Unchecked power grab, or catching up with civilization?
| Thursday, Sep 24 2009 10:00 PM
Last Updated Thursday, Sep 24 2009 10:02 PM
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Bill puts Obama in charge
I do not like the new administration created by HR 3200 to write regulations that will define a new U.S. health care system. There are no limits on this regulatory scheme. Congress is turning an undefined, uncontrolled executive branch monster loose on the American people.
The bill that President Obama keeps describing is not HR 3200. The Democrats keep saying: "There are no 'death panels' in the bill. There is no federal funding for abortion. There is no health care rationing. There is no control on limitations regarding who your doctor is." They are right. These things are not in the bill. All of those details are left to the new health care administration.
HR 3200 also creates a 27-member panel to be appointed by the president. A panel to define what treatments are available to who, the administrator makes it law. It does not matter what name is on the check, if the only qualified policy is written by the federal government and administered under its supervision, the system is de facto single payer.
HR 3200 empowers the administrator to dictate the entire U.S. health care system with no supervision by anyone but politically appointed operatives. Under HR 3200 the ancient god Hades will report to the president. Hades was the Greek god of death.
VANCE WOOLLEY
Bakersfield
Time for reform is now
Health care reform as proposed by the Congress is not just HR 3200 -- there is more to it than that. Obamacare is a misnomer, as is swine flu. The president does support health care reform, no doubt.
Kevin McCarthy has stated he is for health care reform, also. I would like to say that McCarthy's stance on health care reform displeases me. The country needs reform now. The "just say no" attitude that surrounds the Republican stance is counterproductive.
We are tired of the same old system of make the rich richer and the poor poorer. The exasperating effect of the tax breaks and the Iraq war have made us a weak country. Start saying "Yes, we can." Do something for us little guys.
CHARLES REEVES
Wofford Heights
Confused by McCarthy
After receiving a mailer from my congressman, Bakersfield Republican Kevin McCarthy, promoting a town hall meeting in Paso Robles on health care, I decided to go see for myself what he had to say.
He made it clear he is absolutely against any public health insurance option. His mailer states the proposal in Congress "is a risky experiment that could put a bureaucrat between you and your doctor."
Apparently he is fine with our present corporate health care that puts an insurance company bean counter between us and our doctor.
If public health care is so risky, how come the Institute of Medicine at the National Academies of Science says, "Although America leads the world in spending on health care, it is the only wealthy, industrialized nation that does not ensure that all citizens have coverage."
But wait, McCarthy's mailer goes on to say he is in favor of "common sense" reform to "increased accessibility," "reduced cost" and "improved quality." So he apparently acknowledges there are problems with our current health care.
What wasn't clear at the end of the town hall meeting is how he would achieve reform. Does he want more government regulation of corporate health care insurance or does he just plan to ask them nicely to stop the rapid rise in premiums and increasing denial of coverage?
Considering McCarthy's track record, I think its obvious it's the later. Wake up, Congressman!
MARTIN U'REN
Atascadero
Wrong kind of reform
We are a country obsessed with reform -- education, health care, immigration, government. Now, I know our health care system isn't perfect. Neither is our education system or our government. The argument I believe is not whether "reform" is needed, but instead what type of reform.
I don't think President Obama's plan is a good one. I think the best argument why is the Cash for Clunkers program. Now, I know that one has nothing to do with the other, but the Clunkers program is an example of what happens when the government is involved in the execution of a program. It cost the taxpayers millions, ran out of money way before it was supposed to and gave car dealerships almost more than they could handle.
The car dealerships participating in the Clunkers program were deluged with paperwork, saddled with restrictions for eligibility and hindered by long delays in reimbursement. The same thing is bound to occur if the new health care reform bill passes. Ask anyone who has ever been involved with a federal grant: copious amounts of paperwork, huge restrictions and long delays in funding are par for the course. If we think it will be any different when it comes to health care, we are fooling ourselves.
KARRIE GALLEMORE
Bakersfield
Unchecked power
Note to Democrats: Stop screwing Americans. Look at all of the destruction that Obama and his party have done in just over six months -- and they're still not finished with their government takeover of every single aspect of our once-free lives.
Now, because a minority of people can't get top-notch health care for free, they are about to force the U.S. to bow to their unchecked power in trashing our health care. I don't want the care that I worked for and earned for 43 years stolen by a bunch of greedy, power-mad politicians.
I currently pay for and receive private health care that works just fine. I've had extensive dealings with government "care" through OWCP/DOL. Most cases took reams of paperwork and numerous doctor visits for several months just to get an initial approval for treatment. I relied heavily upon private insurance personnel for help, could not ever get a government person on the phone and finally had to go to Congressman Kevin McCarthy's office as a last resort.
