American Morning
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August 18th, 2009
04:00 PM ET
We Listen – Your comments 8/18/08
American Morning’s Tuesday audience continued to express concern over health care reform with viewers remaining confused as to why President Obama and his administration apparently stepped back from supporting a public insurance option over the weekend.
- Susan: Those conservative democrats need to get on board and vote for the public option. It appears to me they are trying to put a damper on this thing. OBAMA needs to twist some arms. This is no plaything. It has to be a public option or all people will not be covered. This is something Obama must pass.
- Donna: Amazing, now the Union and Acorn members are out protesting, they are not considered a Mob or organized group even though they have their professionally made Obama signs; this isn’t about dems, reps or indps, it is about a government take over plan that can not get Medicare, Medicaid and SS right;' fix those programs first. Doing the same thing over again, which doesn’t work, is crazy
- Marlena: Although the stock market dropped considerably yesterday, all health insurance companies spiked up because there was talk of dropping the public option. Those who say they support the insurance companies obviously have not needed to use their policy. If they had, they would find out their deductible is more than they thought and the coverage was less.
- Elvira: why aren’t members of congress showing their support of house health reform by signing up to single payer and giving up health coverage taxpayers grant them?
are federal employees exempt?
- Anna: The ideal solution to health care reform would be, of course, a single-payer system as in Canada and France - Medicare for all. However this is not possible here. Therefore there must be NO backing down on the public option. In not pushing for a single-payer system, the Democrats are already compromising on the issue. They should therefore insist on the public option. To drop it in favor of "cooperatives" is to surrender to the insurance companies, interested only in ensuring their profits. Coops are a weak solution, not carrying the weight of a government program.
- Susan: I know about co-op plans because I have one. Listen, everyone can't afford even a co-op plan. This will not work. Some will be able to afford it some won't. You have to pay so much yourself. A lot of people can’t even afford to do this. What will they do then? You’re going to have to have a mixture if you’re going to do this of a public plan and co-op if they are going to go this way. Anyway you go you will have to have a public plan along with it in my opinion..
- Craig: I am member of Group Health Coop in Washington. I am small business owner who offers insurance to employees. We have had to cut back benefits due to a 10 percent increase in premiums this year. We comparison shopped different companies and Group Health was comparably priced with other insurance companies. not any cheaper. One other point I have never heard discussed is that as an employer, I select health coverage that suits my needs and force it on my employees even if it is inadequate for them. All plans should be available to all and all employers should be required to provide a minimum (not substandard) level of coverage with the employees able to contribute more for a better plan. Legislation should set the minimum (not substandard) requirements for coverage.
- Jim: You did a "truth" report about eye degeneration this morning and it was nice to say you didn't find anything in the health bills about it. I bet it never entered anyone’s mind to ask the legislative staff that are writing the bills for the Congress and Senate if this condition is going to be covered. Or maybe see if it’s covered under the government programs under Medicare or Medicaid. Wow what a novel question to provide truth to the American citizens.
- Robert: Why don't we call it Medicare for All? Then, the public would have a better understanding of the concept. The conservatives say they don't want government controlled health insurance. Guess what? We have had government controlled health insurance since 1966, and it is called Medicare. It has worked great, and the machinery to administer it is already in place.
- Ben: Until we see President Obama and Congress willing to put THEIR families in the health plan they want us in...... it has no credibility with the average American with common sense.
Would you support health care reform without a government-backed public option? Tell us your thoughts.
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To Nilda,
The Obama plan can save money. Usually people wait too long because of money issues, then, faced with some catastrophic desease face the ultimate challenge. Care they cannot afford, drugs that some cost over $500 a day, ( now. what drug costs this much? Our friend had this one, he still died?) then, sick turn to Bankruptcy.
Remember those bailouts to the banks? 60% of that amount was because of filed bankruptcy. Government paid that anyway, but, to the woe of both parties health care and patient, they were also faced with lawyers and judgements, that cost bundles.
