Posted on 02/27/2014 6:48:29 AM PST by SeekAndFind
For those of us who oppose ObamaCare both on principle and on practical considerations, repeal is the only possible fix we can see. For those who support ObamaCare on principle, the only path is to allow it to roll out completely so its benefits can be fully seen — although it’s worth pointing out that even the law’s originators in the White House apparently don’t agree, since they keep unilaterally delaying full implementation as the law creates more political disasters. Polling shows that the electorate is somewhere in the middle, with a plurality or thin majority wanting fixes now within the framework of ObamaCare to make it better. That includes today’s CBS/NYT poll, although the difference between fix and repeal is getting narrow.
Hillary Clinton took aim at that middle ground today. In remarks made to a health-care group in Florida, the presumptive 2016 presidential candidate acknowledged that the law has run off the rails in part, but that Washington should fix those rather than starting over from scratch:
Hillary Clinton backed efforts to alter Obamacare on Wednesday, but also used her remarks to a health care group in Florida to offer a full defense of the sweeping and controversial law.
“I think we are on the right track in many respects but I would be the first to say if things aren’t working then we need people of good faith to come together and make evidence-based changes,” the former secretary of state and possible 2016 presidential candidate said.
We hear this a lot, but when asked for details from ObamaCare activists about the failures that need correcting, we usually get the talking points about what they thought was bad about the status quo ante. Hillary, though, conceded that the impact of the law on full-time working status and on small businesses needed to be addressed, even though she described the latter as “small business of 50 or more” employees, which would include all businesses that fall under the mandate. (Small businesses with less than 50 employees are not required to provide coverage.)
So what’s working right about ObamaCare? Er …
Clinton also singled out certain provisions of the health care law as successful. The former first lady said she supported children under 26 being able to remain on their parents’ health plans and that Obamacare allows more people access to preventive care.
The first change hardly required a national takeover of the insurance industry to accomplish, even though it’s still of dubious value. In an economy that actually produced above-population-growth job creation, young adults would have an easier time of getting their own insurance rather than making Mom & Dad responsible for their upkeep well into adulthood. Access to preventive care was not a big issue, either; everyone had access to it with or without health insurance, and as the premium spikes in the last few months demonstrate, they don’t come free either way.
What’s missing from Hillary’s list of ObamaCare wins? Oh, items like bending the cost curve downward, insuring the uninsured, and if you like your plan/doctor, you can keep your plan/doctor. The first two were supposedly the primary reason that health-care reform had to take the form of a government takeover of the entire system and forced participation. The third was the promise that a government takeover of the entire system would have no impact on the 85% of Americans who were already insured, with 87% of those satisfied with their health care. Instead, ObamaCare has made the system unstable, more expensive, and made many Americans less able to keep their current providers while seeing more money come out of their pockets for plans they didn’t want.
We can talk about mending it instead of ending it, but there simply is no mending it. What’s broken is the system itself, because it’s based on the idea that government can competently run a command economy. That’s what needs to be “mended.” By 2016, most Americans will have personal experience with the endemic failure of a command health-care economy, and Hillary will have to find a new position.
The Democrats lied about the income tax, saying it would only be paid by The Rich and would never exceed 3% of one’s income. How did that work out?
Anyone who believes a Clinton promise is a fool.
Maybe ironic isn't the right word.
Ah, yes. The ol’ “mend it, don’t end it” ruse.
So mrs. clinton wants everyone to bow down while she rides?
mrs. clinton promises to continue policies destructive to America. democRATS everywhere cheer!
Said the HillaBeast’s “Fix Obamacare, don’t end it.”
Ya can’t fix stupid!
You have a cake accidentally baked with concrete rather than flour.
There is no fixing it.
Fabian tactics from a committed leftist.
The old ‘triangulation’ strategery rears its ugly head again. Dick Morris must be so proud.
You can only put so much sugar on a turd before it eventually flakes off and reveals its true content.
Hillary’s ‘93 plan was single payer.
That’s what she truly believes in.
Anyone who would believe any differently is a fool.
I wholeheartedly concur with the concept of “evidence-based changes” that eliminate things like the indiv and employer mandates, death panels, compulsory coverage of birth control.
And I’d support “mend don’t end” under a scenario where the nightmare was functionally repealed by gutting it like a fish and inserting “replacement” provisions that are both Constitutional and can work.
But we all know that isn’t what the sponsor if HillaryCare is really talking about ...
How do you salvage a rotten steak?
I designed a car-buying system for you to fix, Hillary. Here’s how it works:
There are three classes of automobiles. Let’s call them frugal, average, and luxury. The cars cost $20,000, $30,000 and $40,000, respectively. But here’s the catch: young car-buyers must pay a premium of $6,000 per car, regardless of which car they buy. And oldsters will get a $6,000 discount. Oh yeah, and since youngsters might be reluctant to pay more for a car than it is actually worth, let’s institute a fine, enforceable by the IRS, to make sure that everyone owns a car. And we’ll get the Supreme Court to rule favorably on its constitutionality.
Next step—we notice that a lot of older folks are scooping up cars, taking advantage of the subsidies that are offered. But almost none of the younger drivers are doing any buying, despite many ads on tv that display young car-owners enjoying alcoholic beverages and sex with other young people who are basking in the glory of overpaying for a product that they are being coerced into buying.
So, Hillary—how do you fix this?
How can anyone believe the talking cow? She is nothing but a full blow communist, leftist, liar. Just like her rapist husband.
RE: How can anyone believe the talking cow?
Very apt use of words. After all, she made over a hundred grand on cattle futures.
RE: But we all know that isn’t what the sponsor if HillaryCare is really talking about ...
Let’s all call a spade a spade — the PLAN is SINGLE PAYER. PERIOD.
Total Government control of healthcare.
...in muslim green....
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