Video: McCain dumps on Mitt’s health care plan
posted at 5:38 pm on January 25, 2008 by Allahpundit
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A little equal time for Maverick, who’s been taking body blows from the HA team all day. I thought he’d bring this up at the debate as it would have been a dynamite challenge to Romney’s financial acumen, but the opportunity never arose so he’s stuck doing it with an ad. RomneyCare’s on tap for a $400 million spending increase next year in Massachusetts; as Team Maverick (oddly) puts it, that’s … “not very good.”
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McCain must have paid at least 12.95 for that video of the windsurfing Mitt, on second thought, make that 4.99. For the price of a burger you too can have a Mitt Romney attack ad.
TexasBella on January 25, 2008 at 5:49 PM
I;m not crazy about Mandated RomneyCare, its a step toward socialized medicine..
Chakra Hammer on January 25, 2008 at 5:49 PM
That windsurfing ad reminds me of a Bush/Cheney ad in 2004 attacking John Kerry.
infidel65 on January 25, 2008 at 5:49 PM
Mitt Romney = John Kerry carrying Clinton’s dictionary!
Chakra Hammer on January 25, 2008 at 5:50 PM
If you try watching these videos with a Jack rocks, they are even more enjoyable to watch. I would have added one of those prep school beanies on Romney’s head though.
THE CHOSEN ONE on January 25, 2008 at 5:51 PM
Something you might expect from a Democrat, right? But hey, McCain is the only liberal in the Republican race, right?
ThackerAgency on January 25, 2008 at 5:52 PM
Huh. Well start with the wrong numbers, end with the wrong numbers.
I’m not a fan of this at all. Though I think it will play well in the general. Though if it is Romney-Clinton, I look forward to him answering a question on universal HC by saying, “I’m not trying to return to Clinton-Gore. I was an independent at the time of Clinton-Gore.”
Spirit of 1776 on January 25, 2008 at 5:53 PM
McCain gets some body blows, and fights back valiantly with a… noogie?
RushBaby on January 25, 2008 at 5:53 PM
I think its a pic of John Kerry with Mitt’s head tacked on, some 527 did an ad with that pic, and McCain’s referencing it.
And for the record, burgers cost fifteen million.
doubleplusundead on January 25, 2008 at 5:54 PM
Cheap and cheesy. And inaccurate. The fee increases were fee increases–for targeted, specific services that hadn’t seen increases in years. That’s ages different than across the board tax increases.
I’m no big fan of mandates, but considering that anyone can waltz into an ER and get all the health care they need with YOU picking up the tab, then I am OK with requiring all folks to get insured. Same principle as mandatory auto insurance. In a perfect world, folks who walk into ER’s without insurance would just be refused service, and that would be that. If that were the case, then I’d be OK with a system that doesn’t require insurance.
AttilaTheHun on January 25, 2008 at 5:55 PM
Did I miss something where the problems are Mitt’s fault? The gal quoted in the article says that their original estimates were based on best educated guesses. That doesn’t sound like incompetence, but rather giving your best effort and coming up short.
csdeven on January 25, 2008 at 5:55 PM
McCain wants to win by protraying Romney as too moderate?
I didn’t get the part where first they say that X00,000 are uninsured, and then they say they have to raise taxes. So which side is this attack supposed to be from? It just made me seasick trying to figure out what McCain was trying to say.
I think having someone who has actually been involved in a enacting a state plan will be much more able to fend off Democrat attacks on Republicans on that issue, and it is a huge issue for independents. Then after the election, Mitt will be able so cite the problems with the Massachusetts plan as a way to keep that garbage to a minimum at the federal level.
pedestrian on January 25, 2008 at 5:56 PM
I’m not gonna disagree with that, but I’m all for ruining this for McCain, he’s screwed us over so many times he deserves to lose this nomination for spite reasons alone, let alone his atrocious policy positions.
doubleplusundead on January 25, 2008 at 5:56 PM
Bring it on.
thirteen28 on January 25, 2008 at 5:57 PM
If I were McCain, I’d keep my campaign off the “fiscal conservative” attack ads, given McCain’s history.
I’m not in his camp, but Romney trumps McCain, any day.
Having said that, I love the absurdly-big-headed windsurfer. Looks like someone running for class president in high school.
emailnuevo on January 25, 2008 at 5:58 PM
Now, do we call these CONTRAST ads?
Cause ya know, when Mitt issues very polite and direct Contrast ads they are called misleading, lies and attack ads.
