Obamacare Is Too Costly
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In writing about Obamacare, the media have only reported one tax issue; the plan actually includes 20 new taxes, some of them punitive.
By 2020, Obamacare will add $1.7 trillion to our national debt.
There is nothing in the bill to provide incentives for increases in medical professionals (with estimated shortages of 51,000 doctors and 73,000 nurses by 2020).
Hospitals will ration care, based on a patient’s age. At age 76, senior citizens will no longer receive cancer care. The bill provides insurance to all non-U.S. residents, including illegal immigrants.
The plan includes government subsidies to union members, union retirees and community organizers.
Physicians will be paid a single government-set rate, regardless of specialty, education, training or experience. A government mandate on Social Security recipients requiring “End of Life Planning Sessions and Death Counseling” every five years.
Members of Congress and the administration are exempt and will not be covered by Obamacare. Their existing plan is superior in all respects.
Obamacare treats medical professionals, who hold your health in their hands, with contempt .
The effects of a similar plan in Canada:
There are more MRI units in New England than all of Canada.
Average waiting times: to see a specialist, five months; see a neurologist, 11 months; have a sonogram, eight months; get a colonoscopy, 16 weeks; cataract surgery, 16 weeks; see a dermatologist, three to six months.
This is just a preview of what Obamacare will do to our medical system in a few years. Obamacare is filled with half-truths and outright lies, fitting hand in hand with this administration.
Fred Piermattei
Pinehurst
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Comments
pgericson 8 months, 2 weeks ago
If what you say is true I would also be worried. You did get my attention, however, and I found that many of the facts that you cited are simply not true. There are bloggers and others who have reported such 'truths', but those checking these claims against the document itself find the claims do not hold water. Now, if one does not believe Fact Check.org - which cites the actual passages in debunking these claims- than I'm not sure how to start.link text
ProudYankee 8 months, 2 weeks ago
Mr. Piermattei, could you cite some of your sources for these alledged "facts", outside of right wing talk radio, or just pulling them directly out of your nether regions?
JimHeim 8 months, 2 weeks ago
I sensed that this letter was a compilation of lies, half-truths and irrelevancies, so I gave it to a nationally recognized expert on heath care matters and she agreed that it was a compilation of outrageous lies. What wasn't true (which was most of it) was simply irrelevant.
The Pilot should be ashamed of publishing a diatribe of falsehoods. it does the political process no service.
JD 8 months, 2 weeks ago
The Pilot should be ashamed of publishing a diatribe of falsehoods. it does the political process no service. This is the Pilot . They have no sense of shame.
JimHeim 8 months, 2 weeks ago
If you want to know how the ACA affects you, here's an infographic from the Kaiser Foundation. It's really quite simple:
http://healthreform.kff.org/the-basics/access-to-coverage-flowchart.aspx
Thatcher 8 months, 2 weeks ago
When JimHeim says Obamacare is good for all of us, we can believe him. He has never been wrong. Never. Cheers!
Thatcher 8 months, 2 weeks ago
Sad, but true facts: http://www.forbes.com/sites/sallypiphttp://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/jul/4/surprise-cost-of-obamacare-million-of-americans-of/?page=alles/2012/08/06/the-cbo-just-rendered-its-verdict-on-the-cost-of-obamacare-and-it-isnt-pretty/; http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/jul/4/surprise-cost-of-obamacare-million-of-americans-of/?page=all. But I love his pie charts. Cheers!
JimHeim 8 months, 2 weeks ago
Lies and distortions seem to be all that the right wing has left. Sad.
Thatcher 8 months, 2 weeks ago
Of course it is, JimHeim. You are well known here for posting "facts." Post some more. Cheers!
skylinefirepest 8 months, 2 weeks ago
Jimmy Heim and his "nationally known health expert" un-named, of course, since there seems to be quite a difference between what the LEFT calls expert and what the common folk do! Hate to say it Jimmy but given the lies and deceptions of the left I wouldn't trust your so called expert as far as the proverbial throw. And I hate to tell you, Jimmy but there is a multitude of material on tape of Obammer and others pretty much admitting that Obamacare will be the ultimate end of our health care system as we now know it. Over sixteen thousand new IRS agents to administer it for God's sake!!! Not HEALTH EXPERTS but IRS AGENTS!! We're screwed and you know it and we know it...but your "bow at the waist and swear on the Bible" faith and love for everything Democrat refuses to let you use your common sense and admit it. I hope you live longer than I will and will ultimately have to see what you and yours will have done to this great country.
Thatcher 8 months, 2 weeks ago
skyline-- JimHeim's "expert" is his wife. I would cite my wife as an expert, but she hates that I post here, and repeatedly says, "Are you being nice to them (the liberal posters here)?" I always say, "I'm trying sweetie!" Then she reads my posts to make sure. I love my wife! Cheers!
