George Bush calls for universal health care...

[PhillyKev 0]

Herbert Walker, that is. Co-chair of a committee recommending universal health care for all Americans and criticising both Bush and Kerry for not being aggressive enough in public funding of health care.

Today's WSJ

WASHINGTON -- In a sign of rising anxiety about health-care costs, a nonpartisan coalition of companies, unions, consumer groups and political leaders called for establishing an independent board to help bring the growth of medical spending in the U.S. to the rate of economic growth in the next five years.

Under the coalition's vision, such a board would be overseen by Congress and include members from the public and private sectors.

It would set limits for reimbursement rates paid to physicians and hospitals for a set package of core medical benefits and restrict increases in insurance premiums. Quality and technology improvements should be made to further reduce costs, the report said.

The recommendation was one of several in a report from the National Coalition on Health Care that calls for a sweeping overhaul of the health-care system.

U.S. spending on health care has been growing faster than the overall economy. This year, it will account for an estimated 15.5% of the nation's gross domestic product, compared with 13.3% in 2000, according to government data.

The report is unlikely to result in any changes anytime soon. There is little appetite in Congress to take on a task so enormous and controversial -- passing the Medicare drug benefit alone last year turned out to be a bruising battle. Still, the report is an attempt to frame a national debate on health care at a critical time. And the fact that such a broad coalition is backing major change -- its honorary co-chairmen are former Presidents George H.W. Bush, Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford -- indicates deepening concern over the impact of health costs among its nearly 100 members, which include large companies, health-care provider groups, insurers and pension funds.

"The escalation of health-care costs is not only a health-care issue. It is also a major national economic problem," the report said.

The coalition recommended that all Americans get health insurance within a few years of legislation being enacted, without saying exactly how coverage should be expanded. About 82 million people spent some portion of 2002 and last year without coverage, and the report cites a "sense of foreboding" among millions of insured Americans about the security of their own coverage.

The report's recommendations are far more aggressive than the health proposals from President Bush or his challenger, Sen. John Kerry (D., Mass.), neither of which would provide universal coverage.

"We don't see anything in the national debate now that's big enough or ambitious enough to address the problem," said Henry Simmons, the president of the National Coalition on Health Care, who was a top health official in the Nixon and Ford administrations.

Mr. Kerry wants to increase coverage through a mix of financial incentives for businesses and expansion of existing government programs. Mr. Bush has proposed tax credits to help people without employer-sponsored coverage to buy insurance on their own and new tax breaks for people who choose high-deductible health policies.

Karen Ignagni, president of America's Health Insurance Plans, the industry trade group, was wary of establishment of a board that would limit premium increases. "You can't do this at 30,000 feet," she said. She said the emphasis should be on linking reimbursement to quality of care.

[DrunkMonkey 0]

GHWB has become a democrat in his old age...

[kallend 2,174]

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GHWB has become a democrat in his old age...

It's since he's been hanging around with skydivers.

...

The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

[PhillyKev 0]

I liken this to Nancy Reagan lobbying for stem cell research. It's the atheist in a foxhole phenomenon. Oppose it until you need it for yourself.

[Zenister 0]

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It's the atheist in a foxhole phenomenon.

God how I wish people would stop using that phrase..it is a complete fallacy

____________________________________
Those who fail to learn from the past are simply Doomed.

[PhillyKev 0]

Thanks, Zen....I thought people changed their religious beliefs like their socks. It's just an expression.

[lawrocket 3]

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Under the coalition's vision, such a board would be overseen by Congress and include members from the public and private sectors.

Christ. We want Congress to oversee cost controls??? Exhibit "A" - Federal Budget.

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It would set limits for reimbursement rates paid to physicians and hospitals for a set package of core medical benefits and restrict increases in insurance premiums. Quality and technology improvements should be made to further reduce costs, the report said.

Hmmm. Price controls. Look throughout history and see how price controls hav always been beneficial. (caveat - I actually don't know how this would work in medicine - medicine violates every other economic model.)

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U.S. spending on health care has been growing faster than the overall economy. This year, it will account for an estimated 15.5% of the nation's gross domestic product, compared with 13.3% in 2000, according to government data.

No, shit? And more military are retiring than are coming in. Think it has something to do with an aging population? THink it's because medicine can do more now than it ever could, and does more and more every day?

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And the fact that such a broad coalition is backing major change -- its honorary co-chairmen are former Presidents George H.W. Bush, Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford

All with economic policies and lasting effects that are a model for future presidents. Does anyone here remember, "Stagflation?"

My wife is hotter than your wife.

[Zenister 0]

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It's just an expression.

true, but it is one so widely repeated that people accept it as a 'fact'. Evidence shows it is only propaganda, repeating propaganda (particularly that which you do not personally agree with) is a bad practice...

____________________________________
Those who fail to learn from the past are simply Doomed.

[burbleflyer 0]

If you think health care is expensive now....wait until its free.
Go ask the Canadians what they pay in taxes and if they get an MRI or a CAT scan next week.

[Remster 30]

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Go ask the Canadians what they pay in taxes and if they get an MRI or a CAT scan next week

Yawn.....


I had a MRI the very same day I went to the hospital with bad headackes.

We pay more tax, but we have healthcare coverage. When looking into relocating to CO, my take home money would have been very similar in Toronto compared to Denver with a similar health care plan.

Remster

[PhillyKev 0]

Yep...I considered a job in Toronto at one point. Ran the numbers and my take home percentage would have been very similar. The actualy dollar figure itself was way lower though so I didn't take it.

I wonder how many people who claim that health care in Canada sucks and that their taxes are so outrageous actually looked into it themselves, or just repeat what they heard someone else say.

[TheAnvil 0]

Age is getting to him. Dear God we need a real conservative in office right now...and our only options are a big spending conservative and an all-out socialist!

Vinny the Anvil
Post Traumatic Didn't Make The Lakers Syndrome is REAL
JACKASS POWER!!!!!!