The case for HCR -- in as few words as possible
I'm trying to think of how to boil down the argument for health care reform in as few words as possible, in a way that is still convincing and substantive. Something that can be coyp and pasted in, say, a comment board when the wingnuts trot out their usual arguments (I use that word generously for what consists of a variety of grunts, mention of "illeglals", sneering, and talk of "big government") Democrats need to counter their crude messages, which as stupid as they are, are short and easy to remember (and beloved by simpletons in the mainstream media).
How about something like this? Please suggest, refine or make your own pitches.
How about something like this? Please suggest, refine or make your own pitches.
- If you lose your job, say good bye to coverage.
- And if you get really sick, you will lose your job, and then your coverage.
- That sounds like no coverage at all.
- Even worse, your salary if you do have coverage is much lower than it would be if your company wasn't paying ballooning premiums.
- And of course the individual market is a huge ripoff, complete with riders and underwriting and huge premiums. It's basically meant for very wealthy and very healthy people. If you have a preexisting illness, forget it.
- That's why these folks end up in the ER for routine stuff and guess who pays for that? Everyone with higher hospital fees and higher premiums.
- Our health care system fails people, and it fails business.
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One more I thought of was:
Imagine a for-profit fire department that occassionally let people's homes burn down if they can't or won't pay.
The GOP is perfectly fine with government run, tax-funded police and fire departments. Yet always claim that anythign government run is "socialism" and doesn't work.
August 14, 2009 10:33 AM | Reply | Permalink
Do you want your health care dollar to pay a CEO or a doctor?
Do you want people to make a profit because you are sick?
Do you want your medical bills paid or denied?
We have to focus on THEIR greed and callousness.
I love Answerfrog's point that the federal government funds police and fire departments. More on that!
August 14, 2009 12:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
-Some working people still cannot afford even minimal health coverage as it is.
-If you decide to change employers you will lose your coverage, at least temporarily. God help you if you get sick during that lapse.
-If you decide to change employers, and have over the years developed any one of several health problems you will be "rated" and may not be able to get coverage, period, or will only be able to get coverage at a significantly higher cost to you, personally.
-You could be fired, downsized, riffed, let go, or harassed until you leave on your own, because of trumped up reasons, when really it is that you are costing them too much in health coverage or expenses, particularly if your employer self-insures.
-Health coverage plans on the whole over the past 30 years have cut the benefits and coverage as the premiums have continued to rise, often with double digit increases.
-Canadians have demonstrated they care about all Canadians by covering all Canadians; why can't Americans do this? In fact we could, the question better is phrased: why is it Americans do not want to do this? See this post on TPM today:
Greatest Canadian of all time--Not Wayne Gretzky. Hint: Health Care
by mrnola - August 14, 2009, 10:20AM
-A truly civilized and caring society looks to all of it's members, youngest to oldest, weakest to strongest.
August 14, 2009 8:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
Good comments.
How about this:
Even if you can afford health coverage now, in a few years, premiums will rise and your employer might drop coverage or pass the cost on to you, in lower salary.
August 14, 2009 8:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
Or more sarcastically:
How about a for-profit fire department, that lets your house burn down if you can't pay your premiums?
And if your house has previously had a fire, will cancel your policy?
August 15, 2009 7:43 AM | Reply | Permalink
When was the last time YOU read your insurance policy? Are YOU among the insured people who go bankrupt if they get ill? A HIGH percentage of bankruptcies are caused by medical costs to people who ARE insured. And, wait for it, if it happens to YOU they cancel your health insurance.
August 15, 2009 8:02 AM | Reply | Permalink