JimHeim 8 months, 2 weeks ago
Your wives have ever briefed the president, senators and congressfolk on health care matters? How many have made multiple trips to Washington to testify before congressional committees? How many have been interviewed on Fox News? How many have headed medical groups with more than 100,000 members?
fugitiveguy 8 months, 2 weeks ago
Jim, why is it that your wife's opinion is in such demand in DC? Is it because they know she is going to say what they want to hear. I work closely with many local MD's and I have yet to hear any of them say anything positive about Obamacare, quite the contrary.
geoffcutler 8 months, 2 weeks ago
T, Let's just be glad ole Jim's back. Getting a little polite around here without DR.
The_AnonymusProfit 8 months, 2 weeks ago
O yea!!!!!! O YEA!!! Well guess what? MINES EVEN BIGGER!
fugitiveguy 8 months, 2 weeks ago
is it true about the hiring of thousands of IRS agents? If so, why? Does that give you (Jim) any cause for concern?
fugitiveguy 8 months, 2 weeks ago
has jim (really) been gone?
fugitiveguy 8 months, 2 weeks ago
BTW, Fugitiveguy is posting from Damascus tonight.
Thatcher 8 months, 2 weeks ago
JimHeim-- No, my wife does not brief or advise liberals on liberal agendas. She is 10 times smarter than me, and 10 times smarter than you. And more kind than anyone I have ever met. I agree with Geoff...I'm glad you're back. With your every post, I suspect folks are better able to make up their minds.
Thatcher 8 months, 2 weeks ago
Fugitiveguy-- Damascus? Too cool! Stay safe over there! Cheers!
geoffcutler 8 months, 2 weeks ago
Yeah, Fugitive, take care!
fugitiveguy 8 months, 2 weeks ago
Thanks guys but I feel I must clarify. I am in Damascus, Virginia
Thatcher 8 months, 2 weeks ago
Wuss!! Ha Ha! Stay safe anyway! Cheers!
geoffcutler 8 months, 2 weeks ago
Too funny!
justpassingby2 8 months, 2 weeks ago
Jim Heim, what reaction to obamacare does your wife see from the insurance companies?
Nezumi 8 months, 2 weeks ago
Fugitive, thinking you were in Syria, I was going to propose that I post from Tokyo next week and the Pilot could then claim global readership.
Courseaire 8 months, 2 weeks ago
1,500 new IRS agents - who said the government can't create new jobs?
AFCHIEF 8 months, 2 weeks ago
JD you complain to the Pilot about why they allow this letter to be printed but it is fine and dandy we have to read Dustys swill every week
fugitiveguy 8 months, 2 weeks ago
i wish DR would write a daily column, the schlock put forth by he, Jim H and Moon drive more than a few away from their side and toward conservatism. Its so funny with some of the loony stuff they post (I guess one of them in particular) that they call us "wingnuts" To them I say "may the wingnuts unite and soar to great heights"
geoffcutler 8 months, 2 weeks ago
Kind of a good point. And all the way from Damascus, Virginia no less.
alladat1 8 months, 2 weeks ago
Give all this stuff a rest today - it's 9/11.
teufelhunden 8 months, 2 weeks ago
It would be cool to get posts from MARS (PA) and HELL (Cayman Islands, BWI).
haha
JimHeim 8 months, 2 weeks ago
Ah yes, 9/11, George Bush's greatest failure. Never forget.
Courseaire 8 months, 2 weeks ago
JimHeim - You should be ashamed for such a tacky & disrespectful statement, especially since you represent MooCo Democrats.
skylinefirepest 8 months, 2 weeks ago
9-11 Bush's fault??? Where were you on 9-11 Jimmy? Clinton clearly had the prior knowledge and the means, just not the WILL to get Osama way prior to the day, or had you forgotten that little tidbit? 9-11 if you want fault was a text on how NOT for our intelligence forces and sources to work. You'll remember that one of the great Democrat ladies would not allow our intelligence forces to share information?? Clearly a failure of the great extreme left, wouldn't you think, Jimmy??
skylinefirepest 8 months, 2 weeks ago
Incidentally Jimmy, no my wife has never briefed the muckie mucks on the education system though with 35 years experience I presume that she could and would do so honestly. Whatever "experts" briefed the Dems on the value of Obamacare clearly misled the public on the benefits to be gained from this typical loony left boondoggle! At any rate while my wife is a registered Democrat she now votes mostly conservatively as she has yet to sample the Left's Kool Aid!!
justpassingby2 8 months, 2 weeks ago
Jim Heim, what reaction to obamacare does your wife see from the insurance companies?
JimHeim 8 months, 2 weeks ago
Don't you read the news? A new book details how Bush ignored warnings from the CIA and his own security team because the neo-cons in the Pentagon assured him that bin Laden was not a real threat. He was just a distraction to keep us away from Iraq.
