Via Tyler Longpine, a report finds that health insurance reform would significantly reduce the number of uninsured in Kansas:
About 228,000 uninsured people in Kansas would gain coverage by 2019 under the Senate health reform bill, according to a new report by Families USA, a national group advocating for health reform. Without comprehensive reform, an additional 59,000 people in Kansas will lose health care coverage by 2019, according to the report, increasing the number of uninsured Kansans from about 338,000 to 397,000. Nationally, the number of uninsured is projected to increase to 54 million in 10 years.
This is basically my retort to the progressives who want to scuttle insurance reform at the 11th hour. No, it isn't perfect, yes, it'll have to be improved, but it will make lives better for people. Atrios objects that the bill forces people to buy "shitty insurance that they can't afford," but a lot more people will be able to afford insurance, and however shitty it might be. It's better to get people insured and to run aggressive primary campaigns in 2010 and 2012 to insure that the next health insurance bill is better than the last. Then, when people in four years (when mandates kick in) complain that the insurance is shitty, we can improve the system. But if health care reform dies now, we may not get another crack at it for a decade or two, consigning thousands of Kansans and millions in Californians to the horror of living without insurance.
According to the report, 4.5 million Californians would gain coverage under the current legislation, while 1.2 million would lose coverage under the status quo.
And that is why we need to pass this bill. Because this is about helping people, not kicking Joe Lieberman's ass. That's for 2012.
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You're assuming that people will, in fact, buy the insurance. It's not at all obvious how many won't find it cheaper to pay the fine.
Given all the positive changes that the many pages of the health reform bill will make to the health care system and the numbers of people who will gain access to insurance, it is disturbing to see some on the left being completely ideological at the expense of progress. I am not sure whether it is ignorance or the need to be right that has them calling for the death of the bill.
Looking at the numbers and the potential risks of defeat, it is essentially gambling with the lives of the most vulnerable citizens if they go for the all or nothing option. However, if they were more pragmatic, they would realize that enshrining real federal government involvement in health care would mean many more chances to promote the agenda of a public option. If they don't pass the bill, then reform won't come for another generation at least.
Not to sure where the USA insurance companies stand on disputing a genuine claim on the grounds of not disclosing information whether it is relevent or not like the UK insurance companies do and the sad thing is for many policy holders is that they are entitled to do so in the law that stands at the moment. Some of the UK laws go back to 1906 and have never been amended to stay up todate with the current times on this massive industry.
"by 2019"?
I guess I won't be holding my breath...
I just want to know how Belgium can have universal health care?
Josh, You live in a dream world. Where is all the money coming from? Back room deals! If the bill was that good, Obama would not have to bribe people in his own party to vote for it. This bill is a joke and will raise costs to everyone.This bill with bankrupt this Country. Design a bill that will actually work!