Friday, September 18, 2009

It Ought To Be Easy

PhotobucketAchieving healthcare reform could be so easy, if it weren't for our elected officials, i.e. the House and Senate.

In a perfect world (MY perfect world, that is) we would have Universal Healthcare, single payer, administered through Medicare. Think about it. We could:

1. Do away with Medicaid, because it wouldn't be needed any more. $$$$ saved. And there are about 50 Governors who would heave a sigh of relief because they wouldn't have to fool with it. Forget the States Rights argument. The states would save $$$$.

2. Insurance companies would still sell supplemental insurance, probably to everybody, because then people could afford it and would still need it. They would also sell Dental and Vision policies, because, probably, Medicare wouldn't pay those, since it sure doesn't now.

3. Do away with Medicare Part D because prescriptions would be covered by the all encompassing Medicare plan. More $$$$ saved.

4. It wouldn't actually expand government because we wouldn't be creating yet another bureaucracy by having a separate healthcare program to be funded and administered by different people, thus saving more $$$$.

5. People would be allowed to go on Medicare earlier, possibly at age 55. Premiums wouldn't be as costly as private insurance, and the $$$$ would all go to Medicare. And, yes, we would all have to pay our share through premiums, just as we do now, only they would be much lower. A free healthcare system is just a pipe dream.

6. The Senate and House of Representatives would be on the same plan as Medicare recipients. Then, we could stop whining about them getting something better than we do. They might also be more likely to renew funding for Social Security and Medicare annually, in order to protect their own healthcare.

7. There would be no more "borrowing" from Social Security to pay for other programs, such as wars and government no-bid contracts.

8. There would be no more "donut holes" in coverage, not even in the supplemental policies.

Simple, yes?

BUT, NOOOOOOOOOOOOO! The Senators and Representatives have to posture and bloviate and obstruct and dance their little sidesteps, They don't care about "the people" they represent.
They care about the special interest groups that keep their pocketbooks and pockets well filled.

So, we have what we have now. Nothing, so far. And, what we WILL have will be some watered down bill that won't actually cover everybody and will not help all that much, because the language in the bill will be so obscure and unintelligible that even the House and Senate members won't fully understand it. And, the legalese will be so boring, ordinary Americans will not be able to stay awake long enough to read it, let alone understand it.

Isn't that always the way?

Stay tuned.

11 comments:

Looking to the Stars said...

I like #7. Leaving Social Security alone would be nice. But, greed will always take the front seat with these people.

And they will always take from us because they have the power to do it :(

kenju said...

You make it seem so simple. I will vote for no more donut holes!!

Grayquill said...

Preach it Betty.
Your making to much sense.

Linda said...

Keep putting your message out there. It needs to be said again and again.

Betty said...

Looking to the Stars: I like #7, too.

kenju: Why do they always have to complicate things?

Grayquill: I wish I could inject some sense into the folks in Washington D.C.

Linda: Thanks. Not that I think it will do any good, but I love having a place to vent - good old blog!

Sister--Helen said...

But Betty, what about the Government wanting to let us old people die..You know Sarah told all of us all about that....and the Government would be in our business....you know like they are in public schools...and those poor insurance companies would suffer....And no doubt 'Those Black People' would be on it right along with all of us...is that fair... There are soooo many things those Good Old Republicans have to consider.....

Karen said...

I guess the problem is that your perfect world doesn't look like my perfect world. And when everyone has their own perfect world - it is hard to come to an agreement. The pitfalls of Democracy, right?

NitWit1 said...

Being a retired health care professional, there is something to be said in your postsand all your comments.

I refuse to engage in politics, except my Mother had an tired old saying, what's good for the goose, is good for the gander." That includes our governmental officials.

Darlene said...

Betty, please keep up the good work. Between the two of us, Joared and others we will cover all the bases.

A good bill must happen. The alternative is too terrible to consider.

Betty said...

the 4th Sister: What was I thinking?!
(slap on the forehead)

Karen: I think the fact that we can all envision our perfect worlds, and still hold the country together is the beauty of Democracy.

Nitwit1: I know I don't have all the answers, but something needs to be done. And, your mother was right.

Darlene: I've just reached the point where I hope we get a bill of some kind. Maybe it won't be all we want, but it'll be a start.

Unknown said...

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