Observer-Reporter forum

Ron Christman · Amature Joined: 02 Nov 2009 Posts: 56

We should be way beyond this part of the health care discussion by now but it seems that to some we still have to justify why we need health care reform in the United States.

I have a list of questions that I never hear anyone on the right or in the anti-Obama/anti-reform crowd answer. I don’t expect answers to all of the questions at any one time (although it would be interesting), but you certainly could pick three or four and give a honest factual answer*.
1. Why are we the only industrialized nation in the world that does not have universal health care?
2. Why are we the only nation in the world that allows insurance companies to deny coverage because of pre-existing conditions?
3. Why do 35-40 other industrialized countries recognize that a healthy, productive workforce through universal health care makes them more competitive in a global marketplace? Why are we the only one that doesn’t?
4. Why do Republicans say that a government run health insurance system will be more costly than a private system when actual administrative costs for Medicare are just 3% of the total expenditure and for private insurers are 14% of the total?
5. Why do Republicans claim that private insurance companies are better run than any government system would operate but then whine that a government system would be too efficient for private insurers to compete against? President Obama insists that a public system must be self-sufficient and not subsidized by taxpayers so it would be a level playing field.
6. Why are 31% of health care costs in the U.S. spent on administrative expenses while less than half of that expense occurs in single payer government run systems around the world? Over $1000.00 per person per year is spent on health care administrative costs in the USA.
7. Why do we rank 37th in overall quality of care and 72nd in overall health of 191 countries evaluated? The facts are that virtually every nation with universal care spends far less on their health care than we do with far better results.
8. Why do French men live three years longer than American men? Don’t they drink a lot, smoke a lot, and eat rich food? Could it be that their health care is far better than ours?
9. Why, if we have the most technology and spend the most money on health care, do we rank 29th in infant mortality rate? The rate our babies die in their first year is twice that of European nations. Why is it acceptable to Republicans to kill our babies unnecessarily?
10. The French were able to complete online record keeping of health records for all of their citizens in 2005 and have proven that the records can be kept private. Why do Republicans argue against a record keeping system that would reduce errors, improve efficiency, lower costs, and aid the improvement of outcomes, if we have proof that the system works?
11. Why would Republicans worry that a government bureaucracy would get between the patient and the doctor when they find it acceptable for private insurance companies do that right now?
12. Why, if Canadians have to come to the US for timely treatment as Republicans claim, are our border states’ hospitals not overrun with Canadians? Could it be that the vast majority of Canadians getting care in the US are doing so because they get sick during their 2-3 months as “snowbirds” in Hilton Head, Myrtle Beach, and West Palm Beach? Studies by legitimate independent researchers do not support the antidotal “evidence” in the GOP ads.
13. Why are we are spending 50% more of our GDP on health care costs than any other nation? The average annual costs for countries with universal health care is 10% of GDP. France, with the best health care in the world, pays just 11% of their GDP versus our 16% of GDP.
14. Why, if Republicans are concerned about costs for businesses and the government, do they support a system that spends so much more of our business profits and government receipts (taxes) on health care than all other countries?
15. Why, if adjudication costs are going down (a statistical fact), are malpractice insurance costs continuing to rise? (More profits for the insurance companies?!?!).
16. Why do the top 5% of Americans use 50% of health care expenditures?
17. If our average American is getting “the best health care in the world” for an average insurance cost of $12,000.00; what do the Rolls Royce plans provide for $40,000.00? What is it that the wealthy are getting for their insurance dollars that the average American is not? Private rooms do not cost that much. Could it be that the best health care in the world is reserved for only the wealthy?
18. Why, if Republicans are worried about the bottom line, did they pass the Medicare drug bill without the ability to negotiate costs with drug companies? The result is that Medicare is paying 77% higher drug costs than other governments do.
19. Why, if Republicans are worried about deficits, did they pass the Medicare drug bill without a means to pay for it? President Obama has said that health care reform will be budget neutral and has reinstated PayGo requirements for congress. (PayGo = all new expenditures must be balanced by reductions elsewhere or paid for by new revenues).
20. Why are we one of only two countries in the world that permits television advertising of prescription drugs?
21. Why do Republicans say that there are ways of taking care of the problems with the health insurance industry and delivery of care other than what the Democrats want to do, yet they offer no actual plans that stand scrutiny?
22. Why, if Republicans have a better way of fixing health care as they claim, did they not do it during the Bush administration?
23. How do we claim a higher moral standing than others when we find it acceptable to make a profit on the misery and illnesses of our citizens when all other nations believe it is morally reprehensible to treat their people that way?
24. Why are the same “moral and Christian value” politicians who stopped health care reform fifteen years ago still putting insurance companies and private for-profit providers ahead of the citizens they claim to represent?
25. Why would the GOP leaders embarrass themselves by waving a health care plan in the air that only reduces the number of uninsured by 3 million and reduces the deficit by $68 billion when the Democrats plan reduces the number of uninsured by 36 million and reduces the deficit by $81 billion. (current CBO numbers). The GOP plan leaves 95% of the current uninsured still uninsured in 2019!

