Public Remains Confused About Health Plan

President Obama Spending Time, Political Capital Explaining Health Reform - Repeatedly

(CBS)  President Barack Obama is spending much of his time, and major political capital, explaining health reform over and over.

Yet multiple polls show the public is confused. Many don't get what's in it for them - even those who came to hear the president speak this week.

"Have you been paying attention to the health care debate?" asked CBS News correspondent Kimberly Dozier.

"I've been picking up bits and pieces here and there," said North Carolina resident Nate Harris. "But 1,000 pages I think is a lot for anyone to go through."

That's 1,000 pages for just one of the three different versions of the House bill. There's also a Senate version out there.

The House has left for its break, while senators are working nonstop through their last week. Senator Kent Conrad even brought his dog to work. But he admits it is a hard to sell the public on a deal that isn't done yet.

"You have not seen a bi-partisan package yet be presented to the American people, and when it is then we have to do a massive job of education," Conrad said.

But it will be autumn before both houses of Congress return to work on that hoped for combined package. In the meantime, health reform opponents are capitalizing on the confusion with television ads.

GOP opponents have warned senior citizens that Medicare will be slashed.

"There will be rationing of health care and many people won't be able to get a hip replacement," said Rep. Dan Burton.

In response, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi sent representatives back home with tools to counterattack - a point-by-point memo to educate voters on the bill's goals, though again, there are few specifics.

Among the points: no discrimination for preexisting conditions, no dropping your coverage because you become sick.

"We intend to set the record straight," Pelosi said in a news conference. "In some places by inoculating against their misrepresentations in all places by educating as to what this legislation does."

The president today praised House's progress thus far, including the way the various committees made changes because of Republican or conservative Democrat criticism. Democrats may have missed the president's August deadline, but they plan to use that as an advantage, telling the public, look, we took our time looking out for you.

[GovtWeary1]

If this so-called health plan is so wonderful, then WHY won't our elected officials be apart of it? It is because they don't want to wait for months to see a doctor IF the administrator says that they can see one. Everybody needs to contact your congress person and tell them to put a stop this nonsense. And everybody needs to look at the plan indepth and just look at what the proposal includes. DON'T LET THEM GET US AGAIN.

[velma179]

We can't call our congresspersons and ask them to put a "stop to nonsense" that has no basis in reality.

There is Nothing stated in any health care reform plan being offered that will impede a patient's access to a doctor any more than what is being done TODAY, every day -- by Private Insurers.

You have been fed lies and misinformation... by entities that are in the pocket of these Private Insurance Corporations, if you think anything otherwise.

*****

And again --- So the kids in the back row can hear:

THERE IS CURRENTLY NO FINALIZED PLAN OF ACTION ESTABLISHED TO REFORM THE HEALTH CARE/INSURANCE SYSTEM -- LEGISLATION HAS BEEN OFFERED, YET NO FINAL BILL IS WRITTEN TO THIS DATE.

[GovtWeary1]

If this so-called health plan is so wonderful, then WHY won't our elected officials be apart of it? It is because they don't want to wait for months to see a doctor IF the administrator says that they can see one. Everybody needs to contact your congress person and tell them to put a stop this nonsense. And everybody needs to look at the plan indepth and just look at what the proposal includes. DON'T LET THEM GET US AGAIN.

[jab232]

The billion-dollar corporations are spending more than one million dollars a day to confuse people.

To me it comes down to this--Is the purpose of reform to protect the huge corporations and the billions they make from the present system? The CEO of Cigna makes twelve million a year. When he retires soon, he will get a seventy-three million dollar golden parachute. UnitedHealthcare made three quarters of a billion last quarter alone.

Meanwhile, 14,000 lose their health care insurance every day, millions are under insured, and we all know that if we get a truly expensive illness our insurance is likely to drop us or we will lose our jobs (so the employer doesn't have to pay the huge insurance premiums).

If you think we should protect the large corporations and their huge profits, go with the GOP and Blue Dog Democrats. Both groups are in the pockets of the health care lobbies.

If you are for the ordinary people, if you believe you will lose your insurance when you get really sick, fight hard for a public option plan. Congress has that kind of government-run plan, and the seem to do quite well.

It is a simple issue.