EJDolbow on January 25, 2008 at 5:58 PM
No. We call them “last stands.”
emailnuevo on January 25, 2008 at 5:59 PM
Are these actually playing in Florida?
Vizzini on January 25, 2008 at 6:01 PM
Wow, all that failure and it’s only been in place for what, 25 days now! Deval spent $400M already? It must have been for those new drapes he bought for the corner office.
TheBigOldDog on January 25, 2008 at 6:01 PM
Mitt should counter with McCain’s attempt at a Health Care plan for illegal alliens.
Mitt can say, “at least MY healthcare plan was for legal citizens of the United States.”
EJDolbow on January 25, 2008 at 6:01 PM
Good one
RushBaby on January 25, 2008 at 6:04 PM
And that’s a good point too. I’m just amazed that any of these candidates actually get ANY support from people who call themselves conservative. They are ALL liberal. Saying that you shan’t vote for this one because he is liberal is laughable.
True Conservatives would be banging a gong for a third party conservative. The problem is that most conservatives here aren’t conservatives. . . they are Republicans.
ThackerAgency on January 25, 2008 at 6:06 PM
lol. Niiiice.
Spirit of 1776 on January 25, 2008 at 6:07 PM
Romney: “Even though I am pro abortion I governed as the most prolife governor in America!!” “Besides allowing $50 co pays for abortions in my socialist medicine plan, that is”
HaraldHardrada on January 25, 2008 at 6:08 PM
I’m not sure how often he’s explaining that to people (I really haven’t been following the campaigns all that closely) but he better start becuase it makes it easy to paint him as a big government RINO. He did a good job of explaining here at the time and taking people through the logic and he has to do that for the country.
TheBigOldDog on January 25, 2008 at 6:08 PM
Latest Results From Rasmussen Markets
Rasmussen Markets data suggests that McCain has a 39.6% chance of winning in Florida while Romney is given a 60.0% chance. Immediately following his victory in South Carolina, McCain was given a 70% chance of winning Florida. But, expectations for the Arizona Senator have declined in recent days. According to the markets, Giuliani is a distant third with a 5.7% chance of victory. Numbers in this paragraph are from a prediction market, not a poll.
MB4 on January 25, 2008 at 6:10 PM
You are correct
Haldol on January 25, 2008 at 6:10 PM
Since McVano has got a photo shop with Romney’s head on Kerry’s body it is only fair if Mitt’s campaign does a photo shop of McVano’s head on mini-me’s body.
MB4 on January 25, 2008 at 6:13 PM
Because it’s the law which he had no power to change nor the support of the people in the State to change. But, you know all that already. I guess it shouldn’t surprise me that people on the “Right” can be every bit as intellectually dishonest as people on the Left when it suits them.
TheBigOldDog on January 25, 2008 at 6:13 PM
It’s amazing. I took off work today due to not giving a crap amd I’ve noticed that the moderates come out after 5. While everyone else is working, there are some people bashing away at Johnny Mac.
THE CHOSEN ONE on January 25, 2008 at 6:13 PM
To put “Romneycare” in perspective, the Heritage Foundation supported the plan. Their analysis lays out the case for “Romenycare” in several articles. The most important point of all being choice, and having a base plan that is low enough to keep costs under control and allow everyone to purchase healthcare even the people that do not want to but have to anyway. Romney made it as easy as possible.
Predictably the liberals in Massachusetts want to throw in drug coverage, and give the lowest plan too many benefits and make the plan untenable.
McCain’s ad is at best ill informed, at worst a nefarious lie.
Theworldisnotenough on January 25, 2008 at 6:17 PM
I had a friend who interned with the Heritage Foundation. I’m not kidding, they have to be in there beds lights out by 10 mon-sun. Stay away from that type of foolishness.
THE CHOSEN ONE on January 25, 2008 at 6:18 PM
Isn’t that second video a rip off of a bush 2004 kerry ad?
lorien1973 on January 25, 2008 at 6:19 PM
This whole primary season is “not very good”.
ChrisM on January 25, 2008 at 6:19 PM
Romney: “just because every policy I have now runs directly opposite of every position I have ever held in my life…doesn’t mean that I’m a liar”!
“So what if I switched on every issue including:
Abortion
Gay marriage
Gun rights
pulling out of iraq
war on terror
Bush tax cuts
Socialist medicine
my opinion of Ronald Reagan
“Just because I did a complete 180 on every issue just as I started running for president…doesn’t mean I am a liar”
“Vote for me because I have all the talking points memorized”!
