President Obama delivered his plan to reform health care to the joint Congress and American people last night – September 9, 2009 – trying to sway people in Congress to back his bill. I just thought I would jot down my thoughts as well.
Not related to the Bill –
1) I was NOT impressed with (R) Rep Wilson from South Carolina. I understand that you apologized for yelling out during the Presidents speech, but that does not negate the fact that you were completely disrespectful to the Office. You may not like the man holding the Office but you better respect it.
2) I did not understand why some on the Right were waving a copy of the bill. If there are parts of the Bill that you don’t like tell us want it is, show us why. I found this act immature and pointless.
About the Bill itself – I’ll be posting remarks from Mr. Obama’s speech and placing them in “”
1)
“Here are the details that every American needs to know about this plan:”
Mr. President, I am not afraid of what I know I am afraid of what other items are going to be added to the bill that I don’t know about.
2)
“it will be against the law for insurance companies to drop your coverage when you get sick or water it down when you need it most.”
OK
3)
“There may still be companies that refuse to do right by their workers”
There are many companies out there that can’t provide health care. But let’s be honest, health insurance is a benefit provided by the employer. Under this reformed plan, health insurance well now be mandatory. How is this still a benefit?
4)
“That’s why under my plan, individuals will be required to carry basic health insurance”
Really – this one statement by itself should make you say no to this bill. Mr. Obama tried to compare the health insurance to auto insurance with this comment: “just as most states require you to carry auto insurance.” The problem sir is that driving is a privilege and the insurance is part of that privilege. Life is a gift and if I choose NOT to insure that gift it is my right as an American not to. The government does not have the right to tell me what I have to have, this is where “Socialism” starts.
5)
“But we cannot have large businesses and individuals who can afford coverage game the system by avoiding responsibility to themselves”
Are you saying Mr. President that you know what is best for me. That the government can do a better job then I can with my life.
6)
“the reforms I’m proposing would not apply to those who are here illegally.”
Thank you but as long as hospitals are not permitted to question the immigrants status how can you stop the illegally from being part of the bill?
7)
“Without competition, the price of insurance goes up and the quality goes down.”
I completely agree with this comment, where I have an issue is where it is being regulated. The individual States need to get these insurance companies in there. It is the States responsibility not the Federal governments. Mr. President you used Alabama has an example of where competition is needed, because as you stated “almost 90 percent is controlled by just one company”. So if the government run program comes – and it the government vs this one company it that true competition.
8)
“But I will not back down on the basic principle that if Americans can’t find affordable coverage, we will provide you with a choice”
Mr. President – you can have it both ways. You can’t say that we’ll be required to have insurance and then say you are giving us a choice.
These are the 8 major point – some I agree with many I question and disagree with.
My final thought on this was when the President used Social Security & Medicare/Medicaid has success stories and evidence on how we worked together to get these items past. I completely agree it did show how we can come together but let’s be honest these programs are not successful.