It seems like the whole world is holding it’s breath to see if that Health Insurance bill is going to pass (as promised) this weekend. And CRAP, I guess it’s really going to happen.
I say, CRAP – but, I guess that’s stubbornness as much as anything. I mean, does anyone still complain about Medicare part D anymore? Or am I the only one who still thinks that is nothing but an insurance company give-away? Give this bail-out another five or so years and we won’t still be talking about this. Will we?
Well, it might be CRAP but, maybe it’ll actually help my family — I honestly can’t tell from the summaries I’ve read. Also? I’ve got no idea if we qualify for a subsidy. And are there any limits to what an insurance company can charge you if you don’t qualify for a subsidy? I really don’t know.
No one does — and if they do, they aren’t telling. I guess they don’t want to spoil our fun.
I don’t want to spoil your fun but, I did find a couple of interesting stories.
First up is a weird car story from someplace in Texas:
Texan accused of disabling 100 cars over Internet
DALLAS – A man fired from a Texas auto dealership used an Internet service to remotely disable ignitions and set off car horns of more than 100 vehicles sold at his old workplace, police said Wednesday.
(snip)
The Texas Auto Center dealership in Austin installs GPS devices that can prevent cars from starting. The system is used to repossess cars when buyers are overdue on payments, said Jeremy Norton, a controller at the dealership where Ramos-Lopez worked. Car horns can be activated when repo agents go to collect vehicles and believe the owners are hiding them.
Apparently, after he was fired this guy used a buddy’s password to get into the dealerships network controlling the ignitions and horns of the customer cars…..
Why is this news? Did you know dealerships were installing devices in cars that make repossession easier? I didn’t. As someone in the comments noted:
I wonder if anyone understands the gravity of this. It is but another sign that we are all slaves to corporations. These dealerships install these devices which disable vehicles when they CLAIM to have the right to do so in a repossession action. A lot of repossessions are carried out illegally. And this “technology” merely increases the chances that we Americans will lose our rights.
Do you really think these devices are removed after the vehicle is paid off? Do you really think this kind of abuse won’t happen more often? Do you really want this kind of control over your life?
The automobile industry really needs another remote-control crisis. Doesn’t it?
Susie Madrak is following the unemployment situation closely:
Administration Economic Officials See “Extended” Period of Unemployment
I continue to worry that at some point, Wall Street will convince the administration that it would be a great psychological ploy to cut off unemployment compensation to convince the market there’s a recovery.
And if they do that, all hell will break loose:
March 16 (Bloomberg) — U.S. employers won’t hire enough workers this year to lower the jobless rate much below the level of 9.7 percent reached in February, three Obama administration economic officials said today.
The proportion of Americans who can’t find work is likely to “remain elevated for an extended period,” Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner, White House budget director Peter Orszag and Christina Romer, chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers, said in a joint statement. The officials said unemployment may even rise “slightly” over the next few months as discouraged workers start job-hunting again.
With stories like this one, in Washington State make me wonder just how that Medicaid expansion is going to work ::
Walgreens: no new Medicaid patients as of April 16
Effective April 16, Walgreens drugstores across the state won’t take any new Medicaid patients, saying that filling their prescriptions is a money-losing proposition — the latest development in an ongoing dispute over Medicaid reimbursement.
The company, which operates 121 stores in the state, will continue filling Medicaid prescriptions for current patients.
In a news release, Walgreens said its decision to not take new Medicaid patients stemmed from a “continued reduction in reimbursement” under the state’s Medicaid program, which reimburses it at less than the break-even point for 95 percent of brand-name medications dispensed to Medicaid patents.
Walgreens follows Bartell Drugs, which stopped taking new Medicaid patients last month at all 57 of its stores in Washington, though it still fills Medicaid prescriptions for existing customers at all but 15 of those stores.
That’s pretty much it for me — if I have to see that headline about Democrats ready to vote but not ready to release the details one more time, I’m going to puke.
What’s making you sick this morning?
Filed under: General
Today’s tabloids
http://edgeoforever.wordpress.com/2010/03/18/tabloids-kuchinich-weaseling-hcr-middle-east-gov-again/
Remember, Medicaid is at this point 67% privatized – that’s why it was chosen over Medicare which is only 23% privatized. So far.