HaraldHardrada on January 25, 2008 at 6:21 PM
There are two kinds of spurs, my friend. Those that come in by the door, and those that come in by the window … …
Tuco on January 25, 2008 at 6:21 PM
ere you go TCO, a little “Johnny Mac bashing” for you after 6 pm.
‘Straight Talk’ Express Takes Scenic Route to Truth
TheBigOldDog on January 25, 2008 at 6:23 PM
I love to dance tuco.
THE CHOSEN ONE on January 25, 2008 at 6:25 PM
Mitt Romney just DESTROYED John McCain!!!
davenp35 on January 25, 2008 at 6:25 PM
Great fun.
Jaibones on January 25, 2008 at 6:26 PM
Not only did Romney stand up against gay marriage, taking every legal action he could, he prevented the State from marrying people who did not meet the residency requirements. He got the constitutional amendment process rolling that was completely undermined by the new Democratic Governor once Mitt was out of the way.
Your a Huck supporter right? Seems like you use the same high ethical standards as your candidate.
TheBigOldDog on January 25, 2008 at 6:27 PM
Abortion – good
Gay marriage – good
Gun rights – good
pulling out of iraq – erroneous statement
war on terror – erroneous statement
Bush tax cuts – erroneous statement
Socialist medicine – debatable
my opinion of Ronald Reagan – excellent!
Spirit of 1776 on January 25, 2008 at 6:28 PM
That’s a good one. The gloves are off.
TheBigOldDog on January 25, 2008 at 6:29 PM
Sharp ad.
Spirit of 1776 on January 25, 2008 at 6:29 PM
Anybody else missing Fred’s positions (if not his ‘campaign’) yet?
‘Lazy’ sure beats ’socialistic’ any day.
michaelo on January 25, 2008 at 6:30 PM
That’s a canard. With auto insurance, the mandate only applies if you want to own/drive a car — you’re agreeing to a condition in exchange for being licensed for that privilege. But you don’t have to be insured if you don’t want to drive.
With a health insurance mandate you don’t agree to anything. The government simply says by viture of existing you must buy health insurance. As far as I’m concerned, that’s unconstitutional.
By my scorecard, Mitt loses points for his mandate.
Spolitics on January 25, 2008 at 6:32 PM
TheBigOldDog on January 25, 2008 at 6:27 PM
Your statement about Romney being against gay marriage is 100% false.
Here is proof
Caution: disturbing images
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2X6fALqqbk
HaraldHardrada on January 25, 2008 at 6:34 PM
There are two kinds of people in the world, my friend. Those who have a rope around their neck and those who have the job of doing the cutting.
Entelechy on January 25, 2008 at 6:35 PM
Can someone tell me wherethe heck Romney was when he said “Who let the dogs out, hoot, hoot? You know, the one where he is corraling young inner city youth to pretend that they know who he is. That was priceless, it speaks to the pure phoniness of Romney. I think Romney and Edwards should have a hair-off for charity. What a fake, help me lord.
THE CHOSEN ONE on January 25, 2008 at 6:36 PM
Music? Yeah, it’s very good. It’s very good for the digestion.
Entelechy on January 25, 2008 at 6:38 PM
It’s not a canard becuase in the state, you can not be refused health care. Can not. It is illegal to turn people away. So, who do you think is paying? We are. The only issue becomes, what’s the cheapest way out? Do we continue to let people go to the ER for expensive routine care and cripple the hospitals as was happening, or do we force everybody to be covered by some plan, offload them to cheaper alternatives like doctor’s offices and at least pay according to their ability?
We made our choice. You may not like it. But we were given the facts and asked to decide and we did.
TheBigOldDog on January 25, 2008 at 6:38 PM
Romney’s opinion of Ronald Reagan – excellent!
Spirit of 1776 on January 25, 2008 at 6:28 PM
Evidently you must think Reagan was crap then..
Here’s some proof for you:
Caution you may be offended if you are a Reagan fan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLWUuij1-uc
HaraldHardrada on January 25, 2008 at 6:39 PM
Well said.
Haldol on January 25, 2008 at 6:41 PM
Not at all. Mitt said that as he has grown older he has really gained a much deeper appreciation for Reagan. Growing more conservative as one gets more experience is common. No worries.
Spirit of 1776 on January 25, 2008 at 6:42 PM
HH said that he’s 27. Time to grow up dude. With a family, 27 ought to be mature enough to move away from socialist ideas.