[jab232]

Don't forget, health care reform is not about billion-dollar corporations keeping the goose which is presently laying their golden eggs. It is about millions uninsured, under insured, or insured but well aware they will be canceled when they get an expensive illness. It is about ordinary people going into medical-caused bankruptcy. Sixty percent do that every year. It is about corporations like Cigna whose CEO makes twelve million a year and when he soon retires he will get a seventy-three million dollar golden parachute. It is about UnitedHealthcare which made three quarters of a billion last quarter alone.

In other words, it is about rich corporations vs. ordinary hurting the people. We need public option health care reform now.

[marko1965-2009]

How can a nation claim to be Christian when there are still people with healthcare that refuse to help those without. Americans may be many things but they are not true followers of Christ.

[marko1965-2009]

How can a nation claim to be Christian when there are still people with healthcare that refuse to help those without. Americans may be many things but they are not true followers of Christ.

[noloyalisti]

How bad does it have to get for the American people? Why are we willing to have right wing corporations lie to us?

Almost all other "western" countries have a better health care system for a lot less money. If the Congress Critter did not work for the big health "care" corporations, why would they not check out the fact for themselves?

[aldon61]

I think it's important to note that there IS NO BILL. Anything that's out there is a draft, and it's NOT Obama's! The reconciliation process will begin after the August break, then we can debate on a bill!

[aldon61]

I think it's important to note that there IS NO BILL. Anything that's out there is a draft, and it's NOT Obama's! The reconciliation process will begin after the August break, then we can debate on a bill!

[jab232]

The GOP, the rich lobbies and the health care insurance people the GOP represents promote confusion. Really the issue is clear. UnitedHealthcare made more than three quarters of a billion dollars last quarter while 14,000 people a day were losing health insurance. Most of the rest of us know we will lose our health insurance if we get a serious illness. They call it rescission.

The question is simple--do we set up our health care system to protect the health insurers so they can keep pocketing billions for insuring a strictly selected group of people, or do we insure all of us at a reasonable cost? Is this about protecting health insurance companies or protecting ordinary people?

Unlike the GOP, I think it is about the people. We need a public option health insurance plan now.

[didserve]

get the insurance companies out of the health care business!

bring america up to the status of at least Cuba!

government sponsored health care and education is the only way!

find out who in american government is taking money from the insurance companies and remove them from office one way or another!

[seamare]

clancy49 has got it right! We the people are not confused, congress, our dear President and supporters of the current 1000 page bill'O controls are confused. Remember, we want to stay free, sans socialism, sans sandwiched in penalties for standing up for our rights. By the way, was it a nightmare I had or something I read about the bill that stated there would be a penalty if one chose not to participate? If we find that in there you, that call yourselves "leaders" are misrepresenting us. No thank you please...let's begin talking positively about making this palpable for all Americans...without threatening our way of life. If you are unable to do that, then the work isn't done, and we don't want it. We understand the complexity, let us read and vote on the bill, thanks.

[velma179]

seamare...

I want to stand up for my rights too!

So, I vote.

I took my responsibility within the proven parameters of the US Constitution seriously and I voted for the representation that best suits me. I did vote for Barack Obama.
**************

I think you have missed the point.

The MAJORITY will win elections -- this IS the means by which the Constitution establishes governing authority.

Sure! You didn't get the result you wanted... you can't change that with paranoia and fear based rhetoric,. We-the-people of the United States of America is not YOU and those who think like you. Please try to comprehend the "bigger picture" ... and don't be afraid -- We-the-majority-of-the-people REALLY are looking after your best interests.

[seamare]

clancy49 has got it right! We the people are not confused, congress, our dear President and supporters of the current 1000 page bill'O controls are confused. Remember, we want to stay free, sans socialism, sans sandwiched in penalties for standing up for our rights. By the way, was it a nightmare I had or something I read about the bill that stated there would be a penalty if one chose not to participate? If we find that in there you, that call yourselves "leaders" are misrepresenting us. No thank you please...let's begin talking positively about making this palpable for all Americans...without threatening our way of life. If you are unable to do that, then the work isn't done, and we don't want it. We understand the complexity, let us read and vote on the bill, thanks.

[cydygitt1]

FACT CHECK: Distortions rife in health care debate

(AP) WASHINGTON --- Confusing claims and outright distortions have animated the national debate over changes in the health care system. Opponents of proposals by President Barack Obama and congressional Democrats falsely claim that government agents will force elderly people to discuss end-of-life wishes. Obama has played down the possibility that a health care overhaul would cause large numbers of people to change doctors and insurers.

To complicate matters, there is no clear-cut "Obama plan" or "Democratic plan." Obama has listed several goals, but he has drawn few lines in the sand.

