Quote Originally Posted by KukriKhan View Post
So. Just watched POTUS's Kabuki press conference, where he said that Doc's over-prescribe drugs and treatment based on compensation schedules, and that Big Pharma overcharges by 50%, based on their recent cave-in to reduce drug costs. Oh, and suggested that a blue-ribbon panel of unelected, administration-appointed medical experts outta decide what treatment should be provided to what patient, and that he, being POTUS, would not reduce his personal medical plan to a level commensurate with that of an "average" American. And that the reason for the big hurry is that if you don't set deadlines "in this town (DC)", things never get done.

Since the bills are still being crafted in congressional commitees and aren't even on the floor for vote (and therefore details are still speculative and negotiable) I can only regard this media event as not directed at me at all, but rather to the congresscritters.

Q: Do we (citizens and taxpayers) pay for this network coverage? I watched it on C-Span, which I pay for on my cableTV bill.

Maybe a day will come when a POTUS will have a press conference where mid-question by Helen, POTUS will say "And by the way, have you made a will yet? Go to LegalDocuments.com for a cheap, state-recognized document. Meanwhile, Helen, as to Iran....".

Q: Did POTUS O sell health care reform to the citizens?
I didn't listen to the speech, but from what I've heard from news commentators who critiqued it afterwards....no details just rhetoric & politician-ese. Some of the alleged details that have been talked about sound quite disturbing, and if true, means either POTUS O hasn't read the thing or he's not being honest. Like:

People with private plan coverage get to keep it. "Alleged detail" - If the terms of the private plan are changed then you are required to drop it and must be enrolled in the public option, thereby eventually squeezing out private plans.

End of life medical decisions....dodgy evasive answers that say a whole lot of nothing. "Alleged detail" - Your 80 year old grandmother's need for surgery *let's say a knee-joint replacement* will be determined by bureaucrats who will decide if she's worthy of the cost.

Tort reform....not a peep. Doctors pay huge premiums to protect themselves against lawsuits. They also prescribe many expensive diagnostic tests & procedures whose sole purpose is to CYA to avoid culpability in unforeseen medical malpractice suits.

Medicare & medicaid. The guvment hasn't fixed these programs to make them financially viable into the future, but we need to rush this new legislation through with little to no time to actually read and comprehend what it entails. Why?

My biggest pet peeve - Our legislators private health coverage will not be affected by any of this health reform. Like their 100% pensions & yearly cost of living increases that are vested after one measly term in office, they are safely insulated from any effects of the health plan legislation they determine is best for the rest of us. You want them to get this right and fix health care then they have to be in it.