They have to simplify as in this bill the cost of filing claims, 1.3 trillion. and, that was only in Medicare. (Same garbage that ruined our educational system, everything in triplicate, time spent filing stuff rather than teaching). 1.3 trillion can buy a whole lot of health care.
It amazes me, how people making over $325,000 only 7% pay any federal income taxes at all. It amazes me that someone flipping burgers pays more taxes than some person making big bucks.
The Obama bill is for the middle class working folks. Why the Republicans have a bunch of spin on it.
It is never amazing to me to see that so many with so much to lose can be so easily influenced by those wishing to remain in control. Our bias, prejudices come out when we begin to believe that someone is getting something for nothing. Those not favoring some form of healthcare/insurance reform are not doing so because they believe that government involvement in the system will be detrimental, but because they think they are preventing some lazy nogooder or God forbib some illegal alien from getting something from their hard earned tax dollars. For those wishing to get away from government involvement in their lives, give up the pell grants, the student loans, medicare, medicaid, veteran's benefits, children health insurance, etc. Let's take away the tax subsidies for agricultural, dairy farmers and others who receive these so that we may have food on our tables. Let's demand that the government stop subsidizing insurance companies (1300 of them) at a rate of 17.7 billion dollars per year of our tax dollars.
While the rich (the insurance companies, congressmen supporting no healthcare/insurance reform) keep getting richer those in support of their views shall remain the puppets that they wish them to be.
Similar to other nations within the Commonwealth of Nations all Barbadians citizens are covered by national healthcare. Barbados has over twenty polyclinics throughout the country in addition to the Queen Elizabeth (General Hospital) located in Bridgetown.
In response to persons visiting Barbados. Nice place maybe to visit, but to live there? With 9 people? HMM.
Maybe we could have more healthy choices if education in that area and supervised health care was available to all.
i agree with ana and ben...if president obama and the congress believe the healthcare reform is the best way to go for all aqmericans families, then they should drop their medical insurance and get the same coverage as everyone else. the excuse president obama has for the reform is his argument that medicare is going to run out of money in 10 years without one.....so, how by adding 48 million people without insurance into medicare will avoid this catastrophe and save money!!!! can anyone show me the math and explain those numbers???
To cnn can you tell me why your company are not talking more about prevention .If i cared about health care and my health you people would scare the hell out of me .I ask you this do you believe people are getting sick from the food ,they eat the way , the way they live .Lets face it american live too fast ,too stress ,overworked, smoke too much ,pop too many pills ,they mind never shuts down ,and guess what the media does not help .
I actually just came back from barbados ,i lived in a house with 9 people at one time on weekends you have as many as 15 ,we only had one bathroom ,one bedroom ,no hotwater ,no aircondition .Guess what it was like heaven ,i did not watch tv for 12 days and did not miss it .You know watching people enjoys themselves ,watching kids hang out with their grandparents was a delight .It really renew the neaning of life too me .Me and my fiance decided after this trip you know what we only have one life ,this life in the usa is not it .We go to sleep so relaxed at 5 amyou are wide awake and rested .My fiance have a hard time using the restroom .guess what just being able to not dress and be able to relax ,this alone was enough to convince him that he has to leave this country .Why he does not believe in medication but he know he will eventually have colon problems .
We decided to hell with 2 bathrooms and all the material things that comes in the country .Our health is top piority .One other thing it was so refreshing to see people say good morning how are you doing ,have a nice day ,thank you .Everystore you walk into all the employees acknowledge you with a pleasant good morning or evening .The local supermarket ,has a guy that take you groceries to your house on a push cart if you walk home .What a beautiful site boy i miss my island ,
Voted for Clinton primarily for health care. Republicans did all they could to bash that one. Voted for him again. NADA NO HEALTH CARE.
Republicans ran on family values and anti abortion, they got in and destroyed two countries, ours and Iraq. Evidently family values never included affordable health care, warmongers went to war under false pretenses. They provided 1.4 trillion for rebuilding Iraq after they destroyed it.
