it.

THEY will be able to decide who is credible and sincere, and who is not.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Beetwasher Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-11-10 06:58 PM
Response to Reply #82
108. Why Would'nt I Kick This Thread?
Despite the sniping and snark there's some good discussion.

Of course i read yr op. I just have a different perspective on the regs. U might b surprised to know that I too I see them as inadequate but still a vast improvement over status quo.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
dflprincess Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-11-10 11:03 PM
Response to Reply #7
127. The three largest insurers in Minnesota are "nonprofit"
none of their CEOs are living in 3 bedroom ramblers in an inner ring suburb or driving 5 year old Civics.

Their premium costs are right up there with the for profits.

Several years ago the AG's office went after them in audits and finding items like paying for condos for some executives and lavish spending on events for insurance brokers and reps.

How honest a non-profit insurer is really depends on how closely they're monitored and if the wrong person is in charge of the oversight, they'll get by with murder - literally.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Lydia Leftcoast Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-12-10 12:07 AM
Response to Reply #127
130. Yes, and now they'll be allowed to spend 20% of their take
on crap like that. They'll be explicitly allowed to do so. I can't imagine that they'll exercise voluntary restraint.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Beetwasher Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-12-10 10:32 AM
Response to Reply #127
145. Well, NOW There Will Be ANOTHER Federal Level Of Enforcement
Edited on Fri Mar-12-10 10:33 AM by Beetwasher
That's a good thing. There will always be shit heads who will try to get around them, but that's NOT a reason to NOT regulate.

By your logic, why make murder illegal? People are still going to try and get away with it, and some of them will actually succeed.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
dflprincess Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-12-10 01:20 PM
Response to Reply #145
151. Actually, I believe the bills leave quite a lot of the regulation to the states
they are not creating a federal agency to enforce the regulations.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Beetwasher Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-12-10 01:29 PM
Response to Reply #151
154. They Don't Need A New Federal Agency
Edited on Fri Mar-12-10 01:31 PM by Beetwasher
Why would they need a new federal agency?Federal law is enforced by DOJ and Federal courts. Regualtions and administration will be overseen by DHHS. The States willl have to have AT LEAST the federal level of regulations. What you BELIEVE is irrelevant. There is reality that there will be an overriding level of federal oversight and enforcement that was not there before. That is a good thing no matter how you slice it. You can argue that those fed regs may not be adequate, but they WILL be better than status quo.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
dflprincess Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-12-10 01:43 PM
Response to Reply #154
156. Yeah, existing agencies are so good at enforcement
Better than the status quo? This bill reenforces the status quo by forcing us to by insurance with no guarantee of acceess to care.

If the bill is so impressive, why don't you post the sections that explain all these regulations and how forcefully they will be enforced?

What you think is in the bill means nothing.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Beetwasher Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-12-10 01:46 PM
Response to Reply #156
158. Well, The Sherrif In My Town Is Crook
Why have any laws then? He won't enforce them, so might as well not have any laws at all, right?

How silly.

Your requests are insincere so I will not bother trying to convince you of anything. It's obvious you've made up your mind to just piss on this legislation regardless of anything presented to you. I will not waste my time for you.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
dflprincess Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-12-10 01:53 PM
Response to Reply #158
159. One thing I notice is that supporters of the bill never seem able to
post back up for what they're defending. They generally use a variation of the cop out you just posted.

If you really knew the bill contained fierce regulation you'd be more than happy to post it just to prove me wrong and perhaps even change my mind. Call whoever it is that's giving you your talking points and ask them what sections to post.



Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Beetwasher Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-12-10 02:03 PM
Response to Reply #159
160. Who Said It's "Fierce"??? Where The Fuck Did I Say That???
Edited on Fri Mar-12-10 02:05 PM by Beetwasher
Cut the dishonest, strawman bullshit. There ARE new federal regulations and enforcment that have NEVER existed before. That is a good thing. Is it enough? Personally, I don't think they are strong enough, but it's better than status quo, and a start.

Read the bill for yourself, they are in there. I'm not going on a snipe hunt for insincere pissers.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
dflprincess Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-12-10 02:18 PM
Response to Reply #160
162. I have read the House bill and most of the Senate bill
and, unlike you, I am not impressed.

As for your "snipe hunt" is that an admission about any real regulation and enforcement being non-existent?

This bill is not a start, it's all there is. How naive do you have to be to think they'll "fix" this later when they can't pass real reform with the majorities they have now?

