Montrose - Daily Press

Aside from war and death, Americans face few issues as immediate as access to health care, particularly during times of economic hardship and its accompanying stress. More than 47 million Americans under 65 lack health insurance.

All other major industrialized nations provide universal health care.

How many people do you know who are unemployed, self-employed, partially employed or retired who choose not to go to the doctor or emergency room when they need to because they cannot afford to go?

Walt Wick, left, and Robert Wick. Advertisement

Two bills are now before the House and Senate that, if passed and reconciled, will be signed by President Obama. They are not terribly different and reflect many compromises, so reconciliation is likely.

According to the Congressional Budget Office, they will both slightly reduce the national deficit over the next 10 years and, with luck, pay for themselves.

Both bills would offer health care to more than 95 percent of Americans not already on Medicare. The proposals are actually LESS comprehensive as those made by President Nixon in the 1970s when bipartisanship was more of a reality.  Democrats are often blamed for killing Nixon’s plan; Republicans will mostly be blamed if this reform fails.

Health care reform is on the brink of reality and for the first time in our nation’s history, this country has a chance to offer a health care safety net to the vast majority of Americans.

What won’t either of these bills do?

They will not take away the federal Medicare program. The Medicare Commission proposed in the more conservative Senate bill could, indeed, help stabilize it.

They will not force patients to go to some government-selected physician, although a public health option may be an insurance program the government underwrites and it may be efficient or not and it may prove to be more expensive or less expensive than private insurance. Neither program should impact the time patients wait to see a physician.

They will not force starving health insurance companies (exempt from anti-trust action unless House provisions changing that pass) into bankruptcy.

For those who fear socialism, neither bill provides universal health care.

What will the law do? The public plan would negotiate payment rates for those who want to try it. In one bill, states can opt out of having a public plan, and the most conservative states will do so if that is the law.

Both bills will make it possible, through government subsidies, for lower- and lower-middle income families to pay for private or public insurance.  Assisted living and nursing homes for disabled become more possible than they are today for the disabled and elderly.  And employers will have to provide health insurance.

There would be and should be a portability to insurers, which means those who have insurance cannot be without insurance even when they lose their job or move from one job to another.

Those who like their health insurance may keep it. The example for health reform is Massachusetts, where three years ago similar legislation passed, criticized as being clumsy and complicated.  Today 79 percent of Massachusetts residents want to keep the state’s public plan and only 11 percent want it repealed.  And 98 percent of the state’s residents have health insurance.

How would national reform be paid for? The Senate bill envisions charging a fee for very comprehensive coverage, thus making it something available only to those willing to subsidize giving everyone the opportunity to have decent, basic health insurance. The House wants to tax individuals earning $500,000 or more and couples earning $1 million or more.

We are at a vital crossroads.  We should call our senators and representatives and ask them to vote for the bills moving to the floors of both chambers, and for whatever comes out of each chamber.

If a reconciled bill becomes law, it will not be perfect.  Unfortunately, given the political volatility of the United States, this opportunity to protect the health of our country may not come again.

Robert Wick is secretary-treasurer and Walter Wick, vice president of Wick Communications Co. They are the owners of Wick Communications, a multi-media company of community newspapers now in its third generation of family ownership, which includes the Montrose Daily Press.

Comments

your facts r wrong wrote on Nov 23, 2009 4:00 PM:

" TS Landrieu got $301 million for that vote. "




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Can you hear us wrote on Nov 23, 2009 10:23 AM:

" Monday, November 23, 2009 Rasmussen Reports
Just 38% of voters now favor the health care plan proposed by President Obama and congressional Democrats 56% now oppose the plan. That’s the lowest level of support measured since June.

Prior to this, support for the plan had never fallen below 41%. Last week, support for the plan was at 47%. Two weeks ago, the effort was supported by 45% of voters. "




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Tom Shearer wrote on Nov 21, 2009 10:12 PM:

" Saturday night showdown had been sealed a few hours , when two final Democratic holdouts, Sens. Mary Landrieu of Louisiana and Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas, announced they would join in clearing the way for a full debate.

