Chump Care - Let your voice be heard.

1. 68

   ptosisposted 6 years ago

   https://www.senate.gov/general/contact_ … rs_cfm.cfm
   Above link is for you to contact your Senators.
   
   Here is an unbelievable fact: the bill will give $33 billion over 10 years to the richest 400 Americans -- an amount that would fund health care for more than 700,000 Americans!
   
   We need to be loud and clear that this bill is immoral and deadly and we the American people won’t stand for it!
   
   Let’s make sure Senate Republicans across this country know how people feel about their "wealth care" plan
   
   https://www.senate.gov/general/contact_ … rs_cfm.cfm
        
   
   We have less than a week to stop Trumpcare.
   
   Only three Senate Republicans need to step up and say NO to this despicable plan to kick millions of people off of their health care.
   
   Seven are already expressing doubts.
   
   But Sen. Mitch McConnell will do everything he can to extract a "yes" from them. Get ready for twisted arms and huge favors.
   
   No amount of pressure or enticements can justify stripping health care from millions in order to give billions of dollars to the richest Americans.

   replyreport
   1. 95

      wildernessposted 6 years agoin reply to this

      "Here is an unbelievable fact: the bill will give $33 billion over 10 years to the richest 400 Americans -- an amount that would fund health care for more than 700,000 Americans!"
      
      Really?  It will write checks for 33B over 10 years to 400 Americans.  You and I both know that is not true.  Just another lie from the far left that thinks they own what others earn, for the truth is that those 400 Americans will merely get to keep what they have earned, not be given anything at all.
      
      A shameful twisting of facts, with an outright lie being promoted as true.

      replyreport
      1. 76

         Misfit Chickposted 6 years agoin reply to this

         LoL! Let the fighting begin - again!
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         

         replyreport
      2. 90

         Will Apseposted 6 years agoin reply to this

         This stuff about 'stealing what others' earn is downright silly. People get rich for a lot of reasons but  no one does it on their own. The rich currently get rich because for, one reason or another, the rules allow them to grab more than other people.
         
         In the laissez faire capitalist societies of the past, unskilled workers got just enough not to starve while they carried out their tasks.
         
         A small percentage of skilled individuals could become well to do, though you needed to born into the right family, even if you were talented.
         
         In our slightly more evolved societies, where even the unskilled have a little power (a vote at least) they receive a little more reward, though it often only comes courtesy of minimum wage legislation. Where trade unions are strong, members will do far better as result of the power that unions can wield.
         
         Those who really understand something valuable in the money making process can do very well indeed.
         
         But there is no reason for this relative breadth of opportunity to continue for ever.
         
         Right now, under Trump, the US wealthy have the sort of power they last enjoyed in the twenties, and you can expect 'twenties living conditions to return if they keep that power for any length of time.

         replyreport
         1. 95

            wildernessposted 6 years agoin reply to this

            "Where trade unions are strong, members will do far better as result of the power that unions can wield."
            
            Tell that to the people of Detroit, where unions virtually destroyed a thriving city with excessive demands. 
            
            "The rich currently get rich because for, one reason or another, the rules allow them to grab more than other people."
            
            Or because they prioritize the making of money, working longer hours than most.  Or because they understand finance better and do a better job of putting their money to work.  Or because they do without luxuries when younger. 
            
            But it's not because they "grab" more than others through mutually agreeable contracts.

            replyreport
            1. 90

               Will Apseposted 6 years agoin reply to this

               People who handle money find it sticks to them. Simply as that.
               
               One of the weirdnesses of the American world view is that Americans, on the whole, believe that the way they do stuff is natural and somehow inevitable. So Donald Rumsfeld, a well enough educated man honestly thought that democracy and the free market would spontaneously develop in Iraq as soon as Saddam was gone.
               
               Zero understanding of history and the long evolution to the point we have arrived at today.
               
               As soon as you grasp that everything human beings think and every rule they follow was invented at some point. you can start to imagine something better than the grimness of current day America (or the UK for that matter).
               
               The alternative is a retreat into a semi feudal past, with Lord Mercer and Prince Trump waving from their limos.

               replyreport
   2. 78

      Credence2posted 6 years agoin reply to this

      The good news is that there has been increasing pressure as of late from a handful of  GOP stalwarts from both the left and right. Combine this with dismal CBO scores and it leaves McConnell with no room for error for ramming this legislation through The Senate prior to Independence Day.
      
      I will see this turtle in my next bowl of soup. This prairie fire should be enough to slow down the Trump agenda for a while. This failure will be of epic proportions and the very next thing to a lethal blow to the GOP.
      