If you don't want to back up your assertions with links to prove me wrong, I'm sure there's many on this thread who would like to see them.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Beetwasher Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-12-10 02:29 PM
Response to Reply #162
165. I'm Saavy Enough To Know To Not Waste My Time Trying To Convince You Of Anything
Edited on Fri Mar-12-10 02:31 PM by Beetwasher
When you make statements that regulation and enforcement is non-existent, it's clear you're either lying about the bills or lying about having read them. If you want to piss and moan go ahead, but don't ask me to hold it for you.

I know insincerity when I see it, and you, my little cupcake, are clearly insincere.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
dflprincess Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-12-10 04:48 PM
Response to Reply #165
169. Savvy is not a word I would use to describe you
as, like so many of the apologists for this scam you can only resort to name calling. I find your use of the term "cupcake" sexist and a pathetic attempt to be make yourself feel good, but I guess it's all you have.

There's a difference between the bill(s) mentioning regulations and enforcement and adding language that will create a way for to follow through. That is what is missing and if you were honest, you'd admit that or produce the sections that set up a means for actually enforcing the rules if, for no other reason, then to prove me wrong.


Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Beetwasher Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-12-10 05:47 PM
Response to Reply #169
172. How About Sweet Cheeks?
Edited on Fri Mar-12-10 05:50 PM by Beetwasher
:rofl:

Umm, "mentioning" regulations and enforcements??? That's the stupidest thing I ever heard. It's fucking legislation and will be federal law and will be enforced as such. You know, the kind that if violated can be prosecuted by the DOJ and taken to federal court? That's the means of enforcement, just like EVERY OTHER federal law and regualtion. Duh.

I guess Federal Courts, DOJ and DHHS are not good enough enforcement and oversight for you. They certainly seem to be sufficient for every OTHER federal law on the books :eyes:

Either you're too ignorant to know how federal law works or your being disengenous.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
dflprincess Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-12-10 05:56 PM
Response to Reply #172
174. Like all those other regulations the DOJ & other agencies are so good at enforcing?
There is no meaningful enforcement written into the bills and much of the enforcement is left to the states, not the federal government and neither the states nor the feds have the money to watch the insurance companies as closely as they need to be watched. If they did, they wouldn't be getting away with the crap they pull now.

It is sad that you can't defend your postition without becoming offensive, but I suppose it's to be expected from those who have no other arguments.


Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Beetwasher Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-12-10 06:00 PM
Response to Reply #174
176. LOL! Well Then, Why Have Laws At All?
Edited on Fri Mar-12-10 06:02 PM by Beetwasher
There's no good enforcement, so, might as well fuck it all! Let anarchy reign! Murderers will still try to murder and some even get away with it, so fuck it, why make it illegal?

How ridiculously pathetic.

Really, you deserve only mocking. I can't take you seriously, sugarplumb.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
scarletwoman Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Mar-10-10 09:56 PM
Response to Original message
10. "Herd" is the operative word -- we are nothing but herd animals to the Owner Class.
To be milked, or sheared, or sent to the glue factory when we've outlived our usefulness to the Owners.

I wish our fellow citizens would stop putting up with it.

sw
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
saracat Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Mar-10-10 10:17 PM
Response to Original message
17. What a well constructed post! Congrats! Well done.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
laughingliberal Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Mar-10-10 11:16 PM
Response to Reply #17
33. bvar22' s the best, huh? nt
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
subterranean Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Mar-10-10 10:57 PM
Response to Original message
29. It will be a uniquely American experiment if it passes.
No country in the world has ever achieved universal health care through mandatory for-profit insurance.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
laughingliberal Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Mar-10-10 11:17 PM
Response to Reply #29
34. Yes.
Nauseating, isn't it?
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
cornermouse Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-11-10 03:43 AM
Response to Reply #29
40. At the rate we're going?
No other country is going to want the type of "democracy" and "freedom" that we're selling.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
leftstreet Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Mar-10-10 11:19 PM
Response to Original message
36. K&R
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
yurbud Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Mar-10-10 11:34 PM
Response to Original message
37. sad but every word is true
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
texanwitch Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Mar-10-10 11:38 PM
Response to Original message
38. Damn straight.
We will be stuck with this crappy health insurance for a long time.

Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
cornermouse Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-11-10 03:40 AM
Response to Original message
39. ahem.
""Oh, but there will be "regulations" against that."
Pardon me again, but more ROFL.
Collusion and Price Fixing is extremely difficult to prove, even IF you have an honest and powerful Watchdog agency....which we don't.
The Price Fixing WILL be done by silent Gentlemen's Agreement.
There will be no way to PROVE it. These people already KNOW how to do this.
They already KNOW the answers if hauled into court.
They will NOT undercut each other.
Remember the Cigarette Execs appearing before Congress?
SOLIDARITY...and Mountains of pure MANDATED PROFIT!"