"It is clear to me that doing nothing is not an option," said Landrieu, WHO WON $100 MILLION in the legislation to help her state pay the costs of health care for the poor.

Hey Mr Bennett and Mr Udall were is our pork. Landrieu got 3 pigs worth for her vote. Woops I mean state. "




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Tom Shearer wrote on Nov 21, 2009 8:22 AM:

" The best way to destroy the capitalist system is to debauch the currency. By a continuing process of inflation, governments can confiscate, secretly and unobserved, an important part of the wealth of their citizens.
John Maynard Keynes

Keynes is the most quote economist by the administration. "




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where r ur priorities wrote on Nov 21, 2009 5:52 AM:

" Yes, all these people screaming about the cost of providing health care to our citizens where are your voices when it comes to spending, by one estimate, 900 billion plus on ill conceived wars. We can win the battle with "terrorist with intelligence instead of brute force for a fraction of the cost, then maybe we can end our self inflected economic terrorism. "




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Tom Shearer wrote on Nov 20, 2009 7:38 PM:

" The multi billion dollar 3 card monty goes on.

11/18/2009 CBO just released a letter responding to questions from Congressman Ryan about H.R. 3961, the Medicare Physicians Payment Reform Act of 2009, by itself, would cost $210 billion over the 2010–2019 period. CBO and the staff of the Joint Committee on Taxation have separately estimated that enacting H.R. 3962 would reduce federal budget deficits by $109 billion over that same period.

CBO estimates that enacting both bills would add $89 billion to budget deficits over the 2010–2019 period. "




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NATIVE wrote on Nov 20, 2009 2:58 PM:

" "jt" is correct. We always seem able to find the money to start or continue unwinable wars and be the police of the world. Hoe about some protests about THOSE crazy expenditures? Let us take care of our own first for a change! "




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jt wrote on Nov 20, 2009 10:44 AM:

" Tim......That's right don't read the newspaper it will brainwash you. Instead listen to Sean or Rush they won't ...they are "Fair and Balanced".

Love Ya Man :-) "




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jt wrote on Nov 20, 2009 10:38 AM:

" Robert and Walter made a good case. For those who want to wait, wait and it won't happen. We're spending 680 billion a year on defense. I don't think 100 billion a year on health care is too much to ask.
We could close 25% of the 700 military bases worldwide to help pay for it without raising any taxes. I realize that it is heresy to suggest such a thing, but its just a thought "




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BROKE AND GETTING BROKER wrote on Nov 19, 2009 5:50 PM:

" The only topic of conversation we should be having RIGHT NOW is can we afford this kind of plan. No matter how you feel about the topic, lets step back, think about it some more-maybe two years, and revisit the issue when there might be an economic recovery and cooler heads might have a better idea. "




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Tom Shearer wrote on Nov 19, 2009 1:12 PM:

" Senate health plan for this uninsured American. The only iinsurance available to me as a business group of one cost $3400 an month. Wife and I over 50 and kids 13 and 12. That's $40800.00 a year and would be a cadilac plan ($35000.00) and taxed at 45% or $18360.00 bringing my total to $59160 for health insurance.
If I close my business and try to get a job who will hire me. They know it will cost $36975.00 in insurance expence alone. I had a cat name fat chance once. "




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Tom Shearer wrote on Nov 19, 2009 10:46 AM:

" Just like the original 2,032-page, government-run health care plan from Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s (D-CA), Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s (D-NV) massive, 2,074-page bill would levy a new “abortion premium” fee on Americans in the government-run plan.

