We need public health care, just like we need public schools and public roads and a public mail delivery system.
If enterprising people want to set up private schools and toll roads and private parcel/letter services, fine. If enterprising people want to set up private health care, that too is fine. I'm sure a segment of our society would be happy to pay.
But health care basics must be guaranteed. Nobody that I know is saying that everyone will be forced into a public option, forced to abandon whatever private options they may have.
And one point that is not said loudly enough -- if our neighbors have no options, we all pay a price for that. Can you imagine if the only schools were private ones? Think of the impact on our society if that were the case! That would mean a huge portion of the population would just not get educated at all. What would that do to our country, our future?
Those who foster opposition to a public option are blinded by their greed. And those who repeat the "death panel" talking points are equally blinded by their ignorance. It just makes me want to scream.
Reg, I wrote a post on IM a few hours ago about a very interesting interview with a former VP of CIGNA, a health insurance company. Wendell Potter reveals a lot of the shenanigans of the insurance industry. A must watch, although be warned... it's 37 minutes long!
There are many people who have lost their health insurance coverage through job loss and unable to afford private coverage. Until they acquire another job with health insurance coverage, they will not see a doctor about a suspicious lump or other ailment for fear it will establish a "previous existing condition". That is what I would describe as Sarah Palin's death panel.
We need public health care, just like we need public schools and public roads and a public mail delivery system.
ReplyDeleteIf enterprising people want to set up private schools and toll roads and private parcel/letter services, fine. If enterprising people want to set up private health care, that too is fine. I'm sure a segment of our society would be happy to pay.
But health care basics must be guaranteed. Nobody that I know is saying that everyone will be forced into a public option, forced to abandon whatever private options they may have.
And one point that is not said loudly enough -- if our neighbors have no options, we all pay a price for that. Can you imagine if the only schools were private ones? Think of the impact on our society if that were the case! That would mean a huge portion of the population would just not get educated at all. What would that do to our country, our future?
Those who foster opposition to a public option are blinded by their greed. And those who repeat the "death panel" talking points are equally blinded by their ignorance. It just makes me want to scream.
A bit of sanity, indeed!
ReplyDeleteReg, I wrote a post on IM a few hours ago about a very interesting interview with a former VP of CIGNA, a health insurance company. Wendell Potter reveals a lot of the shenanigans of the insurance industry. A must watch, although be warned... it's 37 minutes long!
http://mindlessmumblingmartyrmom.blogspot.com/2009/08/rx-for-sarah-palin-take-two-teaspoons.html
There are many people who have lost their health insurance coverage through job loss and unable to afford private coverage. Until they acquire another job with health insurance coverage, they will not see a doctor about a suspicious lump or other ailment for fear it will establish a "previous existing condition". That is what I would describe as Sarah Palin's death panel.
ReplyDeleteWhat a mensch Senator Durbin is.
ReplyDelete@Ennealogic - your comments are very well put. And, amazing as it sounds, a politician from Illinois (my home State) who isn't a jerk.
ReplyDeleteWhoops!!! Not to say that Obama (from Illinois) is a jerk. Nope, didn't mean to suggest that!!
ReplyDelete