Think oil companies and the price of gasfor another example. I've always thought that was price fixing.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
laughingliberal Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-11-10 01:32 PM
Response to Reply #39
72. +1000
Years of examples of how these corporations get around all this and we still have such gullibility among us. Baffling.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
ShortnFiery Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-11-10 07:36 AM
Response to Original message
43. Amen. Please THINK this through? ... don't look back at this like the Bankster Bailout and
The Iraq War Resolution.

Fix it NOW.
Pass it LATER.
There will be NO "Fixing it Later",
especially after the losses in 2010.


We will be forced to live with THIS bill for a LONG time.
Say "NO!" to Mandated Profits for the Health Insurance Industry.

Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Vinca Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-11-10 07:38 AM
Response to Original message
44. On one program I was watching yesterday, someone mentioned
that I, an older person without insurance, will "get to" purchase insurance at 3 times the going rate because of a clause in the bill. Isn't that exciting? They're going to let me shell out $20,000 a year to these bandits! The real mystery is this. The POTUS is on his health care tour, trashing the insurance companies at every opportunity in order to convince the masses how good his health care reform bill is. The one that serves us up to the insurance companies on a platter.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Lydia Leftcoast Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-11-10 12:00 PM
Response to Reply #44
60. I have several Plan B's in mind for if this stinking pile passes
especially if, as I expect, I get a whopping premium increase (now officially allowed and encouraged) on my upcoming milestone birthday.

Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
truedelphi Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-11-10 05:10 PM
Response to Reply #44
90. Please see response 89.
Edited on Thu Mar-11-10 05:11 PM by truedelphi
What if we all just form our own insurance companies?

It would actuallky be cheaper to do, as incorporation only costs $ 3500 or so if you do it yourself

Health Insurance companies are widely unregulated - which is why on TV and in the mail you see ads for companies saying they will insure your entire family for $ 45 a month.

Those fly by night outfits collect money for six months then move out of stte. Then come back a few years later and start all over again.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
tigereye Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-11-10 06:44 PM
Response to Reply #44
105. that is kind of bizarre, isn't it?
We are looking to buy insurance on our own since the new work plan (we changed jobs) looks crappy - and since we are 50 plus now, we have the huge list of conditions that might stop the process. It's bizarre how non-profit corporations get to deny the folks who enabled them as younger and healthier customers,to increase those massive profits.


crazy, ain't it? But socialized comprehensive health care, oh no, we can't have that. It would violate the American way- screw anyone who doesn't have it. Bizarre.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
scarletwoman Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-12-10 01:02 AM
Response to Reply #44
137. There was a great post the other day quoting FDL: "If the insurance co.s are so EVIL, why are you
forcing me to become one of their customers?"
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Echo In Light Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-11-10 11:47 AM
Response to Original message
54. k/r
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
area51 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-11-10 11:59 AM
Response to Original message
58. +1

"These people are hardened sociopaths..."


absolutely nails it. They're helping to kill 273 people each day in the U.S., for a figure of 100,000 deaths per year. And forcing us by law to buy their product is going to help? Absolute insanity.


Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Name removed Donating Member (0 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-11-10 01:29 PM
Response to Original message
71. Deleted message
Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.
 
laughingliberal Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-11-10 01:33 PM
Response to Original message
73. Kicking for telling it straight! nt
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
DisgustedInMN Donating Member (956 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-11-10 01:46 PM
Response to Original message
74. K & R
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Uncle Joe Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-11-10 02:48 PM
Response to Original message
79. Kicked and recommended.
Thanks for the thread, bvar.:thumbsup:
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
truedelphi Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-11-10 04:56 PM
Response to Original message
89. Tomorrow my husband and I are forming an insurance company known as Vichy Care
Edited on Thu Mar-11-10 05:05 PM by truedelphi
Vichy Care will be announcing that they plan to meet the competition on an equal playing field, with one noticeable distinction.

We will deny our insured the services and treatments suggested by the doctors even faster than Cigna, Kaiser And Anthem combined

Say you need a quadruple bypass surgery. We will deny you that treatment within the first 45 minutes that the underwriting department hears about your need for said procedure.

No longer will you have to wait out an agonizing four or five day period to find out you are denied.

You will be denied right away!

And no longer will you have to spend most of your life fighting with our claims people.

As one of our valued insured, you will be issued a card with the claims number department on it: 1 800 Big DENY.

No matter how many times you call, you will be treated to an on going series of Enya-style lullabies, with the words, "Don't concern yourself - you are denied!" audibly heard in the background.