Beginning on line 7, p. 118, section 1303 under “Voluntary Choice of Coverage of Abortion Services” the Health and Human Services Secretary is given the authority to determine when abortion is allowed under the government-run health plan. Leader Reid’s plan also requires that at least one insurance plan offered in the Exchange covers abortions (line 13, p. 120). "




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Canyonman wrote on Nov 19, 2009 9:57 AM:

" The CBO stipulates at whitehouse.gov that right now our debt is 12 trillion dollars. If this passes by 2019 our debt will exceed 24 trillion. Thats double. If the senate votes this in this Saturday, we will be done as a free nation. The Chinese have been warning Obama of this, and I hope you all call your senators and tell them to vote no. Right now our senator is for the bill. "




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I find it interesting wrote on Nov 18, 2009 10:41 PM:

" An interesting side note of the Wick brother's support of government health care: they can roll their employees out of the company-supported health care plan and over to the government run system. Look at the savings to their bottom line. "




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Tom Shearer wrote on Nov 18, 2009 4:06 PM:

" Dear U really do not know
I know that I can't afford health insurance. I had a heart attack 14 years ago and I can't buy health insurance. I know if I have another I'm a bust. I know that this use to be the the land of the free and the home of the brave and if this passes we will be the land of the sheep afraid to not go with the heard and the home of the pig eating at the trough of the labor of others. Just like Orwell said we would be. "




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U really do not know wrote on Nov 18, 2009 11:26 AM:

" Let's support the insurance industry and just do nothing and lets have health care for the rich and the rest of us TS. The Repulsive Party plan is a farce and does 0 to address the problems. The Demos may be less than great but at least they are trying to do something real. No one can predict what the real pluses or minuses will really be, it is all guess work and opinion at this point in time. "




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Tom Shearer wrote on Nov 18, 2009 10:46 AM:

" Jefery Flier dean of Harvard Medical School, Wall Street Journal11/17/2009

Congress will markedly accelerate national health-care spending rather than restrain it. Likewise, nearly all agree that the legislation would do little or nothing to improve quality or change health-care's dysfunctional delivery system. The system we have now promotes fragmented care and makes it more difficult than it should be to assess outcomes and patient satisfaction. The true costs of health care are disguised, competition based on price and quality are almost impossible, and patients lose their ability to be the ultimate judges of value. "




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Ill continue to subscribe wrote on Nov 18, 2009 9:50 AM:

" you sound like a bunch of bullies
Medicare doesn't work...compared to what? A senior citizen who never denied herself a thing, NEVER saved a dime, and yet gets medical care. As a taxpayer, I am thankful she paid into medicare, as I know we would all be responsible for her now. We need a health insurance plan for everyone, or else those of us who have insurance will continue to pay (along with our employers) for those who don't. "




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republican who gets it wrote on Nov 18, 2009 9:44 AM:

" Partially because of the waste, but our rates have gone UP because some don't buy insurance and when they use the emergency room because they do not have a doctor and that bill is so high they can't pay, and guess who does..YOU AND ME with increased premiums. So, if they are really going to figure out a way where everyone pays something, that is better than the current system where some pay for MANY who don't make health insurance a priority in their budget because they know someone else will cover it if they get really sick. "




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republican who gets it wrote on Nov 18, 2009 9:40 AM:

" i appreciate the editorial...i don't like to pay any more taxes than I already do...the way I look at it though is this way...
i am one of the fortunate ones--i have health insurance, not the best but pretty good in what it covers. Guess what...it has gone up by double digits for the last several years..but my part and my employer's part! "




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not sure wrote on Nov 17, 2009 7:26 PM:

" who Tom Shearer is or what office he is running for, his path is going in the right direction but his facts are way off base, the mere mention of Medicare and Medicade should be followed by the term BROKE. Just like Social Security and the prescription drug benefit, these four unfunded liabilities have not been accounted for by the CBO with any respect to the health bill.

the shell game continues and bio-profiteers and wall street will finish the great ripoff of america. "




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jennie wrote on Nov 17, 2009 4:26 PM:

" I hope all who oppose this outrageous bill will contact their senators. Not that it will do much good, but perhaps the idea of defeat in their next election will prompt them to listen - for once. "




