Health Care Reform? What Happened to Lower Cost

I am confused, it strikes me that the original plan was to get more affordable health care for all of us. The original plan was to insure the uninsured. The original plan was to reform the system and prevent folks from abuses by the health care system and insurance companies. Is that how you remember it when we started?

The Senate debates have been very interesting to watch, both sides presenting their views and arguing the merits of each and every part of Senate bill. What really strikes me as odd is that Harry Reed and a small group of Senate Democrats seem to be operating in stealth mode, you know, write a bill and keep it secret, then hold meetings and agree on changes and keep the details secret, get a bill passed and try to bypass the House and Senate consolidation process and pass something just to get it done.  What is the rush when most of the uninsured won’t get coverage for several years? Why is it that they have to wait? Won’t they get sick for the next several years?

While I agree that we need true reform and cost reductions in our health care system, I don’t know how to get to that point and apparently the Republicans don’t either. What I do know is that, with few exceptions, what is moving forward now will not lower the cost of health care, the cost of insurance or improve services for the majority of people. The attempt to add folks 55 and up to 64 to Medicare will raise the our medicare tax contribution. I know that many doctors and health care providers will not accept Medicare and more are moving in that direction.

It has been reported this week on several news outlets that Medicare leads all insurers in denied claims. I personally witnessed this over the last two years while my wife was under going cancer treatment at a major treatment center. I spent many days in this center and listened to many patients complain of Medicare refusing to cover standard cancer treatments or tests. My point is that like any other insurer Medicare wants to hold its cost to a minimum.

As reported on many major news outlets this morning the AMA and many hospitals are not supporting this new proposal. The hospitals claim it will drive them out of business because they will be the leading providers for the additional folks added to the Medicare rolls and the reimbursements from Medicare will not cover their expenses. They Mayo Clinic, a staunch supporter of health care reform has come out against the Medicare plan.

Ask yourself what happened to the original premise for health care reform? Are the Democrats truly trying to reform the system or just get something passed. I won’t speak to their motivations for the approach they are currently taking, I will say that there seems to be a certain amount of haste and desperation to pass something, anything in order to satisfy a political agenda. There seems to be no real regard for cost reductions.

Ask yourself why Republicans and Democrats cannot sit down and produce a bill that will benefit the American public. I know all the liberals will say the Republicans are the party of no! Perhaps your right but the minority party has always been cast in that light. What I am saying is that we the people need to engage and force the Republicans and Democrats in Congress to work together for the benefit of the American people. Impossible? Probably but we all need to start to communicate with them and let them know the infighting in unacceptable.

Possibly Related Posts:

• Nuke power?
• Glen Beck Shows Schedule
• Unbiased News?
• Pick Your Reason For Why You Vote Democrat
• Obama, Pelosi, Reid, Crazy Times