The other advantage of our insurance plan is that it will only cost you $ 1 a year in premiums.

And we guarantee that we will meet all the other aspects of the Big Insurers - for instance, did I just say that you will only be charged $ 1?

Yes I did. But if you are in the age group 49 to 61, you will be charged $ 3...

PLEASE SIGN UP NOW.

bIG dENY iNSURERS

WE DON'T DELIVER HEALTH CARE -WE COLLECT YOUR MONEY SO OTHER INSURERS CAN'T TOUCH IT!

Send all applications with a one dollar bill (a three dollar bill if you are 49 to 62)
to Vichy Care
160 Filbert Avenue
Sausalito CA 94565

VICHY CARE
CARING SO OTHERS DON'T HAVE TO.



Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
upi402 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-11-10 05:14 PM
Response to Reply #89
92. lol +1 ^ n/t
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Vinca Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-11-10 05:21 PM
Response to Reply #89
94. You need a catchy motto - how about "Immediate Denial for Immediate Peace of Mind?"
or "The insurance company you can count on for absolutely nothing." Hey . . . you'll probably be able to get government subsidies!
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
truedelphi Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-11-10 05:51 PM
Response to Reply #94
97. I take it that you want a postion in our Marketing Department
Please head over to www.lowwage.executiveleveljobs.com

And click under "Vichy" (on the left hand drop down menu) and then fill in your app.

No previous experience required.

However at some time, we may be issuing stock - so do hold on to your valid employee number (The lower the numebr the more preferred stock you will be entitled to.)

Our Annual Holiday retreat for 2010 will be held in Vanatua, so do keep the dates of Dec 10th to Dec 29th open. As long as you let my husband have Lady GaGa to himself, consider yourself invited.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Vinca Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-12-10 08:32 AM
Response to Reply #97
139. Count me in as a lobbyist. I want to woo Republicans with Chinese-made trinkets.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
truedelphi Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-12-10 02:19 PM
Response to Reply #139
164. Consider it done. n/t
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
bridgit Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-11-10 05:58 PM
Response to Reply #89
98. Greetings! As a newly forming corporate entity smelting from the cauldron of shared denial...
I'd just like to take this opportunity to point out: that Vichy Care is well positioned to option the services of - Apathy!

Apathy! - while experiencing a upwardly marked trajectory - has been in operation for a short period of time. Though by identifying the needs and desires for a greater union between spent kinetic release and mouse traps that trajectory has become exponential where Apathy! has been applied as a matter of focus

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORqc1x3_Evg

There, you see, the case is already made and we've had Apathy! to thank all along so why not cha'ching that punk too?

In closing, however, I commend Vichy Care's $1 yearly premium business model. Were Apathy! to provide some factor more Apathy! as with a barter, or parley, in that money has no value unless or until you have some - would Apathy! be able to receive 100 years worth of your health care services for $75?

It is a win/win proposition for both Vichy Care and Apathy! Apathy! receives a volume break for health care services however presumed - and Vichy Care is able to deny Apathy! out of hand.

Here's looking forward, and thank you for your time we're Apathy! where here we say by way of a rocking, gently inaudible suggestion instead that is able to be layered, at the discretion of Vichy Care; within Enya-muzak - the 2nd most popular muzak other than Songs of The Humpback Whale,

"We're Apathy! If you gnaw your feet off today, we charge you less for suggesting that you do so tomorrow" :thumbsup:
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
truedelphi Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-11-10 06:15 PM
Response to Reply #98
100. As soon as I finish reading the "DO It Yourself Mergers" and other
Such books from Nolo Press, I will be working on the specifics of the contract between Apathy! and Vichy.

This could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

Thank you for your efforts to improve our bottom line!
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
bridgit Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-11-10 10:41 PM
Response to Reply #100
126. You're most welcome, and do keep us in mind though remember we have a special...
on the diversion of Gumby Asparagus, a nescient form of below the radar deer tick able to circumvent spam filters; its just that we're too apathetic to run down to Kinkos and have it printed out :( Either way the future awaits :)






I thought your post at the top was way funny :hi:
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
bridgit Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-11-10 10:34 PM
Response to Reply #98
122. yeehaw!
Edited on Thu Mar-11-10 10:35 PM by bridgit
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Lydia Leftcoast Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-12-10 12:34 AM
Response to Reply #89
135. ROFL
And it has a $100,000 deductible, right?
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
puebloknot Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-12-10 05:03 PM
Response to Reply #135
171. And a stop loss in the same amount, per family member! nt
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
puebloknot Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-12-10 03:44 AM
Response to Reply #89
138. This makes me want to brush the dust off of my old insurance license ...
... and start calling folks!

