Friday, February 19, 2010

Obama Writing Health Bill to Skirt GOP Filibuster

FOXNews.com - Obama Writing Health Bill to Skirt GOP Filibuster

The president reportedly is working on health care legislation intended to reconcile differences between House and Senate Democrats that could be attached to a budget bill and pass with only 51 Senate votes.
My Thoughts
I guess the President has decided enough of that "change" rhetoric and has decided to become a Washington player and use whatever means necessary to jam down the throats of the American people a health care program that will not solve any problems, cost more than we can afford and create more bureaucracy.

I have read of a couple of reports that show that health care premiums are going up. According to the insurance providers, they have to do it because of the spiraling health care costs. I would argue that if we get health care expenses under control, get more people employed and make it easier for small businesses and self-employed to get unrestricted access to health care insurance, we will see a major improvement.

The health care insurance industry needs to be more competitive. In some states, one insurer covers 90% or more of those insured. Where is the free market system there? Health insurance providers can easily reduce the amounts that they are willing to pay on procedures. Remember the negotiated fee schedule that both hospital and insurance company argue over all of the time. We are stuck in the middle. Since insurance companies drive down the amount they are willing to pay, the hospital drives up the cost to get more money from the insurance companies. For those who have no insurance, they pay the inflated rates.

This is not the thing to do. I believe it starts with tort reform and ends with hospitals going back to the model of taking care of the patient rather than constantly taking care of the bottom line.

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