Entelechy on January 25, 2008 at 6:44 PM
cool, we have some supposed “conservatives” who are pushing McCain joining forces with Hucktard to bash Romney
I like his chances
windansea on January 25, 2008 at 6:44 PM
That’s garbage. I know, I live here. He fought gay marriage tooth and nail. He was under a State Supreme Court order to implement the law but also told the clerks they could not issue licenses for people who did not meet the residency requirements which prevent a flood of people into the State to be married and a national crisis by forcing States to recognize the marriages.
TheBigOldDog on January 25, 2008 at 6:44 PM
Spirit of 1776 on January 25, 2008 at 6:42 PM
Wow! Your support of the libtard phnony,Willard Milton Romney, is bordering on fanaticism!
And you thought I was a Huckabee fanatic.
HaraldHardrada on January 25, 2008 at 6:45 PM
Hey concervatives against Romney can I have your attention please!
That ad attacks Romney from the left. It complains that not everyone is covered under the government mandated system so obviously the plan is a “failure”.
Resolute on January 25, 2008 at 6:47 PM
Wow, a Huck supporter calling Romney a liberal phony. There’s got to be a word for that.
Haldol on January 25, 2008 at 6:49 PM
First off, I said comparing a health insurance mandate to an auto insurance mandate is a canard, and it is. The government has the right to say if you want to drive, you must buy auto insurance. It does not have the right to say, if you want to exist you must buy health insurance.
Second, the state doesn’t have to eat the bill. It can hold the recipient of the health care financially liable. (BusinessWeek had an article about how more and more hospitals are doing this — sending collection agencies after people who refuse to pay their hospital bills.)
Or, rather than passing a mandate, it could have passed a a law that allows hospitals to refuse service to the unisured.
Spolitics on January 25, 2008 at 6:50 PM
Maybe you missed this statement proving Romney hates Reagan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hmzEtCHP0Y&feature=related
HaraldHardrada on January 25, 2008 at 6:51 PM
I was quoting him on his H&C post-debate appearance. Sorry that is too fanatical for you. As far as the ‘my support of Romney’; spare me. I’ve been quite critical of Romney. You can find plenty of evidence of that in the vault. Unfortunately for you I am even more critical of vacuous assertions to either prop up or undermine candidates.
Spirit of 1776 on January 25, 2008 at 6:51 PM
Again, Mitt addressed that just a few weeks ago, so you can stop c/p clips from when you were in diapers. Enjoy your weekend.
Spirit of 1776 on January 25, 2008 at 6:52 PM
HaraldHardrada on January 25, 2008 at 6:34 PM
I’ve been enjoying your comments the last few days, but I gotta ask; exactly what was the “disturbing content” in that clip?
dish on January 25, 2008 at 6:56 PM
It has the right to say if you want to live in this State you must be insured since by law, you can’t be denied healthcare and we aren’t paying for you to go to the ER every time you have a hangnail and paying $500 in taxpayer money to cover it.
What you fail to realize is, we are eating the bill either way. That’s just a fact. The only question then becomes, how do we do it in the least expensive way possible.
TheBigOldDog on January 25, 2008 at 6:57 PM
sorry,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2X6fALqqbk
this clip
dish on January 25, 2008 at 6:58 PM
Makes you wonder huh? But his boss plays the same game with a grin on on his face and an “awe shucks” just like the Satan and Jesus being brothers bit. So they pass out some homo erotica and claim it something Mitt supports. The ethics of these people is no where to be found. That’s why I’d cut off my right arm before I’d ever vote for that Grin F’er – and that’s what he is, a guy that smiles at you while he sticking an ice pick in your back.
TheBigOldDog on January 25, 2008 at 7:01 PM
Hilarious!! I can’t believe this guuy is running for the republican nomination.
Romney ” I will do more to protect abortion and gay rights than senator Kennedy”
HaraldHardrada on January 25, 2008 at 7:04 PM
Ha Ha Ha!
Romney’s more liberal than Ted Kennedy!
Proof!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAmCB0-E1GY
HaraldHardrada on January 25, 2008 at 7:06 PM
Hello, is this mike working? What was so offensive Harold?
dish on January 25, 2008 at 7:07 PM
Mandate Mitt..
Willard “Mitt” “Saw” Romneyesque
That dog won’t hunt, even if he does drive with his dog strapped to the roof of his car.
Chakra Hammer on January 25, 2008 at 7:09 PM
You are not dealing with reality in any way shape or form. It would be impossible for Romney to have done any such thing.
