White House ready to draft it's own healthcare bill

[wonderingrover]

Not content to let congress handle the legislative portion of the government, it looks like Obama is now ready to start writing legislation now. As a contingency plan (read: if I don't get my way), the White House is now saying it may draft it's own version of the healthcare bill.

Change you can believe in!

Story:

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/09/04/obama.health.care/index.html

[Thanatos144]

Not content to let congress handle the legislative portion of the government, it looks like Obama is now ready to start writing legislation now. As a contingency plan (read: if I don't get my way), the White House is now saying it may draft it's own version of the healthcare bill.

Change you can believe in!

Story:

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/09/04/obama.health.care/index.html

It seems to me that Congress doesn't write their bills anyway so I am betting Obama goes to the same special interest to write his. :)

[ddye]

Not content to let congress handle the legislative portion of the government, it looks like Obama is now ready to start writing legislation now. As a contingency plan (read: if I don't get my way), the White House is now saying it may draft it's own version of the healthcare bill.

Change you can believe in!

Story:

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/09/04/obama.health.care/index.html
Presidents introduce legislation all the time, they get someone on Congress to submit it.

That might be a good idea, Obama hasn't handled the issue very well. If he were to introduce a bill with HIS requirements and none of the pork, the debate might change, which is what he needs to happen.

Doug

[Thanatos144]

Presidents introduce legislation all the time, they get someone on Congress to submit it.

That might be a good idea, Obama hasn't handled the issue very well. If he were to introduce a bill with HIS requirements and none of the pork, the debate might change, which is what he needs to happen.

Doug

so you dont mind him taking the power of congress into the WH now ether?

[ddye]

so you dont mind him taking the power of congress into the WH now ether?
Dude, do your homework. Congress has the power to PASS legislation. And I'm not surprised that you ignored the inconvenient part, about how Presidents often craft legislation.

I guess if you hadn't ignored that, you couldn't have posted what you did. After all, an ill conceived cheap shot is a terrible thing to waste.

Doug

[ddye]

His requirements?

You mean from each according to his abilities and for each according to his needs?

Those requirements?
With grasping partisan "logic" like that you'll be a star in this forum! You're already in my Top Ten Favorite Posters.

Doug

[Thanatos144]

Dude, do your homework. Congress has the power to PASS legislation. And I'm not surprised that you ignored the inconvenient part, about how Presidents often craft legislation.

I guess if you hadn't ignored that, you couldn't have posted what you did. After all, an ill conceived cheap shot is a terrible thing to waste.

Doug

No they dont craft legislation. They ask congress to craft it. They get a senator or congressman to got is crafted and passed. Thats how our country is ran and frankly I am getting tired of Obama trying to change it.

[deportalllibs]

Obama is going to draft a healthcare bill? The same dumb as a brick Obama that just appointed the communist truther Van Jones? :)):)):)) Let the fool draft a healthcare bill that would be hilarious.

[Tulsa]

I hope he does. I'm really curious to see what he comes up with and how long and vague it will be. Of course it probably won't be posted so we can read it prior to being passed in the middle of the night.

[deportalllibs]

I guess since Obama screwed up the first one he'll blame it on somebody else then screw up the one new, too.

I wonder who he will blame this one on?

Booooosh! Que I inherited this healthcare mess.

[Wino]

Will it be a 10,000 page bill, full of pork, power grabbing by the White house, passed overnight without congress reading it?

[ddye]

I still can't understand what is wrong with the current healthcare system. You go to work and buy insurance. If you become ill you go to the doctor and your insurance kicks in. I buy the insurance I like. You buy the insurance you. Everybody is happy.

...Except for-the people that want you and I to pay for their healthcare...
What is "wrong" is that health care takes over 19% of our GNP, and insurance costs are predicted to QUADRUPLE over the next 15 years, as baby boomers age.

That's aside from the practice of screwing people out of money after paying premiums for decades, and a bunch of other little things like that.

If we do not reform health insurance, only the very wealthy will be able to afford it in a few years.