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Tom Shearer wrote on Nov 17, 2009 1:40 PM:

" Taxpayers are being asked to swallow the incredible claim that the cost of the bill will be offset by savings gained from efficiencies and taxes on the wealthy. But as the Wall Street Journal notes, even confiscating 100 percent of the income of the truly rich won't raise enough revenue to pay for this bill. Just because Nancy and Harry say so doesn't make it true, according to the New York Times most analysts say the savings estimates are unachievable. "




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Tom Shearer wrote on Nov 17, 2009 1:33 PM:

" Americans remain wary of the plan, according to polling, because they don't trust it will do the things President Obama claims it will do, and won't do the things he promises it won't.

The president's "Don't worry, trust me" assurances that the reforms will deliver universal coverage with superior care and at a lower cost without disrupting current coverage, more than half of Americans aren't buying -- and it's not because they're frightened by Republican tales. They know what snake oil smells like. "




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Tom Shearer wrote on Nov 17, 2009 10:23 AM:

" The U.S. government’s Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services finds the healthcare reform recently passed in the House of Representatives would increase healthcare spending to 21.3 percent of GDP by 2019 compared with 20.8 percent currently. That’s bending the curve the wrong way. The study questions the viability of the $500 billion in Medicare cuts to pay for expanded coverage.

According to the CBO, the 10-year cost $894 billion. That analysis includes early years with little government spending. The CMS states, the House approach would cost $1 trillion from 2013-2019, or $140 billion a year when put into effect. "




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Tom Shearer wrote on Nov 17, 2009 10:03 AM:

" Reuters
November 16th, 2009
by: James Pethokoukis

Guess what? It turns out the Chinese are kind of curious about how President Barack Obama’s healthcare reform plans would impact America’s huge fiscal deficit. Government officials are using his Asian trip as an opportunity to ask the White House questions. Detailed questions.

Boilerplate assurances that America won’t default on its debt or inflate the shortfall away are apparently not cutting it. Nor should they, when one owns nearly $2 trillion in assets denominated in the currency of a country about to double its national debt over the next decade. "




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My Sister wrote on Nov 17, 2009 12:22 AM:

" Did you see today's news that a Federal panel says no mammograms until age 50 and no breast self exams either? Yet all the docs say age 40 and definitely self exams. If this health bill passes and taxes are paying for health care, you can bet age 50 will be the cutoff. My sister was saved by a mammogram at age 37. She'd be dead today if the government had its way. That would be OK with the feds because it's rare. Just not rare for my sister. "




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Tom Shearer wrote on Nov 16, 2009 5:13 PM:

" HB3962 pg269 employers of full-time workers are required to cover at least 72.5 percent of the premium of the least expensive health-insurance plan available that has the bill's minimum "acceptable coverage." Family coverage 62.5 percent of the premium is borne by the employer. Depending on the variables, this amounts to a direct labor tax of approximately $300 per month for an individual, or nearly $700 for family.

The workers whose revenue productivity is less than $300 per month higher than their wages will be laid off, or have their hours cut to classify them as part-time. "




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Alice Ann wrote on Nov 16, 2009 4:38 AM:

" The really frightening thing about the House passed health care bill is thatnot only taxes for all will go up, but the cost to the consumer for EVERYTHING we buy will escalate. Do you really think businesses will absorb the new costs? NO! They will be passed on to ALL OF US! "




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No Worries wrote on Nov 15, 2009 1:54 PM:

" I'm not the least bit worried. I know that my County Commissioners White and Henderson will take care of me...as they always have. I know that they will spare no expense in making sure that their citizens get taken care of. Wait...What am I thinking, they can not spare expense, they are using all the money. Gosh, maybe we need some new Commissioners. What say you White and Henderson. "




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local wrote on Nov 15, 2009 12:43 PM:

" My wife and I have insurance through work and for two of us OUR share is over 3500.00 per year and we do not have any health problems. Can we afford it? Not really but we struggle to pay for fear of financial ruin if we don't have it...That is life in America...good or bad... "




