I wanted to put my two cents for anyone who cares to hear it on this particular issue. Do what you like with it. It is not my intention to tear down the progressive march forward to justice and equality, but what I heard scared me more than offered hope things are going to get better with what was announced.
- Mandatory insurance purchased through 'an exchange', and a public option only for catastrophic cases.
This has to be the biggest give away ever to the insurance companies and not to mention the most regressive. You HAVE TO buy a policy which MAY NOT cover what you need, but it may be the only one you can afford. What the fuck kind of bullshit is that? What if there isn't a policy that will cover what you need like major dental reconstruction? Are you just going to pay out of pocket like you do now?
- What about the premiums?
Speaking of premiums, not a word was mentioned about this. Are we going to let the market dictate the costs of premiums? If that's the case, I highly doubt you will see much cost savings put forward. If you don't think insurance companies will manipulate the market the same way energy traders did to jack up gasoline to 4.50 a gallon, you are sadly mistaken. The market players will game this and it will NEVER be affordable. Kucinich was right. We WILL be back here in 5 years will be in the same boat. Millions of people who need insurance but can't afford it, and millions more underinsured because they can't buy the policy that they need.
- Abortion.
Abortion is a medical procedure. The fact that is not covered is a disgrace and affront to women's rights, and again, a regression of the system. I am so sick of the misogynistic subjugation women find themselves under. Delivering a fetus with hydroencephalitis is the equivalent of passing a basketball through your rectum. It kills.
- Transgendered persons health rights.
Knowing some wonderful people in this world who happen to not have congruity in their bodies and spirit, I know how badly this minority is treated by both the medical profession and the insurance companies. Are conservatives going to argue we shouldn't help them either?
- Who's going to actually hold insurance companies accountable? Is the government going to review all claims denied? Doubtful.
These are just my questions and feelings about issues. I do believe in the progressive movement, and when I say that, I mean the best ideas are carried forward, no matter what their origin is. But I don't see a plan that shields ANYONE from the problems that exist today, just in the same way we don't hear anything about fixing the problems that caused the collapse of Wall Street, although I know some plans are being drafted now about that.
- Illegal alien coverage.
I'll keep this simple. We will pay for them one way or another. They will still come to the emergency rooms and still be treated, and the counties where the hospitals are will still be charged. Not fixed.
I really hope Obama knows what he's doing when he looks into the camera at the millions of unemployed and says 'you have to buy insurance'. What I heard really was a plan that that does maybe 50% of what is needed. I am not satisfied with that. Are you?