And I Anxiously Waited For This?

September 9, 2009 – I just cannot believe the proposal on health care reform supposedly about to come out from the Senate Finance Committee. The infamous "Gang Of Six" (oh how we like to apply labels) has come up with a proposal that is nothing short of ridiculous for the most part and in my opinion. Go hear http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32733321/ns/politics-health_care_reform// to read one news account on this proposal.

I'll start my tirade here with one of the good points of this proposal and there are only two of them...some experts are saying that this proposal could be a bargain cost wise as it has a $900 billion dollar price tag and the country already spends over $2.5 trillion dollars a year on health care. To help pay for some of this, "...hefty fees on insurers, drug companies and others in the health care industry..." are going to be applied. Well just what are those hefty fees and are they fair? Hang the damn cost, any heath care reform is not going to be cheap. The other good point is that the pre-existing condition would be eliminated. YAHOO! It's about time and I hope this happens!

Now here are the REALLY bad points of this proposal. How in the world can they propose too fine taxpayers for not purchasing health care insurance when that very tax payer cannot afford to purchase the insurance in the first place. Just how stupid do the people in Congress think we are? I just cannot believe that one!!

The bill might cost a 60-yr old FIVE TIMES as much in premiums than it would a 20-yr old. Okay penalize me for getting older. I am sure care for the elderly can be expensive, but I in no way would believe that it is FIVE TIMES as much. If it is, then we need to do some serious reigning in on Drs and other health care professionals that are taking advantage of the system. If you charge me FIVE TIMES as much as someone that is younger than me, then I will not pay it ...why...because I'll not be able to afford it. And when you fine me, I will ignore it and eventually maybe go to jail for "health care insurance evasion." I'll then be a burden on the prison system and you can complain and legislate about that. But by God I won't pay it!

Okay charge me more because I am a smoker. I realize that my health care is more costly because I smoke and that causes me to go to the Dr more often. But I submit this comparison to you: I recently went to purchase term life insurance and found out that because I smoke my premium would be a little over double what it would cost a man my age that does not smoke. I was further told that once I quit and wait two years that my premium could be reduced. I thought this was fair. My point here is be careful when you say in a very general way that my health care premiums are going to be higher because I smoke.

The "Gang of Six" proposal or I should say Sen. Baucus' proposal does not contain a public option...an option that would allow someone to purchase heath care insurance through the government. What the hell do they think Medicare and Medicaid is? What so wrong with having an option like that? It's suppose to make the insurance more affordable to those that can't buy insurance through their job which they may not have. As long as it does not make things unfair to other insurers then I see nothing wrong with a public option.

The proposal supposedly allows coverage for "most" Americans. Wait a minute! What happened with making reform that allows coverage for "ALL AMERICANS?" I can't tell you how many times I have heard or read that reform will allow for coverage for us all. Now when it is coming down to the brass tacks it's a different story. Talk about speaking out of two sides of your mouth! How stupid does Congress think the American public is?

Nowhere have I seen a concise detail of exactly what the various proposals are going to do for me and how much is it going to cost me. I guess those analyst that make a living at doing that sort of thing just haven't got around to it yet. I'll wait for it and then maybe I can make an informed decision...I might be waiting until hell freezes over!

I wonder if the Congress is going to exempt themselves from any forthcoming reform. It's my bet they will. Only a desperate man would by in to some of these proposals. If this happens then we need to have some real raucous town hall meetings so they can try to explain themselves.

While I am waiting for hell to freeze over. I am anxiously awaiting the Presidents speech to Congress on his proposal. Looks like he is going to lay down the law. Now that thar is funny! I am going to give him his due and respect what he has to say and then I am going to let my legislators know exactly how I feel about all of this. My legislators are Sens. Hutchinson and Cronyn and Rep. Doggett. I've emailed many times to Hutchinson and never once gotten a reply from her or her staff. She is going to run for Governor of Texas next year. Boy, this state could really be in trouble. Sen. Cronyn or his staff will eventually answer but it is most often via his standard newsletter and does not address the issue I am wanting to discuss. Rep. Doggett replies directly and concisely every time. While I do not agree with most of his political view at least he and his staff give me the respect of a direct answer. So, is any of this going to stop me from emailing them about health care reform...it damn well is not! I hope you will also email, write, or phone your legislators about this debate and tell them how you feel. If we don't do it no one else will. And, its like the commercial says..."You have to call them...they are not going to call you." This is an issue that is very important to get right. It's a real chance to affect some change and reign in expensive health care. Please consider this strongly...it's what really matters!