Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Who actually read the health bill?


From WPIX:

NEW YORK (WPIX) - The health care reform act is considered landmark legislation that will impact all Americans. But a vast majority profess being ignorant when it comes to understanding the bill. Though the House of Representatives voted 219 to 212 to pass the bill, we were curious to learn how many of the Congressional members from the Tri-State area, actually read the voluminous bill -- all 2,407 pages.

In all, we reached the offices of 31 representatives, and left messages for 10, 8 promised to get back to us, 1 asked us to send an e-mail request, and we succeeded in getting responses or quasi responses from 11.

Congressman Charles Rangel admitted he hadn't read every page, but read enough of it to vote intelligently. "Truth is," he said, I was on the committee that helped write the bill."

To find out more on how your local representative voted on Sunday, check out the PIX Blog for the full, exclusive story by WPIX reporter Marvin Scott.


From Gothamist:

Health-care facilities in NYC spent $3.5 billion providing uncompensated care in 2008 to the uninsured, and according to Weiner that will end once an estimated 625,000 of the city's 1.1 million uninsured get coverage. He asserts that 142,922 city residents who currently suffer from pre-existing conditions will now be able to get "affordable" insurance, and 204,000 businesses with 25 or fewer employees and average wages of $50,000 or less will qualify for tax credits to buy health insurance. The bill will also do something about the thousands of health care-related bankruptcies in NYC.

Bullshit. We'll still be paying for health care for illegals who are draining the system.

51 comments:

georgetheatheist said...

As soon as tort reform is passed in India, I'm hopping on the plane to stock up on kidneys and hearts.

Obamacare = Welcome to banana republic America.

Deke DaSilva said...

Wasn't that one of Michael Moore's "gags" in his Fahrenheit 911 movie, how Congress didn't actually read the Patriot Act?

Do you really think Mikey cares whether or not Congress read this health care bill?

Queens Crapper said...

Michael Moore is unhappy with the bill, and I agree with his point.

Anonymous said...

i have called crowleys office personally my family has been a long supporter of him since my family has lived here the question i had for him was if the bill is so good how come he is exempt from it called on several occasions and was advised that i would def get a call back still waitng been months , i also asked how many calls they received in support of the bill and how many no votes was advised that they are not keeping track good to see that the calls where just a waste of time . once november myself and my family will also consider his party a waste of time and vote againt all who voted for this bill. and joe thanks for voting yes on a bill that we as new yorkers pay the most in taxes in the united states to pay for this bill we as new yorkers make up 9.8% of teh population but we are responsibile for paying for 20% of teh cost of great job on selling out your fellow new yorkers down with the whole crowley political machine

Cong. Gary said...

Huh?

Anonymous said...

Any bill that's longer than 100 pages does not deserve to be passed.

Anonymous said...

Nancy Pelosi said she would drain the swamp in Washington. Obviously she didn't keep her promise, and the swamp is thicker and more foul than ever. It's time for the American people to drain the swamp in Washington from the President on down. Let's start in November by draining the Congress and the Senate. These representatives did not represent the American people. Most people don't want this bill. Times are bad. We are in a recession and our taxes keep rising to make up the shortfalls in local government. Now we will have an enourmous raise in our Federal taxes and personal income tax. Keep the people who voted AGAINST this bill and FOR the American people. If you think the economy is bad now, wait until this kicks in and nobody has money to spend. Are illegal immigrants (criminals) entitled to this Obamacare? I'm sure they are. This issue hasn't been addressed yet and will open the floodgates for more illegals to come here and get free health care. Look at Canada. They have rising illegal immigration because of their health care system. Publish the names of all the politicians who voted for this bill. Remind the American people who they are so come November, we can effectively drain the swamp. America is on it's way to being a Socialist Nation. How very sad for the country and for all of us.

Anonymous said...

all our democratic reps voted yes in favor of this. cong. gary what part u not get from that posting

Anonymous said...

cong. gary what part u not get from that posting
-------------------------------------------

What a moron! Ever think before you post? Do you really believe that was written by Ackerman? Sheesh!

