Poll: Healthcare Insurance

[SteveC]

The 367 page bill was a grab bag, introduced by Bernie Sanders, the Socialist who caucuses with Democrats. Among many, many other things, it would have increased pension benefits for people entering the armed services now, forced states to grant in-state tuition to veterans, and required the VA to treat veterans who are set financially and whose injuries aren't service related. Like I said, Democrat politicians think they can solve any problem by throwing more money at it. It ain't so.

We should thank goodness for split government. When the Democrats had control of both houses of Congress during the first two years of Obama's term and the pre-Tea Party Republicans had control during part of Bush's term, the politicians spent like drunken sailors.

I think I posted on here before that politics is the art of the possible. You have to get through what you can even if it isn't perfect; no bill ever is. The Republicans would prefer to stop this bill whose main purpose is to help the health care of veterans rather than give Obama any credit. Are you seriously saying that the Republicans tried to block a bill because it strayed from its fundamental purpose? Name me one bill where they didn't try to add some 'pork' to it. Or the Democrats for that matter. You really have to be joking.

And describing Bernie Saunders as a socialist merely shows that you've no idea what a genuine socialist is.

[Dickhead]

Is DH's direct subsidy any different than the indirect tax subsidies of my employer-paid insurance? His is on the expense side and mine is on the revenue side but in both cases, the taxpayer is footing the bill.

Easier Medicaid eligibility, direct subsidies for the near-poor, and letting under-26's stay on their parent's policy were always going to be the vast majority of the beneficiaries. It's just making more room at the trough for those that had been shut out before.

Yes, my direct subsidy is different; it's more efficient!

[Tiny12]

S. 1982 (Comprehensive Veterans Health and Benefits and Military Retirement Pay Restoration Act of 2014). A bill to improve the provision of medical services and benefits to veterans, and for other purposes.

Summary of the vote: 51 Yea (includes two R), 41 Nay (all R).

http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LI...n=2&vote=00046#position.

The 367 page bill was a grab bag, introduced by Bernie Sanders, the Socialist who caucuses with Democrats. Among many, many other things, it would have increased pension benefits for people entering the armed services now, forced states to grant in-state tuition to veterans, and required the VA to treat veterans who are set financially and whose injuries aren't service related. Like I said, Democrat politicians think they can solve any problem by throwing more money at it. It ain't so.

We should thank goodness for split government. When the Democrats had control of both houses of Congress during the first two years of Obama's term and the pre-Tea Party Republicans had control during part of Bush's term, the politicians spent like drunken sailors.

[Easy Go]

Is DH's direct subsidy any different than the indirect tax subsidies of my employer-paid insurance? His is on the expense side and mine is on the revenue side but in both cases, the taxpayer is footing the bill.

Easier Medicaid eligibility, direct subsidies for the near-poor, and letting under-26's stay on their parent's policy were always going to be the vast majority of the beneficiaries. It's just making more room at the trough for those that had been shut out before.

[SteveC]

S. 1982 (Comprehensive Veterans Health and Benefits and Military Retirement Pay Restoration Act of 2014). A bill to improve the provision of medical services and benefits to veterans, and for other purposes.

Summary of the vote: 51 Yea (includes two R), 41 Nay (all R).

http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LI...n=2&vote=00046#position.

Maybe I misunderstood his stance, but I'm sure Carson was blaming Obama for the problem. The point I was making is that is been a long standing problem, and the latest vote shows the Republicans still opposing help for the vets. Of course Obama has had time to improve matters. I'm not a fan of Obama.

Doppleganger: I'm not a Democrat.

Don B: If you don't think Carson is a 'servile toady or follower' of the Tea Party faction, you haven't read much of his stuff. I think he fits the definition of a lackey perfectly. Google his writings and tv appearances and you'll see. By the way, how would you define a 'looney progressive'? Or is just that some hackneyed phrase that you just threw in there without thinking about it?

[Dickhead]

Great. The man gets a $377 per month subsidy, so ObamaCare muse be working.

So who gets to pay the $377 per month subsidy? The Magic Health Care Fairy?

No surprise, the people who are financially benefiting from any program will sing it's praises.

