health bill

[murphymcmurph]

i was in america recently. in the media barrack obama is getting a tough time because of his health bill. why? isn't it a great thing? i think the insurance companies stand to lose millions so they are turning the media against him.

 

[Fiona]

Welcome to the forums, Murphymcmurph.

I do not know where you are from, but there are a number of threads here which explain some of the different positions taken on this issue in the USA. It is not self evident to Americans that UHC is a good thing, though I think that is difficult for some of us to grasp

 

[murphymcmurph]

thank you fiona i'm irish

i know people are afraid of change and upper middle class don't want to pay other peoples health bills but i heard a radio station in new york and i couldn't actually understand what the presenters argument was because he was just shouting... doesn't this confuse people? then i saw obama on the letterman show and he talked so gracefully and made his intentions clear... i'll check out those other threads thank you.

 

[Ausmerican]

Irish? with a name like that I would've guessed Slovak for sure. j/k Only thing you were wrong about is that the insurance companies stand to lose B-illions not M-illions.

 

[JoeTheJuggler]

Are you guys sure these reform bills would result in these losses for insurance companies? I understand some of the reforms (no caps, no recision, etc.) will mean they can't cut losses like they used to, but both House and Senate versions of the bill have the universal mandate. This means people who are generally low risks will be paying in.
_______

Maybe this deserves another thread, but anyone have any guesses on how the cloture vote this evening will go?

Also, as a procedural issue, even though this vote is strictly to open debate (or to prevent a filibuster) is it de facto the final vote? In other words, if cloture passes and debate starts, amendments discussed and voted in or out, and a motion is made to vote on a final version, will that vote again have to be a supermajority to avoid Republican obstruction, or does a simple majority take it at that point?

My understanding is that 60 votes would be required at both of these points.

And if that happens, it will need to happen all over again when the House and Senate bills are merged.

 

[murphymcmurph]

Irish? with a name like that I would've guessed Slovak for sure. j/k Only thing you were wrong about is that the insurance companies stand to lose B-illions not M-illions.

well of course my family originates in slovakia i wasn't sure so millions seemed the safer option and either way it's right just playing it safe

everyone against it seems to try to overcomplicate the reasons why, so it's confusing. whereas when obama speaks about it he makes it simple to understand. he knew people could turn on hi because of this but he also knows it's right. could have gone with the easier option and done nothing.