(NJ) Candidates spar over bare-bones health plan

star ledger ^ | 08.23.09

[Coleus]

In the midst of their protracted fight over political corruption and allegations of ethical misdeeds, Democratic Gov. Jon Corzine and Republican contender Chris Christie are having another heated battle -- this time on health policy. While the issue seems one for the wonks, it's prompted a nasty volley of charges.

Through news conferences and testimonials from breast cancer survivors, Corzine's supporters say Christie is indifferent to women's health issues because he proposed a low-cost insurance plan that excludes any legally mandated health benefits. Such a plan, Corzine's allies forcefully say, would undo a law enacted five years ago that requires insurers to cover mammograms for women under 40 with a family history of breast cancer.

Flatly calling Corzine "a liar," Christie posted an emotional video on his website revealing how a mammogram detected a cancerous tumor and saved his mother's life 30 years ago.

"I am not the anti-mammogram candidate. Anybody who would suggest that is just a reprehensible human being,'' Christie said Monday while campaigning in Westwood. "Because I want to offer people other options that they knowingly can either pursue or not pursue, that does make me "anti' any of the mandates that are covered under the insurance policies now.''

Beneath the loud talk lies an issue that clearly defines differences between the two candidates, said Montclair University political science professor Brigid Harrison. "One person advocates for a mandate-free insurance system and one doesn't,'' Harrison said.

Zeroing in on mammogram coverage among the dozens of insurance requirements in state-regulated health plans "enables Corzine to remind women voters, who tend to lean Democrat anyway, there is a difference between him and Christie,'' Harrison said. Unfortunately, she added, it didn't take long for the discourse on this substantive issue to "degenerate into base politics.''

[Coleus]

Here we go again, candidates kowtow for the female vote. In NJ it happens in every state election. I get countless political mail from both parties about mammograms and breast cancer. Sometimes I wonder, are they running for public legislative and executive officer or for Public Health Nurse? And nothing about prostate exams, they know that more women vote in elections and that's one of the reasons why divorce laws tend to favor the women.

What they don't tell you is that back in the early 1990's the veto-proof majority REPUBLICAN legislature got into bed with democrat Governor Jim Florio and passed a socialistic health insurance bill that took away freedom of choice that doubled the amount of premium and killed the health insurance industry which ultimately forced out health insurance companies. You will never read or hear about that.

[ryan71]

As the people smell a rat and are trying to kill Obamunists plan, DC Republicans still don't get it.

We want no compromise! We want no part of this!

[jocon307]

I actually went to Christie’s web site today and read his 88 item list of things he’d like to do.

I thought the idea of a bare bones ins. plan and letting people get health ins. from out of state was one of his better ideas.

I actually liked many things he said, but I question how many of them he could actually do on his own, which was how every thing was phrased. I will, not I will propose, and I’m really not sure if the gov could actually just DO many of the things listed..

[driftdiver]

I have a wild idea. Help business create jobs. Business buys health insurance. People have health insurance and pay taxes on their income.

[Coleus]

Business buys health insurance. >>

good idea, and to add to that, people also buy insurance: Life, Auto and Homeowners all without businesses paying for it. When you lose a job or change jobs the individual still pays for those insurances. If health insurance is cheap enough the working-class may, one day, be able to afford it on their own without any employer buying it for them. First we need to get rid of the many mandates and draconian regulations in the state insurance departments and allow citizens and businesses to purchase health insurance from any company in the country.

[givemELL]

No plan the best...here is the link to an article on Soviet socialist medicine and additional comments:

http://mises.org/story/3650 Important article on what is eventually before us.

A bill in pieces will render a further disservice to the voting public, and by default, a disservice to the rest as well. Pure and simple deception is the intent of a bill to be passed in ‘small chunks’. What the public rejects now from what they have taken the trouble to discover with much effort, may be rammed down their throats. Until the financial collapse of major institutions is identified as finished with the unwinding of those hundreds of trillions of derivatives worldwide, NO additional spending except for defense should be contemplated at all. All of Obamas’ programs require borrowed money...in the multiples of trillions...think about it ...are YOU able to pony up with productivity well past your lifetime and encompassing your childrens’ lifetime?

[stboz]

First, we kill ALL the lawyers......