The postings on Daily Kos on the politics of the healthcare reform issue have been extensive, with multiple diaries daily. After reading an article in the September issue of Atlantic, I think that everyone involved would benefit with exposure to the facts presented in it. There is nothing that Obama hasn't mentioned in one way or another, but the presentation of the facts in context is well worth the time it takes to read. One example:
Confiscating all the profits of all American companies, in every industry, wouldn't cover even five months of our health-care expenses.
The article can be found here: How American Health Care Killed My Father More below the fold.
The general point is that reform of the health insurance industry will not begin to solve our health-care problem. If anything, continuing on the path we have set will only make things worse. For those who advocate expansion of Medicare to all, consider this:
From 2000 to 2007, despite its market power, Medicare's hospital and physician reimbursements per enrollee rose by 5.4 percent and 8.5 percent, respectively, per year. As currently structured, Medicare is a Ponzi scheme. The Medicare tax rate has been raised seven times since its enactment, and almost certainly will need to be raised again in the next decade. The Medicare tax contributions and premiums that today's beneficiaries have paid into the system don't come close to fully funding their care, which today's workers subsidize.
Here's another eye opener:
Let's say you're a 22-year-old single employee at my company today, starting out at a $30,000 annual salary. Let's assume you'll get married in six years, support two children for 20 years, retire at 65, and die at 80. Now let's make a crazy assumption: insurtance premiums, Medicare taxes and premiums, and out-of-pocket costs will grow no faster than your earnings-say , 3 percent a year. By the end of your working days,your annual salary will be up to $107,000. And over your lifetime, you and your employer together will have paid $1.77 million for your family's health care.
Rather than quote further, I hope I have motivated people to read the entire article. I personally think it's a good start to understanding the real issues we face.