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RLaitres wrote on Nov 15, 2009 10:08 AM:

" The poster Tim made the following comment:
" Know I know where the newspaper offically stands. No need to hide your liberalism. I'm cancelling my subscription so you can't brainwash me. "
=================================
Such individuals, if they are so afraid of being brainwahed, are already brainwashed. Their minds are already closed and they will not, or are totally incapable of looking at anything new in an objective sense, and therefore unable to any longer change their minds, no matter how strong is any evidence that might even question their conclusions. Therefore, they hide from reality. "




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H. Craig Bradley wrote on Nov 14, 2009 2:45 PM:

" Proposed Health Care Reform legislation would require all to obtain health care insurance. It would be mandatory and a tax penalty of 2.5% of income would apply to those who remain uninsured.

Cost for a 25 year old male (self only) would be about $2,900/ year in health insurance premiums. Can you afford this?

Health costs would continue to rise at present rates under the proposed public option, as well. To pay for it, Medicare patients would see reimbursement levels reduced considerably (500 Billion $). New taxes apply upfront. The proposed reforms are NOT revenue neutral either. "




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anti pc wrote on Nov 14, 2009 1:04 PM:

" Native... You should try to read a Non fiction book like How Capitalism Saved America: The Untold History of Our Country from the Pilgrims to the Present instead of a work of fiction like Michael Moore's Downsize This! "




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Left Out wrote on Nov 14, 2009 11:46 AM:

" Did you notice the Wicks did not even mention "freedom" in their editorial? Why do the Wicks hate freedom? Our great Country was founded on freedom to make choices. Ever since then, rich people like the Wicks have been trying to take away our freedom to choose. This attempt to FORCE us into a state-run health care system is merely their latest attack on freedom. "




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JUST WONDERING wrote on Nov 14, 2009 11:29 AM:

" Rupert Murdoch, Sean Hannity, Glen Beck, Rush Limbaugh,etc. make billions...they are getting rich by pandering to your fears and prejudices at the behest of corporate America. All news gathering and reporting sources in the whole world have points of view that generally differ from Fox but Fox has it right and EVERYBODY else is wrong...just wondering... "




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citizen wrote on Nov 14, 2009 10:00 AM:

" If insurance is not a transaction of commerce why are insurance companies making billions and why do people invest in them? Also, why as the most developed country in the world , are we the only one that can't solve our medical care crisis? Don't believe what you hear about people coming here for their medical care-that would be only the wealthy who can AFFORD the best-which I do believe we have. The problem is many even with insurance many can't afford care. I have insurance and have spent 20,000 in the last 3 yr. on excluded health issues. "




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Native wrote on Nov 14, 2009 9:22 AM:

" Actually, corporations were recently granted personhood and so have the same freedom of speech as an indivivual and therefore influence elections in this country. We are the only only one which allows this, by the way. As to the other Foxies on this blog, check your spelling and grammer and then criticize others. In all recent polls comparing all aspects of quality of life issues, our great country rates only mediocre except in military power. This is because we spend more than all other countries combined. Read a book. "




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Tom Shearer wrote on Nov 13, 2009 12:31 PM:

" Paul v. Virginia, 75 U.S. 168 (1869), was a historic case in corporate law in which the United States Supreme Court held that a corporation is not a citizen within the meaning of the Privileges and Immunities Clause. Of greater consequence, the Court further held that "issuing a policy of insurance is not a transaction of commerce," effectively removing the business of insurance beyond Congress' legislative reach. "




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Tom Shearer wrote on Nov 13, 2009 10:52 AM:

" The New YorK Times
By JULIA PRESTON
November 13, 2009
The Obama administration will insist on measures to give legal status to an estimated 12 million illegal immigrants in legislation to overhaul the immigration system that it will begin to push early next year, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said on Friday.

