Comments on: Effective Communication

By: Ian Argent

Ian Argent — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 21:22:52 +0000

Because the Republicans are a coalition (just as the democrats are)? You’re looking for the Libertarians – they’re over there someplace, concerning themselves with ideological purity…

By: Guav

Guav — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 19:56:01 +0000

Then Republicans should immediately withdraw from the Medicare system themselves and publicly advocate getting rid of Medicare for everyone. I wonder why they don’t.

By: Ian Argent

Ian Argent — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 19:44:04 +0000

Medicare was supposed to have been a safety net – much as Social Security (and is subject to all the same problems as Social Security, plus it’s own problems).

Medicare is a good example of what will happen in the market – the government-provided service has squeezed the private options and distorts the market for innovation – Medicare delays adding new treatments to its schedule and underpays once it does – effectively shifting costs to those of us not covered.

By: Guav

Guav — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 19:34:32 +0000

Not talking about the special government-provided healthcare benefits and perks they receive as members of Congress, I’m talking about Medicare.

By: Ian Argent

Ian Argent — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 19:09:53 +0000

For congress-critters, that’s employer-provided. I’m pretty sure there are other people with equivalent coverage. I’d be shocked if the CEOs of the fortune 500 don’t have at least as good coverage; probably the Fortune 1000.

By: Guav

Guav — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 19:03:40 +0000

You’re asking Congress to give up one of their employer-provided benefits? Get real; on several levels. That’s like asking me to give up my employer-provided benefits, actually.

No I’m not. Fifty-five Republicans who are steadfastly opposed to other Americans getting the public option currently receive government-funded, government-administered single-payer health care—Medicare.

But as far as their “employer provided benefits” go, those special health perks and private .gov clinics they have … I don’t expect them to give those up. Nobody in their right mind would. So I guess even government-provided healthcare isn’t such a nightmare for them either.

By: Ian Argent

Ian Argent — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 18:59:43 +0000

Incidentally – I have no problem with congress-critters being fairly well-compensated, both directly (pay) and indirectly via benefits. It’s a tight rope to walk – too much money and the pay becomes the object of getting elected. Too little and the money you make by baksheeh (mordida, whatever) is more important than the pay.

Basically, compensate them enough that it’s not cost-effective to buy them.

By: Ian Argent

Ian Argent — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 18:49:29 +0000

You;re asking Congress to give up one of their employer-provided benefits? Get real; on several levels. That’s like asking me to give up my employer-provided benefits, actually.

And people won’t have to give up medicare – the docs will just stop taking it. For that matter, I know of a couple docs who take no insurance whatsoever. My wife went to one for a number of years.

For that matter – I don’t want the .gov setting medical priorities. My current health-care provider can charge me extra for smoking (technically I get a discount for not smoking). The .gov can pass a law against it. That’s a pretty big difference right there.

By: Guav

Guav — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 18:42:54 +0000

Ian:And if you think .gov-provided insurance won't end up with .gov-provided care, we're back to the unicorn.
No we're not. Most countries that have some form of government-provided insurance are very happy not moving in any way towards government-provided healthcare. I don't want a UK or Cuban-style system either. Luckily, that's not what's being proposed and claiming that it's the logical conclusion (and nefarious, secret plan) is a straw man. If government-provided insurance is a such a nightmare, then why won't the 50+ Republican congresspeople opposing the public option who are on Medicare give up the free government health insurance they are currently enrolled in? Who that opposes the public option is going to turn down Medicare when they become eligible? Probably about as many people who actually "went Galt" after threatening to do so. Like zero.

By: Ian Argent

Ian Argent — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 17:58:00 +0000

I’m scared of an organization that doesn’t have to make a profit; and therefore doesn’t have to listen to it’s consumers at all. As it is, because the current system has the customer being the employer and the consumer being the employee there isn’t enough messaging, IMHO.

And if you think .gov-provided insurance won’t end up with .gov-provided care, we’re back to the unicorn.