Comments on: “But the Democrats have a policy response: they are about to vote on hundreds of billions in new taxes, a regimen of new fines and mandates for businesses, and a takeover of the health-care industry.”

By: Rob Crawford

Rob Crawford — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 01:04:01 +0000

It is not a takeover.

*snort*

Keep telling yourself that.

By: onparkstreet

onparkstreet — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 23:24:15 +0000

Thanks, all, for your comments.

@ Irving Gold: I think you are, perhaps, a bit too optimistic about the future of Medicare, the continued existence of private insurance in its current form, and that promises made will be kept. We shall see. Thanks, anyway, for the comment. I appreciate it.

By: Michael Kennedy

Michael Kennedy — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 00:33:37 +0000

The confidant Medicare beneficiary is missing the strongest trend in medicine, the withdrawal of thousands of physicians, especially in primary care, from Medicare. They are just dropping it and going to a cash only practice. There are now approved CME courses on-line on how to go to a cash only practice. For example. Sermo is a member only online medical association that is now larger than the AMA. It requires physician certification for membership. While the Democrats are jockeying for position and accepting advice from old model lobbyists, doctors are moving away. In a couple of years, it will be very difficult to find a primary care physician who accepts Medicare, let alone the Medicaid program that seems to be the model for health reform for Democrats. Physicians were once the archetypical middle class with deferred gratification the basis of their lives. Take away the gratification and they can become fairly radical. We are there now.

By: Tatyana

Tatyana — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 23:03:12 +0000

Mr. Gold – by hook or by crook, right?
Have you read the Bill that you so confidently say we can keep our private insurance?
Then you know that there is a provision in it banning private insurance after 2013.

You’re being had, Mr. Gold.

By: Irving Gold

Irving Gold — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:15:20 +0000

[Sock puppetry deleted by Jonathan.]