Population Control??? New Medicare System??
358818
The whole program was just another big give away to the drug companies, they donate big bucks to Republicans in Congress. \nThis is in fact Organized crime in America. My pills cost $1 each, raw materials is 08 cents, transportation is 12 cents even at today's gas price that leaves 80 cents profit for the drug makers and sellers to split up. That is robbery. Drug Companies get a ten year patent and all other patents are two years. That is Republican organized crime in action.
1144929
How about we just do away with marriage and give everyone the same privileges. Health care the same quality for everyone no matter how much they make or who they are sleeping with. Marriage is an outdated concept that is rather limiting. Just my oh so humble opinion. \nLove & Light\nSharon
989859
We need a health care system in this country and it will be hard to get. You know who is in congress. pro business!\n\nWe need a way to pool the Monet, an have some say into some things, like costs!\n\nHMO's who have people who are paid over 2 million a year plus bonus, plus their stockholders. They are taking all that from you before they have paid a thing!! There are over 450 HMO's in NJ!\n\nWhen I retired from the state, all of a sudden the HMO who represents retired state workers can get pills that I was paying over $12.00 each, I can get a 3 month supply for $4.00! That's right! $4.00 for three months!\n\nMedications is too expensive and needs to be brought under control. I don't have an issue with someone making a profit, but a 14 Million dollar income for 1 person in an HMO? That is obscene, and they have at least 3 more making more than 2 million a year. Now multiply that by the # of HMO's and the money they return to their shareholders, who didn't work a damn day!. That's a lot of money that goes to everything but health care.\n\nI have a ton of those example's, and I am sure we have enough smart people, who are not politicians, who can come up with a health care plan. What do you think an HMO is?
125604
I am a consultant who earns $75 an hour and have not had insurance for years.  It is not an issue to me.  The issue of the next election should be centered around governments interference in our lives.  Smaller government, less taxes & obliteration of family court.
177615
I am so suprised that no one responded yet...\n\nHere is food for thoughts...\nToyota decided to build a new plant in Ontario Canada.\nThe financial incentives where less than all the other states solliciting them...\n\nThe reason they chose Ontario ?  Les social expenditures, specifically due to Health Care Cost in the USA regardless of the State...\n\nSo now, the right wingers in Canada are not as quick to privatize the whole chabang, it has suddenly become an asset...\n\n\nMarch 8th\nKo_Luk,\n\nFirst of all Canada is not Broke, Canada is the Only G-8 country that has generated surpluses for the last 6 to 10 years...  and the issues pertaining to health care are not simply financial... They are the same issues that the US mixed reslults privatly and lucrative managed health care systems need to deal with.\n\nHowever here is other food for thoughts, and why the issues these countries have are not basis to deny a public funded health care system, first the issues Canadians have are certainly not to go back to a privatly and profit base system but rather addressing issues as to how to actualize the system with the current realities (more medications wich now account to over 50% of the bill, aging population, offer and demand in terms of waiting lists and priorities) in other words, what are they getting for their taxes and not how the system can be scraped (which in the US, is often a subject of discussion).\n\nCanadians may pay taxes yet, they are very very aware that health care taxes are much less for better "overall" services than what you get with a 5000$ ++ upscale incusrance policy covering a limited geographic area and even certain levels of specific care...\n\nSome of the issues: Florida currently needs over 20 000 full time nurses to fill in almost every single hospital and health care organizations... Pensylvania, California, you name it, and the issue is there... I personnaly know of major issues that are quite similar and worsed to the Canadian system and that is simply due to COLLUSION (Insurance companies who own hospitals). Yes, I know of many hospital who create a dynamic of restrictions (insurance policies) that delay and create waiting lists that are similar and in some cases worsed than the Canadian Public system... But between you and me, there should not be any waiting in a lucrative base system if you PAY for it, won"t you agree ???\n\nDoctors and Nurses have issues of work overlaods even in the LUCRATIVE private sectors... Many of these doctors, are shifting and now supporting lobbies to demand a national health care system...\n\nI have seen much "private" hospital with exactly the same issues who need to "hide" the blank spots that deal with delivering services...Florida, Penn, Georgia, Texas, Ca, etc...\n\nFinland, Sweden, Swisserland even Spain have public health care with far less issues than the countries you mentioned, they have made social base choices... In sweeden for exemple: No one can bring a doctor to courts.... However, their records of performance are public... This said, you can imagine the liablity pressure and the cost it intails.... It was a choice the population made in order to favor a more equitable and fair delivery of health Care...\n\nEven rich people in most of the countries you mention, will often stay in their respective countries for health care treatments...\n\nSo the issues you brought up are "Bean Counter Accounting" to deal with very complex issues while there are major social transformation that demand "Creative Accounting" in the first place...