Anonymous said...

ah no thats obvious it was not him moron he would not have the balls to post on here

Anonymous said...

Carolyn Maloney voted for this bill. Doesn't surprise me. A few years ago I went to her office on another matter and her weasel of a flunky, Mr. Wolf said they don't vote on bills. I said, "You work for me, don't be so stupid to think I'm stupid." He told me to "Get out."

Maloney and Wolf = mini-Pelosis.

Anonymous said...

vote her out also all must go

Unknown said...

Of course we're going to pay for illegals to have care. Once Amnesty is done (and make no mistake, after the protests this weekend, that's next) we'll see all these new citizens with shiny coverage.

*sigh*

Joe said...

This is crazy, this bill puts the IRS in charge of determining what you must pay, collecting, managing and enforcing fees.

Own a house and cant pay $1800 a month for Julio and his 10 kids they could throw you in jail and take it

Anonymous said...

Pledge to vote every incumbent out of office on the next elections!

cherokeesista said...

Vinny said...
Of course we're going to pay for illegals to have care. Once Amnesty is done (and make no mistake, after the protests this weekend, that's next) we'll see all these new citizens with shiny coverage.

*sigh*

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

God Forbide because if that does happen :( I truly believe ALL HELL IS GOING TO BREAK LOOSE!!!!!! Maybe thats what Obama and the rest of his Scum want:(

Anonymous said...

I just hope the American people don't forget what went down this week. November is 8 months away and people have short memories. A lot of this crap doesn't take effect until 2014. That's when the shit is going to hit the fan. I never thought I'd see a great country like the United States turn into a Socialist Nation. My parents were true patriots and taught us to love our great country. I'm glad they have passed on and didn't have to witness this fiasco.

Joe said...

UNITED STATES BOOTDELLO !!
You can bet amnesty is next.
If this isn't overturned I will consider this country dead.
I will move to Puerto Rico or St.Thomas.
Hide your wallets folks

Liman said...

George, you're wrong. We don't have the weather to be a banana republic. I'm thinking more like East Germany.

Babs said...

Thanks for linking Moore's latest commentary Crappy for us.

Moore's only complaint (but it's a biggie) is that the insurance companies for the next four years will still be able to turn people away who are in need of treatment as in the case of the cancer-stricken woman in the film.

Anonymous said...

the medical insurance companies historically have publicly announced the yearly increase in premiums in January. the elections occur in November......much of the electorate will not know their medical insurance policy's new numbers when the vote.

insurance experts predict higher ,not lower rates,
look towards obama's take over of the medical insurance industry, in the near future.

obama's socialist objective is single payer(public option)....the democrats left wingers may be diabolical liars,but they so far have been clever.....

Anonymous said...

the medical insurance companies historically have publicly announced the yearly increase in premiums in January. the elections occur in November......much of the electorate will not know their medical insurance policy's new numbers when the vote.

insurance experts predict higher ,not lower rates,
look towards obama's take over of the medical insurance industry, in the near future.

obama's socialist objective is single payer(public option)....the democrats left wingers may be diabolical liars,but they so far have been clever.....

Babs said...

We are NOT covering care for illegals.

Illegals do become legal of course - so in that sense we will be covering them after they become new American citizens.

NO hospital has the right to turn ANYONE away for treatment - UNDERSTAND please that the word "treatment" here means ONLY if someone breaks a leg or is running a high fever, etc. IT DOES NOT MEAN CANCER CARE or oxygen therapy or all the other things that the word "treatment" means to those of us that are insured.

As in the case of the American woman in the movie who has cancer - she is being treated - but to a point - AND the bills are coming in - IF she is a homeowner - those bills of course will eventually turn to liens. Most probably they own her home at this point.

Lino said...

I had a late breakfast with the owner/manager of a restaurant (more like coffee shop) here in Manhattan on Monday. She and her husband are in their mid-thirties and live in Queens, they are self-employed (not part of our group) and pay $1250/mo for insurance.