      In complete opposition to their nefarious schemes, I rejoice and my heart sings.

      replyreport
   3. 0

      promisemposted 6 years agoin reply to this

      Honestly, I don't think the bill matters at all. The GOP is creating more chaos in a corrupt system. Health insurance companies had profits rise 46 percent last year, while two out of three Americans can't pay their hospital bills.
      
      Single payer insurance, also known as Medicare for everyone, seems inevitable.

      replyreport
      1. 95

         wildernessposted 6 years agoin reply to this

         "Health insurance companies had profits rise 46 percent last year, while two out of three Americans can't pay their hospital bills."
         
         Proof, please, of both statements?  Because I don't believe a word of either one of them.
         
         "Single payer insurance, also known as Medicare for everyone, seems inevitable."
         
         I think you're right - we already provide food, housing, clothing and transportation for anyone that wants it.  Health care paid for by someone else seems the next logical step.

         replyreport
         1. 0

            promisemposted 6 years agoin reply to this

            It's all over the place. Here is one example for each fact.
            
            http://money.cnn.com/2017/06/15/news/ec … index.html
            
            http://www.cnbc.com/2017/06/26/two-in-t … bills.html

            replyreport
            1. 95

               wildernessposted 6 years agoin reply to this

               Wow.  Even given that there is a large difference between "can't" and "don't" pay their bills, that's still a shocker.  Just another reason to acknowledge the utter failure of ObamaCare, and one which anyone reading it knew from the start.  Massive deductibles do not make health care any more accessible than it ever was for the poor.  Ask me - I know from experience.

               replyreport
         2. 68

            ptosisposted 6 years agoin reply to this

            Demanding proof, when you give nothing? Tsk tsk, lazy are we?

            replyreport
            1. 95

               wildernessposted 6 years agoin reply to this

               What would you have me provide?  I made no claims, not even an opinion.  And when the proof was supplied I accepted it even though shocked to quite a degree.

               replyreport
               1. 68

                  ptosisposted 6 years agoin reply to this

                  You are absolutely correct. You gave an opinion. I apologize.

                  replyreport
      2. 68

         ptosisposted 6 years agoin reply to this

         Seems crazy that USA has been lurching "forward" since Nixon, but he knew the Kaiser-Permanete  HMO was a disservice to the people.
         
         

         replyreport
2. 68

   ptosisposted 6 years ago

   I know why this is being done - to social engineer you to carry insurance and not wait until 'something happens', but is this really the way to health care that is affordable if go to ER every other week that is meant to only stabilize you and then end up with something even more costly?
   
   http://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/33 … hcare-bill
   
   
   
   Senate Republicans on Monday released a revised version of their healthcare reform bill that adds a provision requiring consumers with a break in coverage to wait six months before buying insurance.
   
   The Senate bill would make those who had a lapse in coverage for 63 days or more wait six months before obtaining insurance.
   
   Read the bill here:
   https://www.budget.senate.gov/imo/media … .26.17.pdf

   replyreport
3. 90

   Will Apseposted 6 years ago

   But the rich are so nice. They need the extra money to be nicer!

   replyreport
4. 0

   ahorsebackposted 6 years ago

   Obama -Care ; Fails every single time !
   
   Government never created  anything successful    Government only takes away from you ,  The foundation of America was based on bottom up economics for anything and everything in your life .   Consider the lowly toaster  ,  from fire to electricity , Do you buy the toaster from Uncle Sam ?   Did he develop the toaster ?  Engineer it  ?   Competitively Market it ?
   Free market   =  Toaster  $ 14.99 ! 
   
   But the government toaster that liberals all scream for would cost   Two hundred and sixty dollars !  Because we would have to have a  U.S.  Dept of Toasters  with  140 thousand employees averaging   180  thousand dollars a year in government pay and benefits , No one else could freely make , sell , buy , trade or market in any way a  toaster .
   Government supplied Toaster    $ 260.00 + tax
   
   
   
   
   Which Toaster makes sense to Socialist--  Liberals ?    The $ 260.00  one .

   replyreport
   1. 76

      Misfit Chickposted 6 years agoin reply to this

      Gosh, drama queen much? LoL!
      
      Once again, Obamacare was an (obviously failed) bipartisan bill (well, as bipartisan as we have ever managed to create, anyway) - with BOTH Dem & GOP ideas included within it. Everyone keeps forgetting that the Dems originally wanted 100% FREE Universal Healthcare like the platform Bernie campaigned on. The GOP's major contribution was to include already existing insurance companies instead of creating a brand new 'government' one. For everything else that is wrong with the ACA, THAT was one thing I was amazed at when it happened: we were actually starting to create a healthcare bill for everyone.
      
      But no, that little contribution is about where it stopped while GOP continued to be nothing but obstructionists about every little thing. They are the biggest reason for 'bad' stuff to be happening; because they refuse to work with the opposing side and WAIT to do anything until they have a majority - so they can install their extreme viewpoints into the government while the American people SCREAM at them to LISTEN.
      