Doug

[B' en Natuf]

No problem. These health care bills are getting killed off in the congressional death panels quicker than grandma's coverage.

[PSBandit]

Kinda funny. So BHO thinks the bill hes been pushing for months, which he didn't read.... is crap?

[Darkblade]

its going to look like one of those bank robber notes from world's dumbest criminal videos....

[PSBandit]

its going to look like one of those bank robber notes from world's dumbest criminal videos....

:)) :))

[simssk]

its going to look like one of those bank robber notes from world's dumbest criminal videos....

I wish I could believe that was at least a possibility.

I'll bet obama has been preparing for this contingency.

Remember, he relies on the advice of those who surround him.

We know who surrounds him. Something is written already and it hasn't been by him.

[Tulsa]

What is "wrong" is that health care takes over 19% of our GNP, and insurance costs are predicted to QUADRUPLE over the next 15 years, as baby boomers age.

That's aside from the practice of screwing people out of money after paying premiums for decades, and a bunch of other little things like that.

If we do not reform health insurance, only the very wealthy will be able to afford it in a few years.

Doug

And HR3200 is projected to cost of a trillion in ten years. Health care is going to cost more in the future, we know that, so is everything else, we just don't need the government screwing it up. Let's remove the restriction of state borders for insurance and bring into play a more free market approach.

[Darkblade]

This iz a stikupp! Put the muny inn small bagz and dont call the poleese! (some of the letters are printed backwards and in random capitals too )

[UK Glenmont]

Not content to let congress handle the legislative portion of the government, it looks like Obama is now ready to start writing legislation now. As a contingency plan (read: if I don't get my way), the White House is now saying it may draft it's own version of the healthcare bill.

Change you can believe in!

Story:

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/09/04/obama.health.care/index.html

im sorry, but dont you think, they should have had a plan from the start?

NOW they want to come up with a plan????

BS alert just went off.

[B' en Natuf]

Obama's health care plan according to the health care czar

For those under 15, if you get sick... pray
For those between 16 and 50, don't get sick... pay
For those over 50 if you get sick... don't stay

Everybody gets to go to the doctor... but he can't do anything for you!

[PSBandit]

This iz a stikupp! Put the muny inn small bagz and dont call the poleese! (some of the letters are printed backwards and in random capitals too )

The only difference being its not a bank... BHO and the IRS are going door-to-door to everyones home and place of business.

[DCinNC]

Well if it's not constituional it cant be adopted and if it is, we can nullify it because it does not carry the force of law. There is no way I will let the government tax me for or force me to use government care.

[chip]

Im looking forward to seeing it. This way his apologists can no longer pass the buck and push off the blame to congress for bad legislation.

[JenyEliza]

Presidents introduce legislation all the time, they get someone on Congress to submit it.

That might be a good idea, Obama hasn't handled the issue very well. If he were to introduce a bill with HIS requirements and none of the pork, the debate might change, which is what he needs to happen.

Doug

http://www.libertyshirtmarket.com/v/vspfiles/photos/108-2.jpg

[chip]

What is "wrong" is that health care takes over 19% of our GNP, and insurance costs are predicted to QUADRUPLE over the next 15 years, as baby boomers age.

That's aside from the practice of screwing people out of money after paying premiums for decades, and a bunch of other little things like that.

If we do not reform health insurance, only the very wealthy will be able to afford it in a few years.

Doug

Your own post proves why govt interference is the reason for high healthcare costs.

Since the govt is by far the largest insurer of seniors, mainly because they force them to sign up for medicare A or forfeit SSI benefits, it shows that the predicted rise in insurance and healthcare costs is due to the govt insuring more seniors and shifting even more of the costs onto those who use private insurance.

Why else would private insurance and healthcare costs rise if the govt was paying for the insurance and healthcare of the group growing at the fastest rate?

