We all know that the 'debate' surrounding the HCR bill this year was filled with hyperbole.
One reason the Republicans are in control of the House is due to that hyperbole.
While they were always lying and always trying to misdirect the public they had an effective tool: Focusing on the unpopular parts of the bill 9even if they had to invent them) and hammering in home.
When it comes to HCR repeal, we need to understand that mode of communication and use it to our advantage.
The good news it that we don't have to lie or invent anything.
We just need to make sure that the public knows that the most popular and common sense aspects of the HCR are are in jeopardy.
The following are at risk, and people will not like that:
Pre-existing condition rules
Childrens' pre-existing condition rules
Life time cap on benefits
Corporations getting between you and your doctor.
Rescission.
Please feel free to add more as we go.
We need to write LTEs and get our leaders to make a point of mentioning these threats to the American heath system.
Let's start with the most popular rallying point for conservatives in the HCR 'debate': Death Panels.
The reality is that there are no death panels, and they were never proposed by anyone in the HCR debate. Additionally the reality is that there really are death panels in the corporate world. We will not get far using those phrase and it disingenuous. But! We can say: "Republicans want to let your health insurance company come between you and your doctor."
Sample frame
"Do you know that there was a time in American when an insurance company could tell you that you can't have a certain treatment, even if your doctor recommended it? The Republicans want to go back to those days."
Speaking for personal experience this is a very real practice. My spouse had a medical condition that needed radiation treatment. Her doctor send her to a specialist in that field of treatment. That doctor conferred with my spouse' primary and it was agreed that a certain procedure would be followed. Got that/ Two doctors, one patient and one disease that needs treatment.
My spouse got a letter from our insurance company saying: Our Dr. who works for us has decided that the treatment planned by your doctors is not needed. We will not pay. The radiation specialist said she would explain it to the insurance company.
After the treatment had ended (and seems to have been successful btw = phew.) we got another letter saying: Our Dr. who works for us has decided that that was not the correct treatment. A lesser treatment would have worked for you. We will not pay.
My spouses' doctors decided on a treatment, performed it and it worked. Now a corporate goon has decided that the insurance company should not pay for the treatment.
That is what's commonly called a death panel. (It seems to have been worked out, but the point is that the insurance company tried to decide what would be best to save my spouses' life, not our doctors)
The Republicans want to return to the above scenario.
The Republicans want some guy in an office 2000 miles away from my sick spouse to decide how treatment will be provided.
We need to hammer that home to the voters.
Lifetime cap:
Sample frame
Do you know that at one time in America an insurance company could decide how much money if would spend on your health care for your entire life? Even if you tried to move to a different company the new one would look at your history and not want to pay anymore. Just imagine a life threatening injury that costs a few million dollars to treat over the course of your life. Now, you're all better, but guess what? If you ever get sick again, you are on the hook. That's how the Republicans want our health care to be run.
Again, if you are sick while young with cancer or have a serious injury that requires major surgery, you could easily reach the lifetime cap for benefits at a young age and be screwed for the rest of your life.
It makes sense to not pay more than a car is worth to have it fixed, does it make sense to only pay a limit on the health of an American citizen?
Republicans want to go back to the days of just cutting you off because you cost too much.
Pre existing conditions:
Sample Frame
Do you know that there was a time when an insurance company could deny you coverage because you have a pre-existing condition? Let's say you have chronic back pain from your days playing football in High School, or you have diabetes. Guess what? You could be denied coverage because the insurance company thinks you cost too much. The Republicans want to go back to those days.
The Republicans want to allow insurance companies to deny coverage because you have been sick before or because you have a chronic condition.
Do the Republicans hate Americans who have been unfortunate enough to become ill?
Child Pre-existing conditions.
Let's say a child is ill. Maybe he has asthma, or is allergic to peanuts. Guess what? He can be denied coverage under the Republican's view of health care.
Sample frame:
Not long ago, an insurance company could refuse to offer coverage to a sick child. Kids with cancer and even lesser ills were routinely denied health benefits. This policy has led thousands of families already suffering from the strain of a sick child into bankruptcy and even homelessness. The Republicans want to go back to the days when and Insurance company could say no to a sick kid, and have his family wind up out on the street.
(I know they are still doing this, but we need to work to improve HCR and enforce the law not repeal it)
Republicans care more about Insurance companies and their profits, than they do about hard working families and sick children.
Rescission:
Sample frame
Do you know that there was a time when health insurance companies could cancel your policy just because you became ill? They would find any excuse to cancel your policy, even something as minor as a typo on your application. The Republicans want to go back to those days.
Many many people have had policies canceled because they got sick. This is how the Republicans want they system to work.
The Republicans need to answer on a daily basis why they think it's okay for hard working Americans to die or go penniless because insurance companies want to play games with their lives.
Please add more.
(I hold a property and casualty license in California btw)