To be the greatest country in the world. Our elderly citizens have Medicare, the poor people have Medicade. Why not affordable care for the working class? Ending all insurance pundants and get some tort reform. Cap all lawyer fees.
Main thing I voted for Obama was health care, ending some dumb oil war and seeing some curbing of these banks and credit card operations that have gotten out of hand. I say, they got bailed out, how about bailing out the people that got stung with these high credit card rates and fees and cancel all debts and start over.
Nothing hurt Americans more than the gasoline hike due speculation, now, they are hurting us again. They need more regulation on speculation people that put us all under, best stimulous in the world would be cheap gasoline..
The few Republicans that are still in that party would fight to determine if a fly was on the wall or not. Party of unending scare tactics. Does anyone remember the Bin Ladin tapes? It is a wonder that they have not employed this method for health care. Ya know, Bin Laden in some rocks staged to say he approves of Obama's health care plan. Party of scare tactics. No one has found Bin Laden, 6'4 man with a dialysis machine strapped to his back. Such a shame, they have not resorted to that tactic.
Everyone should want the socialist reforms that this government is trying to accomplish. Socialism means less working hours and more fair sharing of the wealth. That is the direction true civilized societies are taking. Obama and the Democrats realize this. Republicans wants to hold onto the unfair past.
The past is over, Americans spoke loud and large in the elections. Democrats control the house, senate, and Presidency. The Democrats recognize why they were elected and are now moving in the direction the American people voted for.
The uprising is only occurring on the far right. These misguided people do not want to move to a society where everyone is equal. No rich and no poor.
It is immoral not to provide health care for everyone. It is im
I am very disturbed about your report on a "fact check" segment that cited a report by the CATO Institute and referred to it as a "non profit" organization. While it may be that for tax reasons, it is hardly non-partisan. It is a hard-right wing organization which is for limited government. It is part of their credo. Citing it's research and passing it up as a "non-profit" organization is a discredit to you since it confuses millions of Americans, who are already confused about this issue and look to you for clarification. If a partisan source of any ilk is used, it should be identified as such. If this is not done, then youur obvious bias becomes apparent. Doing so, on a "fact check" segment is especially eggregious.
I notice the 2 Republican arguments are Tort Reform and Seniors getting old that raises health care costs. I have a question to republicans:
If Republicans are so concerned about Tort Reform.... Why did they not pass this when they were forcing through the the Bush Tax Cuts for Wealthy people?
They had control of the House and Senate and Presidency, yet they did not pass Tort Reform or Immigration Reform. I'm noticing that Republicans just complain about those things, but don't do anything about it.
I hope the Dems will not allow mis-information and bi-partisan dreams kill the public option! The most recent polls show that once people understand what it's really all about, they're far more open to it. The President and Congress need to look beyond current public opinion, which will change as the economy recovers and the truth about health care becomes more obvious, and do what's best for the country.
Negative public opinion has bottomed out just like the recession. A majority of Americans will come on board over the next 12 months. Believe it!
Also, if you want Catholics and the religious right to be more supportive, make it clear that the public option will not pay for abortion. That's a much better compromise than giving up the public option!
I do not believe that it will make a difference what "WE THE PEOPLE"
care about this health care reform. Bama and his cronies will pass this but they don't have to use it. They are the only ones that have a say thanks to all that voted for him.
Bama his family and congress won't be using this joke of a helath care program, IF IT IS SO GREAT why not give it to bama and congress.
ALSO; who is paying bama and congress to pass this joke they have to be getting something out of it SINCE they don't want their families using it.
SO CNN PLEASE TELL WHO IS PAYING THE GOOD OLE PRES AND CONGRESS TO GET THIS PASSED! NOT WE THE PEOPLE
Oh, for the love of God, the opinion articles. How about an article that actually outlines key sections of the bill without trying to spin it politically? The democrats are screaming about Republicans and lobbyists trying to muddy the debate with misinformation, the Republicans are screaming about the Democrats trying to control everything. How about cutting to the chase and actually REPORTING on what's true and what's not, rather than running countless opinion articles? Do you really pay people to look for people to talk to just to ask them their opinion? Go find random people on the street, I find their opinions more fascinating and worthwhile than a bunch of college professors and politicians.
