Health Care bill

I started reading the 1000 page house bill HR3200 health care reform bill. I haven't finished it, but wanted to give a quick analysis on what I have read thus far.

I am going to start with the rumor about death panels and that this bill will "pull the plug on grandma" I have read the section in question regarding these claims and I cannot comprehend how one came to such a conclusion. The bill says that Medicare will pay for end of life counseling as often as every 5-years for those who wish to receive it. It also outlines what should be covered in such a counseling session. It concludes that doctors must adhere to the wishes of the patient for "life sustaining treatment." Again, I cannot see how a connection is made between calling for life sustaining treatment with the payment of optional counseling for seniors and death panels or killing old people. In my opinion, this is just meant to scare the elderly, which is both cruel and unfair. Few people will actually take the time to read the bill and we depend on our elected officials to accurately relay the information to us, as well as the media. This is not happening causing an irrational uproar over absolutely nothing.

Next, the bill states that policies must remove the lifetime and annual maximum on coverage, again a good thing. It says that coverage cannot be denied or delayed on the basis of a pre-existing condition. Another excellent thing. The details of the public plan are fantastic and would essentially be a big group plan for those who are uninsured or interested in participating because coverage on an individually underwritten plan is so difficult to attain.

I will keep reading, however because so few in favor are speaking out, especially those favoring a public OPTION, Washington is back peddling and talking of removing the public option which will significantly weaken the reform and cost savings to Americans. Why else would insurance companies stock prices be soaring with the white houses public wavering on said option? The crazies and the misinformed are speaking the loudest and getting the most attention, leading our lawmakers to cower in fear and assume that is a majority opinion. If you favor a public option, make yourself heard. We need to fight back or we will lose this fight and as the congressional budget office reported, if effective reform is not passed - especially reform without a public option, 1/4 of a family's income will go to medical premiums and costs by 2020. We are currently spending 18% of our incomes on insurance, on average.

Just my thoughts.

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