Yes this health care bill really is crap.
Which is not to say it won’t do any good for anybody. There are some in need who will benefit, and obviously that’s good.
But the bad far outweighs the good. In addition to all the individual badnesses like failing to provide the means for competitive pricing with drugs and insurance, health care is a major part of our troubled economy and this bill continues the erosion. Not only will it not make our economy healthier, which a good bill would do, it will further burden the middle class and further enrich corrupt industries — and that has political consequences because with that they’ll buy even more influence in Washington.
This bill will have damaging consequences way beyond our access to and cost of health care.
We really are failing.
Sorry for that downer start to the day. I actually logged on to, for once, say good morning to all you smart people who lift my spirits every day when I read post after post and think, “Oh good at least I’m not alone.”
Not so sure about anyone it would do good for. Some will get subsidies for premiums. That will get them a “bronze plan” – which is 60% coverage. Where will these poor people get the dough for the extra 40% of the costs? It’s all smoke and mirrors.
Does that mean you can’t buy a better plan if you get a subsidy? or just that the 10% cap (of premiums to income) only applies to bronze plans.
I don’t know for sure but seems to me some who’ll receive subsidies probably can almost afford insurance and want it, and the subsidy will help them get it. And I’m assuming it’ll be good for people with pre-existing conditions who can afford insurance but have been rejected.
Yes, but the government-defined “minimum standards” plan will have higher deductibles and co-pays, so those people needing subsidies will still not be able to afford the out-of-pocket expenses involved. More and more doctors will refuse to work within the Medicaid program; states won’t be able to afford the expense of the extra 15 million added to Medicaid.
Basically, those “getting help” will still go to the emergency room due to lack of doctors and lack of cash in their own checkbooks to cover the copays and deductibles.
Insurance companies WIN, again.
there’s no cost containment measures for folks forced into these plans either … they can just increase the premiums to their lil heart’s desire and in most states no one will be able to go any place else
And, if they want to pretend they aren’t raising premiums, they can reduce the coverage provided in the policies.
Well, I’m not sure it’s going to pass. Everyday the story seems to change as to whether there are the votes or not.
I want them to set it aside and work on something else….the economy and jobs!!
Pelosi doesn’t have the votes yet but if they can get Kucinich I’ll be surprised if they can’t get five more or whatever it is they need. They’re close and Obama’s going after votes personally.
sure would like to know what they are being threatened with…
I don’t know that it takes an actual threat. I think it’s VERY difficult to say “no” to the President when he’s the head of your party. And it’s probably impossible to do when you’re up in the air in Air Force One. When I heard he was up there, I was sure he’d flip.
That’s why this whole year has been so ridiculous — we were always going to get the bill the President wanted. He could have pushed things to this point last summer/fall (after it became clear what was going to be in Baucus’s bill) — THAT was the bill Obama wanted so why has it taken another 6 months to get here?
I don’t thing getting Kucinich to roll over was as hard as it’s going to be to get more right leaning dems who are on the fence to roll over. Kucinich doesn’t have to worry about his base voting him out, no matter how po’d they are at him for flipping. They aren’t going to vote in anyone from the right or more conservative than Kucinch.
The moderate and conservative dems who are on the fence now have everything to lose, it’s just a matter of where you want to gamble. Do you listen to your constituents and vote no and basically kiss the support of the wh goodbye come relection (which in itself may be something they don’t want anyway) or do you cave to house leadership and wh and believe the people will be focused on something else come reelection (which is quite possible as if this gets passed its unlikey that any changes either way will be felt in the near future other than a lot of hoopla on both sides).
Wow – this is a wildly bitter start to the morning. I wish they’d just get the thing passed. I’m totally sick of reading about it.
I DON”T…once its passed we are stuck with this pile of shit.
they are counting on us giving up caring
If there was a chance in hell anyone was listening to us then it could drag on forever. But, if this thing is going to pass, I wish they’d pass it already.
If it’s not – well, alrighty then. But, I think it’s going to pass.
Well, remember back in Sept or so it was a slam dunk that this was going to pass since the dems owned the house and the wh.
If it were going to pass and they had the votes it would have been voted on already.