[wonderingrover]

An interesting facet of this I noticed while reading the article in the original OP:

A source close to the White House said the administration is leaning toward dropping the public option, and continues to zero in on persuading Republican Sen. Olympia Snowe to come on board. Snowe has long pushed for a trigger option. Watch why Obama faces dilemma on health care bill »

The source said the bill that would be presented to Snowe would leave out a public option but include a trigger provision that could lead to the introduction of a new government-run insurance plan under certain circumstances. The legislation would cover most, though not all, of the 46 million uninsured Americans. It would also include popular insurance reforms, such as ending the insurance industry practice of using pre-existing conditions to deny coverage.

So, no public option to start off with - but the option to introduce one later. That way, he can have his cake and eat it too.

Also noted is that he is keying in on Olympia Snowe to help this get passed. If I lived in Maine, I'd be keying in on her too - to help keep it from getting passed.....

[E7ALR]

They don't have the actual votes now in the House or the Senate for any of these bills. The White house will submit a new bill, which will have to go through a Member of the House (like it or not the bill is more of a tax and revenue bill than a health care bill). Pelosi and the powerful committee chairs are already fighting over how it will look without this. It ends up, along with all the current bills floating around both houses and nothing comes forth.

All this is going to lead to is more fireworks inside the Democrat caucus.

[UK Glenmont]

An interesting facet of this I noticed while reading the article in the original OP:

A source close to the White House said the administration is leaning toward dropping the public option, and continues to zero in on persuading Republican Sen. Olympia Snowe to come on board. Snowe has long pushed for a trigger option. Watch why Obama faces dilemma on health care bill »

The source said the bill that would be presented to Snowe would leave out a public option but include a trigger provision that could lead to the introduction of a new government-run insurance plan under certain circumstances. The legislation would cover most, though not all, of the 46 million uninsured Americans. It would also include popular insurance reforms, such as ending the insurance industry practice of using pre-existing conditions to deny coverage.

So, no public option to start off with - but the option to introduce one later. That way, he can have his cake and eat it too.

Also noted is that he is keying in on Olympia Snowe to help this get passed. If I lived in Maine, I'd be keying in on her too - to help keep it from getting passed.....

snowe needs to go.

people of Maine, if you want a liberal, vote in a democrat.

get rid of this embarrassment to your state.

[deportalllibs]

I still can't understand what is wrong with the current healthcare system. You go to work and buy insurance. If you become ill you go to the doctor and your insurance kicks in. I buy the insurance I like. You buy the insurance you. Everybody is happy.

...Except for-the people that want you and I to pay for their healthcare...

Haven't you heard, there is a healthcare CRISIS going on, 10's of thousands are dropping dead every day and the morgues are overflowing into the streets.

[deportalllibs]

And HR3200 is projected to cost of a trillion in ten years. Health care is going to cost more in the future, we know that, so is everything else, we just don't need the government screwing it up. Let's remove the restriction of state borders for insurance and bring into play a more free market approach.

Don't worry government run healthcare will cost much less than private run healthcare...yes that was the jokes punchline :)):)):))

[don_p]

so you dont mind him taking the power of congress into the WH now ether?

As Doug says, that happens all the time. That isn't taking the power of Congress into the White House. It is about following up on the campaign.

The Presidential election is the largest and most important national election of where the country as a whole wants to go. The policies that the Presidential candidates espouse is what people vote on. Of course the President should interject those policies into Congress for debate.

[don_p]

What is "wrong" is that health care takes over 19% of our GNP, and insurance costs are predicted to QUADRUPLE over the next 15 years, as baby boomers age.

That's aside from the practice of screwing people out of money after paying premiums for decades, and a bunch of other little things like that.

If we do not reform health insurance, only the very wealthy will be able to afford it in a few years.

Doug

The problem is that the Democratic drafted bills don't do anything about the problems you list in the first paragraph.

[JenyEliza]

Just curious, how'd you pay the $28,000?

You work with the hospital.

I was hospitalized for a month before my twins were born 8 weeks early in 1995.

My hospitalization: $50,000.00, out of pocket 20% ($10,000.00)

After the children were born, they were in NICU for 4 more weeks. Just the bed was $3k per day EACH.

Total Cost of their NICU stay: $200,000.00, out of pocket 20% ($40,000.00)

===========

Insurance paid 80% of the $250,000.00

Leaving total out of pocket: $50,000.00 for two months worth of intensive hospitalization.