Oh boy now they can be a part of heath care reform. "




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Tom Shearer wrote on Nov 13, 2009 10:25 AM:

" Native, you mean that if I read more and traveled more, I would understand that In Europe, as in Canada, that health care is socially and ethicly based on the principle of social solidarity. That health care should be financed by individuals on the basis of their ability to pay, but should be available to all who need it on roughly equal terms. The regulations imposed on health care in these countries are rooted in this overarching principle.
That sound so wounderful that I wish that I had read more and traveled more. "




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Native Dude wrote on Nov 13, 2009 10:06 AM:

" ~ Native~
Why read a metro newspaper? Our local one is liberal enough. Buy the way FOX is broadcasted out of a metro area. And your point about looking to other countries...?? We should look to them in our great quest for mediocracy? Maybe we could at great places like Thailand were they cain people openly? Or maybe the great country of Africa with one of the lowest moral bases and highest HIV percentages exist? Makes no sense. Maybe you should get educated before running your unjustifed and unfounded slams at people. What an idiot. "




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Tom Shearer wrote on Nov 13, 2009 9:32 AM:

" Sharrett/New York Times
Published: November 12, 2009
Harry Reid, is considering a proposal to increase the Medicare payroll tax on high-income workers to help offset the costs of providing health nsurance to millions of Americans,

Mr. Reid is apparently considering an increase in the Medicare payroll tax rate for workers with incomes of more than $250,000 a year. One idea is to increase the tax rate by one-half of 1 percentage point, to 1.95 percent for high-income people, with an expectation that the government could raise $40 billion to $50 billion over 10 years. "




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me wrote on Nov 13, 2009 9:31 AM:

" By the way I done watch fox news because I have a mind of my own. There is and old saying in My Native Montrose Family Homestead here so stop with the Native thing. If it sounds to good to be true it probably isn't true. Lets see when someone you know is 50th on the list for a surgery and they have meet the yearly quota how you feel about this bill.
I am Praying for our country. "




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me wrote on Nov 13, 2009 9:22 AM:

" NATIVE you need get a clue and talk to other places, we have family in other country's. Question to ask is why they come to the United State to get Medical care. Yes I would be the first agree the medical system needs some wake up calls but this bill is not the answer. You need to read all 2000 pages of it and then tell me I'm wrong "




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Canyonman wrote on Nov 13, 2009 9:01 AM:

" Native:
I am sorry you are bothered by real news coming from Fox. What other country should we model ourselves after? Cuba? Venezuela? Show me where government health care WORKS. 400000 people swam from Cuba (the great boat lift) to get away from Utopia. Canada is broke. Is PBO gonna be the messiah or what? "




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One who speaks in short words wrote on Nov 12, 2009 11:12 PM:

" The article exhibits why this newspaper will fail. Too bad the owner's can't recognize their audience.

We simply can't afford gov't healthcare as many have stated so please begin thinking about what to say to your kids.

Do we say to them, "Work hard" or do we say "Lets see what programs are available"

God forbid we say "who pays for this" "




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Native wrote on Nov 12, 2009 6:32 PM:

" I think many of you need to quit watching Fox news and maybe read a book. Read a newspaper from any metro area, travel to other countries, maybe get a clue as to how the rest of the world works. This country has a lot of growing up to do. You can be part of a constructive effort or you can rant like the Fox junkies you are. "




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Tom SHearer wrote on Nov 12, 2009 12:42 PM:

" freedomlover lets get some FACTs straight. The AMA makes all its money from the right to publish, distribute, and charge users for the insurance billing codes. Under Obomacare the codes will be taken from them if they don't play ball.

AARP getts most of its revinue from the co-marketing of insurance and Obumercare will eliminate one of there larges compeditors, Medicare Plus. If they don't play ball they would get the same treatment. "




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Tom Shearer wrote on Nov 12, 2009 12:27 PM:

" real world mandatory auto insurance is not constitutionally allowable for the federal government either. The States have all power that are not explicitly enunciated in the constitution. SO Tennessee can mandate Tenncare and drive the state bankrupt, and Massachusetts can mandated care and bankrupt the state, but the federal government can not. "




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wake up folk wrote on Nov 12, 2009 11:16 AM:

" Steve your quote from George Washington says it all!!!!!!!. Give me liberty or give me death which alot of people could die if this bill passes. People use your heads and lets take our country back before it's to late.