True enough. Either pass the damn thing, or let it die with dignity until the next time there is a D majority in congress.
But, as long as they can keep this alive, they get to keep telling people they aren’t working on jobs creation or the economy and we should expect high unemployment for years to come.
I’m with you Indigogrrl. Let’s fight this thing to the bitter end.
I don’t know about you but I’m feeling so worn down by it that I can’t even watch the news much any more.
I am feeling the same way. I think that grinding us down to utter hopelessness is more of a feature than a bug, as far as TPTB are concerned.
haven’t you heard the meme, this endless arm twisting is to show how effective a president he is … it’s not to wear every one down because they can’t really get everything done without threatening them or bribing them
You win the door prize. Correct answer.
“show how effective the president is”—-they are insane. Nothing shows how ineffective the Dems are than this hcr travesty.
States resist mandates – insurance shills as B0bots react
http://edgeoforever.wordpress.com/2010/03/18/states-protest-mandates-b0bots-insurance-shills-want-them-punished/
I say, CRAP – but, I guess that’s stubbornness as much as anything. I mean, does anyone still complain about Medicare part D anymore?
*******************************************************
At least, in all it’s corruption, the debate was televised.
I don’t recall this level of public outrage regarding it vs the immigration bill.
This has moved so far beyond and away from health it’s ridiculous.
But, the vote was at 3am or something, wasn’t it? I thought that was the vote that was held “open” for hours past normal & they had President Bush calling people (in the middle of the night) twisting arms.
You are right- held open for 5 extra hours. It was on C- Span, replayed and in the website archives.
I’m not saying it was perfect. But they did have a VOTE!!
Who knew that VOTING would become a rare commodity in Congress?
This is going to infiltrate every aspect of our lives over time–especially with the dems making the laws. And I guess, they won’t have to vote. Just DEEM it to be.
States are lining up to challenge it if it passes.
Anybody catch BO’s interview with Bret Baier on FOX? BO needed his teleprompter.
Haven’t you heard, actual voting and counting votes is so 1990′s. We just don’t do that any more.
He was his usual arrogant and dismissive self—the one, not Baier. I thought Baier had him on the defensive. What was stunning was that 0 really was unable to articulate what is in the bill—probably because he does not have a clue.
They reached a new level since the RBC, roll call at the DNC convention. Dems are using THAT as a starting point for the way they abuse power. Just wait until GOP takes it from them this fall.
Yep. We are so screwed. And, yes, the GOP is going to make life worse for the everyone but the parasite class but the Dems opened the door. I will blame them as much as the Republicans for the damage that will be done to our country. Women will be especially hit and it makes my heart hurt for my daughter and granddaughter.
Nightline had a segment last night about the Medicare Part D fraud that’s become such big business in southern Florida. Medicare pays out the money so fast, they can’t even catch up to the frauds before they’ve taken millions and moved on to a new location.
From what they said, fixing the problem shouldn’t be that hard, but they aren’t doing it….why bother, it’s the taxpayer’s money, I guess.
Hi Everyone,
I don’t know what to think about this bill. I guess I’m lucky that I’ll be eligible for Medicare in a few years. I just hope the bill doesn’t destroy Medicare. Medicare part D began that process and I’m still outraged about it. This bill will include deep cuts in Medicare, and I don’t really know what effect that will have. Even if you’re on Medicare, you have to have a private supplement, and those are really expensive too.
{{BostonBoomer}} I’ve been thinking of you. I’m sorry there was this whining/rant to greet you.
It’s a great post, KB. My dad’s service is this afternoon, so I won’t be around that much. I miss you guys.
((((bb))) I hope you are and your family are all giving each other lots of love and support.
We’ll be with you in spirit, BB — xxoo
Morning BB {{hugs}}
{{bb}}
Does anyone else think it’s odd that this bill is passing through with bi-partisan support and little fanfare?
I’m worried about all that too.
I’m not sure how much good it’s really going to do because it’s so narrowly defined. It seems to just cover people they’d probably rehire any way so I don’t know why they’re doing it.
Just optics, I think. They all know it’s meaningless, but they can brag about passing a jobs bill.
Today’s Politico says it’s Pelosi who wants health care passed:
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0310/34603.html#ixzz0iXAy3vYO
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0310/34602.html
For God’s sake, SoD — get your priorities straight!!