We hired a forensic auditor to review all the bills and had errors removed/corrected. You would be amazed at how many double/triple charges we found on the babies bills. Medications they'd never been given (per their charts), but showed up on the bill. Over charges for the bed--they'd charge both babies TWICE for their bed (ie, $6,000/day, vs. $3,000/day for their bed--for a total of $12,000 for those days JUST FOR THE BEDS ONLY).

Then the forensic auditor, myself and my lawyer sat down with hospital patient accounts rep, their lawyer and we negotiated a final amount to be paid (which I agreed to keep confidential in the final agreement). Then I paid it off month, after month, after month until the balance was retired.

That's how it works.

[JenyEliza]

It's a work in progress but money well spent.

Yep...you hang in there. One day you will be out from under that debt. You'll see.

If you want some suggestions or help with this, PM me. I will tell you how I handled our massive debt after a hospital bill of $250,000.00

Glad you're on the mend and getting back to good health. :D

[JenyEliza]

Ok, now let's put ourselves in the same boat but we make only $30,000 per year and you're a single mom with no benefits.

THAT was my scenario--I still am a single parent.

My ex and I split up when the babies were 3 months old. The insurance was in my name only. I was stuck holding the bag financially, and unable to go back to work until the babies were almost 2 due to health issues from prematurity.

Your math was pretty good, though. We lived with family during the time I was paying off the hospital, so that we didn't have a mortgage/rent payment AND hospital payment. I drove a paid for POS car with no radio and no air conditioning. I only bought absolute necessities and frequently wore shoes with holes in them.

Eventually, I went back to work making $29,000 in 1997 and shortly thereafter, I took my life savings ($5,000) and bought a very run down HUD home in not the greatest neighborhood--with a 1st Time Homeowner Loan. And we still live there. Mortgage payment at closing was $612.00, 8% fixed rate.

I've been through hell....but it was worth it. The kids are great and the best blessing God could have ever given me.

My ex is suddenly back in the picture and discovering all he missed out on while he was doing his best Jon Gosselin imitation! :D

[Proud Mom and Teacher]

Presidents introduce legislation all the time, they get someone on Congress to submit it.

That might be a good idea, Obama hasn't handled the issue very well. If he were to introduce a bill with HIS requirements and none of the pork, the debate might change, which is what he needs to happen.

Doug
Classic. :rolleyes:

[Proud Mom and Teacher]

If we do not reform health insurance, only the very wealthy will be able to afford it in a few years.

Doug
OK, Doug. :rolleyes:

[JenyEliza]

Oh, as for the auditor....the auditor and lawyer were hired by the insurance company and my employer. It was in their best interest to spend this money to ensure the bill was correct. I am SO grateful that they did this, or I would have severely been hurt financially. Unfortunately, I don't know the details of how much they made, but I believe the auditor made a percentage of whatever money they found and saved (ie, if they knocked $50,000 off the bill, they got a percentage of that amount from the insurance company/employer).

I paid my lawyer through Pre-Paid lawyers (thank God I had elected that coverage) and the rest is history. :mrgreen:

[Proud Mom and Teacher]

I wish I could believe that was at least a possibility.

I'll bet obama has been preparing for this contingency.

Remember, he relies on the advice of those who surround him.

We know who surrounds him. Something is written already and it hasn't been by him.
Emmanuel and Daschell? Somehow I can see them all in a dark study somewhere salivating page after page.

[Proud Mom and Teacher]

Wow, imagine if you hadn't hired the auditor! Another note of curiosity, how much did it cost you for the auditor and lawyers on top of your health bills?

In a situation like this you obviously worked out some sort of payment plan over X number of years. Plus, on top of that, continue paying premiums. Since we don't know the actual terms of your settlement let's hypothetically say you had 5 years to pay it off and, just for fun, not interest charges (keeps the math simple). That would be $833.33 per month on top of the premiums (if , in fact, you pay them yourself as they might be employer paid, dunno).

