Obama Healthcare Speech - The real deal.

We have to agree the speech was great. At least for most part. There are some basic principles that one cannot simply ignore. The Ted Kennedy section is moving. But what about the real substance? Lets analyze.

To my progressive friends, I would remind you that for decades, the driving idea behind reform has been to end insurance company abuses and make coverage affordable for those without it. The public option is only a means to that end - and we should remain open to other ideas that accomplish our ultimate goal.

The problem with the above statement is the basic premisis of health care reform that may of us in the left are talking about is about having quality free healthcare. Simple. Healthcare should be a basic right. Even obama said that on the campaign trail. How can it be a basic human right when you have to pay for it? Paying for healthcare to the government is one thing. But paying to insurance companies, or some sort of co-op is NOT acceptable.

Single payer system is what we want. The “public option”, to begin with in itself is a compromise. Why are we deviating even more from the compromise itself and move to the right? Even the media on the left (Ed and Rachel), did not seem to see this point. Everyone seems to think it was a great speech and obama is on the side of progressives. I do not see it. I do not see Mr.Obama being on the side of progressives and liberals. Being a liberal is not bad. Liberal is NOT a dirty word. Unless the president realizes that deep in his heart and fights for healthcare like Ted Kennedy did, we are not going anywhere.

Now, here is the scary part. I bet many health insurance executives were laughing and cheering when Obama said this.

And that’s why under my plan, individuals will be required to carry basic health insurance — just as most states require you to carry auto insurance. (Applause.) Likewise — likewise, businesses will be required to either offer their workers health care, or chip in to help cover the cost of their workers. There will be a hardship waiver for those individuals who still can’t afford coverage, and 95 percent of all small businesses, because of their size and narrow profit margin, would be exempt from these requirements. (Applause.) But we can’t have large businesses and individuals who can afford coverage game the system by avoiding responsibility to themselves or their employees. Improving our health care system only works if everybody does their part.

And while there remain some significant details to be ironed out, I believe — (laughter) — I believe a broad consensus exists for the aspects of the plan I just outlined: consumer protections for those with insurance, an exchange that allows individuals and small businesses to purchase affordable coverage, and a requirement that people who can afford insurance get insurance.

Now is Obama going to determine who “can” and “cannot” afford? What is the limit? Is it based on income level? Someone making 35,000 per year may have some other emergency expenses and may not be in a situation to spend couple of thousand on insurance premium. For all you care, it may be anything. He may have to send money to meet an emergency expese of his aging parents overseas. How a person spends his income is up to the person. Determining what is affordable is up to the individual. How can the government decide what is affordable???? What if my small business does not fall in that 95% category?

Making Healthcare mandatory is ridiculous. This is exactly what one would call “Giving in” to the insurance companies. Imagine all of these insurance ads trying to scare you into buying health insurance or face huge fines. (or die without getting treatment)

The auto insurance comparision is good, but sends chill on many people’s spine. If you don’t have a car you can choose not to drive. Even if you drive you get a ticket. Auto Insurance companies sell policies to you with clauses that add additional coverage options and increases your premium when you choose to have that additional coverage that will protect “you” against uninsured and under-insured. Now what is going to happen in the healthcare?? Will emergency rooms stop treating you if you don’t have insurance now that it has become mandatory??

Default Coverage:
Everyone should be automatically covered. Now, that is health care for all. When Obama talked about healthcare for all, this is what many people imagined. NOT, “affordable” insurance for all. So with the existing public option that is on the table, we are already begining with a compromise from the left. If it was up to the republicians we wont have medicare today. There will be no social security. Shame on us. Shame on being the most advanced and one of the most richest nation on the planet, yet having ZERO safety net. Only calculated political talk is what we get. I agree, we cannot make drastic changes all of a sudden. No one is talking about closing the insurance companies. Give FREE healthcare for all. Automatic coverage for all american citizens. Sort of like VA hospital or like in UK and canada. But if you rich folks and middle class folks, do not like the quality of healthcare given in those government run hospitals, pay out of your pocket and get private health insurance and go to a private hospital. Paris Hilton and others will do that. Executives playing Golf will do that. Many well to do people will do that. No one is stopping them. But when you screw many poor people, you are doing an injustice. Simply talking about compassion and liberal ideals in not good enough. We NEED ACTION. The already compromised public option (where we are paying anyway), is a minimum requirement. We need a president who will STANDUP for it.

It does not look like we are getting healthcare reform. This is just health insurance reform. Trying to stop the abuses by the insurance companies. While trying we hit a road block by the lobbying forces, so we are giving in some carrot and making it mandatory for everyone. So that the lost profits by covering the pre-existing conditions, can be recouped by adding millions of new clients. May GOD bless capitalism!