She just had an appendectomy and showed me the bill: $27500 plus change. Her plan has a $2500 deductible and since her doctor billed separately, she has been told that she will have to pay two $2500 payments before insurance kicks-in.

So, for a relatively routine operation this woman will have paid a total of $20000 this year even though she is insured.

When these conservative cruds bray about "taxes" it is just a smokescreen for their complicity with the insurance industry.

Anonymous said...

HUGE HUGE win for the IRS and Insurance Company's

Insurance companies will be able to turn people away PERIOD provided they pay a $100 per day fine to the Government.
(That's $36,650 a year)
If you need a $100,000 operation YOUR DEAD. At best you get a hospice bunk & free morphine!

WTF good is forced gunpoint health insurance when the Insurance companies can break a contract by paying a fine to the government.

Babs said...

EXACTLY - Lino.

Insured people (like myself thankfully) just THINK they are fully insured. Unless they or someone they know has a serious illness they haven't a CLUE as to what has been going on for YEARS.

The health insurance industry is organized crime - they are EXTORTIONISTS. They saw a profit of 2 billion last year. They make people wait weeks for approvals for life-saving procedures in the hopes that we drop dead first.

I am THRILLED that they are FINALLY being given their just desserts! . . . or least it appears to be the beginning of the end for these criminals!

Jonas Salk said...

The health insurance industry is organized crime - they are EXTORTIONISTS. They saw a profit of 2 billion last year.

Really? What's your source for that statistic?

According to Morningstar, health insurance earned a profit margin of 3.4% last year. That doesn't sound EXTREMELY profitable to me. If they are indeed "printing money", how come the insurance company stocks aren't the "darlings of Wall Street"?

http://www.usnews.com/money/blogs/flowchart/
2009/08/25/why-health-insurers-make-lousy-villains.html

I had a late breakfast with the owner/manager of a restaurant (more like coffee shop) here in Manhattan on Monday. She and her husband are in their mid-thirties and live in Queens, they are self-employed......blah blah yada yada.....

Too much extraneous, irrelevant information, nodding off......zzzz.....zzz......zzzzz

When these conservative cruds bray about "taxes" it is just a smokescreen for their complicity with the insurance industry.

Boy, coming from a guy who complains about Fox News "cliches and soundbites", our friend Lino sure likes to........talk in cliches and soundbites!

Queens Crapper said...

Here's another Moore piece.

Michael Moore on CNN Situation Room

Anonymous said...

(would you care to be specific to charges of the appendix operation? a total is not very revealing?

as to the allegations of med. insurance co. abuse,could you be more specific?

i have encountered eye operations(cataracts both eyes with inter ocular implants) $5000. each.
at least five M.H.O.S.E. skin cancer surgeries,$3000.each
yearly cardiac tests , stress tests,etc.
and colon and p.s.a. screening.
i did not encounter one obstacle from my insurance
co. Blue/Cross ,Blue Shield (supplemental) and MEDICARE. when i had a weekend medical "scare" i had to visit an emergency room. when my numbers checked excellent,after expensive electronic screening to protect the hospital from the trial lawyers ,i was released.fine service.

i only use doctors listed in "top 600 doctors in n.y."

Anonymous said...

(would you care to be specific to charges of the appendix operation? a total is not very revealing?

as to the allegations of med. insurance co. abuse,could you be more specific?

i have encountered eye operations(cataracts both eyes with inter ocular implants) $5000. each.
at least five M.H.O.S.E. skin cancer surgeries,$3000.each
yearly cardiac tests , stress tests,etc.
and colon and p.s.a. screening.
i did not encounter one obstacle from my insurance
co. Blue/Cross ,Blue Shield (supplemental) and MEDICARE. when i had a weekend medical "scare" i had to visit an emergency room. when my numbers checked excellent,after expensive electronic screening to protect the hospital from the trial lawyers ,i was released.fine service.

i only use doctors listed in "top 600 doctors in n.y."

