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September 20, 2009
The President on Mandates
I was happy to hear that President Obama was dissatisfied with the mandate language in the Baucus Plan.
OBAMA: I think that what they were referring to – and I haven't looked at the quotes. But I think that they were concerned about whether or not this was actually affordable. If you're saying to people, you've got to get health insurance but they can't actually afford it and they have to pay a penalty if they don't get it, then that's a pretty big burden on middle class families. That's a concern I share -- making sure that this is affordable.
In short: the Baucus Plan as written is a "pretty big burden on middle class families."
Hopefully this means the White House will push for expanded subsidies and a public option so those of us in that $66,000 range won't be totally screwed by Max Baucus and his mafia bosses.
To be clear, individual mandates are necessary and, in a manner of speaking, all industrialized nations (including Canada, England, France, et al) have mandates insofar as everyone is mandated by law to pay into the system whether by premiums or taxes. However, if mandates become law, there has to be an affordable public plan and subsidies so the government isn't forcing people into bankruptcy over healthcare.
Filed under: Healthcare || President Obama || Public Option
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Posted By Bob Cesca | September 20, 2009 7:28 PM
Comments
I think you're right Bob. Initially, I thought whether you call it a tax or not, it's still a burden to many people unless there's a public option. Without it, it's as offensive as mandating that we all buy American Cars. While most Americans may think they'd like that idea, it's an infringement on our freedom to choose whether we want a Ford or a Mercedes Benz. Look at the Cash for Clunkers program. They didn't tell people what car company to purchase the car from. They can't think they can get away with telling us this when it comes to insurance. Not when Medicare is already out there.
Posted by: roxsteady ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.bobcesca.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at September 20, 2009 8:32 PM
I'll tell you what stuns me the most Bob! The fact that not one of these idiots hosting these Sunday shows brought up the fact that the Baucus bill was written by Liz Fowler and her former bosses at Wellpoint. They even had the fact that the bill was sent to K street lobbyists before the President saw it, as Robert Gibbs pointed out last week. While I like the Presideent, I would have been interested to see how he answered that question!
Posted by: roxsteady at September 20, 2009 8:35 PM
AND public option was not mentioned.
AND 500 amendments on the Baucus bil was not talked about.
Mostly abount cost.
Posted by: Jan at September 20, 2009 9:11 PM
One thing that annoyed me, and I only watched This Week, was they kept stressing how the plan would account for, GASP, 13% of an income. Well, man, I tell you that would be way worse than the 11% of my income it currently accounts for. And that's before copays and meds too. And My insurance is a pretty reasonable package.
Posted by: camel54 at September 20, 2009 9:46 PM
The Baucus plan seems like a gift to the insurance companies, plain and simple. Forcing young people who may not want or need it, and may not be able to afford it to buy it. Possible financial strain on the middle class. Increased premiums for seniors on fixed incomes, we've got to be able to do better than this.
It sounds like the insurance companies get increased fees from the 30 million uninsured, what do we get exactly??
Posted by: Jack G. at September 21, 2009 3:50 AM
We get MANDATES!
Posted by: Jan at September 21, 2009 8:40 AM
