A constant theme on this blog has been the sheer unsustainability of the current health care system. There is no question that the Democrats made some real mistakes in their efforts to enact reform, but recent news on the massive spikes in premiums in California and other states have brought the need for change back to the forefront. What is the Republican plan to stop this massive cost spiral in health care that is consuming our economy? I honestly haven’t heard one proposal that would even make a slight dent in it. Health care premium increases of the magnitude we are seeing will simply force more people into the ranks of the uninsured. And maybe that is where we are heading. The President spent his weekly address on the health premium problem this week. What are the Republican solutions?
Read the Washington Post piece here.
Bill Manzi.com 
The sky is falling, the sky is falling and what are those wascly Republicans doing about it- nothing you say.
Actually, Your Honor, I do agree with you. The Federally run Medicare/Medicaid system is unsustainable at an unfunded 31 trillion dollars and climbing.
So to solve the problem you are calling for an even more gargantuan health care boondoggle be enacted(from behind locked doors). Can you show me why this program will be more financially successful than Medicare, from which your friends will lop off a half trillion dollars.
Your charge of republican intransigence is disingenuous at best.I applaud the Republicans for standing up for Democracy.
I would suggest you go to the various websites and look at the Republican proposals. And for God’s sake put away that little red book.
Jules.
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First of all health care premiums are areas regulated by the states…just because companies propose increases does not mean they get the increases. MUCH of the burden caused by those without insurance but who use the system most..falls on those who actually pay premiums…that is the problem.
The other problem is the cost of catastophic care…that is what the federal govertment in term sof risk should cover for ALL AMERICAN CITIZENS.
ABOVE ALL….Democrats should STOP thinking that they can have “savings in Medicare” pay for 60% of the total cost of OBAMACARE! FORGET ABOUT IT!
AND..if the Democrats continue to make special deals..and try to slip their idea of how to solve our problems..at the expense of the seniors..they can kiss their role as the majority party away…
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Your Honor,
The Democratic Party can pass the health care plan any time it wants to. Republicans have been rendered useless, for now.
Stop with your Republican blaming.
Jules
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Jules,
Intriguing Republican speak on Medicare. You bemoan the impending bankruptcy of Medicare/Medicaid, and yet criticize attempts to put it on a more stable financial course. The real argument here goes to what to do with the uninsured. The Republican approach says we leave these folks as uninsured. And if that is the case they will continue to receive free medical care, but in the most expensive way possible. The current system is not sustainable.
Bob-the increases have been occurring on a regular basis, with health care costs exploding and in so doing wiping out our ability to grow our economy. The latest round of premium increases are not an anomaly, but rather have become the norm. Look at these numbers, from the Wall Street Journal.
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