Didn’t you get the memo? Everything is always about Obama, not about the American people.
Well, isn’t the what the Senate is passing basically a dwarf of the House bill? I believe this is the bill that extends unemployment, but not a lot more. The House passed a huge jobs bills, and the Senate ripped it to shreds which is why I think it’s not getting much attention. It’s not going to do much, and they already acknowledge they will have to pass several more before the mid-terms.
Oh well then, I had no idea…of course that is the most important thing, screw the rest of us! Pres. Carter…oops, I mean Pres. Obama needs to be remembered as the bringer of hope and change and openness of government and process (despite the fact that he has confessed that he doesn’t give a hoot about the Constitutional process of passing legislation in the United States of America, which I find just a tad bit strange given the factoid that he is a supposed Constitutional “scholar”)
I still don’t get this meme. To me, this entire episode is showing they’re ineffective, how is finally getting it passed after all this nonsense show that he’s anything but off the rails?
They should’ve gotten the message that no one takes them seriously when Israel announced all those new settlements during a Biden visit and Sarkozy and Merkle basically ignore him any more.
I think he’s now a joke to everyone but those on koolaid IV’s. But koolaid addicts make lots of noise.
Yes. It was the same with W – where the media was wondering what this and that event in Iraq will do for or against W and if the Iraqis intended it as a slight.
But DK reinforced this when he said he changed his vote out of “compassion” for Jr.jr (cuz we all know, presidentin’ is hard work)
“Compassion for the preznit”? Is that DK’s code for “I really like my kneecaps”?
For him to come out and say that makes me wonder what kind of weirdness went on in Air Force One. I’m just head scratching all over the place on this ‘delegitimized’ Obama meme. Are they playing to liberal white guilt again? Trying to cue black or hispanic voters to look for raycism?
Wow, your comments are spot on this morning. That’s exactly what I thought from the moment I read the wording of Kucinich’s statement. Remember, Dennis was the only Dem presidential candidate who was in favor of reparations.
well, none of this passes the smell test to me … why can’t it be that the bill is bad and people don’t want it, or that the process is perverted, or the Republicans are just being Republicans, or that they really failed at the outset by not starting with a democrat bill or something like that? Why are we getting all paranoid about this ‘deligitimizing’ Obama? Can’t any thing NOT be about him?
deligitimized = Whiner in Chief
Ys, yes, yes!! Everything must be done for the legacy of our new, young POTUS.
Does the POTUS really need compassion? The Big Zero is at the top of the political food chain. What about compassion for the American people, and the citizens DK is supposed to represent?
That’s right! He IS the man.!
Be still, my heart.
If you are insured or capable of buying decent insurance through a broker, don’t expect much.
When they say, “It doesn’t change for you if”, yeah, basically if you have insurance it’s probably not going to change.
Frankly, this bill is a bandaid mostly for the poor and the college kids through Medicaid and the provision allowing young people to enroll under their parents insurance. Those provisions could have passed on their own, but they are decent. It’s also a huge giveaway to the private insurers and a complete waste of time.
Technology is what is really driving health care costs, (private insurance is where we waste money on health care), which why in the long run it can not survive in the free market. The government eventually is going to have to move to universal medicare. Just as private companies can not afford to build and maintain nuclear plants without huge government subsidies and guarantees, health care, because of advances in technology, just doesn’t lend itself well to the market.
I read last night that Utah’s governor signed into law a bill saying that it was now illegal in the state of Utah to force its citizens to buy a private product–namely, health insurance. Virginia has passed a similar law, I understand, but the governor hasn’t signed it yet. Apparently, there are 37 other states planning to fight this, so it’s clear that it isn’t just Repub-controlled legislatures waging the battle.
If more states would follow Utah’s lead, we could tank this sucker. No Representative in her/his right mind would vote against their own state law.
I think Kansas (where I live) did that last week. I’m not sure what that means. in the end though.
If these stories make it into the news, it could make a big difference. I don’t think there’s anyone except an insurance company executive who thinks insurance companies aren’t the major source of our health care problems. Being forced to buy private insurance, these days, is the same as telling people they need to open up an account at Citibank.