How can anyone argue against reform after honestly answering the above questions?

*All data and statistics used in the questions are from reliable and verifiable sources and not from liberal or conservative groups or organizations. The data may be found and verified easily through simple Google searches.

Cylinsier · Master Joined: 29 Sep 2008 Posts: 13229 Location: Oh shi-

Welcome to the board, Ron.
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ellipses · Mod Joined: 29 Sep 2008 Posts: 9218 Location: WashPa!

I enjoy mr. christman's letters to the editor... and this post is yet another example of why "upvote" features are awesome.

I am looking forward to what becomes of this thread.
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OndinitaAKALibchit · Posted: Thu Nov 05, 2009 3:23 pm Post subject:

Great questions!! Since I'm pro health care reform, I'd love to see someone try answering them!!
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OndinitaAKALibchit · Posted: Thu Nov 05, 2009 3:28 pm Post subject:

This thread make get more traffic under "National and International News"! Wink

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"If by a 'Liberal' they mean someone who looks ahead and not behind, someone who welcomes new ideas without rigid reactions, someone who cares about the welfare of the people — their health, their housing, their schools, their jobs, their civil rights and their civil liberties ... if that is what they mean by a 'Liberal,' then I’m proud to say I’m a 'Liberal.'" ~ Senator John F. Kennedy 9/14/1960

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Cylinsier · Master Joined: 29 Sep 2008 Posts: 13229 Location: Oh shi-

Yeah, I was thinking that. But on the other hand, you avoid certain people who rarely venture outside of there.
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ellipses · Mod Joined: 29 Sep 2008 Posts: 9218 Location: WashPa!

Eh... so, I put up a big neon sign in national and international news Smile

I expect the bold patrol to arrive any minute Smile

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OndinitaAKALibchit · Posted: Thu Nov 05, 2009 3:37 pm Post subject:

Cylinsier · Master Joined: 29 Sep 2008 Posts: 13229 Location: Oh shi-

Brant · Posted: Thu Nov 05, 2009 4:12 pm Post subject:

That's one of the best things I've ever read regarding the health-care debate. A lot of very valid questions that will either go unanswered or be answered with idiocy.
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dick · Journeyman Joined: 28 Jan 2009 Posts: 3134

Health Care legislation got endorsements from the AARP and the AMA

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091105/ap_on_bi_ge/us_health_care_overhaul
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SSSS · Posted: Thu Nov 05, 2009 5:23 pm Post subject:

well I am sure it has already been decided that my answers are worng Ron becuase I am a conservative, but I will pick up the gauntlet here.

1. We are not. I ask for a link proving your statement.
2. Do not know if this is true or not.
3. We do-that is why most successful US companies have employee wellness programs. Mine does.
4. Because we know what the admin costs of most government run programs becomes. mediocare is the exception rather that the rule. We need somewhere to put political patronage hires.
5. Can you say AmTrak
6. DO you have a link to prove your numbers?
7. Those numbers have been widely disputed. I do not know what the truth is.
8. More likely they do not have the poor air quality that we have. There is no evidence pointing to better health care as a cause.
9. This is a stupid statement-who is for and against abortion as a whole? Very childish accusation.
10. Even the CIA and the Pentagon have not been able to keep records private. Why should I believe that the US Government would get it right in health records?
11. I agree-except the government is so inept I do not want them in between ANYONE and me.
12. As I have stated here before, I go to Canada every other year-the people I have talked to do not much care for their health care, no matter what Harry reid says.
13. Sounds like you would be happier in France.
14. They don't
15. Let me see your statistical fact-becasue you are wrong.
16. Link?
17. Absurd statement. Doctors who cater to the upper crust charge more
18. agree
19 Any Democrat has a lot of nerve talking about increasing deficiets.
20 I wish we didn';t-they are annoying.
21. They do.
22. You need a history lesson-it was CLinton that was going to fix health care.
23. all other nations? You really need to spend some time in the library.
24. Left wingers are getting a lot of campaign funds from them too-glass houses?
25. You just contradicted yourself with this question.

Now-having answered and having acknowledged already that I am wrong becasue of my political leanings, let me state that I am NOT against reform but I am not sure that a reform bill that is being rushed into just to make a President;s personal agenda is the way to go.
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busdriver · Journeyman Joined: 16 Mar 2009 Posts: 3497

ellipses · Mod Joined: 29 Sep 2008 Posts: 9218 Location: WashPa!

OndinitaAKALibchit · Posted: Thu Nov 05, 2009 6:05 pm Post subject: