Krugman: Pass the Bill

[Yonivore]

Nah. They will be well taken care of.

Prove it. (Isn't that what you always say?) Because, as it stands now, the insurance industry will be toast under this scheme.

It's the answer you don't want to hear.

No, it's actually not an answer to the question. Seriously. Read my question and tell me how your response answers it.

As soon as the Republicans get back in power, if nothing else. Otherwise, as soon as the insurance companies buy enough votes from Democrats. It's not rocket science.

So, you're answer is to let Congress monkey around with 17% of the economy on the possibility Republicans will clean up their mess in the future? Nice.

So relax. There is no apocalypse.

I just agreed there'd be more legislation not that it would be any better than what we have now.

[ChumpDumper]

Prove it. (Isn't that what you always say?)

It's something you never do.

Because, as it stands now, the insurance industry will be toast under this scheme.

The scheme will change. And change again. And again. No apocalypse.

No, it's actually not an answer to the question. Seriously. Read my question and tell me how your response answers it.

Seriously, it's been answered.

So, you're answer is to let Congress monkey around with 17% of the economy on the possibility Republicans will clean up their mess in the future? Nice.

Yes, you've already said you think it's the apocalypse. I say the status quo is unacceptable, so yeah -- start monkeying around with it so it won't be 17% of the economy anymore.

I just agreed there'd be more legislation not that it would be any better than what we have now.

We're not going to go single payer. There are more options out there that I know you will never acknowledge. That's your problem.

[Yonivore]

It's something you never do.

A standard with which you seem to be content.

The scheme will change. And change again. And again. No apocalypse.

Who said there'd be an apocalypse? I merely stated the current legislation will drive the private insurance industry out of business and result in the single-payer system Obama wants. I oppose that.

Seriously, it's been answered.

Then you won't mind cutting and pasting your answer to the question, "How does the private insurance industry survive the health care reform legislation as it is currently proposed."

I seem to have seen you infer a few answers from, "They don't ("tough ," I believe you said.)"; to "Don't worry Republican will come along and fix this nonsense when they retake power," to "unprincipled Democrats will be bought to save the day." Are those the answers to which you're referring?

Yes, you've already said you think it's the apocalypse. I say the status quo is unacceptable, so yeah -- start monkeying around with it so it won't be 17% of the economy anymore.

I never used the word apocalypse, you did. This legislation is becoming increasingly unpopular across the political spectrum...I'm thinking no one wants the government simply "monkeying around" with 17% of the economy.

We're not going to go single payer. There are more options out there that I know you will never acknowledge. That's your problem.

None that don't involve the government dictating the terms. It's all single-payer under different wrappings. That's all.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

poor people who can't afford to pay the gouging prices of for-profit private insurance will have subsidies, but they still have to fork over something.

If not, they will be penalized in 2 years or so.

aka, a HUGE WIN for the private insurers, delivered to them by the Congress they paid for.

Don't forget your boy Obama!

[ChumpDumper]

A standard with which you seem to be content.

I am content that you never have and never will prove any claim you make. As far as I am concerned on this issue, I'll just say I'm confident Republicans won't let the insurers go under if nothing else.

Who said there'd be an apocalypse? I merely stated the current legislation will drive the private insurance industry out of business and result in the single-payer system Obama wants. I oppose that.

Apocalypse!

Then you won't mind cutting and pasting your answer to the question, "How does the private insurance industry survive the health care reform legislation as it is currently proposed."

You can scroll up.

I seem to have seen you infer a few answers from, "They don't ("tough ," I believe you said.)"; to "Don't worry Republican will come along and fix this nonsense when they retake power," to "unprincipled Democrats will be bought to save the day." Are those the answers to which you're referring?

You aren't good at reading.

I never used the word apocalypse, you did.

You keep describing the apocalyptic scenarios.

I'm thinking no one wants the government simply "monkeying around" with 17% of the economy.

I'm sure you want it to grow to 30% of the economy. , 50% -- let's keep going!

None that don't involve the government dictating the terms. It's all single-payer under different wrappings. That's all.

Are there any health care systems other than the US system and single payer systems?

Yes or no.

[ElNono]

As it stands now, you can pretty much receive any treatment required for your illness. On demand -- even if you're indigent. Will you go into debt if your illness is serious? Probably. But, that's your choice.

So you're telling me that my option is either death or financial ruin? What if I don't have access to credit? I guess the decision in that case has been made for me (death panel indeed).

Under Obamacare, their will only be so much care to go around. It won't matter who you are, if the Oncologist is booked through March 17, 2013, you're screwed. , they've already started with telling women they should forgo mammograms until 50 when it's an established fact that mammograms in the 40's has detected many cancers and saved countless lives.

We're already receiving rationed care. It's fairly difficult to get an appointment any earlier than a month or two in the future unless it's an emergency. But that's pretty common, including in pretty much every country that have a single-payor system. Those guys don't wait any more or less than we do to see a doctor.
And whatever they say is non-binding, so that's a strawman. You and your doctor decide what you want to do.

National Defense is a cons utional obligation of the government and the use of our defense is largely dependent on the unanticipated actions of other nations.

National Defense is a cons utional obligation, but how much we spend on it, including wasteful spending, is completely arbitrary and absolutely dictated by the will of the current executive/congress.

Your Health is your business. You have no cons utional right to health care. If you do, I want the cons utional right to make you quit smoking and engaging in behaviors that will cost me money.

There's no cons utional right to have a police force or firefighter services. Healthcare could perfectly fit in this category of state-provided services.

Who's paying?

The taxpayers. You and me.

The Post Office?

Yes, the post office, which BTW is a cons utional guaranteed right (postal service) and it's been mandated to be revenue-neutral. Imagine that, those socialists!

[EmptyMan]

There are plenty of other countries that have universal health care. Go find a boat.

[ChumpDumper]

There are plenty of other countries that have universal health care. Go find a boat.

Are they all failed states with everyone dying in the streets?

That's what I've been told will happen here if any health care reform is attempted.

[ElNono]

There are plenty of other countries that have universal health care. Go find a boat.

Actually, I use a plane. And I've actually done that.

[Nbadan]

So you're telling me that my option is either death or financial ruin? What if I don't have access to credit? I guess the decision in that case has been made for me (death panel indeed).

..GOP health-care - die fast..

[Winehole23]

Actually, I use a plane. And I've actually done that.

I remember you posted about it. The surgery abroad plan, or something like that. You went to Argentina, verdad?

[ElNono]

I remember you posted about it. The surgery abroad plan, or something like that. You went to Argentina, verdad?

Yes sir. Helps I still have family there and did not have to pay for hotel stay.
We simply could not afford it here in the US, at a pricetag 3x of the cost over there.
Now, I'm a fortunate guy that was able to do this. But there's a lot less fortnate people out there.

[DarrinS]

If there's one thing Krugman knows, it's that people LOVE them some govt-run health care.

[EmptyMan]

Texas should invade Nebraska.



Respect El Nono , I salute you.