[cglenhar]

Finally!

[BlueHeronFan]

Originally Posted by elevatorman

I believe the AIM Blog is very bias. Try this on for facts.

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE62K1IV20100321

Oh Reuters is definately a non-biased source.......he said with sarcasm.

What we will see with this Healthcare Bill with be a riviting case of the Laws of Unintended Consequences.

But the taxes kick in first, and the hardest hit will be the middle class. If not right up front, then in the back door to hide it.

But no offense to anybody. Everybody is free to feel any particular way.

[Donna2]

Originally Posted by JimJoe

Socialism always says its goal is social justice, but it is still socialism. This country was founded upon individualism, and has prospered because if that. No matter how well meaning your goal is, use of socialism as a political solution will destroy this country. It destroys motivation, and the willingness to take risk. I appreciate your honest feelings, they are well intended I am sure, but that political solution to social problems will destroy our political and economic system and like all countries that used socialism to achieve social justice, we will fail.
Social Security was designed to be a way for the government to force workers to save for retirement by extracting money from their wages in exchange for the promise of a retirement check. THEN it was expanded to those who paid NOTHING into it. THEN it was expanded to pay more than you pay in. It will go broke, that is a mathematic certainty. Medicare is the the same. Medicaid is Socialism, I agree.
Medical care for all is good. But everyone cannot get everything free. It must be limited. Mandatory government medical care for all is a disaster.
Your point is since we already have socialism, we should have more.
My point is we are standing on the edge of economic destruction. I want to back away and look for another solution. We should not try to jump and hope we can fly.

Exactly right. We put a percentage of our pay every week for 50 years into a retirement fund. Now, when it is time to retire, we are told it is everybody's money. Biggest Ponzi scheme in history.

[redwitch]

OK, I am one of those uninsured. Not because I want to be but because I have a pre-existing condition (stage 2/3 melanoma 17 years ago). The only insurance I could find after that was neither workable nor affordable. I'm too young to qualify for Medicare.

Those who know me know I'm not lazy and I'm certainly willing to work. Quite honestly, even if I didn't have a pre-existing condition, I'm not convinced I can afford medical insurance today.

I had major surgery shortly after I moved to TV. I ended up paying for it with the last of my savings. I was lucky that at least I had the savings to pay for it. And I'm young enough and strong to at least have a chance of getting some of that money back before I'm too old to work.

I might qualify for Medicaid. I don't know, I've never tried. Heck, I felt guilty applying for unemployment insurance when I knew it was my money. If this plan will get me affordable medical insurance, I'd be thrilled. My issue is having to waiting four years. That just might be too late. I need some medical care now. There are many in my boat.

While I do believe this is a good start, it may not be enough for many of us. I agree that children need coverage now, but so do the "tweeners." It will still be four long years before we're really part of the plan. That's a long time to wait when your cancer risks have gone up, when all of your youthful bad habits come back to bite you in the rear, when your body has started the aging process and your bones are more brittle.

When I hear people who are receiving Social Security and Medicare complain that this plan is socialism, I have to swallow hard. So. are. their. plans (said through clenched teeth).

Lou, I love your attitude and I thank you for kindness and generosity. This plan is a start. It is not necessarily the best solution, but it certainly is a lot better than what we've had to date.

So, I'm thankful we might have something.

[eweissenbach]

Applause for Lou!!!! No one knows enough about the actual ramifications of this bill yet, Dems, Repubs, Tea Partiers, Independents, MSNBC, Fox News................. Will there be unintended consequenses? Without a doubt. Can they be fixed - hopefully, yes. The positive is that at last, after sixty years of inability to get any meaningful health care legislation for the masses (medicare/medicade not included), finally something has been enacted. Like the Dems or hate them, they were at least willing to risk their political futures for something in which they beleived, which has been totally lacking in Washington for years.

I think of my neighbors, who bought a lot on the recreational lake where I live five years ago, planning to build their retirement home. That plan was to have culminated in a home three years ago. They have yet to build that home - why? Because the wife got cancer, fought it to remission, but had to delay her plans to retire because she had to keep her job for the health insurance (she was 59 at the time). Now, hopefully, they will be able to get individual insurance and realize their dream of living in what they see as their retirement utopia - just as many of you have realized your dreams living in the Villages.

[RichieLion]

Originally Posted by eweissenbach

Applause for Lou!!!! No one knows enough about the actual ramifications of this bill yet, Dems, Repubs, Tea Partiers, Independents, MSNBC, Fox News................. Will there be unintended consequenses? Without a doubt. Can they be fixed - hopefully, yes. The positive is that at last, after sixty years of inability to get any meaningful health care legislation for the masses (medicare/medicade not included), finally something has been enacted. Like the Dems or hate them, they were at least willing to risk their political futures for something in which they beleived, which has been totally lacking in Washington for years.

I think of my neighbors, who bought a lot on the recreational lake where I live five years ago, planning to build their retirement home. That plan was to have culminated in a home three years ago. They have yet to build that home - why? Because the wife got cancer, fought it to remission, but had to delay her plans to retire because she had to keep her job for the health insurance (she was 59 at the time). Now, hopefully, they will be able to get individual insurance and realize their dream of living in what they see as their retirement utopia - just as many of you have realized your dreams living in the Villages.

Not to demean your friends, who undoubtedly had some setbacks due to health concerns, but I had to delay my retirement because I had to feed my family and send my children to college and pay the mortgage on my house. Now, if there was a bill that would have made my neighbors pay for that, I might have supported it. Also I think that I should be able to buy homeowner's insurance when my house is burning down. Why should I have to buy it before I know if anything is going to happen? I know my thoughts might appear insensitive and thats what the Democrats who've taken over our daily determination of our own lives counted on.
God bless our once great nation.

[JimJoe]

The CBO estimate did not include the $200 billion doctor medicare fix because the supporters wanted to not count that, it includes 10 years of revenue but only 6 years of benefits, and it assumes $500 billion dollars in savings from fraud and abuse which never has been saved and never will. You are really thrilled about that?? CBO calculates what ever garbage you give it. This is phony accounting, pure and simple.

Originally Posted by Taj44

Actually, the Congressional Budget Office estimated the bill would cut the deficit by $138 billion over the next 10 years through new fees, taxes and cost-saving measures. For that reason, and for the ethical reasons others have stated, I'm thrilled over its passage. We have the most expensive healthcare system in the world, and yet so many people in our country have no insurance or access to health care at all. In the long run, this bill will give us almost universal healthcare, while reducing costs. I think we'll get a lot more out of this expenditure than all those years in Iraq.

[Rag Bagger]

It's about time. After years of a constipated congress we finally have a health care bill start.

Having minimal pre-existing conditions has kept us from permanently moving to Florida. We are under 65 and have to buy our own health insurance. Since Florida laws do not force the insurance companies to write coverage we have to maintain our original home back north were we already have and have been buying health care insurance for 15 years. Up untill then we had employer group policies.

If nothing else the bill will force insurance companies to write coverage and they will not be able to cherry pick customers. In our home state they had a pool for high risk customers. All the insurance companies were forced to take their percentage of high risk customers. It is not a free ride those policies are very expensive but at least they are available.

By the way at our age (over 60 but under 65) who doesn't have pre-existing conditions. Mine was 10 pounds overweight and I take a high blood pressure medication. I have taken that medication for 15 years and it has maintained my pressure. Two small conditions caused my rejection. The weight is off now I am 30 pounds under but it will take a year for BC/BS to accep it as changed.

[Halle]

Originally Posted by Lou Card

Well JimJoe, with 34 million Americans uninsured, I would say charity is not working very well so lets have everyone give a little more of themselves. I just can't see how helping the sick can be a loss of freedom. I am a 22 year military retired man and I understand and respect freedom. If I need to pay more taxes to help the sick and the poor of this country, then I gladly do so. I will sacrifice for my Family and to me every human on earth is part of my extended family. When I see people dying because of the lack of preventative medicine and proper health care, I don't feel any pride in knowing that I have great health care while millions of people have none. Some say "I worked hard for what I have". Does that mean that the maid that cleans up after you in your hotel room does not work hard or the cook in the diner where you eat your breakfast has an easy job. I don't care if you were born with the old silver spoon in your mouth or you were fortunate enough to make it big in the business world, to think you deserve more than the unfortunate ones among us is a selfish act of personal greed. For every lazy man sitting on the porch that I agree does not deserve free health care, there are many many more working poor that just can not afford health care no matter how many hours they put it at their no health care job. The same people that scream pro life say nay to prenatal health care for the uninsured and that alone accounts for thousands of deaths in the 7th, 8th and even 9th month of pregnancy. I am strongly against abortion, but I see abortion as an act of kindness when compared to a life of misery due to lack of early childcare that causes so much suffering to children. So if like me, you are Pro Life, then accept this health care bill as one more way of sustaining life at all ages from conception all the way to the very old.

Lou

It is wonderful to read so many unselfish responses from people who have healthcare coverage but still see the need for healthcare reform. I like Lou am retired military and also have TRICARE as my medical insurance. I'm very hopeful this bill will lead to affordable healthcare for everyone in our country.

[JimJoe]

I see.. you think people like me who pay taxes should cover her bills so she can use her money to buy a home I cannot afford. That is so wrong.

Originally Posted by eweissenbach

Applause for Lou!!!! No one knows enough about the actual ramifications of this bill yet, Dems, Repubs, Tea Partiers, Independents, MSNBC, Fox News................. Will there be unintended consequenses? Without a doubt. Can they be fixed - hopefully, yes. The positive is that at last, after sixty years of inability to get any meaningful health care legislation for the masses (medicare/medicade not included), finally something has been enacted. Like the Dems or hate them, they were at least willing to risk their political futures for something in which they beleived, which has been totally lacking in Washington for years.