Government "care" is literally a nightmare. Its costs are out-of-control (New taxes are needed). They will force you to pay or else be fined. Businesses will be taxed. No person in their right mind will enter the medical profession under the oppressive scrutiny of this tyrannical government. Ultimately, we will be left with no options or choices. The government contributes nothing but demands upon the working people of this country.
BILL CURTIS
Bakersfield
Prefers McCarthy's reform
If we do get health care reform, our current representatives have shown what their type of reform will bring to the people.
Rep. Lois Capps, D-San Luis Obispo, held her three health care town hall meetings in churches with limited seating, knowing she would not have enough room. Capps only offered comment cards and a screening of those comments for discussion.
Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Bakersfield, held two health care town hall meetings and in both cases anticipated a large crowd and made arrangements for larger arenas to accommodate the crowds supporting or opposing the proposed health care reform. McCarthy held an open forum, taking questions and statements from his audience offering support, opposition and alternatives to the currently proposed health care reform.
Both these elected representatives have pretty much revealed what their parties have to offer the American people. Capps reveals her support of HR 3200 will resemble a plan that cannot support everyone and those seeking support will find their medical needs screened, sorted, suppressed and limited.
One might expect health care reform from McCarthy would try and serve as many people as possible and overcome any limitations to a person's medical needs and ability to pay. Our country cannot afford to make mistakes.
GEORGE SCHROFF
Santa Margarita
Cost of illegal immigrants
There are an estimated 10 million to 20 million illegal aliens in the U.S. Does anyone suppose that they're not already getting medical care generally subsidized in various ways by U.S. taxpayers? Of course they are, and of course they should be. But many U.S. citizens are outraged about this subsidization.
So, how about including in HR 3200 provisions permitting and mandating that our government identify the illegal immigrants' countries of origin and citizenship, and take from these countries' assets in the U.S. the funds to pay the costs of the illegal immigrants' care?
ORVILLE IDEMA
Bakersfield
Just what is unconstitutional?
Congressman Kevin McCarthy favors what he calls medical malpractice reform and "allowing" people to buy health insurance across state lines.
The rules with regard to a person's right to sue if he or she is injured by a doctor's mistake is set by the state laws and court. The reason a person in State A can't buy insurance from State B is because State A has certain standards for what an insurance company must offer, what its financial standing is, and so on.
If McCarthy's supporters believe that there is a question whether it is constitutional for the federal government to legislate health care reform, what do they think abut the constitutionality of the federal government forcing states to change the protection they have for their citizens who are buying insurance or being harmed by malpractice? Is that constitutional or not?
JAY C. SMITH
Bakersfield
This grandma will fight
Surprise, surprise! Don't let anyone fool you -- Medicare is already rationing medical care for grandma.
Medicare has been paying for my concentrator and portable oxygen tanks. All of a sudden they stopped paying for my portable tank, and when I called Medicare, I was told it was because I had been on it for as long as it is allowed. That means I can't go to the doctor, pharmacy, a store or anywhere else.
I have paid into Medicare since its beginning for several years. I pay a premium every month for Medicare. I pay a premium every month for Medicare D. I also pay Blue Cross $400 a month for my husband and I have a supplement policy to Medicare. Our supplementary insurance refuses to pay if Medicare doesn't pay.
So is it goodbye to this great grandma? I don't think so! I will fight them every step of the way and their name calling will not stop me. No one deserves this kind of treatment, no matter what their age.
LAVERNE KEMP
Tehachapi
View country as patient
In debating this whole health care remake, we need to think of our country as one patient. The brain, eyes, ears and mouth are represented by the constitution and we, the people.
The lungs breathe strongly only when polluted air is finally cleaned up and fear of government tyranny is removed.
The heart is the spirit and pride of the American people. Its strength promoted by the freedom to succeed and not be burdened by unrealistic political ideals.
The stomach represents our ability to strive in the economic environment, where farmers are free to produce food and not penalized by having water politically held hostage by extreme radical environmentalists.
The digestive system is state government and representatives in the House -- receiving nutrients such as our tax dollars and processing the fuel needed to ensure our strength and viability. Right now there's all kinds of disturbances primarily by the tape worm at the top. Infection has invaded via corruption and gluttony.
I view President Obama as Physician-in-Chief, and if he can't help our patient, then it will be we, the people, in 2010 that will save the country. The life we save indeed will be our own.
LARRY ANDERSON
Delano
