To the editor:
I have some questions to ask and some comments to make to the author who submitted "Look at the Plan, Not the Label" article of Saturday, Jan. 14, 2012. The author states that we have labeled the Affordable Healthcare Act as "Obamacare." I am just wondering if he feels that this is inaccurate or just derogatory and provocative? If inaccurate, we could change the legislation to the "Unaffordable, Unwanted Healthcare Act." If it is derogatory and provocative - "mission accomplished." In a 2000-plus page bill, if there are as few as two or three items that some agree on, it is sheer stupidity, ignorance, or arrogance to enact such a bill.
The author might consider the following:
Don't include 20-30 year old quotes, or miss-quotes, to bolster your opinion. Much has changed, i.e. millions of additional illegal immigrants OR others who choose to abuse the system. If you and people who share your views want to cover their tab -have at it! Furthermore, Newt was in Congress when "Hillary Care," with its mandates, was soundly defeated. The facts on this bill from Heritage House are on the net and in no way are supportive.
If you want to pay for your child's health care until age 26, go ahead. It's not my responsibility. Why stop at age 26? What about the 36 and 46 year old dependents? Just when is it that people are supposed to become responsible for their own well-being and health care?
If this bill was meant to be affordable, the opposite is true. Healthcare costs have gone up as a direct result of "Obamacare" and will continue to rise. Just ask anyone who works for a company furnishing their employees healthcare benefits - ask them if their out-of-pocket costs increased this year and coverage decreased. Look up what companies have already been required to pay for supporting this fund - it's gotta impact somewhere - and it does - us the tax payers.!
Take a good look at how the bill was funded. Do you really think that there is $500 billion in Medicare fraud or savings that can be used? If so, then why not deal with the fraud and/or apply the savings to the Medicare debt? Here's an idea for use of any Medicare savings - pay what is owed to the Medicare doctors.
If there really is $500 billion in Medicare fraud, do you want the same people who have allowed this to occur now to be responsible for running the health care for everyone? Really?
Considering the state of European economies and comparing such things as doctors per 1000, availability of number of MRI machines, and the eligibility and waiting times - I don't think that most of us want to go that way.
We could institute tort-reform based on Britain's model, where the plaintiff pays all associated court-costs if they lose, this would stop nuisance lawsuits, lower malpractice insurance rates and, ultimately, lower health care costs.
We can legalize across-the-border sales of insurance; offer medical savings plans or cafeteria plans that allow one to tailor their coverage as with auto-insurance.
The entitlement-mentality and programs of this country need to be addressed before any program, such as "Obamacare," should be considered. In closing, I agree that it takes the direction of a single goat to lead a flock of sheep; Obama is that goat. I will leave it to the reader to decide who the sheep are.
Paul A. Vossen
Cape Coral