The Senate is considering two bills that differ significantly. The House is waiting for yet another bill approved in committee.

[underdogus09]

Public Remains Dazed & Confused About Health Plan

[W_A_H]

We run a forensic accounting and legal firm and we're still confused because no figures have been made static and the language is redundant and in some places makes no sense at all. Areas where the plan does make sense in vernacular makes no logical sense as a cohesive, realistic and cogent projected plan thus far. If anyone knows an attorney or business accountant, ask them.

[Solarrays247]

There are actually four proposals out there:

1-Senate, 3-House committees....to which one are you referring?

[actornaught]

It's great to get legitimate input on these blogs, but you just never know who is what they say they are. Links to legitimate sites are the only real way to show that you're providing anything like real information.

The working model of everyone i communicate with on the internet, no matter who they say they are: A 400-lb samoan with a glass eye, sitting in a mexican prison, running a TRS-80, wearing a cheerleader uniform and a poodle for a hat.

Without sourcing, these blogs are all opinion and venting.

[velma179]

W_A_H

I hope your forensic legal and accounting CUSTOMERS are aware that you have no idea how laws are created and passed in the USA. That could certainly be a bit of a problem for your "legal" business and I wouldn't personally trust your accounting service since you clearly don't use either acquired knowledge or common sense in your reasoning.

****

reveal5 -- You are such a welcome voice... keep it honest, use the edge but keep your distance from the dissonance of the unenlightened.

*****
Solarrays247 -- bro or sis, I salute you. Your dedication to speaking the truth is simply, awesome.

*****

actornaught --
I laughed so hard, I almost hurt my laptop keyboard... oh man! Your picture cracked me up... "wearing a cheerleader uniform and a poodle for a hat"... dang!

[Solarrays247]

by velma179 August 2, 2009 10:36 PM EDT


Thank you, velma179. The feeling is mutual, I assure you.

[mnamolina]

Yes, that's right. All those who don't support the gov't collectivist idea of universal health care because the federal gov't has no Constitutional authority to do so are really just "confused." Couldn't be that we're educated enough to know that providing health care is not a function of a gov't of a free nation.

[John_272]

When we will ever have government officials who will make things easy for the average citizen to understand? Just look out how many agencies are connected to tax credit apartment properties overseen by HUD but regulated by the IRS and local housing authorities. Los Angeles' Thomas Safron Properties (TSA.com) has been charged with discriminating against tenant applicants and failure to follow HUD compliance procedures. Will the government take away their tax credit status? With our new health plan, what regulations will be in place to enforce the rights of patients? Or will every patient treated unfairly be forced pay for the cost of a lawyer?
reference: howgbeattheirs.spaces.live.com and www.16lunchtime42.com

[keystonebull]

LETTER FROM THE BOSS:


As the CEO of this organization, I have resigned myself to the fact that
Barrack Obama is our President and that our taxes and government fees
will increase in a BIG way. To compensate for these increases, our
prices would have to increase by about 10%. But since we cannot increase
our prices right now due to the dismal state of the economy, we will
have to lay off sixty of our employees instead. This has really been
bothering me since I believe we are family here and I didn't know how to
choose who would have to go.

So, this is what I did. I walked through our parking lots and found
sixty 'Obama' bumper stickers on our employees' cars and have decided
these folks will be the ones to let go. I can't think of a more fair
way to approach this problem. They voted for change, I gave it to them.

I will see the rest of you at the annual company picnic

[actornaught]

Letter to the Boss:

Enjoy your stay in the Big House, Felon, and thanks for handing over your business to all of us with Obama bumper sticker.

p.s.; You're existence has always been a lie.

[keystonebull]

The people are not confused. They know Obummer (fruit cake) is trying to pull one over on us, but the people are smarter than he thinks we are. No wonder his poll numbers are lower than Jimmy Carter was at the same time in the Carter four years. Now that is bad. It is really funny to hear so many people that backed him and voted for him now saying they are sorry they did. My own daughter in law says so. She thought Obummer was the greatest but now she want to impeach him. All of us just need to keep the pressure on congress and maybe something good will come of it. If now vote them out next year.

[quidam56]

Why all the news about how horrifying health care is in Canada and the UK ? We have our own health care nightmares and rationed care but don't hear enough about that, all they want to holler is Obama is going to kill granny. The status quo killed my father. http://www.wisecountyissues.com/?p=62 In Tennessee and Virginia, profit care comes way ahead of patient care.