Passage of the health care reform bill, now predicted to be a reality by the time Obama delivers the State of the Union address, has turned into a bipartisan slug fest. Democrats and Republicans, each claiming to be the voice of the people, snipe at each other and tear bits of real change from this legislation like wolves fighting over a carcass. And that's exactly what the reform bill has become: A carcass, a mere shadow of its former, historically reform-minded self.
Gone are the items that would benefit the masses, such as the public option alternative to private health insurance. Even an expansion of Medicare to those aged 55 or older has been pulled, thanks to the very public bleating of legislators like Joe Leiberman. His recent crusade to embarrass the Democrats while getting his name in the newspaper is supposedly based on the fact that this benefit would, "add taxpayer costs...add to the deficit. It's unnecessary." For a guy so concerned about costs, it seems odd that he never mentions cracking down on Medicare fraud, which reportedly costs taxpayers billions each year. Speaking of taxpayer costs, the new legislation will now increase most people's monthly premiums, while providing no alternative relief.
Another benefit that has fallen off the table is the hoped-for introduction of the insurance industry to the world of competition. Not only has the status-quo been preserved, but additional revenue is guaranteed by the aforementioned premium increases as well as the new bill's requirement that everyone purchase health insurance, or face fines. Reform of health insurance practices very quickly became additional legislated enhancements to the industry's bottom line.
The pharmaceutical industry also got their dibs in, winning long-term protection of their drugs patents against more affordable generics. The cosmetic surgery lobby was successful in heading off a tax on their largely unnecessary services, which could have provided a source of revenue that might have been used to offset the costs of true health care reform.
What is left? More corporate giveaways, more costs to the taxpayer. Less reform, fewer benefits and now financial consequences for those who can't or won't buy health insurance. Exactly what the GOP previously railed against, they have helped bring about. It's nice to know that some things never change.
Gone are the items that would benefit the masses, such as the public option alternative to private health insurance. Even an expansion of Medicare to those aged 55 or older has been pulled, thanks to the very public bleating of legislators like Joe Leiberman. His recent crusade to embarrass the Democrats while getting his name in the newspaper is supposedly based on the fact that this benefit would, "add taxpayer costs...add to the deficit. It's unnecessary." For a guy so concerned about costs, it seems odd that he never mentions cracking down on Medicare fraud, which reportedly costs taxpayers billions each year. Speaking of taxpayer costs, the new legislation will now increase most people's monthly premiums, while providing no alternative relief.
Another benefit that has fallen off the table is the hoped-for introduction of the insurance industry to the world of competition. Not only has the status-quo been preserved, but additional revenue is guaranteed by the aforementioned premium increases as well as the new bill's requirement that everyone purchase health insurance, or face fines. Reform of health insurance practices very quickly became additional legislated enhancements to the industry's bottom line.
The pharmaceutical industry also got their dibs in, winning long-term protection of their drugs patents against more affordable generics. The cosmetic surgery lobby was successful in heading off a tax on their largely unnecessary services, which could have provided a source of revenue that might have been used to offset the costs of true health care reform.
What is left? More corporate giveaways, more costs to the taxpayer. Less reform, fewer benefits and now financial consequences for those who can't or won't buy health insurance. Exactly what the GOP previously railed against, they have helped bring about. It's nice to know that some things never change.
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