Hospitals do bill the patients without insurance (if they even gave thier correct name!). Alot of that money is never recovered. The state has a fund to compensate hospitials that get screwed in such a way. Many would go out of buisness without it. Romney’s plan decreased/nearly eliminated that fund in exchange to try and actually get everyone covered with some type of insurance.
To classify this as government expansion over care is really speaking from a lack of knowlege. Hospitals already provide free care to many, the state already had a fund to compensate such hospitals. Theoretically Romney care gets a lot of people off of the taxpayer wallet who were already on it and paid with almost no consequences. But this seems to be to complicated to understand for some who equate Romneycare with HillaryCare.
Resolute on January 25, 2008 at 7:09 PM
I disagree. Consider what else can go in the blank here, and maybe you’ll rethink your position:
“It has the right to say if you want to live in this State you must____________.
A) I don’t fail to realize that. I’m simply saying that you’re eating the bill because you’ve decided to eat it. Don’t you understand that you’ve passed one mandate (must buy health insurance) to help pay for another mandate (must provide care to uninsured)?
B) You’re fining people for not buying health insurance, regardless of whether or not they actually go to a hospital and run up a bill. That doesn’t hold the culprits responsible. If you want to hold the cuplrits responsible, charge the uninsured who actually run up the bills at the hopital.
Spolitics on January 25, 2008 at 7:09 PM
dish on January 25, 2008 at 7:07 PM
I said disturbing images.
HaraldHardrada on January 25, 2008 at 7:11 PM
Well Mitt’s plan only applies if you want to own/drive a body. If you are dead you can opt out.
MB4 on January 25, 2008 at 7:11 PM
Mitt Romney
being compared to Bill Clinton —Check that out..
Chakra Hammer on January 25, 2008 at 7:12 PM
oh, so sorry. what disturbing images
dish on January 25, 2008 at 7:12 PM
I’m glad to hear from some MA residents on the health care situation. It was hard to find the truth, with all the double-speak out there. It is good to hear from people who are actually living with this situation. I’ll confess it is a concern about Romney for me…
dish on January 25, 2008 at 7:14 PM
Well put.
Spolitics on January 25, 2008 at 7:14 PM
If you don’t find those images disturbing I don’t know what to tell you..
HaraldHardrada on January 25, 2008 at 7:18 PM
Chakra Hammer on January 25, 2008 at 7:12 PM
…and? His dad was a strong civil rights advocate. I see this as a non-issue, a little boy placing his dad a little closer to an important figure…what does the CNN pretty boy empty talking head say about Clinton/Rozko? Anything? What about McCain/Juan Hernandez?
dish on January 25, 2008 at 7:18 PM
you could confess to your homophobia….
dish on January 25, 2008 at 7:19 PM
Is homosexuality genetic or a choice?
HaraldHardrada on January 25, 2008 at 7:22 PM
don’t know. don’t care. consenting adults and all that stuff. as long as they’re consenting adults. if children are involved, ‘nother story.
Thanks for answering.
dish on January 25, 2008 at 7:23 PM
Who’s equating it to Hillarycare? I’ve been talking specifically about the mandate. There are other ways to promote a robust private insurance market and the concern here is that Romney chose a government imposed mandate.
Spolitics on January 25, 2008 at 7:24 PM
Well then what are you talking about? Explain it.
1)All people who show up get care
2)some hospitials may be driven out of buisness
3)the government already has a fund to bail them out
those are the facts. You CANNOT change #1. Romney said lets mandate insurance for all(not even govt run necessarilly). What is your radical plan?
Resolute on January 25, 2008 at 7:32 PM
Right. And a lot of things already go into the blank. It’s only limited by the Federal constitution, State constitution and THE CONSENT of the people.
Agian, you’ve got to get your head around the fact that you can not be denied health care due to lacking health insurance or an ability to pay and the State picks up the tab. They can’t turn you away. Go to any ER and read the sign posted all over the walls. That makes it a problem unlike others. You can’t show up at the super market and get food without money. They have the right to turn you away. A hospital does not have that ability.
For practical people who actually want to get stuff done, the question becomes, what the cheapest, most effective way out becuase the “system: right now is bankrupting the state and crippling hospitals, driving up cost and reducing the quality of care for everyone. I have no idea of this solution will work and it just started so we have no data yet, but, given the current situation we the people felt like it was worth a shot.
TheBigOldDog on January 25, 2008 at 7:37 PM
I’m all ears. Let’s hear them.