For once I'd like to hear a positive story about Obamacare from someone who actually pays their entire premium themselves, sans subsidy.

Bueller, Bueller?

Thanks,

Jackson.

Where did I sing its praises? If a person paid the entire premium with no subsidy, then I think the biggest benefit for many would be the requirement to cover pre-existing conditions. Then there is the requirement that the insurer actually spend 80% (I think that is the number) of premiums on actually providing health care. That's probably good. Everyone should keep in mind that since this is a subsidy against federal income tax, tax planning that maximizes the subsidy (for example, cashing in assets that you have substantial basis in, or making Roth IRA withdrawals) is going to be as necessary as planning that maximizes itemized deductions (taking out an interest-only mortgage, for example).

[Jackson]

I was able to straighten this all out fairly quickly today and am no longer on welfare as of June 1. My subsidy was $377 per month and the insurance cost $619 so my net cost is $242 a month, up $23 from what they quoted me when I signed up in November. $1,450 maximum annual out-of-pocket.

Great. The man gets a $377 per month subsidy, so ObamaCare muse be working.

So who gets to pay the $377 per month subsidy? The Magic Health Care Fairy?

No surprise, the people who are financially benefiting from any program will sing it's praises.

For once I'd like to hear a positive story about Obamacare from someone who actually pays their entire premium themselves, sans subsidy.

Bueller, Bueller?

Thanks,

Jackson.

[Don B]

From the man who said that the ACA was "the worst thing that has happened in this nation since slavery." I can't take this tea party lackey seriously. He ignores the fact that this issue of veterans' health care has existed a long time prior to this President taking office and that the Democratic party attempted to get additional funding for the Veterans Administration, only to experience yet again, that same old tactic embraced by Mitch McConnell and his chumps; obstruction via filibuster.

I'd trust more the word of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States in their letter to Senator Richard Burr this week. Every year since 2005 they've been "warning Congress about the dangers of long wait times and care rationing due to improper resources, oversight and accountability". "For years the VFW has come to Congress with hat in hand, and for years we've heard the same old story".

For Carson to come out with this bullshit is pure political opportunism. In short the problem existed before the ACA was even thought of and the Republicans have been actively blocking extra funding. If anyone is doing any 'but fucking' its the Republicans in Congress.

Lackey, a favorite term used by the looney progressives, but I repeat myself.

Don B.

[Tres3]

Veterans would be much better served at a lower cost to taxpayers if the entire Veterans Administration were shut down. A special Medicare section could be established that recognized Veterans' unique medical requirements, and paid the providers of those medical services directly. The non-medical services performed by the VA are small when compared to the medical costs, and could be transferred to another agency, such as Health and Human Services. Our Veterans deserve better than they are receiving from the VA, but throwing money at the VA will not solve the systemic problems of the VA.

Tres3.

[Tiny12]

Sorry, I linked to the wrong opinion piece below but can't edit my post. The following shows that increased funding for the VA has received strong support from Republicans, and the VA's budget has risen much more than the number of patients it treats:

http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/...74011612797276

[Member #4112]

SteveC, please take off the Democratic rose colored glasses please.

The VA debacle reaches all the way back to John Kennedy, crosses party lines from Johnson, back to Nixon, back to Carter, back to Regan, Bush, back to Clinton, back again to Bush and now to Obama. Don't forget Congress's role in this mess nor the VA's on complicity in this tragedy.

Obama made the grand pledge, lie if you will among many others, of fixing the VA as a candidate and then President. Point of fact Obama claimed the VA would be the model for healthcare reform!

http://www.wnd.com/2014/05/flashback...plan-after-va/

Forget you not the Democrat Party held total political power, House, Senate and Presidency, during Obama's first two years in office. They were free and did enact any and every liberal / progressive pipe dream and program their little hearts desired. Did they fix the VA? NO, they passed among other things ObamaCare.

If you want to view ObamaCare in a few years look no further than the VA!

