Comments on: Obama’s Impossible Healthcare Reform Promises

By: Free Medical Coverage

Free Medical Coverage — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 10:56:56 +0000

Free Medical Coverage…

By: Stars and Stripes

Stars and Stripes — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 18:59:10 +0000

It is unfortunate that your writing abilities have impeded your argument so greatly.. or perhaps you are satisfied by accomplishing nothing more than ‘preaching to the choir’ on this one. The general problem with your writing is the inclusion of your opinion, and since politics and economics are rarely matters of middle-class opinion, you’re instantly turning away a large population of readers before finishing the first paragraph; myself included. To reiterate, it was quite easy to surmise your passion-driven argument and categorize you specifically in no more than 10 seconds of reading your work. I recommend spending more time paring back your opinions so that individuals like myself and others will give you more than a fleeting roll of the eyes.
Thank you.

By: Health Care

Health Care — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 21:31:24 +0000

Health Care…

In his drive to “reform” health care — that is redesign 18 percent of the U.S. eco [...]…

By: Barry Loberfeld

Barry Loberfeld — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 19:33:39 +0000

For about a hundred years, America has been a nation of accumulating medical controls. Each new regulation was passed with the same justification made for the previous one: This measure will sufficiently correct the failings of the free market and thus save the free-market system. And the result? Today’s “crisis in health care” — as the welfare statists themselves call this iatrogenic disease. The more band-aids are applied, the more wounds appear! And with nothing but band-aids in their bags, these “liberals” (often the same aging advocates of past regulation) can now prescribe only covering the patient head to toe — i.e., the final move to the outright socialization of all medicine. What this says about the microcosm of medicine is obvious; what it means for our mixed economy is ominous.

From “Liberalism: History and Future.”

By: Steve

Steve — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 18:46:39 +0000

I am the grand parent of two children with an incurable genetic condition. They were both born before the diagnosis was confirmed in the older child. The family, including two grandparents, just attended a long weekend conference.
The stress, financially and emotionally, is hard to imagine. We are just beginning down that road. Hopefully our little ones wont be affected as severly as some we saw.
As I attended meetings on estate planning, research difficulties, “gaming the system”, I could not help thinking, “What a waste!”, “Why is this necessary?”, and “What will happen to these beautiful children when gov. health makes all the determinations of who gets care and what kind of care?”
People worry about paying a copay for a visit for an ear ache, and run to the ER for an ankle sprain. These families face the cost of a powered chair that costs more than a Kia Rio!
Since most reading this would have no idea what condition they have if I wrote it, if the gov. decided it was not cost effective to care for them, and private ins. did not exist, well I don’t want to think about the result.

By: Sheldon Richman

Sheldon Richman — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 11:51:09 +0000

Saul, thanks. You have made my point clearer.

By: Trisha

Trisha — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 08:17:36 +0000

A similar problem arose with Freddie and Fannie, so Obama is very much aware of this possibility. That said, I think it’s safe to say he’s is lying!

By: D. Saul Weiner

D. Saul Weiner — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 18:34:14 +0000

Well said Sheldon.

One minor quibble though with the way you explained the health insurance market, e.g. “Americans living in Texas are not free to buy coverage from a firm operating in Maine”. My understanding is that the firms themselves may be national, but they must tailor their offerings of plans sold in each state, since each state approves the policies to be sold in its state.

By: Matthew Akin

Matthew Akin — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 17:12:30 +0000

We have a current example of why the promises are not to be believed; witness the post office of the US. Suddenly they have started up a massive ad campaign (I assume using “stimulus” money) focused on expanding their parcel delivery service. Have you noticed this? Masquerading as a legitimate business, they are trying to undercut the private sector by offering flat rate postage on parcels under 70 lbs. The result of this can only be the elimination of the private businesses that are already providing this service, but don’t have the captive taxpayers to subsidize their prices. So the government is currently actively trying to eliminate the private sector from the postal business. Why should the public expect anything different from any other sector which they take control of?

By: TGIF: Obama’s Impossible Healthcare Reform Promises | Anything Peaceful

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 19:34:55 +0000

[...] Read the rest of TGIF, “Obama’s Impossible Healthcare Reform Promises.” [...]

By: Obama’s Impossible Healthcare Reform Promises « thak’s cool links

Obama’s Impossible Healthcare Reform Promises « thak’s cool links — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 17:29:25 +0000

[...] Foundation for Economic Education » Obama’s Impossible Healthcare Reform Promises. I love the stories of fabulous, free healthcare for everyone. But that’s all they are…stories. [...]