March 21st, 2012
10:13 AM ET
10 years ago
Health care debate shifts to Medicare panel
Washington (CNN) - In the bitter political debate over health care reform two years ago, one of the most contentious issues was a proposed advisory board that would recommend how to achieve needed but as-yet-unreachable Medicare savings.
Opponents dubbed the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB) a "death panel" that would ration medical coverage for senior citizens based on cost and effectiveness, rather than decisions reached between patient and doctor.
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The Ryan plan just eliminates medicare, and replaces it with a voucher. There is no republican health care plan other than having sick people die.
As long as we have to pay for uninsured republicans who show up at emergency rooms, there will be no GOP support for affordable health care.
How is the IPAB any different from what private insurers have been doing for years? Apparently, being denied coverage by a private entity ( which in many instances is tantamount to a death sentence) is acceptable, yet an advisory board in a publically-run program is some form of government-sponsored euthenasia. The absurdity of this argument is bad enough, but when you couple that with the fact that NONE of the GOP proposals that have been put out over the last 3 years will increase coverage or make it more affordable turns this whole debate into a sick farce. We have had "market forces" giving us double-digit premium increases with no corresponding increase in coverage for decades: does that tell you something? Bottom line is that the GOP does not want to deal with the issue, but they sure as hell will tell you what you can and cannot do in the privacy of your own home.
Apparently a private committee of bean-counters making decisions about how your doctor will treat you is ok, according to the GOP. Denying treatment is a good thing, because if people are treated, some Insurance exec might not get as big a bonus.
The Ryan Plan replaces a government panel making broad policy guidelines for all, with a claims associate at a private insurance company making specific decisions about whether the insurer will cover your health care or not. Which one would trust?
The Law is passed. End of the matter. GOP idiots need to stop this nonsense. o.k, This law was long overdue, insurance idiots and thugs are pouring money to repeal. Stop idiots. Way to go, Obama. you are the best president. Obama2012.
People should realize that conservative resistance to regulations on the insurance to industry to stop dropping people when they became older and more prone to high health care costs is why Medicare was created in the first place. The ACA imposes coverage mandates that the insurance industry really, really does not like because it shifts the cost of caring for seniors off the public sector, and back into the private sector where it belongs. But, that also cuts into profits and bonuses for the top executives. Too bad, Chad.
I mean, government runs everything else it does so well, why not let it run and control your healthcare right?! YOUR life and death decisions in the hands of faceless bureacrats which you cannot fight. Their decision will be final, which could mean YOU'RE FINALLY GONE.
All of you none contributors to society (provide government with positive cash flow) should be especially concerned as your departure from the planet may be looked upon as a positive to the collective and as we know about Obama, if it's good for the collective that is all that matters.
Republicans want to bring back the Death Panels. So much for caring for our elders. They worked their entire lives, paid taxes and this is what they will get? A coupon, here you go granny, good luck finding private insurance that will honor it.
Truth wrote:
I mean, government runs everything else it does so well, why not let it run and control your healthcare right?! YOUR life and death decisions in the hands of faceless bureacrats which you cannot fight. Their decision will be final, which could mean YOU'RE FINALLY GONE.
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If 'government running and controlling healthcare' means regulations that say insurers cannot drop me just because I get gravely ill, then I am all for it. The rest of what you wrote is unworthy of a response.
Rudy NYC - The rest of what you wrote is unworthy of a response.
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You cannot refute it. Your surrender is graciously accepted.
Truth wrote:
YOUR life and death decisions in the hands of faceless bureacrats which you cannot fight. Their decision will be final, which could mean YOU'RE FINALLY GONE.
You cannot refute it. Your surrender is graciously accepted.
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Why, thank-you, Truth. Copying is the highest form of flattery. I hope it felt half as good to say it as it was for me to hear you imitate it.
There is nothing to refute. We have had faceless bureacrats in the private industry making life and death decisions on our health care for decades. You spoke the truth.
Your private industry bureacrats are the reason why Medicare was created in the first place. They are the ones who have the most to lose with the ACA because it shifts the cost *back* onto their shoulders and off of taxpayers.
i can see why republicans are against health care when you can get it free- just send the bill to the tax payers
Truth wrote on page 1: the truth, finally
All of you none contributors to society (provide government with positive cash flow) should be especially concerned as your departure from the planet may be looked upon as a positive to the collective and as we know about Obama, if it's good for the collective that is all that matters.
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TRANSLATION: The "collective" will not be satisfied the rabble die off from untreadted illnesses due to a lack health care.
from the article:
Opponents dubbed the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB) a "death panel" that would ration medical coverage for senior citizens based on cost and effectiveness, rather than decisions reached between patient and doctor.
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One would think that budget concious conservatives would like the idea that there is some oversight in place to prevent excessive spending on the same test being performed by different doctors who wish the patient might seek out to get a second, third of fourth opinion.
But, no. Conservatives would rather keep the existing money funnels in Medicare in place. Oversight might spell the end to the entire new insurance industry of Medicare middlemen that sprang to life under Bush.
It is the duty of a government to keep it citizen healthy otherwise we could suffer the same fate as Europe durning the black plague. Bless.