And Bush bought that line of guano. How did that work out for us?
Noluv4thugs 8 months, 2 weeks ago
Obamacare is 2400 page document full of earmarks that are directly related to special interest. Obama is just a pawn to the insurance and drug companies and whoever else will contribute. Go to http://belligerentact.org/ and see the kind of stuff our president is really doing. Your freedoms are slowly being stripped away. But to the lefty "wingnut" he is a savor. To me he is just another piece to be played in the bigger game. Just so all you liberal loonies don't get it twisted, I don't think that Romney will be anymore than a piece to be played as well.
JimHeim 8 months, 2 weeks ago
On the issue of ACA (ObamaCare) we have the facts and you have the hot air. We are winning on this one and you can only fume (and spread lies).
Their are individuals who have studied the law and know how it works. I happen to be married to one. i will trust an expert over a blowhard (yeah, Rush, I'm looking at you) any day.
justpassingby2 8 months, 2 weeks ago
Jim Heim, could you ask your wife how the health insurance companies are taking to obamacare? Thank you in advance.
Noluv4thugs 8 months, 2 weeks ago
Is Mr. Heim's wife a doctor? If not I don't give a S**T what she says. Doctors are the only health care workers that truly understand what is at stake and the only people you will get a straight honest answer out of. I spoken to my local physician (who is a liberal BTW) and my brother who is an surgeon in Ohio and both believe the new health care laws are going to eventually cripple our health care. Obama Bin Biden has got to go. Not a big fan of Mitt, but def the lesser of two evils...
justpassingby2 8 months, 2 weeks ago
I think Jim Heim's wife works for an insurance company. Doesn't make her any less an expert.
JimHeim 8 months, 2 weeks ago
My wife has been a physician for twenty-six years, is a retired air force O-6, is past-president and board chair of the American Academy of Family Physicians (with over 100,000 members) and was deeply involved in the development and implementation of ACA.
If your sources are as well-informed, I'm willing to listen.
Those who hate ObamaCare and accept RomneyCare are welcome to tell me the differences.
JimHeim 8 months, 2 weeks ago
skylinepest, During Clinton's terms as president, the US launched thirteen cruise missiles in attempts to kill bin Laden. While the attacks were unsuccessful, at least he recognized the danger and tried. All he got from Republicans was ridicule. They didn't care.
Before 9/11, Bush launched zero attacks against al Qaeda! And that was after the USS Cole attack, when he should have been actively going after bin Laden.
It fell to President Obama to deal with bin Laden - and he did. Thank you, Mr President. On this eleventh anniversary of that dastardly attack, it should be noted that one person in charge was willing to take the risk to get the job done.
justpassingby2 8 months, 2 weeks ago
Thanks for not answering my question Jimmy ole boy and one can only presume one reason why. But at least you didn't lie again. Next question Jimmy and you surely will look as stupid with this one as you did ignoring the other one 3 times (what a hoot) but here goes; who is this we that are winning and and just what are you you/they winning?
JimHeim 8 months, 2 weeks ago
boscoe, so far ObamaCare's insurance provisions have saved $2.1 billion for people with private health insurance. $1 billion is from reduced premiums as the result of the 80/20 rule and the other $1.1 billion is from rebates for past overcharges under that rule.
I would prefer Medicare for All, but that's a future fight. In the mean time, ObamaCare isn't perfect (what Republican plan is?), but it's a start toward a coherent health care system.
Romney today (on Hugh Hewitt's radio show) said that he would lower the cost of health care by "lower[ing] the cost of health care." Does that sound like a plan to you?
JimHeim 8 months, 2 weeks ago
passingby, I didn't answer your question because the doctor is out and I haven't had the opportunity to ask. Be patient. Jeez...
justpassingby2 8 months, 2 weeks ago
My bad Jim, sorry.
AFCHIEF 8 months, 2 weeks ago
Heim you most likely believe that our country also planted explosives in the twin towers and brought them down. As for Clinton launching 13 cruise missiles at empty tents does not make him a stalwart for our countries defense
JimHeim 8 months, 2 weeks ago
afchief, That would be stupid. I am not a 'truther.' I do not believe that the government was complicit in any way with the 9/11 attacks. Only an idiot would suggest it.
I think the evidence points to incompetence by Bush, who claimed after the fact that the nation's intelligence services failed. it was Bush who failed. Full stop.
You may not like that Clinton's efforts bore no fruit. But at least he cared enough to act. Your guy was a deserter from the air national guard and was AWOL when this nation needed a defender.
JimHeim 8 months, 2 weeks ago
boscoe, Recent studies show that over $700 billion a year is wasted on health care. Your experience is the tip of the iceberg. Excessive cost, unneeded treatments and necessary care deferred are costing us plenty.