      And so we go back and forth... Next time healthcare comes up, expect it to be a Universal clause that is MUCH more difficult to repeal. Those of you who insist on viewing it as being stolen from can continue to cry about it while the rest of us take care of our beloved country.
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      

      replyreport
      1. 95

         wildernessposted 6 years agoin reply to this

         "Those of you who insist on viewing it as being stolen from can continue to cry about it while the rest of us take care of our beloved country."
         
         Our beloved country or a select few that are being trained in the idea that they don't need to support themselves - we'll just soak another select group for what they want?  Don't think that does our beloved country much good.

         replyreport
5. 0

   ahorsebackposted 6 years ago

   Or how about liberals screaming twenty million will lose their health care  ?    The new ACA  has changed so that  people are not forced or FINED  for not participating ,   That will drop a few million people alone ., like all the young who won't purchase it anyways ?

   replyreport
   1. 95

      wildernessposted 6 years agoin reply to this

      Many lost any chance of additional care when ObamaCare went into effect.  The poor, very simply, cannot afford the massive deductions of the system.

      replyreport
      1. 61

         Paul Wingertposted 6 years agoin reply to this

         To all foreign hubbers, please excuse ahorseback and others like him. Only 30% of US citizens (may be lower) are dedicated trumptards and don't speak for the majority who want to see the orange man-baby and his freak show cabinet out of office..

         replyreport
         1. 95

            wildernessposted 6 years agoin reply to this

            What does Trumpaphobia have to do with the failures of ObamaCare?  Just another chance to express hatred and name calling?

            replyreport
            1. 0

               promisemposted 6 years agoin reply to this

               What are the failures of Obamacare? Can you name any successes?

               replyreport
               1. 95

                  wildernessposted 6 years agoin reply to this

                  Sure.  Deductibles far outside the ability of the poor to pay, leaving them without any care at all.  Want more?  How about insurance costs outside the ability of the country to pay? 
                  
                  A handful of people with serious problems got insurance paid for by someone else, although insurance that they often can't afford.  Politicians made lots of brownie points.  Insurance companies (sometimes) made bank.  Women were able to force others to pay for their birth control wants.  Seniors were able to force young, healthy people (often just starting out in life) to pay for a large portion of their insurance needs. 
                  
                  All "successes"...if your definition of "success" is to force one person to cover the wants and needs of another or if you define "success" as making political points.

                  replyreport
6. 90

   Will Apseposted 6 years ago

   Difficult to know which impulse dominates in the minds of the Republican rightwing base.
   
   Masochism? After all, they suffer as much as anyone else from a grossly inefficient healthcare system.
   
   Or sadism? Perhaps watching the uninsured die makes them feel better in some way.
   
   I have a feeling it is just tribalism, really. The freedom lovin' healthcare corporations told them to say stuff and the tribe chants it to order.

   replyreport
7. 68

   ptosisposted 6 years ago

   Stop Trumpcare’s Massive Tax Cut for Big Pharma and Insurance Corporations
   Target: U.S. Senate
   
   https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/sto … g-families
   
   
   We’re not fooled by Republicans' attempts to repackage Trumpcare.
   
   If Trumpcare passes, Big Pharma will receive $28 billion in tax cuts while the health insurance industry will get a $145 billion handout―including $72 billion to the 8 biggest insurers.
   
   Sign the petition today opposing any “healthcare” plan that cuts Medicaid and kicks millions of Americans off of their health insurance just to give money to Big Pharma and the big insurance companies.
   
   Let’s stand together and keep fighting for a fairer tax system where the wealthy and large corporations pay their fair share.
   
   According to recent studies by Americans for Tax Fairness, if the Better Care Reconciliation Act―or Trumpcare―passes, Big Pharma will receive $28 billion in tax cuts and the health insurance industry will get a $145 billion handout. All of these tax breaks will be paid for by cuts to Medicaid and by kicking 20+ million Americans off of their healthcare. I urge you to reject the Senate “healthcare” repeal bill and protect the healthcare of millions of Americans.
   
   **********************************************************************************
   https://petitions.signforgood.com/Medic … n/?code=PA
   
   Tell Congress: Let Medicare negotiate prescription drug prices!
   
   Across the country, people believe everyone should get the health care they need. While Republicans are repealing our health care, drug corporations continue to rake in astronomically high profits. Their price-gouging denies many of us the life-saving medications we need. We can change the rules and make drugs affordable for everyone. It’s time to require Medicare negotiate with drug corporations for lower prices. President Trump has promised to bring down drug prices, saying, “We don’t bid properly, and we’re going to start bidding.” This solution is supported by the vast majority of people in the United States. But it’s not included in any health care bill proposed by Trump or the Republican leadership. It’s time to stop taking people’s health care away and start making prescription drugs affordable for everyone.
   