GOD BLESS "




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Mount Rose wrote on Nov 11, 2009 10:08 PM:

" If this bill passes my company will be forced to pay for health insurance or go to jail. From my calculations I will need to lay off 5 employees. How will this help our economy? Oh I know - more prison guards to throw entrepreneurs in jail. "




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Steve Kirby wrote on Nov 11, 2009 9:45 AM:

" This nation certainly is at a crossroads and the decision is easy. We must decide if we want more intrusive, abusive, confiscatory, constitutionally illegal imperial federal government or we can choose liberty. To me its as simple as that. " Government is not reason, it is not eloquence, it is force; like fire, a troublesome servant and a fearful master. Never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action." George Washington. "




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real world wrote on Nov 11, 2009 5:01 AM:

" Obomacare, who do you think has to pay for you the uninsured, you meaning the uninsured population, when you end up in the ER or are diagnosed with a serious condition requiring tens of thousands of dollars to treat. By the way in Colorado you are required to carry car insurance if you are going to drive a car which is a necessity for most of us. By the way it's Obamacare. "




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Another mistake wrote on Nov 10, 2009 4:28 PM:

" The Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT) Has comfirmed that failure to comply with the individual mandate to buy health insurance contained in the Pelosi health care bill (H.R. 3962, as amended) could land people in jail. The JCT letter makes clear that Americans who do not maintain “acceptable health insurance coverage” and who choose not to pay the bill’s new individual mandate tax (generally 2.5% of income), are subject to numerous civil and criminal penalties, including criminal fines of up to $250,000 and imprisonment of up to five years. "




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Obomacare wrote on Nov 10, 2009 4:13 PM:

" As I understand it the version that the house just passed requires that everyone must purchase health insurance (from somebody) or be breaking the law. I am self employed young healthy adult male. But the liberals are going to force people like me to shell out $200+ a month for insurance or pay a fine to the government. Is that even constitutional? "




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Fred T. wrote on Nov 10, 2009 3:27 PM:

" Wick & Wick are spouting the same old liberal mainstream media claptrap about the government owing us something for nothing. Bull feathers! They say the health care bill will pay for itself. Balderdash! It will add another trillion to the national debt and destroy health care for all. Someone needs to pop the socialist bubble they live in. "




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Canyonman wrote on Nov 10, 2009 8:57 AM:

" Truth:
No one ever said Obama didn't have a plan. We don't like his plan. Obama is one of many in the government who have no regard for the effects debt and lack of personal responsibility will have on our country. We can NOT afford this mess. If PBO wants to help the poor, make health insurance open between state lines like car insurance. "




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Tim Tim Timmmm wrote on Nov 10, 2009 5:51 AM:

" SS and medicare work as they should the problem is SS has a maximum yearly tax of $6621 even if you have an income of a million plus. Medicare is taxed at 2.9 percent with no increase for the higher income brackets. Lets get real and properly fund and at the same time get a handle on the outrageous fraud that is rampart in these great programs. "




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Concerned Montrose Citizen wrote on Nov 9, 2009 11:52 PM:

" As has been said before, what government system is functioning better than a private free enterprise system. Obama says that Fed Ex and UPS compete with the Post Office. True they do and make a profit, they have an incentive.

