Awakenings

With so many millions of us without health insurance (or even the ability to afford it), something had to give.  Right?  Well, remember all the promises during last year’s campaign?  Solutions!  Solutions!  “Health care for all!”  I, for one, sensed a disaster – for the POOR.  Why?  The stage was being set with proclamations of “mandatory” requirements for citizens to buy Private Policies.

And here it is: House Democrats Unveil Plan For Health Care Overhaul “House Democrats on Friday answered President Obama’s call for a sweeping overhaul of the health care system by putting forward a . . . bill that would require all Americans to obtain health insurance. . . .”

Senators Durbin, Leahy, and Schumer: “We support a Public health insurance option that would foster greater competition in the marketplace.”  Does the word “option” mean we may choose to participate?  Or, will we find ourselves forced into making a choice between only two options?  “This month, Congress is working on new reform legislation that will make quality health care available and affordable for all Americans.”  Multitudes who were looking to you to actually provide health care through a Universal (Single-Payer) system will wonder where you discovered figures somehow making this “affordable,” since, to them, you are about to put so many on the street.  “The whole reason for health insurance in the first place is to spread costs among as large a group of people as possible, so we all pay a reasonable amount for quality health care….”  Again, “a reasonable amount,” – just where and how did you come up with those figures?  How “reasonable” do you think a man or woman grossing $23,000 a year will consider it?  Any chance they, or even husbands and wives grossing $34,000, might prefer health care – as provided – at no cost – as opposed to being required/mandated (like car insurance – where you get fined without it)?  We know the covers, like “for those making under a certain amount, it will be free.”  Yeah, and that’s how it all starts.  Later, the gates widen with a “reasonable/affordable” co-pay – even for the minimum-waged.  Further on, it becomes only rational, within “personal responsibility”: Even they (the poor) should work out payment plans when the time comes to cover those new “deductible” requirements/mandates.

Of our citizens, 63% support a Universal/Medicare-for-All/Single-Payer system.  It’s the Will of the people.  Obama has the presidency – and a majority in Congress.  There are no tactics, or waves, of propaganda that would have arrived in this battle which could not have been overcome.  And still, they did not have their own Will – to stand up.  Instead of fighting (all the way) – primarily for the people, the weak-kneed cohorts cowered (once again) in the face of corporate and politically minor powers.

Can you afford this?  “Not our problem.” Are you at or below the middle class?  “Sorry (bootstraps).”  Are you Poor?  “Again, sorry (get a third job). Furthermore, if you are poor (or, whatever class) and this ‘Mandatory’ Bill is enough to be seen as a death knell (since you absolutely and literally cannot afford another bill), do you think we care?  No.”  Why?  “Because, hey, we’ve solved the health care crisis! Now, everyone will have health care!  Get it?  We are heroes.”  Yes, many millions of us will get it, eventually – as the sounds of those final nails in our coffins are pounded (for our own good).

Update (06/25): “Health Care Reform Bill Price Tag Goes Down.”  How?  “Senate Finance Committee members said they found $400 billion in savings earlier this week, largely by reducing the amount of subsidies for low-income people to buy insurance.”  It’s only the beginning.  Prepare your bootstraps and find those third jobs.

Public Options, Single-Payers, and Bootstraps

[ FAIR’s PETITION ]