If the Repubs, for example, really wanted to tank this bill, they would be appealing not to people’s thoughts on government-controlled health care–because we know people really like Medicare–but on the abuse of forcing individuals to purchase a private product with no price protections.
sure they will, they are voting against their own constituents right now. The goal is relection, not representation.
Iowa did too. But Federal law prevails
I think the states are in a weak legal position here, but, to me, the importance is that each one of these state laws is an act of rebellion. We’ll never take our country back without rebellion, and it has to begin somewhere.
It gives me a warm fuzzy to see signs of rebellion.
The WH & congress are just being so unbelievably corrupt. It’s disgusting.
Interesting. I assume they exempted auto insurance?
There is no analogy between car insurance and health insurance. You have to carry liability insurance IF YOU OWN A CAR and drive it on public roads and because you could be a danger to others. If this bill passes, you wil be forced to buy health insurance because you exist. BIG DIFFERENCE. Being coerced by the government to purchase a product from a private corporation simply because you are alive and breathing doesn’t even sound constitutional.
I think this is a lose/lose for congress and for the wh. I think republicans are pretty aware of this and the muted outrage on the right pretty much tells it all. They are just as happy to let the democrats screw themselves up which is what is going to happen whether this passes or not. I don’t see anyone gaining anything if this passes, pelosi’s seat is safe either way.
Ok, I guess I’m just a really naive Nell – Millions of people in this country see this bill for what it is and are against it – they’ve picked up the phone and tried calling thier reps (in many cases the phones have apparently been turned off) they’ve emailed them and written letters expressing their feelings on it – and yet all those congresscritters listen to the president – don’t they work for US – shouldn’t they be doing as we ask? Didn’t we elect them?
What on earth is he doing that they ask how high when he says “jump”
Suppose we were talking bread, and people were going hungry because the price of bread was too high. So, then the government says, we gotta fix this, and they pass a law that everybody has to buy bread. Not being able to buy bread was the whole problem in the first place, but, never mind. To address that, the government demands that bread companies make cheap bread for poor people who now have to buy it at pretty much the same price as regular bread, which now costs more. To make the expensive cheap bread affordable, the government says, buy it by the half loaf at manufacturer’s suggested retail price, and we’ll give you a break on your taxes…and then has a big back patting media celebration for feeding the hungry…
Good analogy. “Let them eat half a loaf”. Slightly different delivery, same message.
This is awesome! Can I quote it on my lj?
Sure.
This is great Cinie. I linked to your HCR post on Facebook and now I’m going to add this as the abridged version. You are truly the goddess of clarity and humor.
Car hackers. Great.
I know — my neighbors car honks crazily all the time — what if he’s a victim of this trick?
I will be wondering the same thing the next time I encounter a madly honking parked car.
VA’s attorney general just said they’re going to sue if the language has changed between the two bills. I’m not sure if it’s about the deem and pass part or the reconciliation part, but he claims there is a violation of the constitution with what’s happening. Don’t know if it’s just hot air, but it has some Obots really upset. Which may mean there is something to it.
Upset obots? Go Virginia!
I think there are over 30 states–just waiting.
North Korea executes its top financial official: http://jonathanturley.org/2010/03/18/non-stimulus-package-north-korea-claims-to-have-execute-top-finance-adviser/.
I’m just reporting.
be afraid, Timothy Geithner.
House Budget Committee Ranking Republican Paul Ryan responds to an NRO query about the news this morning: “The Congressional Budget Office has confirmed that there is currently no official cost estimate. Yet House Democrats are touting to the press — and spinning for partisan gain — numbers that have not been released and are impossible to confirm. Rep. James Clyburn stated he was ‘giddy’ about these unsubstantiated numbers. This is the latest outrageous exploitation by the Majority — in this case abusing the confidentiality of the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office — to pass their massive health care overhaul at any cost.”
http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=MjJiMjFkYjQyMTY4NmMyNDllYzZjNDAxNjVkOWE1ODQ=
myiq, please lysol the link if you feel that’s necessary..
The CBO report on the bill is out.
You can download it here
link is not working.
and Paul Ryan’s office claims the CBO report has not been released yet.
Forget Paul Ryan’s office.