Summary: How about actually reporting NEWS, rather than OPINION? There is no journalism anymore... Everything on this website (even news stories) finds some way to inject a political statement. Enough.
People that are all up in arms over the Health Care situation should know what they are yelling about, they should read the plan and then if they still have issues, do what they need to do. If they are going to act like lemmings they should be treated as such. If they have legitimate concerns they need to state them and how to possibly solve them.
I am a 59 year old woman who has insurance through my employer. Should I leave or be downsized by my employer I am considered uninsurable because I have Parkinson's. I am not handicapped because of it but still would be unable to get insurance. As it is, our latest insurance from work now requires me to pay to see my neurologist in full instead of having a co-pay. At $500 a visit I am unable to see her twice a year as previously.
Not everyone who does not have insurance is an illegal or a bum or welfare recepient. I think those that are protesting health care have coverage. It is sad that so many appear to have a "I have mine" attitude. Also, the politicians, especially the Republicans, have absolutely no intention of cooperating with Obama. He should just forget them and move on.
We just watched the segment about handguns being allowed in bars and restaurants in Tennessee. Ironically, we're planning a trip to Memphis and I'm just mystified why any Tennessee law maker would think this bill is a good idea.
We live in a society where violence trumps rationale. To put on the books that a bar is a place to bring a gun is ridiculous! What is the purpose of this anyway? What civilized individual feels his/her life is so threatened that to even go to the local bar or restaurant requires them to carry arms?
Most would agree that the USA is the best civilization known to us in history.......best for opportunity, freedom, and quality of life.
The USA came to be that way because of freedom..individual, markets, state's rights, etc...and capitalistic opportunity. Most would not care to live under socialism and communism because it holds back progress, financial growth, and individual freedom of CHOICE.....
Stephen Jackson's reform thoughts on health care are on track. Our elected representative PUBLIC SERVANTS would do well to go down that road.
The rest of you socialist/communist folks that think the rest of the world has it right should follow your dreams and move there....PLEASE....nobody is asking you to stay where you are unhappy...and we can't keep the illegal's out, so I'm sure we can't keep you in......perhaps the population swap-out would ultimately balance the numbers and all citizens would then be covered.
For all the Republicans out there that are not for healthcare reform and the public option how bout this. You take a pay cut and reduce your healthcare. Since you dont like big government and this would be big government. If I cant have equal rights as a Gay American from your party, you can allow me to have an option on healthcare. I work everyday as a self-employed healthcare giver. I worked my way up from working a nursing home run buy the county to caring for millionaires. Best coverage I ever had was from the county and it was cheap. Now to get coverage I have to pay over $200 a month which is way over what I can afford at this time.
Health Care Debate: If OUR Politicians have Health Ins..Make it Easy on themselves..Just give the American People the same coverage..If "they" the Politicians have found it works after all these years then they do not need anymore studies, debates, etc.
Just to Simple from this "old Pennsylvania Dutch lady"....I guess "They" do not want ME to have the same insurance coverage that WE the American People provide for THEM.
Regarding taking guns into restaurants: This Canadian decided a while back not to travel to the United States any more solely because of the gun laws. I certainly wouldn't want to sit down to a meal where there is a mix of guns and alcohol and fear that I am sitting down to the last supper. I fail to see why it is necessary.
I am a democrat and yes I do support the 2nd amendment so yes to guns in bars, but I am not for assult rifles etc. There needs to be strict laws. When the gun is not on the person it must be locked up. Anyone can break into a house and steal these guns and if assult rifles are going to be legal for regular citizens to carry this is a must. Three assult wepons were just stolen in my area in Ohio near Toledo. This is scary
I believe that these state laws which allow people to carry guns are an anathema to a civil and ordered society. I do not believe that anyone except the police and the military should be allowed to carry guns.