Govenment does not pay for anything, taxpayors do. Have your employer pay for it? Sure they can pay more if they cut their staffs. Wake up and take responsibility for yourselves. Stop absurb and frivilous lawsuits. This would also cut down on unneeded procedures to make sure the doctor is not sued later. "




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truth wrote on Nov 9, 2009 8:16 PM:

" Obama's plan is to make 99% of America totally dependent on government and government controlled corporations, by definition thats Fascism, an in direct conflict with the Constitution, which he will dissolve. "




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Mount Rose wrote on Nov 9, 2009 4:09 PM:

" Let me bow down to our federal government that has an answer for everything. They are my savior. I will never have any problems in my life again. "




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truth wrote on Nov 9, 2009 1:30 PM:

" Obama has a plan. Contrary to popular belief in Montrose, Obama does not hate the U.S. and is not trying to turn the white house into a pyramid. He's trying to help the middle and lower classes, which is basically all of montrose. If you don't make $250,000 and up per year, there's no reason why you wouldn't support universal health care. "




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justfacts wrote on Nov 9, 2009 10:27 AM:

" yes, really take a look at Massachusett's example that you used - look at how their premiums have increased since inacting their program - now some of the highest premiums in the nation. Yeah, they are a great example of where we are going. "




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notstupid wrote on Nov 9, 2009 8:54 AM:

" Thank you for this outstanding, thoughtful presentation of the opportunity that now awaits us. Here in the land of the government-haters--who nonetheless take their children to public school, drive on public roads, and expect government help when they retire--this is a welcome breath of fresh air.
I am tired of those who wrap themselves in ignorance like a flag. "




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Canyonman wrote on Nov 9, 2009 8:30 AM:

" These bills will destroy private health care. If the government was so good at taking care of people, why is medicade and medicare drowning in debt? The further the people are from having to pay for things, the greater the cost associated with that program. I respect your opinion, but it is poorly thought out. "




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concerned res wrote on Nov 9, 2009 7:08 AM:

" Biased Media is the root problem with this country. I'm tired of hearing the argument that "people can't afford health insurance". It's called personal responsibility! I see sooooo many people that are "too poor to afford health insurance" that drink beer every night, smoke or chew, have a body full of tattoos and piercings, purchase cell phones for the family, upgrades their big screen t.v. every two years, and on and on. My point is this, many people could have insurance but choose not to because their health isn't as important as their pleasure. "




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Going Broke wrote on Nov 9, 2009 6:48 AM:

" I can't wait until this bill passes so I can cancel my health insurance that costs me $1000/month for my family and I'll go on thee government program for free. "




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truth wrote on Nov 9, 2009 12:39 AM:

" the only thing that needs reformed is morality, if you take greed out of the equation and replace it with truth many of the problems we have would be solved, its too bad the owners of this paper have a lower thought process level like the politicians and the rest of the media because higher thinking is required for long term solutions. "




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Montrose Joe wrote on Nov 8, 2009 10:00 PM:

" Tim is right. Since I'll be paying extra taxes to pay the national healthcare plan I'm going to let my subscription expire. The money I save from not subscribing will pay just a little portion of what it will cost me. Thanks Daily Press for volunteering to help pay my new healthcare taxes. "




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Tim wrote on Nov 8, 2009 9:32 PM:

" To freedomlover:
Fact: What federal government system works correctly??? Hmmmm nothing. Not medicare, not Scoial Security, not even the Post Office. So you want to throw money at the federal government that is only good at wasting money. "




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Skeptic wrote on Nov 8, 2009 4:55 PM:

" Easy for you to say. You are very rich so you can afford the huge increase in taxes to pay for this new socialism program. "




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freedomlover wrote on Nov 8, 2009 2:14 PM:

" @Tim:

Your comment makes me sad. This debate should be fact driven, not politcal fodder. There is no doubt that the American health care system is in a shambles. When an institution as old, and generally conservative, as the AMA support health care reform that FACT should give you pause. The FACT that AARP, reliant as it is on seniors for its complete existence, supports health care reform, should make you THINK about what's at stake.

Think my man, think! "




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Tim wrote on Nov 8, 2009 8:08 AM:

" Know I know where the newspaper offically stands. No need to hide your liberalism. I'm cancelling my subscription so you can't brainwash me. "




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