Apparently the Republicans are evil corporate sponsored thugs in the pocket of big insurance; and democrats are socialist grandmother killers hell-bent on destroying the USA... That is of course if you listened to pundits on both sides of the political spectrum spewing vitriol as if this had no consequences.
It does folks.
Or more reasonable people could say that republicans are fiscally concerned about the consequences of a public healthcare system overtaking private institutions at considerable cost to US taxpayers; and democrats are socially concerned about the consequences of our nation not making sure that of it's citizens have basic healthcare - the cost to US taxpayers is already substantial and growing if nothing is done.
The number of uninsured in this country seems to differ depending on what argument people are making. My understanding of the basic facts is this:
1) about 30 million uninsured Americans
2) about 50 million if you include non-Americans (the 'illegals').
Regardless of the argument you make - we are in one way or another bearing the cost to cover those 50 million uninsured people through medicare, medicaid and other programs right now. Also, hospitals are covering many of those costs themselves and passing it on to you and me as overhead when insurance companies then pay $120 for a single tylenol tablet without blinking an eye. Patient has no headache, hospital covers it's 'irrecoverable' costs, insurance premiums go up and everyone is happy... except people and companies now struggling to pay for insurance.
There is huge inefficiency in the current healthcare system and the private market in it's current form has no tools at it's disposal to correct these problems from spiraling out of control. The evidence is here and our economic survival is at risk as a result.
Simply stated - the 'private' healthcare market in it's current form does not work, particularly in hospitals and pharmacies - where the rubber meets the road. Why?
Because in no other industry are services still performed for you even if you can not pay. You simply go without. This is not the case with healthcare - it is ethically untenable for healthcare providers and institutions to refuse to take care of patients in their care. They are forced to do it (as they should) and someone has to pay... The above example is just one of the examples of problems facing this industry as a whole - and Americans are footing the bill already.
Here is a link to a 60 Minutes spot that should supply side fraud that insurance companies and gov't oversight has done little of anything to curb. The costs here are staggering.
http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=5419844n
So - is reform necessary - both sides will agree that yes, something needs to be done. But constructive dialog is completely overshadowed by outlandish claims of 'death panels' and the like put out on the 24 hour cable news networks with absolutely no responsible editing by the networks that carry these shows.
Either the networks should take legal responsibility for things said by pundits on their payroll or this cycle will continue and the rift dividing this country will continue to grow.
My fear is that the bill that was passed was done under the duress of these cable news programs and the end result is going to be skewed - not the common sense, bipartisan amalgamation that has defined the constitution and laws our democracy is founded on.
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