Because of the NRA, this country is an armed camp just waiting to begin the slaughter. When are we going to learn that violence or the wait for violence to begin is abnormal. The gun violence in this country is perpetrated on the family or someone who is known, not intruders.
Ban all guns. The Second Amendment provides for a "well regulated militia", not a bunch of gun crazies walking around loaded to the teeth.
RJ
Regarding John Roberts coverage of the news – ALL NEWS, I'm reminded why CNN has lost so much of its once loyal audience. I've been watching CNN religiously for 29 years, but the increasingly Leftist slant on ALL news, by the most biased news anchors found anywhere, has me looking for news elsewhere. If you can't cover the healthcare debate without being an obvious apologist for Leftist Democrats, and if you can't cover the "right-to-carry" (firearms) debate without injecting your own biased (and worthless) anecdote, you should at least disclose to your viewers (every day!) that you're NOT a real journalist. Are you honest enough to do that? Probably not.
I just saw your spot on the co-op in Seatle Washington and I was disappointed that you focused more on the insurance aspect than the delivery aspect of the system. The key to reducing costs will be in better delivery of Health Care for all. Insurance companies do little, if anything, to improve the way in which Health Care is delivered. They focus on the costs, taking in more dollars than the pay out so that they can generate higher profits, not so that they can provide better Health Care. Please help by providing facts and information to you viewers. Don't make matters more confusing by comparing apples to oranges. The Co-ops in Sealtle work because they are more than just an insurance company substitute. Their profits go back into lower premiums and the improved delivery of Health Care services.
John Roberts and Dr. Gupta seemed surprised about the fact that the American With Disabilities Act did not mandate wheelchair accessibility at hospitals. The ADA was an appeasement act passed by congress. I would suggest that CNN research the history of the act, focusing on two U.S. Supreme Court rulings that resulted in an October, 2008 amendment to the act that freed individuals discriminated against on the job to sue for that discrimination. It is rather interesting reading.
instead of constantly interviewing proffessionals on the health care reform bill why don't you all track down the people who are lying about the bill and hold the spot light on them, find out why they are saying what they are saying and who is financing them. Follow the money also put the spot light on the insurance companies.
is it true that congress exempted itself from health care reform?
if so, then why is it that reform is good for america but isn't good for congress?
Your guest's comments on rationing of healthcare was an argument ad absurdum. According to his definition, everything is rationing: concert tickiets (price and limited seating), car purchases (very few can afford a Ferrari, Lamborghini, etc. I can't afford a Cadillac Escalde so that lack purchasing power would qualify as rationing), and the vast marjority of US citizens/residents cannot afford to stay at five star hotels or resorts or dine at five star restaurants. This interview belies CNN's bias toward trying to help cram healthcare down our throats. Instead of staging such vacuuous interviews why not devote your time to serious reporting and present detailed analysis of the provisions of the pending bills in the House. Get real people.
If President Obama and the Democrats ram this government run health care bill through, they are committing political suicide. As taxes are eventually raised on the middle class, as American citizens wait in llnes behind illegal aliens for health care, the people won't forget that the Democrats did this. You can count on a Republican majority in the House in 2010.
Also, since this public plan will force private insurance companies out of business, what's going to happen to all of those middle class Americans who work for the insurance companies??? They'll be out of a job, throwing this country into a depression.
The Democrats are foolish to go against what is at least half of the American citizens.
I think that President Obama needs to toughen up and go ahead and complete what he promised in his campagin. We need health reform and we need it right now. If the right is not going to come on board, leave them. Mr. President draw your line in the sand and stand on it. I voted for change and that is what I am expecting from this new government.
I say yes to health care reform and yes to pushing it through however you can!
I want to see the Public Option included in the health care reform bill. I don't think we will have any true reform without it. I'm encouraged by Obama's stand!
Yes Obama and the Democrats should go ahead and pass the Health Care legislation without any bi-partisan support.