Lino said...

"Boy, coming from a guy who complains about Fox News "cliches and soundbites", our friend Lino sure likes to........talk in cliches and soundbites!"

No. I talk from experience and consequence...sorry that bores you...you know the old saying :he who is easily bored --is a bore.

BTW: another boring point your beloved Fux "News" -is now partially owned by an arab sheik and it is already affecting their reportage:

http://www.fastcompany.com/1566018/crib-sheet-prince-alwaleed

Result:

http://www.militantislammonitor.org/article/id/1375

Stupid conservative.

Lino said...

"i did not encounter one obstacle from my insurance
co. Blue/Cross ,Blue Shield (supplemental) and -MEDICARE-"

So, Socialized Medicine works for you. good. Eventually us slightly younger folks will have it too. Once you old reactionaries die off.

This woman is not encountering "obstacles" she is simply be taken to the cleaners by the cost.

Work on that understanding thing.

Anonymous said...

your reluctance to detail the specifics of your "appendix medical cost testimony" gives a doubt to it's truthfulness ?

Jonas Salk said...

your reluctance to detail the specifics of your "appendix medical cost testimony" gives a doubt to it's truthfulness ?

This is a freaking blog!

Do you want this person to lift his/her shirt, take a photo of the scar, and post the photo?

When did Queen's Crap become a reputable scientific journal?

Anonymous said...

You guys are just angry about everything.
Angry and complaining. Nobody likes you silly angry complainers. This blog will always be on the margins.

Alfred E. Einstein said...

When did Queen's Crap become a reputable scientific journal?

E = mc²‎

Anonymous said...

One of the reasons health care is so expensive is something no one has talked about on the news or blogs. Without giving away my reason for going to the doctor, at Weill Cornell Presbyterian, to see a gynecologist, I was forced to see a counselor to teach me about the AID epidemic. Now, come on. Who, in 2009 (when I went) doesn't know about AIDS?

I said I wasn't ignorant and did not want to spend 20 minutes listening to a woman telling me about something everyone knows about. They wouldn't do the pelvic exam without my listening. This is a new thing. This woman must be making at least 50K. Why don't they just have a pamphlet in the waiting room for the people who've been living under a rock all this time?

Another reason health care costs so much is fraud.

And one more reason is that doctors want patients to have treatments for diseases even the odds of a cure are only 15% and the "treatment" causes other diseases and poor quality of life even after the treatment. When a patient says, "No,", the doctor tries to get the spouse - "How do you know YOU don't have a disease?"

I was witness to all of this at Presbyterian Hospital in 2009.

The insurance companies are awful, but this healthcare plan is the first cog in the wall of complete socialism. Education, banks, car companies, then Cap and Trade, then illegals becoming legal, on and on are coming. In NYC Ortiz goes Bloomberg one better and tries to tell us we can't have salt.

I can't believe I've lived to see this country the way it is. I just can't.

Cher Chez La Guava said...

I can't believe I've lived to see this country the way it is. I just can't.

In order for things to get better, they have to reach rock bottom. It's not quite there, but's it's getting closer.

The revolution is coming.....

See you on the streets!!!

georgetheatheist said...

I've already booked a trip to China to meet, in an out of the way village, my human body harvest peasant. He's selling me his spleen, a kidney, and his liver when he croaks. The surgeon over in Thailand OK'd the transplants. See? Pre-planning is the best route to go now.

Wun Hung Lo said...

I've already booked a trip to China to meet, in an out of the way village, my human body harvest peasant. He's selling me his spleen, a kidney, and his liver when he croaks.

------------------------------------------

So you only want me for my body??!!?!

Anonymous said...

The USA is one big scam.

