Health Care and Reform Part 2

It was reported Sunday that the ‘public option’ portion requirement of the Reform Bill might be reconsidered by the Administration. Not so!



Here it is: ABC News reports that “House Speaker Nancy Pelosi declared the Democratic-controlled House simply won't approve the overhaul [of health care] without it [the public option]. ‘There's no way I can pass a bill in the House of Representatives without a public option,’ Pelosi, D-Calif., said after a round-table in San Francisco.”



It is the public option of the Reform Bill that is contrary to the basic principles that govern this country’s economy. Experience with government bureaucratic excess should alert all Americans of the hazards that a public option would impose on economic well being of its citizenry. Most of us have dealt with the inefficiency of governmental bureaucracy. Don’t we have enough government intervention? It’s true that the system is broken. So let’s hit the target: pharmaceuticals and insurance companies.



On the other side we have this ABC News report: "Arizona Republican, Sen. Jon Kyl, the No. 2 Republican in the Senate, signaled that he opposes requiring insurance companies nationwide to provide coverage without regard to pre-existing conditions; requiring them to charge everyone the same rate regardless of health status; and requiring all Americans to carry health insurance." Now what’s wrong with that?  So the government wants to require me to carry health insurance?  If I don't, I'll go to prison or pay a healthy fine?



What’s going on here? Who’s on first base? Who’s on second?



I just don’t understand what the difficulty is. We know that pharmaceuticals are raking in the big bucks – how else can they afford those ghastly ads on TV? “Take this for your ailment, but the side effects, if you have a cold, are pregnant, take viagra cialis online pharmacy pharmacy, eat candy, or smoke, might kill you. So consult with your doctor if you have any symptoms such as vomiting, dizziness, or loss of bowel control.”



And the insurance companies are no better. Just try to get them to pay for an “extraordinary” procedure that might save your life. Or after a major natural catastrophe, you aren’t covered because it was wind that destroyed your house and not flooding or the other way around. I know that’s not a health issue, but you get the idea.



Where is our backbone? I cannot believe that our Congressmen and women won’t face the real problem. I don’t have the latest information but, in the 2002 election cycle, brand name drug manufacturers donated: Barr Labs $375,401; Eli Lilly $1.6 million; Pfizer $1.9 million. Almost 80 percent of the cash was given to Republican candidates. Source: Center for Responsive Politics. What does that tell you? I wonder how much the Democrats got? You judge. Call your Congressman; ask him.