Health Care Reform: Good, Bad, Who Knows?

"Who cares about common sense when you've got righteous indignation on your side?"
-Lee Iacocca

The health care reform bill that was passed last night may be good for America, it may be bad for America, but really, who knows? It will take years for all of the provisions of this legislative reform to be enacted and it may take some time before we see any real savings. All that we can do as Americans is be honest and truthful about what type of government we have and about why you are in favor or against a particular bill. For example, do you just reflectively oppose a bill because the President of the United States is a Democrat and you are a Republican? In 1993 the Republicans told us the Clinton's economic bill would ruin the country (see my previous blog on this) and we ended up with record prosperity. In 2001 I was in favor of the Iraq war and I thought it was a good idea and believed the VP when he said we would be greeted as liberators. (and we all know how that one turned out) The fact is that we do not have a crystal ball to tell us if this legislation will benefit the country. But first, a little background on why I am for health care reform.

1) During W's time in office we had massive increases in our health care cost. My costs went up, your cost went up, and we all agreed that we needed to fix the health care system.

2) The Republicans only health care legislation reform was to massively discount or cover the cost of prescription drugs for seniors. This was a good bill and I was in favor of it even though it is socialism.

3) When Obama took office citizens were denied health care due to pre-existing conditions. He promised to change this.

4) The Republicans never put out a plan that was different from Obama's. They just reflexively wanted to kill health care reform to deny him a legislative accomplishment. If that is how you want to play the game than I am fine with that. I just wish that people would be honest about it and admit that they do not want our President to succeed in office.

If you claim to be against this bill because it is "socialism" than please be intellectually honest and do not take any benefits from medicare or medicaid in your lifetime. This is like people who "hate unions" but have lifetime health care coverage due to you unions collective bargaining agreements. You cannot be against something that you are benefiting from.

If you are against it because the people don't want it I must have missed your outrage when 70% of the American people wanted to end the Iraq war.

If you are against it because it is "a massive government program" than you must really hate the "massive government programs going on in Iraq and Afghanistan." I for one love my country and the massive government program that is the United States Military.

So here is what I like in this bill:

1) Health Insures cannot DENY children health insurance because of a pre-existing condition.
2) In 2014 health insures cannot DENY adults coverage due to pre-existing conditions.
3) The so called "doughnut hole" for medicare will be fixed
4) Adults can cover their children up to age 26
5) Insurance companies must give benefits for preventative care
6) Insurers can no longer cut someone off when they get sick
7) Greater transparency in the insurance industry
8) 10% tax increase on the tanning industry
9) Chain restaurants will be required to list all nutritional and caloric contents on their menu, including the drive-thru

I encourage you to look at this bill and tell me what you like or do not like in this bill. If you will benefit from this bill in the future or will benefit immediately please be honest about it and give credit where credit is due.