Hey, remember when Nancy Pelosi dismissed concerns about ObamaCare, saying that we'd just have to wait until the bill was passed so we could see how wonderful it is? Well, it's been passed, and the treats just keep popping up.
For example, remember the purple-clad thugs of the SEIU (Service Employees International Union)? They spent millions and millions supporting Democrats and pushing hard for ObamaCare. Well, they probably should have saved some of their money -- they've decided to revamp the insurance coverage they offer their members. More specifically, they're no longer offering coverage for their children.
It ain't just the kids of SEIU members that are getting hosed by ObamaCare. In a more direct case, a quirk in phrasing in the bill as passed is costing childrens' hospitals millions for expensive drugs for sick kids.
Finally, remember when Obama promised that everyone would have access to a primary care physician, and "if you like your doctor, you can keep your doctor?" Well, quite a few doctors have looked at ObamaCare and are thinking of saying "well, screw that."
All of ObamaCare is based on a single, concealed, dangerous fact: "controlling costs" means, ultimately, deciding what health care providers can charge for their services. At several levels, that is feasible: you can coerce the corporations involved at various levels to accept such restraints in exchange for other benefits. They will accept ceilings if they are guaranteed floors. Further, there are numerous ways to monkey with the system to get the desired result.
But in the end, there is a point where the corporations and boards and institutions all step aside, and it all boils down to two individuals: the patient and the doctor. And the doctor has the ultimate choice of opting out of the whole deal. Start telling a doctor what he or she can charge, what he or she can or can not do in the name of caring for their patients, and they can just walk away. They can not be compelled to practice medicine. There's this pesky little thing called the 14th Amendment.
If a doctor decides that he or she simply doesn't want to take part in ObamaCare, they have many choices. They can go into specialties that are (for now) not covered by ObamaCare. They can leave practice and go into teaching or research. They can retire or find other lines of work. And there's not a goddamned thing Obama and the Democrats can do.
As Speaker (for a few weeks longer) Pelosi said, they had to pass ObamaCare before we could find out what was in it.
Well, we're finding out. Hoo boy, are we finding out.
Gosh, I just can't wait to see the next surprise we get.



Comments (7)
The number of waivers issue... (Below threshold)1. Posted by GarandFan | December 7, 2010 7:00 PM | Score: 0 (4 votes cast)
The number of waivers issued by the White House on ObamaCare have now reached 222.
1. Posted by GarandFan | December 7, 2010 7:00 PM |
Score: 0 (4 votes cast)
Posted on December 7, 2010 19:00
2. Posted by wolfwalker | December 7, 2010 7:06 PM | Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
Start telling a doctor what he or she can charge, what he or she can or can not do in the name of caring for their patients, and they can just walk away. They can not be compelled to practice medicine.
Don't bet on it. At least, don't bet any more than you can afford to lose. Article I Section 8 is already meaningless, as are the 4th, 9th, and 10th Amendments. What makes you think Barry Lackwit and his orcs have any more respect for amendments 13 and 14?
2. Posted by wolfwalker | December 7, 2010 7:06 PM |
Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
Posted on December 7, 2010 19:06
3. Posted by LiberalNitemare | December 7, 2010 7:15 PM | Score: 4 (4 votes cast)
Obama lied every single time he said you could keep your doctor.
Obama lied every time he said obama-care would save money.
Obama lied and he knew he was lying when he did it.
3. Posted by LiberalNitemare | December 7, 2010 7:15 PM |
Score: 4 (4 votes cast)
Posted on December 7, 2010 19:15
4. Posted by epador | December 7, 2010 10:35 PM | Score: 4 (4 votes cast)
If you look at the demographics of the ones who say they'll quit, you are looking at a lot of folks who could retire but haven't because they still enjoy their jobs. At least a little. The loss of experienced physicians in the workforce could be more of a problem than the number.
4. Posted by epador | December 7, 2010 10:35 PM |
Score: 4 (4 votes cast)
Posted on December 7, 2010 22:35
5. Posted by jim m | December 7, 2010 11:45 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Really? Obamacare doesn't cut costs but only reduces what health care providers get paid?
Sorry, I can't tell you how many times I have said that over the last 2 years. It's not like people who were paying attention didn't already know this.
5. Posted by jim m | December 7, 2010 11:45 PM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on December 7, 2010 23:45
6. Posted by Les Nessman | December 8, 2010 2:41 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
I saw a comment over at the Hot Air blog that summed it up best - 'They didn't win the Debate, they won the Process'.
There was no real debate. It was all hidden back room deals. Nobody read the bill until after it was passed. It was jammed down our throats even though most citizens did not want it.
Well congrats Dems, you gamed the system and tricked this bill through the Process. And now as the public finds out just what was passed they are getting pissed off.
6. Posted by Les Nessman | December 8, 2010 2:41 PM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on December 8, 2010 14:41
7. Posted by Bob | December 8, 2010 3:27 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
So, if the union won't cover some people, they can just go on the National Health Plan. That has been the intention all along. Oh, yes, children. Isn't there SCHIP for them?
7. Posted by Bob | December 8, 2010 3:27 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on December 8, 2010 15:27