Now, let's say you have a job (or two combined incomes) over $100k per year which would allow you to afford that even though it would pose somewhat of a cramp on your lifestyle for those 5 years (basically it would be a Beemer payment).

Ok, now let's put ourselves in the same boat but we make only $30,000 per year and you're a single mom with no benefits.
Then you file bankruptcy or work out payment for more years. Who do you expect to pay for your illness and injuries?

[JenyEliza]

Thank you for this post.

The most I do for the Hospital's 20% right now is to just send them a few bucks a month until I get some other interest bearing debts paid off.

You are correct about the over charges. The hospital pharmacy bill (according to them the first time) was $40,000. I did $40,000 worth of dope in three weeks!

My mother would be so proud.

Yeah, imagine the pharmacy audit for a very pregnant mother, and two teeny tiny babies.

Did you know that even teeny babies get dope when they're in pain (but Mom has to throw her weight around to have the baby's pain managed)? Did you know they charge the SAME as a grown up for a teeny-tiny baby dose of Morphine? :think:

It was amazing some of the nonsene we found in my bill and theirs.

I was pregnant--I refused all pain meds until delivery.
And yet....they tried to bill for a morphine pump (ca-ching) and 24/7 morphine (big time ca-ching!!) the entire 4 weeks I was in the hospital. That was a lot of dough $$$....

Forensic auditors are a huge blessing---you ought to see if your insurance company will spring for one and have your bills audited once more. I think you'll be able to knock a LOT more off your bill.

Oh, and as long as you send the hospital $5.00/month, they can't send you to collections and they can't do a damned thing to your credit! So....in tight times, send 'em a crisp 5'er and don't stress! :D

[JenyEliza]

Patriot--to be truthful with you, no. I don't want a UCH program even after my experience.

Because my children were born 8 weeks early, they were eligible for SSI benefits and Medicaid--which would have covered their bills 100% and I would have been left debt free on discharge.

I declined both SSI and Medicaid.

Medicaid is a UHC program---but I knew they would be treated better under my private-pay health insurance and I'm damned glad we had it. I feel proud of myself that I handled my family's business without government assistance.

Beyond that, had I elected Medicaid/SSI, I would have been saddled with a DFACS social worker (who had an office right there in the NICU). She would have been supervising my every move and supervising health decisions that I made for my children. She *could have* over-ridden any and/or all of my decisions at will.

I said HELL NO to that. It was better to eat the $$ I had to pay in order to be autonomous and free from government intrusion into our lives.

[catocom]

I don't think obama has the education to write anything of any use much.

[AvgGuyIA]

What is "wrong" is that health care takes over 19% of our GNP, and insurance costs are predicted to QUADRUPLE over the next 15 years, as baby boomers age.

That's aside from the practice of screwing people out of money after paying premiums for decades, and a bunch of other little things like that.

If we do not reform health insurance, only the very wealthy will be able to afford it in a few years.

DougConservatives and Republicans are very much willing to HELP reform health insurance. Just give us a place at the table sometime and be willing to compromise. One thing, however, is that you must forget about the public option or there's no deal.

[JenyEliza]

Again, I commend your courage and tenacity. Honestly!

I think the key in your case was that you did have a choice. You had private insurance at the time you and your husband were together and during this ordeal.

So, let's ask the question this way. Would you have appreciated a UHC that provided the same care as your private insurer IF you did not have private insurance benefits?

I don't know that I can answer that--I've not been in that position. Generally, I do not believe government should be in the healthcare business. Period.

Hitler and his government experients on humans, the Tuskeegee Experiments and other government involved so-called "healthcare" scare the **** out of me.

Even the NIH is a little scary for me....and I have a family member who has there for treatment of a condition known as an "orphan disease" (ie, less than 100 people worldwide have ever had her condition). Still scary to involve goverment in your life/death decisions.

"I'm from the government and I'm here to help you" are some pretty scary words (to me).

[JenyEliza]

Patriot....have you ever involved a government agency in your healthcare or other personal decisions? Was it voluntary or involuntary?

What was the outcome? Were you happy with it?