It's really true!! I heard it last night during Obama's big speech. He said that there are presently 30 million Americans without healthcare coverage, which is a dramatic reduction from the 47 million uninsured Americans that the Dems have been moaning about for years. Don't ask me how these 17 million Americans suddenly got coverage, but it's certainly great news. And it obviously means we're going in the right direction. I think it only makes sense that we leave our healthcare system alone, since doing nothing has reduced the number of uninsured by a significant measure, and continuing to do nothing may reduce it even more.
I actually chuckled a bit last night when I heard that line. You'll note that we no longer get the health care we want (which was the previous line), but he health care we need. Since when in America does the government get to tell me what health care I can have?
FWIW-Just met with my doctor (damn cholesterol). He is repected doctor in the community. Aksed his thoughts about Obama and the healthcare issue. He told me he wished Obama would stop using scare tactics and sit down and discuss the issues in a civil manner. More emotion than I usually see from him. There is one local doctor's opinion.
Maybe the 17 million is a number of Americans who have access, but don't use it for whatever reason. He mentioned 30 million without access to healthcare. Could be an instance where someone is in school, and has the option to purchase coverage from the school, but elects not to. Or, he screwed up. But, since his speeches are certainly read through before he reads them, i would imagine there is a difference between those without coverage, adn those without ACCESS to coverage.
You mean Democrats were counting all the illegal aliens when they used the 47 million figure? In other words, they were inflating the figures just to scare everybody, and make us think the problem was worse than it really is??? Unbelievable. Obama has apparently decided to abandon that tactic, as no one believed the 47 million figure anyway.
For what it's worth, the difference between the two numbers is a guess at the number of people who *could* get health insurance if they wanted it but choose not to do so. There are 47 million uninsured. Over 30 million of those are unable to get insurance due to cost, pre-existing conditions, etc. The other 15 million or so might be able to get insurance if they want but, for whatever reason, choose not to. (Probably a lot of young folks who are healthy and figure they can roll the dice without insurance protection.) Obama changed the number he was using because he had been criticized some in the past for declaring that everyone who doesn't have insurance *can't* get it, when in fact some of those people voluntarily don't have it. That seems a fair critique, to me, and it also seems fair play that he revised down the number he was using in his rhetoric. But have fun with it, wingers! 17 million just got healthcare woohooo! It's all a circus!
LOL! Is a NeoCon actually criticizing Obama for distorting facts? Anyway, there may be 47 million uninsured people in this country, and only 30 million uninsured (legal) Americans? Or maybe 30 million who can't afford insurance, and 17 million who are uninsured by choice? Who knows. I agree that him using 47 million seems deceptive. Seems a silly thing to say. Scare tactics are far more prominent on the right side of the isle than on the left. And it is hard to sit down and have a reasonable arguement with unreasonable people. Many republicans have committed to destroying the bill at any cost for political reasons. To destroy Obama; to make it his Waterloo. Others have said that they don't need to read the bill they already know they disagree with it. They are really serving their constituents. With the death panel claims, government takeover, reduced senior healthcare, illegal immigrant coverage, funding abortions, etc... Lots of lies out there that are used to scare people off.
So it's not the number of illegal aliens, but the number of people who "choose" not to get coverage? That's just as bad, because it means the Democrats have been using the 47 million figure all along to make us think all of these people were being denied coverage. It's really breathtaking that Obama has suddenly lowered the figure by 17 million without batting an eye. Just another example of how the Libs will lie, cheat, and steal to make their points. No wonder people don't trust this administration.
MrJ, all rhetoric aside (and anyone can jump in on this one)... Could you please explain to me why you personally think that health care reform is needed; why HR 3200 should pass; and why it's ok to increase the federal debt the $7-9B it will require if passed? Forget lies; forget destroying Obama...what are your answers for those 3 questions?
Nobody believed the 47 million claim? Us Census Bureau did: http://www.census.gov/prod/2009pubs/p60-236.pdf Ok, sorry, they have 46.3. OMG!! But maybe that's just a big lefty conspiracy, right?
I think that almost everyone feels some kind of reform is needed. Our system is fucked up. We spend way too much money on our system for having so many uninsured and so many people go bankrupt (numbers are pretty amazing, bankruptcy wise). Our healthcare system is also ranked low compared to other countries who have universal healthcare, yet spend much less than we do. Something must be done, at the very least making our current system more efficient. Could care less about the bill. There are basic things I want though. Lower premiums, not denying for pre-existing conditions, etc. The Insurance exchange sounds like a great idea. I don't have an opinion on the public option either way, but i'm for finding a way to keep the insurance companies honest and accountable. I'm fine with profit, i'm not fine with making an insane profit at the expense of our lives. I'm not in favor of any bill that will add to the deficit in the long run. Say the next 10 years. If it does then there is no point and i'd rather pass things like not allowing Insurance companies to deny on pre-existing conditions, do the marketplace, and stuff like that. I just do believe that we can make our current system much more efficient. We are talking in the last six months. If you think that you must be very right wing. I have plenty of right wing friends who say its not even close. That the right wing are using scare tactics and purposely distorting facts to change public opinion on health care for political reasons.
You mean the U.S. Census Bureau staffed and managed by the Obama administration, and beholden to it for their bread and butter?? Gee, what a surprise!
So you don't believe Obama when he said 47 million. Then believed him when he said 30 million and called him a liar. And now you are trying to discredit the Census Bureau showing 47 million uninsured? Whatever supports your agenda, eh?
Was he able to lower your cholesterol? We disagree a lot, but I'd like you around to continue to disagree. Your doctor hit upon an important point: Neither side is having a reasonable discussion. We can debate about who started it, but it's not as important as addressing the fundamental issues behind what's wrong and how to fix it.
should i just say that if you don't agree with me that you must be very left wing? because that doesn't really make your point any better for you. the fact is that the right hasn't been using scare tactics any more than the left. both sides do it all the time.
If we don't pass Obama's vague healthcare/insurance reform that doesn't start until 2013 immediately, more Americans will die!! If Americans are indeed dying and will die, as the President said last night, shouldn't the bill have a live date much sooner than four years from now?
Republicans will take away seniors' health care as $500 billion is slashed from Medicare in this bill!!!
This "inconsistency" you seem to be seeing is all in your imagination. If I didn't believe Obama when he said 47 million (as most Americans didn't), then it only makes sense that I wouldn't believe the Census Bureau for saying it. As for the 30 million figure, I don't know if that one is right, either, but I'm sure it's closer to the truth than 47 million.