If you can’t download from the link, go to the CBO’s website:
http://cbo.gov/
and click on
H.R. 4872, Reconciliation Act of 2010
It’s actually easy to read, just 25 pages.
Apparently it’s too hard to read the first page where it says it’s a preliminary estimate.
It’s better to get the report direct from their webpage.
I think many people are currently downloading the report and the server has become overwhelmed.
CBO says it’s a preliminary estimate
But the whole thing is good news for Dems on the Costs side.
The disclaimer is necessary because the CBO doesn’t have the final bill yet and who knows what else people may add in the bill in the middle of the night.
The CBO doesn’t have the current bill, only a preliminary draft.
By the way, I would be against this POS if it were cost free. Being cheaper than expected does not make it good reform!
Right…
Katie, sorry for contaminating your post!
This would be a good time for the media to revisit the “ready on day one” talking point that BO announced so frequently and vigorously in his campaign. BO was anything but ready for health care reform. I still don’t grasp any vision coming from the White House about where things are to go.
Mess with my Gran’s benefits…and it’s on.
She only just recently retired (76!!) because she was scared she wouldn’t be able to afford it. (and the county privatized the old folks home she work at for 30 years, threatening to cut retirement benefits for anyone that didn’t cut and run)
Temperature rising…
Ouch! Obama dissed the B0bots last night on Faux
http://edgeoforever.wordpress.com/2010/03/18/obama-to-fox-love-me-i-rejected-lefties-provisions/
Rep. Alan Grayson: We Have 74 Cosponsors for the Medicare You Can Buy Into Act (www.wewantmedicare.com)
That means the little people making an impact!
Feel-good stuff for us “bitter folks”
Maybe, but he beats Koochie by a long stretch. Any hoo, maybe one day the others will get some courage and do the right thing, but it may be when they no longer have control and it will be for not.
How so? He is voting for the crap sandwich isn’t he?
The reason these wimps can cave is because they don’t have to eat the crap sandwich. We do.
People criticize liberal politicians because they refuse to bargain or walk away, but liberal voters refuse to do either too.
I see too many times, “well, I’ll cast my protest vote, but only if I’m sure the Democrat can win without me”.
Until we as voters walk away from these goons, refuse to vote except for third parties (even if it means the Republicans win in the short term), we will keep getting the sh*t sandwich they’re feeding us with this health insurance bill. We have the power. We need to use it.
Right on. One of my greatest fears is that we are too stupid or stubborn to realize that basic truth.
Absolutely! I’m not a Kucinich supporter. But his supporters must be crushed today. It appears that there is a price for almost all of them.
I’m disgusted and saddened by all the dems that were against the war before they were for it. Barbara Lee–the ONLY one in the entire Congress that voted no on both wars. But with a different POTUS, things have changed. Pro-lifers and Pro-choicers that can flip on their principled stance, whichever it is, for a payoff.
I’m sick of most of these posers.
Yup. You do not respond to the problem of Democavers by caving to them.
Infestation of Hippies (laughed as I belong to a drum circle) Must be a play on FOX and their fear of people that don’t listen to what they are told by ‘conservative know it alls’ (even though it is wrong).
http://tiny.cc/nEssq
Crazy Rush is saying two Dems switched from yes to no. But I’m not seeing that anywhere else. Might be the usual crazy.
Wait a minute. How can he can tell the difference?
It’s those x-ray vision glasses.
here’s one
http://hotlineoncall.nationaljournal.com/archives/2010/03/rules_panel_dem.php
Hope they mean it, and aren’t just using that to get their names on National News.
why is the student loan program in this bill???????
Because they want to run every aspect of our life.
Yes I still complain about Medicare D.
This new health care bill will be another win for PhRMA. It just makes me sick really.
We are screwn either way.
The private supplements to Medicare were under Ronnie Raygun. Our tax dollars give 14 percent more money to those companies that offer their “comprehensive managed Medicare coverage”. You know the ones that offer your grandmother a gym membership but deny actual hospital stays. The paper work that we get just for office visits is ridiculous. Although I have to give kudos to one of our social workers who refused to give the insurance company any information regarding a patient they denied to pay for hospital stay. She told them since you aren’t paying for the care, it is none of your business to have private information about the patient.