To this and many prior administrations, military men and women were expendable assets to be used when needed. When not needed ignored, under paid, under supported, and when injured they are to be disregarded. How as a people can we believe it better to pay, feed, cloth, support, subsidize the lazy with welfare, food stamps, Medicaid than care for the very people who sacrifice to guarantee the freedoms we take for granted?

[Tiny12]

He ignores the fact that this issue of veterans' health care has existed a long time prior to this President taking office and that the Democratic party attempted to get additional funding for the Veterans Administration, only to experience yet again, that same old tactic embraced by Mitch McConnell and his chumps; obstruction via filibuster....For Carson to come out with this bullshit is pure political opportunism. In short the problem existed before the ACA was even thought of and the Republicans have been actively blocking extra funding. If anyone is doing any 'but fucking' its the Republicans in Congress.

Steve, That's not true. Please see the following, which is a news piece, not from the editorial page:

http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/...767613840.html

This is from the opinion page:

http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/...77761333004746

I agree that Democrat politicians (as well as some Republicans) believe they can solve any problem by mindlessly throwing more money at it.

[SteveC]

[B]

"I think whats happening with the veterans is a gift from God to show us what happens when you take layers and layers of bureaucracy and place them between the patients and the healthcare provider,"

"And if we cant get it right, with the relatively small number of veterans, how in the world are you going to do it with the entire population?" he asked. "You don't have to be a rocket scientist to figure this out."

"We need seriousness here rather than just political speak. 'How can I look better? How can my party look better?' And Im saying this to both Democrats and Republicans: Stop, and think about the people," Carson said.

"You guys are servants. You're not rulers. You have to get that out of your mind and think about what we can do to solve the problems in this nation, some of which threaten to destroy our nation.

Wow, "You guys are servants. You're not rulers" that's something all politicians should be reminded of frequently. IMHO.

Watch Dr Carson's interview.

http://www.newsmax.com/NewsmaxTv/ben.../24/id/573233/

I think we all agree that the Veterans are getting a 'butt fucking'.

From the man who said that the ACA was "the worst thing that has happened in this nation since slavery." I can't take this tea party lackey seriously. He ignores the fact that this issue of veterans' health care has existed a long time prior to this President taking office and that the Democratic party attempted to get additional funding for the Veterans Administration, only to experience yet again, that same old tactic embraced by Mitch McConnell and his chumps; obstruction via filibuster.

I'd trust more the word of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States in their letter to Senator Richard Burr this week. Every year since 2005 they've been "warning Congress about the dangers of long wait times and care rationing due to improper resources, oversight and accountability". "For years the VFW has come to Congress with hat in hand, and for years we've heard the same old story".

For Carson to come out with this bullshit is pure political opportunism. In short the problem existed before the ACA was even thought of and the Republicans have been actively blocking extra funding. If anyone is doing any 'but fucking' its the Republicans in Congress.

[Punter 127]

Ben Carson: VA Mess Predicts Even Worse Outcome for Obamacare.

"I think whats happening with the veterans is a gift from God to show us what happens when you take layers and layers of bureaucracy and place them between the patients and the healthcare provider,"

"And if we cant get it right, with the relatively small number of veterans, how in the world are you going to do it with the entire population?" he asked. "You don't have to be a rocket scientist to figure this out."

"We need seriousness here rather than just political speak. 'How can I look better? How can my party look better?' And Im saying this to both Democrats and Republicans: Stop, and think about the people," Carson said.

"You guys are servants. You're not rulers. You have to get that out of your mind and think about what we can do to solve the problems in this nation, some of which threaten to destroy our nation.

Wow, "You guys are servants. You're not rulers" that's something all politicians should be reminded of frequently. IMHO.

Watch Dr Carson's interview.

http://www.newsmax.com/NewsmaxTv/ben.../24/id/573233/

I think we all agree that the Veterans are getting a 'butt fucking'.

[SteveC]

Yeah, Well, at least Republicans aren't mass murderers, like Democrats:

http://azstarnet.com/news/local/govt...a4bcf887a.html

OK, I actually don't believe Democrats are murderers. But saying Republicans are liars is just as ridiculous and offensive.

Agree, just a touch of hyperbole. To call the ACA 'butt fucking' the American people is ridiculous and offensive too.