Comments

• By Hunter Smith on 03/13 09:02 PM

  S. Downey makes several valid points. Richmond..Yes, we need reform, no I'm not happy about the previous administration not tackling this in the previous 8 years with a party majority support. Shall I give you a history lesson on what the administration did/did not accomplish 2 administrations back and their party affiliation? It should not be assumed that if I disagree with Obama/Dems I therefore am happy with Republicans. That's what is wrong with this country, we have 2 sides to choose from and NEITHER seem to have a grip on reality, neither are able to focus on much other than "just got elected, now I have to focus on being re-elected." Republicans would much rather sit back and throw stones at Obama than to come up with their own proposal. That's just as heinous as the Obama/Dems proposal. Insurance companies are to blame for much of the problems with healthcare costs and lack of regulation on them that could cut costs(vs. the current proposal that will INCREASE COSTS). Why is it that all hospitals and all physicians in this country are mandated to submit claims to insurance companies in one standard format yet all insurance companies can respond in whatever format they choose? How much admin costs could be eliminated if all insurance companies were forced to the same standard as docs and hospitals? How much admin costs could be eliminated by standardizing insurance cards and incorporating eligibility and demographic data on the back like a debit card magnetic strip? For any medical practice in this country to accurately bill medical charges it would be necessary to hire 1 full time person to keep up with Medicare policy changes, 1 person to keep up with Medicaid policy changes, 1 person per commercial insurance company policy changes, etc. No office can afford this, so they struggle and do the best they can. The process of billing and reimbursment needs to be standardized for ALL payers. Insurance companies need to be required to accept electronic claims and respond in a standard electronic format or close up shop. Patients need to be responsible for more than just paying a fixed copay after deductible is met. There is SOOO much that could be done without a government takeover. Trust me, what is being proposed is a government takeover. I worked in a state government job for 9 months and realized on my first day the ridiculous government waste and bureaucracy would drive me to an ulcer or out the door. On my very first day I proposed a process change that would increase department efficiency by 60% and my boss told me "Hunter, I know you come from corporate America and cost is king, you are now in a government job and we don't care to cut costs!" Nice thing to tell me, a taxpayer! I will remember that quote till I die! It said it all to me! No, I don't agree with ridiculous executive bonuses, but having worked in corporate America 13 years AND state government for 9 months, I can assure you corporations do more to increase profit/reduce costs in a single day than any state or federal government program/department has done since their inception. Given that, I will not be so naive to think the government getting involved in "healthcare reform" will result in anything less than the disasters they have created everywhere else they have gone. Name one example, just one, of the government getting involved and it turning out to be a positive, productive, cost saving,efficient initiative.

• By S. Downey on 03/12 05:46 PM

  I truely love when people that havn't read the bill want to say this isn't a goverment takeover. Which isnt surprising considering as Nancy P. said we have to pass it so you can know what your getting. Do we need health reform of course we do. is this the refrom we need absolutly not. When you have some one that says open and transpanrt then goes on a tour of closed to the public invitation only rallies you should really worry. When the brother of a no vote all of a sudden is appointed to a tenth circuit court seat right before he is called in to discuse his no vote with Mr. Prez you should worry. When the only way when you hold vast control of house and senate to get a bill to pass is the blatant corruption that is going on right now you should worry. This is way more then a goverment take over of health remorm this is a notch in the belt to a goverment that has already taken over the auto industry and the banking industry. Also on a small note its surprising Union teachers getting stim money yet Kansas city just closed what 35% of its schools

• By Harvey Richmond on 03/11 11:25 PM

  Your claim that everything that government touches gets ruined. The government isn't taking over health care under the proposed bill, its creating regulations as to what the insurance industry can and can't do. Also, given the greed in portions of the private sector, as demonstrated by the huge salaries and bonuses going to companies, even when their companies aren't dooing that well, I'll put my trust in government employees. Having worked for the government for over 30 years, I know that government employees are hard working and are looking after the public interest. You must think the current system which allows companies to refuse insurance coverage for preexisting conditions is ok, or that its ok for insurance companies to jack up rates without any overshight, or cancel people's insurance. Fortunately, we live in a democracy and this country overwhelmingly defeated McCain and elected Democratic majorities in the House and Senate. For 8 years the Republicans controlled the White House and I don't recall any efforts to deal with these problems.

• By Harvey Richmond on 03/11 11:20 PM

  Your claim that everything that government touches gets ruined. The government isn't taking over health care under the proposed bill, its creating regulations as to what the insurance industry can and can't do. Also, given the greed in portions of the private sector, as demonstrated by the huge salaries and bonuses going to companies, even when their companies aren't dooing that well, I'll put my trust in government employees. Having worked for the government for over 30 years, I know that government employees are hard working and are looking after the public interest. You must think the current system which allows companies to refuse insurance coverage for preexisting conditions is ok, or that its ok for insurance companies to jack up rates without any overshight, or cancel people's insurance. Fortunately, we live in a democracy and this country overwhelmingly defeated McCain and elected Democratic majorities in the House and Senate. For 8 years the Republicans controlled the White House and I don't recall any efforts to deal with these problems.

• By Hunter Smith on 03/11 10:11 PM

  3 to 1 just means 3 to 1 are uninformed, emotionally attached to a "President" that pushes his agenda even though nationwide polls strongly reflect over 60% of Americans don't want this and over 60% of Americans think it will be worse, not better. Guess what Mr. Richmond, we already have 3 national healthcare plans and they are all going broke: Medicare, Medicaid, Tricare. Guess what else, everything the government "takes over" goes belly up (read USPS, Medicare, Medicaid, and on, and on, and on). So...You are telling me we should trust the world's most advanced medical technology, most sought after experts to be run into the ground because Obama and his uninformed constituents think we need to overhaul healthcare? Oh, let's get the banks to give back the bailout money so we can get it back to the taxpayers! Gee, banks would never think to jack up every fee and interest rate to stick it back to us and get every penny and then some back. The credit card industry was given over a year to stick it to us before the recent legislation took effect and they took full advantage of it. You think the insurance companies will not figure out ways to double, triple, quadruple insurance rates on EVERYONE if the government changes the rules on them? WAKE UP! p.s. I am a small business owner in the healthcare industry and married to a primary care physician, I AM educated on this topic and NOT just some fool buying into everything that spews from the mouth of Obama.

• By Harvey Richmond on 03/11 07:13 PM

  Those supporting health care reform outnumbered opponents by at least 3 to 1. Congress needs to act now to pass health care reform.

• By DC on 03/11 07:56 AM

  Almost 10% unemployment and the heathcare control bill is the most important agenda item. No wonder 4 in 5 Americans hold congress in such contempt.

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