-
Login
-
Digital Edition
-
Print Edition
- Most Commented
- Most Commented
- Most Emailed
- Most Emailed
- Popular
- Popular
« News Home
Senate’s 10-year health fix would cost U.S. $856B
TweetWASHINGTON (AP) — Sen. Max Baucus released the much-awaited Finance Committee version of an American health-system remake — a landmark $856 billion, 10-year measure that starts a rough ride through Congress without visible Republican backing.
The bill by Baucus, chairman of the Finance Committee, would make major changes to the nation’s $2.5 trillion health-care system, including requiring all individuals to purchase health care or pay a fine, and language prohibiting insurance company practices like charging more to people with more serious health problems.
“This is a unique moment in history where we can finally reach an objective so many of us have sought for so long,” Baucus said today. “The Finance Committee has carefully worked through the details of health care reform to ensure this package works for patients, for health care providers and for our economy.”
Consumers would be able to shop for and compare insurance plans in a new purchasing exchange. Medicaid would be expanded, and caps would be placed on patients’ yearly health-care costs.
The plan would be paid for with $507 billion in cuts to government health programs and $349 billion in new taxes and fees.
Comments
so if you cant afford health care you will be fined? and $349b to taxpayers? And where are the $507b in cuts coming from? Big Brother says YOU WILL HAVE INSURANCE if we have to shove it down your throat. and if you dont like it we will fine you. I read somewhere (not sureif it included in this bill) you wont even get atax refund if you dont have insurance. Is it going to be Happy 18th Birthday get health insurance right now or pay a fine?
I don't want to pay money I earned to treat people who don't take care of themselves when I keep myself healthy.
Why should it cost me money when other people eat too much and have a bad heart or smoke and get lung cancer or don't take care of themselves otherwise?
Obama and the DSP have already passed the budget-busting $787 billion stimulus package, a budget that doubles the national debt in five years, and triples it in ten years. The earmarks, despite campaign pledges to the contrary, continue unimpeded.
So what's another $856,000,000,000.00/10 years. Like ProAmerican correctly stated, the expectation is that it will go overbudget...by alot. Just as have all other government ventures into healthcare, by all governments that have attempted it. The NHS is scheduled to go bankrupt in 2 years, Medicare in 10 years. The CBO has warned of deficits with Obama"care" that increase over time.
It will be funded by tax increases, on top of already likely increases in income tax, capital gains taxes and a cap-and-trade energy tax. It will also be funded by destruction of Medicare Advantage and cuts in payments to hospitals and providers. It is my prediction that rationing will be inevitable (Canadian-style) due to provider shortages and already struggling hospitals will be consumed by the government like GM, banks and lenders, etc.
It is a transfer of wealth and power from the subjects to the rulers. There is nothing noble or compassionate about burdensome debt and taxes that steal one's ability to climb the ladder of prosperity, as well as inevitable rationing by a government bureacracy.
For anyone reading this who wants the government to control their health care...what do you think is going to happen in 5-10 years if this passes instead of sensible and affordable reform?