health insurance debate
I really don't understand the Republicans. Under the latest Senate Finance Committee plan, the public option is scrapped in favor of state-wide co-ops (non-profit insurance plans that anyone in the state can buy on the open exchange). Ok, great. A capitalist, market-based solution. But if this "solution" won't cost the government anything because it's completely based on private markets, then why are they banning illegal immigrants from buying in, even if they can afford to pay??
I can understand people getting upset about illegal immigrants getting subsidized to buy health insurance (although I disagree - they'll just cost us a lot more later, when they show up to the ER with late-stage diseases because they never got preventative care). But by banning illegal immigrants from buying health insurance with their own money, aren't we basically telling them that we want them to die sooner? How can people who go nuts over unborn fetuses' right to life be so callous to living, breathing people?
Also: I'm pretty pissed at the Republicans right now. This bill was supposed to be the nonpartisan compromise - except the Republicans aren't having it, and so far none are backing it. Since the Dems have a majority in Congress, why don't they just stop listening to the Republicans, go more liberal, and just steamroller the protest? You're not going to get them on your side in any case.
If you're interested in the details:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/17/health/policy/17health.html?hp
I can understand people getting upset about illegal immigrants getting subsidized to buy health insurance (although I disagree - they'll just cost us a lot more later, when they show up to the ER with late-stage diseases because they never got preventative care). But by banning illegal immigrants from buying health insurance with their own money, aren't we basically telling them that we want them to die sooner? How can people who go nuts over unborn fetuses' right to life be so callous to living, breathing people?
Also: I'm pretty pissed at the Republicans right now. This bill was supposed to be the nonpartisan compromise - except the Republicans aren't having it, and so far none are backing it. Since the Dems have a majority in Congress, why don't they just stop listening to the Republicans, go more liberal, and just steamroller the protest? You're not going to get them on your side in any case.
If you're interested in the details:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/17/health/policy/17health.html?hp