The American people elected Obama and the Democrats for change and they should get the change they voted for. They should pass any legislation to move us to the country they envisioned and the voters voted for.
Its about time we started looking like the rest of the world and quit playing these free enterprise games.
yes Medicare is crammed down our throat at 65 it doesn't matter if we want it or not. The other insurance wants to be the secondary.
sickening No choice with Medicare, I hope to not see this with anything else
Principles for Health Care Reform
We need health care reform because the status quo is unsustainable. Individual families are struggling to afford skyrocketing premiums and increased co-pays and deductibles. The growing number of uninsured is contributing to higher costs. Medicare and Medicaid underpay for services, add to the cost for others, and add to the deficit. Frivolous lawsuits add to the cost. Moreover, poor regulation of insurance companies means that even those with health insurance coverage are not always guaranteed to get the benefits they are promised.
Everyone should demand health care reform now.
The democrats have proposed some basic principles for action that I agree with. Any health care reform must allow every American who likes their current health coverage to keep it. Health coverage must be made accessible and affordable, and insurance companies must no longer be allowed to drop you if you become seriously ill. We must increase investments in prevention and wellness, as that will save billions of dollars. And health care reform must not add a single dollar to the Federal deficit.
The devil is in the details and I don’t trust the democrats who might have a hidden agenda. That is why we need conservative principles for healthcare reform and articulate people to demonstrate that the details support agreeable principles.
Following are some conservative principles for consideration in reforming health care:
• People should have the opportunity to have quality health care.
• Let individuals not government decide on the value of health care.
• People do not have a right to food, shelter, or health care they should earn it.
• People should be empowered to take responsibility for their own health care.
• People should make decisions for their health care not employers or government.
• People should be directly responsible to pay for health care.
• The government’s role should be limited to providing means-tested financial assistance and ensuring transparent pricing to increase consumer choice.
• Government should be the regulator not the payer of health care.
• Health care reform should include structural changes that create real competition.
• Health care reform should allow individuals to buy and own their coverage instead of employers. Health care should be portable from job to job.
• Health care reform should include tax-free medical savings accounts.
• Health care reform should include torte liability reform for medical practice.
• Health care reform should target the poor and children for assistance and not provide universal health care.
• Child health care is preventive health care and provides the greatest benefit to society for the cost.
• Illegal aliens should not receive government-assisted health care.
• Health care reform should be fully funded and not depend on federal deficit spending and inadequate payments for service.
• Existing government health care programs (Medicare, Medicaid, Veteran services) should be fully funded and sustainable.
Republicans should demand health care reform, a conservative health care reform and not simply be satisfied with defeating the Democratic proposed health care legislation.
sorry heres a better link:
http://www.guernicamag.com/spotlight/1207/the_last_temptation_of_wendell/
Its about Wendell Potter Former Head of Corporate Communications at Cigna.
You wanna know whos right and whos wrong on healthcare?
read this article.
http://www.guernicamag.com/spotlight/1207/the_last_temptation_of_wendell/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=Email%20marketing%20software&utm_content=357400770&utm_campaign=Guernica%20Magazine:%20August:%20Health%20Insurance%20Blues,%20White%20Canvas%20House%20_%20ktduut&utm_term=The%20__%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20Last%20Temptation%20of%20Wendell%20Potter
Its about Wendell Potter Former Head of Corporate Communications at Cigna.
do you believe GOP has gone off the deep end To stop healthcare reform just for corporate profits?
Why are Americans so Trained/convinced to hate a Tiny tax increase, In FAVOR of private business ripping their wallets out like insurance companies? gasoline, electric, etc?
How is insuring 46million people that the Private Insurers dont want, "competing with them" anyway? or providing an affordable option for those that cant afford the GOUGING the privates offer them.
How can anyone compare the harm to outlandish profiteering by Insurance companies to- doing our best to keep people from needlessly dying or living in total suffering. How is profiteering ok, when people are dying and suffering?
Private capitalist corporations have repeatedly exploited americans 24 hrs/day, 365days/yr.
When is enough enough?