I think of my neighbors, who bought a lot on the recreational lake where I live five years ago, planning to build their retirement home. That plan was to have culminated in a home three years ago. They have yet to build that home - why? Because the wife got cancer, fought it to remission, but had to delay her plans to retire because she had to keep her job for the health insurance (she was 59 at the time). Now, hopefully, they will be able to get individual insurance and realize their dream of living in what they see as their retirement utopia - just as many of you have realized your dreams living in the Villages.

[Donna2]

Originally Posted by RichieLion

Not to demean your friends, who undoubtedly had some setbacks due to health concerns, but I had to delay my retirement because I had to feed my family and send my children to college and pay the mortgage on my house. Now, if there was a bill that would have made my neighbors pay for that, I might have supported it. Also I think that I should be able to buy homeowner's insurance when my house is burning down. Why should I have to buy it before I know if anything is going to happen? I know my thoughts might appear insensitive and thats what the Democrats who've taken over our daily determination of our own lives counted on.
God bless our once great nation.

I agree with you Richie.

Interesting read:

http://www.ipa.org.au/publications/1...he-bully-state

[JimJoe]

If you had insurance when you diagnosed with your melanoma, you should be able to continue and transfer your insurance where ever you live or work. That would get near unanimous approval by both parties.

Why didn't you buy insurance with a waiver of your preexisting condition so that you would at least have coverage for all other conditions including the medical care you need now?

Originally Posted by redwitch

OK, I am one of those uninsured. Not because I want to be but because I have a pre-existing condition (stage 2/3 melanoma 17 years ago). The only insurance I could find after that was neither workable nor affordable. I'm too young to qualify for Medicare.

Those who know me know I'm not lazy and I'm certainly willing to work. Quite honestly, even if I didn't have a pre-existing condition, I'm not convinced I can afford medical insurance today.

I had major surgery shortly after I moved to TV. I ended up paying for it with the last of my savings. I was lucky that at least I had the savings to pay for it. And I'm young enough and strong to at least have a chance of getting some of that money back before I'm too old to work.

I might qualify for Medicaid. I don't know, I've never tried. Heck, I felt guilty applying for unemployment insurance when I knew it was my money. If this plan will get me affordable medical insurance, I'd be thrilled. My issue is having to waiting four years. That just might be too late. I need some medical care now. There are many in my boat.

While I do believe this is a good start, it may not be enough for many of us. I agree that children need coverage now, but so do the "tweeners." It will still be four long years before we're really part of the plan. That's a long time to wait when your cancer risks have gone up, when all of your youthful bad habits come back to bite you in the rear, when your body has started the aging process and your bones are more brittle.

When I hear people who are receiving Social Security and Medicare complain that this plan is socialism, I have to swallow hard. So. are. their. plans (said through clenched teeth).

Lou, I love your attitude and I thank you for kindness and generosity. This plan is a start. It is not necessarily the best solution, but it certainly is a lot better than what we've had to date.

So, I'm thankful we might have something.

[JUREK]

Originally Posted by Donna2

I agree with you Richie.

Interesting read:

http://www.ipa.org.au/publications/1...he-bully-state

Donna2: Very good article , Thanks

[Xavier]

Originally Posted by Lou Card

Well JimJoe, with 34 million Americans uninsured, I would say charity is not working very well so lets have everyone give a little more of themselves. I just can't see how helping the sick can be a loss of freedom. I am a 22 year military retired man and I understand and respect freedom. If I need to pay more taxes to help the sick and the poor of this country, then I gladly do so. I will sacrifice for my Family and to me every human on earth is part of my extended family. When I see people dying because of the lack of preventative medicine and proper health care, I don't feel any pride in knowing that I have great health care while millions of people have none. Some say "I worked hard for what I have". Does that mean that the maid that cleans up after you in your hotel room does not work hard or the cook in the diner where you eat your breakfast has an easy job. I don't care if you were born with the old silver spoon in your mouth or you were fortunate enough to make it big in the business world, to think you deserve more than the unfortunate ones among us is a selfish act of personal greed. For every lazy man sitting on the porch that I agree does not deserve free health care, there are many many more working poor that just can not afford health care no matter how many hours they put it at their no health care job. The same people that scream pro life say nay to prenatal health care for the uninsured and that alone accounts for thousands of deaths in the 7th, 8th and even 9th month of pregnancy. I am strongly against abortion, but I see abortion as an act of kindness when compared to a life of misery due to lack of early childcare that causes so much suffering to children. So if like me, you are Pro Life, then accept this health care bill as one more way of sustaining life at all ages from conception all the way to the very old.

Lou

In answer to the original question - It will go down in history as the day that a GREAT Country began it's journey to beyond greatness - The baseline for taking care of all of our citizens. If it costs more, so be it! Greed and selfishness be damned.

Lou Card: I love my neighbors, every one of them, but I'm sure we could find a spot for you in our neighborhood! What a fantastic addition to The Villages you'll make.

Xavier

[eweissenbach]

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