Take the assertion by the author of this letter that there are more MRIs in New England than in Canada. I have no reason to believe that's true, but let's work with it.
There are about twice as many people in Canada as New England. Should Canada double their supply? Does new England have the right amount. Or are both misguided. The author doesn't give us a clue. But more MRIs mean more expense. Having more than needed is an unnecessary cost. Who decides? Doctors? Insurance companies? Congress-people?
Get the right answer to that and you're making progress.
madstork 8 months, 2 weeks ago
Dr. Heim may have medical expertise, but I wonder how her economics acumen is? Perhaps she could comment on the fact that the 2.3% medical equipment manufacturing tax has caused thousands of layoffs and the decision to NOT BUILD 5 NEW PLANTS IN THE USA! Intro paragraphs from business report below:
With Welch-Allyn’s announcement this week it will cut 10 percent of its workforce, the company joins a group of medical device manufacturers saying they’ll be hurt by a new tax that starts in January.
While they work to repeal the 2.3 percent tax included in the new health care law, some of the giants in the medical device industry are laying off workers, moving jobs overseas and cutting back on investments.
Industry leader Medtronics, in Minnesota, which recently announced 1,000 layoffs in the United States, said the tax will cost the company $125 million to $175 million a year. Indiana-based Cook Medical Inc. said it has killed plans to build five plants in the United States because of the tax.
JimHeim 8 months, 2 weeks ago
My wife tells me that the insurance industry doesn't like the law. Although having several million more customers is the upside, they resent the regulations that come with it. The 80/20 rule and requirements that they provide certain minimum standards don't sit well with them. And they're not happy with the coverage requirements for people with pre-existing conditions.
BTW - The average company providing health insurance now spends over $15,000 per employee. Since ObamaCare, the rate of rise has been 4% a year. That may be bad, but it beats the 9% a year it used to be. It's already saving us money.
JimHeim 8 months, 2 weeks ago
It doesn't matter where the medical device manufacturers move, they'll still have to pay the tax when the device is sold in the US.
They've been ripping us off for decades and it's about time they contributed. I have a stent in my heart that looks like (and requires all of the technology to fabricate) a ball-point pen spring. It costs $25,000 plus installation. There's no possible excuse for the price tag. There are many examples of such legalized theft. I shed no tears for those guys and they're not leaving our markets to save a couple of percent on billions. Count on it.
madstork 8 months, 2 weeks ago
So the Gov't is in the business of picking winners and losers? The net profit margin of this industry is pale compared to other industries that have been "ripping us off".
34 - Medical Instruments and Supplies 13.9%
2 - Publishing - Periodicals 51.7 %
http://mjperry.blogspot.com/2011/05/oil-profit-margin-ranks-114-out-215.html
AFCHIEF 8 months, 2 weeks ago
Govt involved with healthcare yea right. How effective are AMTRAK and the Postal System in controlling costs and making a profit.
JimHeim 8 months, 2 weeks ago
No, madstork, the government is not picking winners and losers. The government is trying to stave off the national bankruptcy we face due to spiraling health care costs. Within ten years the average household health care expenditure will exceed their mortgage and car payments combined. Who can afford that?
And the best Romney offers is to say he will reduce health care costs by reducing health care costs. How's that supposed to work?
All Republicans offer is obstruction and repeal. Faced with the plan they invented (see Bob Dole 1994 and Mitt Romney, 2006), Republicans dug in their heels for fear it would work and Americans would like it.. How does that help? Why should Americans pay double for an inferior product?
JimHeim 8 months, 2 weeks ago
afchief, Every other advanced country in the world has government controls that cut the costs and provide better health care outcomes than the US. Are you saying that Americans are too incompetent to rule ourselves?
Toda 8 months, 2 weeks ago
Interesting debate...when every president since Theodore Roosevelt stumped on National Health Care and when one President takes the reins to have an Affordable Health Care plan move forward...everyone is up in arms.
Toda 8 months, 2 weeks ago
Interesting debate...when every president since Theodore Roosevelt stumped on National Health Care and when one President takes the reins to have an Affordable Health Care plan move forward...everyone is up in arms.
JimHeim 8 months, 2 weeks ago
The plan designed by Congress (not Obama) was patterned after the Republican plan put forward in 1994 to counter the Clinton plan. It was later adopted by Romney for Massachusetts where it has been largely successful. It's important to remember that what is now known as ObamaCare was entirely a Congressional product hammered out by a large number of house and senate committees (based on which provisions could get enough votes to pass). It was not proposed by the president.
Government intervention by every western democracy has been the only thing that has worked. Health care is too complex for simple market-driven solutions. We pay double for inferior care and tens of millions of Americans have no coverage at all. The escalating costs threaten the entire system.
I would love to hear Romney's position, but he has so many its hard to decide where he is at any moment. Except for smirking at the tragic death of our ambassador to Libya.