0 = public schools, they are out there to teach political correctness (or conversely Bible BS) and distort common sense.
1. College education - overpriced and a scam. State sponsored schools still a better deal than private.
2. Housing - overpriced and major scam.
3. Healthcare (or shall I say disease care, healthy people do not need to see a doctor) - overpriced and a scam. Also designed to keep you sick and refilling those prescriptions every month.
4. Taxes - scam, not spent for education and healthcare but for imperialistic intervenionist foreign policies that are the object of the hatred and ridicule of the entire world.
5. Socialistic inSecurity and stupidiCare - hey look a pyramid scam.
6. Democrats - scam, will turn this country into a haven for illegal parasites.
7. Republicans - major scum, bedfellows with the big corporations and ass-licking lobbyists.

Bend over America, the monstrous government that's been screwing you since 1913 just ran out of vaseline. But that does not mean the screwing will stop.

Lino said...

georgetheatheist said...
I've already booked a trip to China to meet, in an out of the way village, my human body harvest peasant. He's selling me his spleen, a kidney, and his liver when he croaks. The surgeon over in Thailand OK'd the transplants. See? Pre-planning is the best route to go now."

See how much better life would have been without all the alcohol?

BTW: Bumrungrad Hospital -is best for this sort of thing. Cute nurses too.

Babs said...

Lino - what is Bumrungrad all about anyway? I see it is worldwide.

Anonymous said...

The public did not receive the details in the legislation. God forbid that Charlie Rangle's staff wrote the portions of the bill, were in trouble.

georgetheatheist said...

Lino, there's a sale now on cortexes and medullas. Check it out. No waiting.

Anonymous said...

burn

Lino said...

"Babs said...
Lino - what is Bumrungrad all about anyway? I see it is worldwide."

Babs. Much of S.E. Asia's hospitals are going after the growing market in "medical tourism". Over the past 12-15 years they have come up to international standards in facilities and training but typically cost around a third to an eighth in cost for similar procedures here in the USA.

The drawback is that if something goes wrong you could find yourself in a foreign land with a -much- different legal system. It is a tradeoff and often people from the USA who need an operation but have little.no insurance use these places as their only alternative to bankruptcy. You also have to consider the cost of travel. Once in a place like Thailand the daily living expenses are minimal (by US standards)but getting there from No.America is a consideration. Its a grueling 19-26 hour trip. (yep, one of my return trips in '08 was 26 hours door to door).
If you are suffering I doubt you'll want to go through this.

Here is a link to a short piece I found that CBS did:

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=781417n

-It is not very in-depth and doesn't cover the issue of malpractice, which here in the USA is a significant factor. Probably above 40%.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/05/07/sunday/main1596112_page2.shtml?tag=untagged


From having had personal boots on the ground in BKK, I'd much rather see medical tourists as opposed to sex tourists.

K.A. Thoey said...

From having had personal boots on the ground in BKK, I'd much rather see medical tourists as opposed to sex tourists.

Bangkok's bar girls and registered nurses would both prefer not to see Lino!

Babs said...

TKS Lino - you introduced me to something new.

Anonymous said...

Germany has thorough inspection of the accredited hospitals in Thailand that receive many U.S. medical tourist's.
The German officials are very stringent about the cleanliness of the hospitals and they are in Thailand, much more than NYC by far.

Anonymous said...

With my tax dollars, I pay billions to send weapons to Israel, billions for military bases on every continent but Antartica, the US is building massive new military bases in Colombia, the US Navy is building dozens of new billion dollar nuclear submaries (how many submarines does the US Navy need? Who are we fighting? Holland?).

Not only do I consider this a waste, I think the multinational corporations (and Zionists) are taking a dump on the people in all of these countries, and I am unhappy about it.

So at least the government can start paying for health care. At least my taxes are now going to something I could conceivably use. If we're overtaxed, then don't build these massive new bases in Colombia. Take the military out of Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and South Korea and Turkey and Iraq if "we can't afford it". With the US spending all this money all over the world, with all industrialized countries having health care, it obviously is affordable. Because the military has plenty of extra money to spend all over the world. Now the money is spent on me instead of ExxonMobil screwing over someone in Africa or the Middle East.