President Obama met with representatives of hospitals, the insurance industry, medical device and pharmaceutical companies, labor and physicians at the White House to discuss reform. The meeting focused on ways to reduce health care costs by $2 trillion. The President outlined why the gathering was so critical and historic;
But what's brought us all together today is a recognition that we can't continue down the same dangerous road we've been traveling for so many years; that costs are out of control; and that reform is not a luxury that can be postponed, but a necessity that cannot wait. It's a recognition that the fictional television couple, Harry and Louise, who became the iconic faces of those who opposed health care reform in the '90s, desperately need health care reform in 2009. And so does America.
We need to move on this as fast as possible. If we can get something in place by the end of the year that takes affect in the middle of 2010 - we should do very well in the 2010 house and senate elections.
In order for health care to advance we need more doctors who are willing to go into family practice and into more sparsely populated areas, instead of becoming specialists and living in cities.
Also, in order for medical costs to go down we need to limit pharmaceutical advertising. Currently Big Pharma spends more on advertising than on research.
I believe that candidate Obama spoke about the government paying for the medical training of those doctors who would agree to serve in these areas for a specific number of years.
I don't think most baby boomers have any idea how expensive it is to go to regular college much less medical school and then the years of internships and residencies. We have several generations still paying off their college loans...and they will be for decades with the job prospects handed to them by the Bush Republicans.
It's long past time this country came to its senses. We allowed the greedy to exploit our youth when they are our only hope of getting out of this mess.
"President Obama met with representatives of hospitals, the insurance industry, medical device and pharmaceutical companies, labor and physicians at the White House to discuss reform."
Funny how there is no mention of a single payer advocate.
"The meeting focused on ways to reduce health care costs by $2 trillion."
No, the meeting focused on how to reduce health care INCREASES by $2 trillion OVER 10 YEARS. A 1.5% reduction in growth? How can anyone promote this as a "game changer"?
2/3 of Americans want a publicly run health insurance option. Only 1 in 6 oppose it. Stop dancing with the lobbyists and do what the American people want and need.
From the NYT today:
"Hospitals and insurance companies said Thursday that President Obama had substantially overstated their promise earlier this week to reduce the growth of health spending."
Gee... you couldn't have seen that one coming, could you? Maybe it is time to sit down with some people who are interested in fixing the US health care system instead of guaranteeing their corporate profits...
Our Constitution is a list of "negative liberties". Just remember that as this whole cluster goes forward. This is "Rationed Health Care" just like in Great Britian and Canada". Ask your self this.... wy don't I deserve the same treatments at 65 or 75 that I am at 35? that's what we'll be faced with. When we're older, we have less "value" in relation to the expense of the treatment....just ask Daschel, it's right there in his book and in the plan this administration is trying to follow. Americans need to ask themselves this also....do I want a bureaucrat deciding what treatment or tests are ok for me? Under Daschel's plan, Ted Kennedy whould have been told that he has a duty to die, because of the cost of his treatment versus the "value" he would bring for it's success at his age. Except that he would fly to a foreign island and receive treatment that the rest of us "middle-class" citizens couldn't afford. Enjoy the ride folks!!!! If you live long enough to. NO RATIONED HEALTH CARE!!
