Unless we can get it stopped in the first year we probably can never go back.

Otherwise we are so fucked.

"Health" "care" "reform" was never about cost containment. It was never about health care. It's all about control. That's why there was never any consideration given to helping increase market forces on medical spending. Doing so would have stymied their ultimate objective: control of us, our health, and our lives.

We're expecting (based on what our relatives spend) to spend about 250 or 300 chf per month when we get there. Which is about the same as we pay now, with the University paying an equal amount. So I guess health insurance costs half as much in Switzerland, more or less.

"Health savings accounts could have been expanded. Consumers could have been permitted to purchase insurance across state lines, which would have increased competition among insurers. The tax deductibility of health-care spending could have been extended from employers to individuals, giving the same tax treatment to all consumers. And incentives could have been put in place to prompt consumers to pay a larger portion of their health-care costs out of their own pockets."

AHEM. That is all right here!

I sent this to my Senators. Now I have to send it to my reps. Duh.

If you like the idea, copy it and send it to yours.

Unless you pay, you don't get to say!

Jim P., we have to overturn a lot of Congress this year and then get Obama out of office - then I think we could get it repealed and put something decent in its place.

It comes down to the will of the people. Rules change when a lot of people get hungry. People with good jobs, three new cars, and 48 inch TV's are too busy enjoying life to get involved in the political system.

Let them get a big hungry or frightened, and the whole political environment changes.

Plus, anyone who is kicked in the privates enough times will eventually fight back.

And, I guarantee you, IF, and it is a big if, people are determined enough, the special lobby groups can't control it.

Frankly, I can't begin to call it from here.

A reminder that Mexico has good private doctors and hospitals if it gets as bad as UK and Canada.

Let me tell you something from sort of an insider's view point. You probably won't hear it on Mexico forums or the MSM.

My best friend has a private clinic in this small village. In 5 years, they have delivered well over 1300 babies. They intended a general practice, but mostly they get babies. It is the style now to deliver there instead of at the free government hospital three blocks away. "If you love me, you'll find the money so I can have my baby at the nice clinic" seems to be the local attitude.

I once asked him what the death rate was. I know once in a while one doesn't make it.

He was very offended at the question, though in a minute he realized I simply didn't know any better.

He said if anyone dies, any age at all, in his clinic, there is a chance he will lose his license to practice.

The government system does have some darned good hospitals in the big cities, some of the best private doctors are called in as specialists when needed, and it is presumed good medical standards are such that any risky patient of any type, not just newborns, MUST be transferred ASAP to the high grade hospitals.

So, any doctor who does not properly identify a risky birth in time to send the mother to a specialty hospital is presumed guilty of malpractice. No big lawsuit; lose license.

Ditto for any patient with any illness or problem.

If you stop and think this through, you will see I just told you something important about medical practice in Mexico. Even the low level doctors are not going to kill you, because their career is on the line and they know it. In the US, any moron with an M.D. can plug away until you are dead; it is highly unlikely to happen in Mexico. The minute a doctor has doubts, the ambulance moves you to a better hospital.

> Unless we can get it stopped in the first year
> we probably can never go back. Otherwise
> we are so fucked.

We are so fucked.

I know in Ohio they have a ballot initiative in front of the A.G. that they will need signatures for the petition when it gets through. The intent is to amend the Ohio constitution to not be a part of the health care reform.

"Health" "care" "reform" was never about cost containment. It was never about health care. It's all about control."

What he/she said.

This monstrosity cannot be reappealed - but it can be defunded. DEFUND!

"This monstrosity cannot be reappealed - but it can be defunded. DEFUND!"

And by this you mean ...? Immediately reduce your tax withholdings by increasing your deductions as much as possible? Work less, so that you earn less and are therefore taxed less? Drop your insurance coverage? (This actually makes financial sense, if the penalty you would pay is less than the premiums you would pay.) How do you defund it?

Random thoughts:

People will finally stand up against this mess when they have nothing left to lose.

This bill is merely another method of redistribution of wealth.

When are the Feds going after the Hollywood, professional sports, and political wealth in the country?

Why in the world won't we eliminate the connection between employment and health insurance?

HSA's are great. I'll miss mine when it's gone.

Yes, I agree with others who feel we CAN make this monstrosity go away. Prohibition was the law of the land from 1919 to 1933 until public outcry helped do it in!

There is only one way to repeal this law.

As a practical matter, there won't be a federal budget till after the November election.

We have to get rid of the Democrats, and then be prepared to shut down the government by not funding anything relating to the health bill. Obama will try to face the Congress down, like Clinton did - successfully - back in the 90s. But this time, the Republican Congress has to stand firm.

Passing the fiscal year 2011 budget for anything other than national defense must be conditioned on repeal of the health care law.

What if they gave a government & nobody came?

I'd like to know why republicans never made an effort to improve health care for the 8 years Bush was in office, nor complained about running up the deficit for the Iraq war. Yet now, when the idea is to help fellow Americans get some insurance, they can't stop hollering about the money it's going to cost.

Apparently, invading other countries and killing people via the military (aka "national defense") is OK for deficit spending, but making sure the kid down the street can afford to see a doctor is not.

No bill is perfect, but taking the initiative does count. And throwing hissy fits about it is not endearing you to the majority as you seem to think.

> And throwing hissy fits about it is
> not endearing you to the majority
> as you seem to think.

Why do lefties think everybody wants to have their love?

I'd like to know why republicans never made an effort to improve health care for the 8 years Bush was in office....

It wasn't for lack of a plan:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A39782-2005Jan26.html

Work less, so that you earn less and are therefore taxed less?

That's what I'm doing. Why should I bust my balls for someone else's sole benefit? I'm gonna be doing a lot more disc golfing this summer, and a lot less working.

And when my insurance company cancels me because the policy isn't compatible with Obamacare, I'm suing him and the government. Not that I'll get anywhere, but I'll have the time.