   Petition Targets: U.S. House and Senate
   
   We, the people, call on you to put people’s health above drug corporation profits and make prescription medications available and affordable for every person in our country.
   
   We demand legislation requiring Medicare to negotiate prices with drug corporations, just like President Trump says we should.
   
   No person should have to choose between taking life-saving medications and putting food on the table. Support these solutions and show you are on our side – not the side of the prescription drug corporations.
   
   

   replyreport
   1. 95

      wildernessposted 6 years agoin reply to this

      Is Pharma being over/under taxed?  Not, mind you, according to what you might like to see, but according to what all other businesses are paying?  How about insurance companies?  Are they overtaxed, paying taxes that you don't?
      
      Keep in mind that the tax code is not a method to reduce profits...it is a method of funding the country.
      
      But once again with that "fair" tax, which inevitably seems to mean that everyone must pay more than the speaker.  How about defining what is a "fair" tax for the corporate world?  Keeping in mind that the owners already pay income tax on the corporations earnings.

      replyreport
8. 68

   ptosisposted 6 years ago

   Maybe you should be a lobbyist in D.C.

   replyreport
   1. 95

      wildernessposted 6 years agoin reply to this

      Doubt it.  At least not for taxes - our government is firmly wedded to the idea of snatching every penny they can and that's something I disagree with rather violently.  Until politicians understand that they don't own the wealth of the people, that it isn't theirs to do with as they please, we would always be at loggerheads.
      
      But you'd fit well...the automatic assumption that every corporation, every business deal, every private work contract is fraudulent in favor of business goes over well in DC.

      replyreport
      1. 68

         ptosisposted 6 years agoin reply to this

         I don't see any reason why you think I would fit in well. Certainly isn't from anything I posted here on HP.

         replyreport
         1. 95

            wildernessposted 6 years agoin reply to this

            Of course not!  Except for the constant demands that companies and anyone earning more than you think reasonable have it taken away through the tax code...

            replyreport
            1. 68

               ptosisposted 6 years agoin reply to this

               Oh the magical mind of Wilderness has impotent information on my tax bracket.  Are you a Russian hacker? Perhaps 400 pounds eating pizza on a bed you never leave?
               
               Fair share taxes.
               
               What does that mean to you?
               
               Do you pay taxes? So do I.
               Talk to me about how you think it is fair to have to .01% scrap off the great unwashed masses. Give me you reason why you don't believe that everybody should not give their "fair share" percentage wise? You can't you will always go on the total amount. Never even acknowledging Percentage Wise.
               
               You give hubpages a BAD name

               replyreport
               1. 95

                  wildernessposted 6 years agoin reply to this

                  Did you pay for that last loaf of bread on a percentage basis?  Your last car?  Your phone?  Clothing?  Anything at all...outside of government services paid for through your taxes?
                  
                  I'll assume that you are honest and the answer is "No" and "Nothing", so can you explain why it is moral to do so for governmental needs?  Not, mind you, necessary, but moral or "fair".
                  
                  And when you discover that you cannot do that without violating basic morals, then describe why it is moral OR necessary to demand ever more from the rich for the exact same thing half the country gets for nothing.  Because your "fair share" will never quit growing until the goose is dead or gone for greener pastures.
                  
                  (And no, I don't go for equal shares, and it is disingenuous of you to make that foolish and false claim.  I'm on record time after time as saying that a graduated system is necessary to raise the funds the country needs.  It just isn't necessary to continue to charge one segment more and more while others pay less and less.)

                  replyreport
                  1. 76

                     Misfit Chickposted 6 years agoin reply to this

                     Its Okay. Obamacare wasn't perfect bcuz of GOP as much as bcuz of Dems - they need to work together a LOT better. Neither 1 extreme nor the other is going to win on this issue (well, maybe after Tman is out, Universal Healthcare will finally be seriously considered - we'll see); and arguing over it for DECADES has been VERY expensive.
                     
                     I don't think Wilderness gives HP a bad name. All the people who are actual 'bad writers' do that. But, he sure does that for GOP & Trump supporters, in general - LoL! I just read that Trump has 50% support within counties he won; and only 1 in 4 Americans support him.
                     
                     Keep on trying to dictate 'morality' to us if you feel you must, w - but our morality is sound as is. You'll either have to get used to it or become an even more bitter man about it than you already are. Your choice.
                     

                     replyreport
                     1. 95

                        wildernessposted 6 years agoin reply to this

                        As always when discussing hospital costs you and your pretty meme left out 99% of the costs.  Want to try again, including ALL the costs of providing that IV bag?

                        replyreport