Or maybe I'll start my own company and compete with you. I think I'll call it "Soylent Greed Insurance Company."

How's that, Sistuh?
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
truedelphi Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-12-10 02:18 PM
Response to Reply #138
163. that name is simply
Too ROTFL.

Refering you to Section 141 a, of the Insurance Commission Guidelines for the Fifty States, if any given LEGAL name of any insurance entity does cause a "spewing" by one of the customer class of heir morning coffee on computer screen, that name and the product it depicts may be denied a place in the market by said Insurance Commission.

See ya in court, Soylent Greed.

And one ore thing:

Do not get any clever ideas about what you plan to do with the bodies of the deceased!
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
puebloknot Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-12-10 05:02 PM
Response to Reply #163
170. Oh, wait! Didn't I tell you? I'm starting a new company dedicated to ...
... the green burial process. I'm going to market pine coffins and organic winding cloth for the last rites for the deceased.

Girl, you can make a nickle on almost anything! :)

(Actually, on a serious note, the green burial movement is taking on steam and is a good idea. I have a neighbor who is a contractor in Santa Fe, and he's losing his house -- the one he built with his own hands -- because there is no work in this area. So he's started building pine coffins for green burial. It's not his most ardent calling, but he's got kids to feed. And it's honest work.)
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
dflprincess Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-12-10 04:37 PM
Response to Reply #89
168. I'll sign up
at least I'll know what I'm getting with this!

Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
autorank Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Mar-14-10 01:23 AM
Response to Reply #89
179. roflmao
...memo to self, do NOT piss off TrueDelphi;)
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Autumn Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-11-10 05:18 PM
Response to Original message
93. You nailed it .
Thanks for the post.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
jonathon Donating Member (284 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-11-10 06:36 PM
Response to Original message
103. Big recommend
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Stinky The Clown Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-11-10 08:42 PM
Response to Original message
113. Careful, friend ...... Gumby gunna come bite your ass.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
hulka38 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-11-10 08:52 PM
Response to Original message
114. Great post bvar22.
Thanks for the yucks you guys.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
onpatrol98 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-11-10 09:01 PM
Response to Original message
115. So Much Honesty
I'm just love how honest they're willing to be with us. They want us to march young, HEALTHY, people into mandated private health care coverage.

Why???

They already know these younger people will be paying for a service they WON'T be using. When they talk about this cost sharing potential (insurance company representatives), you can almost see them salivating at the notion...like Count Blue Crossacula.

They never mention that they would be bringing in people who are less than healthy, also. They're so animated at the notion of all the young PAYING HEALTHY people...

Everyone definitely needs access to affordable, good health care. For some reason, I don't expect good behavior from health insurance companies, even with federal regulations.

I thought we were going to reign in Big Pharma...not make deals with them.

Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Myrina Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-11-10 09:54 PM
Response to Original message
117. Too late to rec but here's a big ole KICK!
:patriot: You speak the truth, my friend! :applause:
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Bryn Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-11-10 09:58 PM
Response to Original message
118. K&R
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
David Zephyr Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Mar-11-10 10:38 PM
Response to Original message
125. Kicking this up. I'm just sorry I can't recommend it.
Excellent and righteous rant. I agree with every word.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Oilwellian Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-12-10 09:32 AM
Response to Original message
140. K & wish I could R
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
walldude Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-12-10 05:58 PM
Response to Original message
175. Amazing isn't it. I've had a funny feeling since the election
that the people we worked to put in office actually thought we were as stupid as the fucking tea baggers. Yeah, piss on my head and tell me it's raining. I'm falling for that one.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
DU AdBot (1000+ posts) Click to send private message to this author Click to view 
this author's profile Click to add 
this author to your buddy list Click to add 
this author to your Ignore list Mon Apr 29th 2024, 12:40 PM
Response to Original message
Advertisements [?]
 Top

Home » Discuss » Archives » General Discussion (1/22-2007 thru 12/14/2010) Donate to DU

Powered by DCForum+ Version 1.1 Copyright 1997-2002 DCScripts.com
Software has been extensively modified by the DU administrators


Important Notices: By participating on this discussion board, visitors agree to abide by the rules outlined on our Rules page. Messages posted on the Democratic Underground Discussion Forums are the opinions of the individuals who post them, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Democratic Underground, LLC.

Home  |  Discussion Forums  |  Journals |  Store  |  Donate

About DU  |  Contact Us  |  Privacy Policy

Got a message for Democratic Underground? Click here to send us a message.

© 2001 - 2011 Democratic Underground, LLC