823629
What would you like to do.  Do we need to turn ALL medical services over to the government?  Set everything at standardized prices, just like an oil change on your car, and take away the options of which doctor you go to, and what therapies you want used on your illnesses?  Medicine BECAME expensive with the advent of Medicare and health insurance. My mother in law was a nurse for 30 years, and she can tell you exactly when medical services went up.  It came about with the proliferation of medical insurance companies, and the liberal minded society that rewards people (and their attorneys) for being victims of "medical malpractice".  Oh, and if we centralize medical and health care within the government, you will not be able to go back if you do get stuck with a shitty doctor who completely fucks you up and sue them.
1174605
anything to do with healthcare....with the millions of baby boomers on the horizon they will outnumber us and our resources....
141441
Line up the poor and frail elderly.  Draw bullseyes on them.  Fire!! \nSorry for the lash out, I work for a medicare HMO and am feeling sick at the cuts
146434
The state of MN is taking your money, along with the fed, and you are paying for senior healthcare and their retirement currently.  Happy yet? ;)
631273
I am for neither, I am 45 yrs of age, it seems to me that this Country is in some serious Crap. We/USA are always more concerned with other Countries and their well being. The USA is not taking care of their own people first, as they should be. We have many, many people in our own country that is homeless, going hungry, etc. Yes there are a few programs out there that are trying to help, but come on, all that food and medical that other Countries are getting, why not give it to our country first where it is so desperately needed. Medical in the USA is crazy, I have to work 2 jobs at 32 hours a week for each, yes i am correct here on the hours, i get very little sleep and am getting burned out. just so i can have medical, one medical plan does not cover what i would like it to, so i have to have another medical plan to try and make up for the first one. Now how crazy is that? You asked me whom I am standing up for? believe in? well no one has earned my belief yet. I hope the future changes that.
929232
You should be sure to thank your Republican Congressmen and President Bush.  Pharmaceutical Companies wrote the new prescription drug bill for Medicare and the Republican Congress passed it on straight party line votes and the President signed it.\n\nIncluded in the legislation is a restriction that precludes Medicare from using its large volume purchasing clout to negotiate drug prices.  It's a gravy program for Corporations delivered by the Republicans.  They love market forces as long as consumers have no bargaining power.
88073
Two words...\n...BABY BOOMERS\n\nA lot of the baby boomer generation is nearing retirement and are drawing social security.  Plus, people are living longer now than previously expected.  Fact is, the social security system was not set up for a huge population spike like the baby boom, and those who set up the system did not expect so many people to live so long.  This is where the surplus has gone.\n\nOh, by the way, there have been federal government officials that have "borrowed" some of the money in the system for other spendings that weren't in the normal national budget.
542605
It's hard to tell.  All the people in foreign countries are coming here to collect welfare and medicare.\n\nI guess they're just cutting out the middle man.
948196
Hello,\n\nIs this Art Bell?\n\nHey, I am sorry the CIA is not cooperating with you. It sounds like they are ignoring you ever existed.\n\nAlso, at the rate of infanticide (abortion) in America, I find it highly unlikely any one in my age range who were born in the 1970's, will ever see a dime from Social Security. BTW, why is it called social security anyway. I would rather not rely on any "Social Programs" This is what our government wants. With fewer and fewer people entering the workforce, who will be contributing to SSI? \n\nPlus, are you sure you want to rely on any "social programs".\n\nHope this helps you............................................................  :-O
631361
You are a darling.  I think that the government is trying to cut down on the population.  Bush and his cohorts only care about their own agenda, and watch out for the next war in Iran.  The senior's are not only losing their healthcare coverage, but they are being taxed twice on their incomes.  Once when they earn it, and again when they take it out of any of their personal retirement plans.  That's why a lot of seniors retire to the Bahamas.  So that the government can't get their hard earned money twice.
986054
The greatest Ponzi scheme ever invented will finally collapse b/c of the basic numbers.  There are going to be more baby boomers retiring than workers actually paying into the Social Security system.  Baby boomers will start retiring in the next 4 to 5 years.  And the number of retirees will geometrically progress each year after 2011.  Now for the system to be around in 40 years two things will have to happen.  There will have to be a greater tax burden placed on the generations following the baby boomers in order to support them.  And those who will have to bear that tax will have to encourage population growth for the generations who follow them so there are enough workers to pay into the system.  Personally, I believe it should be abolished.  It is illegal.  Yet, b/c the government runs it, it's okay.
1107462
At least you  have thought intelligently about how we middle class citizens can survive with all the burdens that hard work costs us personally!  It's a pretty innovative concept, but you are over-looking the fact that this possible solution would effect the wealthier portion of our population and really what does wealth go hand in hand with.........?.....\nPOWER, my friend...the rich would never allow such a solution!  Keep brainstorming.....perhaps a workable idea to save the debacle our government calls "retirement"...........We pay and pay and research shows that our medicare/retirement benefits (which enable us to dine on dog food) will virtually become non-existent before too long!!