TheBigOldDog on January 25, 2008 at 7:40 PM
Why can’t you change #1 is it a federal law? Can you require that they show ID? Some states passed these laws to deny treatment to illegals. Anyway, as I said above, the first recourse against unpaid bills is to turn the matter over to a collection agency, apply interest, seek judgements in court and garnish wages. More and more hospitals are doing this and it’s working. Best of all, it passes the cost onto the people who actually received the care.
To promote a more robust private market, here are the big two suggestions:
1) Make insurance premiums tax-deductable (would be more effective at a federal level but can still be done at the state level) Did Romney’s plan do this?
The state could also provide tax rebates to promote high-deductable plans/HSAs for twenty-somethings who make up the majority of the uninsured.
2) Ease regulations on the insurance companies to lower compliance costs in exchange for lower insurance premiums.
I’m not sure what the regulations are, but it seems odd to me that there are not insurance brokers like you find with life insurance or auto insurance. Insurance brokers would help link customers with providers.
Spolitics on January 25, 2008 at 7:49 PM
FYI: Here’s the BusinessWeek article I referenced earlier.
Spolitics on January 25, 2008 at 7:53 PM
It’s a Federal law called The Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA. Google it.
If I recall correctly, CA tried to pass a law that would allow hospitals to turn away illegals and it was struck down as illegal. I’d have to look it up though, but that’s what my memory tells me…
TheBigOldDog on January 25, 2008 at 7:58 PM
Good points. Also, hospitals will pass on as many of the charges the state doesn’t pick and pass those costs on.
So, taxpayers pay for it, and so does everyone who has an insurance policy. There is not such thing as a free visit to the ER.
Buy Danish on January 25, 2008 at 8:03 PM
No, I understand that. It’s a mandate. And it costs your state. And so you’ve decided to try to solve the problem with another government mandate. What I’m taking issue with is that this specific mandate is an assault on personal freedom.
You say, “And a lot of things already go into the blank.” What? I’m trying to think of other examples where the government imposes a cost on you without your engaging in any behavior and I cannot come up with one. You only pay income taxes if you work. You only pay property taxes if you own property. Where else does MA say, if you want to live here you must do X or pay a fine and there is no way out of it?
Spolitics on January 25, 2008 at 8:03 PM
Look, this is right from the State of CA website:
TheBigOldDog on January 25, 2008 at 8:03 PM
That’s right, I remember now. In fact, don’t hospitals receive tax breaks from Washington to help defray the costs of providing care to the uninsured? If it’s not enough to cover the shortfall, I wonder if the states could sue the federal government for more money since it’s a federal law that causes the problems.
Spolitics on January 25, 2008 at 8:10 PM
There are all kinds of government mandates. Your home must be built and maintained to codes. You can’t modify your home with out permits. You can’t clear land without a permit. You can be a doctor without a state license. You can’t even be a barber without a license. Mandates abound. You must send your children to school, etc., etc. If you don’t like the mandates of a State you try to find another that maybe suits you better.
TheBigOldDog on January 25, 2008 at 8:10 PM
States and the Feds are always playing games with money. The issue is, how to reduce the cost as much as possible or start allowing hospitals to deny care (and that’s never going to happen, ever becuase the media would run wild with “how could we allow people to die on the sidewalks around hospitals in this country” type stores 10 times a day every day.
TheBigOldDog on January 25, 2008 at 8:13 PM
The mandated coverage is an issue for me, but given the fact that government tends to foot the bill whenever someone shows up at the ER, I can see why they went there.
A better way would be to have tort reform…namely doctors should be tried by their peers, other doctors or nurses in the jury. There should be a cap, no more than their life insurance ( or 100K if there is no life insurance ) and medical expenses.
If you are going to mandate something, then have it where the deductible can be adjusted to where the insurance covers really bad stuff, but the little stuff you pay out of pocket.
Lastly, maybe its time to get rid of the requirement for hospitals to treat people if they can’t pay, unless its a true life threatening thing like a gun shot wound.
I am a Romney fan, but this one area is a sore one for me, just don’t like the idea of government mandating anything.
Conservative Voice on January 25, 2008 at 8:14 PM
Tort reform is yet another tool to get the costs down overall. The problem is the strength of the trial lawyer lobby and the media running story after story about people killed or severely injured by “malpractice” and never receiving fair compensation. That’s why it hasn’t really happened to date. Heck, Edwards made his fortune bankrupting OBGYNs.
TheBigOldDog on January 25, 2008 at 8:18 PM
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