In making his case for a government takeover of the US health-care system, President Obama is going far beyond the usual Washington truth-stretching. Take a look at just a few of the most common claims:
“If you like your current health-care plan, you can keep it.” Even White House spokesmen have said that Obama’s oft-repeated pledge that you can keep your current insurance isn’t meant to be taken literally. The reality is that millions of Americans – perhaps most Americans – will be forced to change insurance plans.
–snip–
In the end, millions of Americans would be forced out of the insurance they have today and into the government plan. Businesses, in particular, would have every incentive to dump their workers into the public plan. The actuarial firm the Lewin Group estimates that as many as 118.5 million people, roughly two-thirds of those with insurance today, would be shifted from private to public coverage.
“You will pay less.” The Congressional Budget Office has made it clear that the reform plans now being debated will increase overall health-care costs, yet President Obama on Friday repeatedly said that his reform would reduce costs and save Americans money.
But no matter how many times he says it, the truth is you will pay more – much more – both in higher taxes and in higher premiums.
–snip–
If one totals up all the new taxes in the House Democratic health-reform bill – the income surtax, the penalties on businesses and individuals that fail to buy into the government health plan, as well as other fees and taxes – the cost to US taxpayers will top $800 billion. New York City will face marginal tax rates as high as 57 percent.
At a time of rising unemployment and economic stagnation, that is like throwing an anchor to a drowning man.
In addition, the new insurance regulations expected to be part of the final bill are likely to drive up insurance premiums. And, if the new government-run plan under-reimburses doctors and hospitals – as Medicare and Medicaid do – providers would be forced to recoup that lost income by shifting their costs to private insurance, driving up premiums. A study by the Council for Affordable Health Insurance estimates that the president’s proposals could increase premiums by 75 to 95 percent.
Quality will improve.” Anyone who thinks a government takeover of the health-care system will improve quality of care has only to look at the health-care programs the government already runs: The Veterans Administration is overwhelmed with problems, Medicaid is notorious for providing poor quality at a high cost – and Medicare has huge gaps in coverage.Worse, however, on Friday, Obama endorsed the creation of a government board with the power to dictate how your doctor practices medicine and all but endorsed the rationing prevalent in nationalized health-care systems around the world.
–snip–
entire article available at RealClearPolitics
Thank you for the enlightening articles on wily Obama’s health care POWER GRAB. The man occupying the Oval Office is a very adroit liar.
Opposing Obama’s healthcare plan is all well and good, but we’ve also got to come up with an alternative.
The current system we have is unsustainable. The fact that Obama’s would be worse doesn’t change that.
A modified version of Romney’s plan for MA is a possible alternative.
Here’s another interesting idea from a U of Chicago economist:
http://www.cato.org/pub_display.php?pub_id=9986
We need to be the party of ideas again, and we need to be coming up with solutions to real problems.
Simply sticking to dogmatic ideological slogan like “tax-cuts good, tax-increases bad” or “markets good/government bad” won’t cut it.
I totally agree Adam. There always has to be innovating and new ideas. It’s all a part of growing, staying vibrant, not “boring”, keeping ahead of the curve. Health care is a huge concern and if we don’t come up with innovative solutions, Obama and the left will throw something together that would be catastrophic.
Got that from our good folks at Huffington Post who had it from Crooks and Thieves
Cheers
Craig
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/07/20/obama-calls-on-bloggers-t_n_241570.html
—– Original Message —–
From: John Cronin
To: Craig Barnes
Sent: Wednesday, July 22, 2009 10:39 AM
Craig,
Hate to be a pest, but here’s a question from HealthySpence from “The Competent Conservative” website.
“John, where did you guys get the Obama audio about admitting he’s not familiar with key issues of the health bill?”
~~John Cronin~~
Thanks John for the trouble in looking for this. You didn’t have to do it. Thanks
Spencer
Yes, it is the pride of change we can believe in,so America have to pay back to Obama if it is approved by senates,that is the gift from inexperience that never care how America feel and hurt,so next time never repeat mistake and take the wrong people for the wrong job,please put the right man for the right job.