Is this the end for Harry and Louise

[Guest]

Paul Krugman in the NYT.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/11/opinion/11krugman.html?_r=2&ref=opinion

[Guest]

A couple of talking heads on CNN opined that in essence the big healthcare lobbyists are on the defense. Realizing that they won't be able to block healthcare legislation, they've banded together to try to shape it with heavy duty lobbying and contributions to members of Congress on both sides of the aisle.

The opinion of the talking heads, representing both left and right, was that healthcare reform legislation will have to be passed in the next twelve months, if it will be passed at all. Further, they were unanimous in thinking that leaving the framework of the bill to Congress would never work. Certainly, it wouldn't produce a system that would make sense. They all thought that the blueprint for the healthcare bill must come out of the White House, limiting Congress's role to nipping at the blueprint from one side or the other, but not changing it to the point that it would be worse than no bill at all.

Let's hope. I'd hate to think that Barney Frank could put his pawprints on healthcare reform.

[Guest]

A couple of talking heads on CNN opined that in essence the big healthcare lobbyists are on the defense. Realizing that they won't be able to block healthcare legislation, they've banded together to try to shape it with heavy duty lobbying and contributions to members of Congress on both sides of the aisle.

The opinion of the talking heads, representing both left and right, was that healthcare reform legislation will have to be passed in the next twelve months, if it will be passed at all. Further, they were unanimous in thinking that leaving the framework of the bill to Congress would never work. Certainly, it wouldn't produce a system that would make sense. They all thought that the blueprint for the healthcare bill must come out of the White House, limiting Congress's role to nipping at the blueprint from one side or the other, but not changing it to the point that it would be worse than no bill at all.

Let's hope. I'd hate to think that Barney Frank could put his pawprints on healthcare reform.

I've heard that argument before. The counter argument was that was what doomed Clinton's plan. Congress didn't have any input into the blueprint, so they quashed it. Screwed if you do, screwed if you don't.

I think they are going to settle for making the industry get all computerized. That will be a major cluster f... supposed to save lots of money. yeah. My MD was forced to go computerized by the hospital, when he joined their group. When I saw him he was two hours behind, toting this little computer that wasn't working right, getting farther behind every patient.

what a mess. he looked like he was going to have a heart attack. Multiply that by every healthcare provider in the country...hooboy...this is gonna stink.

[Guest]

The problem is the increasing costs of health care, outpacing inflation by a good margin.
Is a 1.5% decrease much of an answer?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/05/11/paul-krugman-health-care_n_201431.html

[Guest]

I've heard that argument before. The counter argument was that was what doomed Clinton's plan. Congress didn't have any input into the blueprint, so they quashed it. Screwed if you do, screwed if you don't.

I think they are going to settle for making the industry get all computerized. That will be a major cluster f... supposed to save lots of money. yeah. My MD was forced to go computerized by the hospital, when he joined their group. When I saw him he was two hours behind, toting this little computer that wasn't working right, getting farther behind every patient.

what a mess. he looked like he was going to have a heart attack. Multiply that by every health care provider in the country...hooboy...this is gonna stink.

While I would like to see something done about health care in this country I really have my doubts as to anything happening this year or even in the immediate future. My logic would tell me to sit down with the health care industry and politicians from both parties to try to work something out. But regardless of what party is in the majority I doubt that will happen.