I’ve been skeptical about the Health Reform bill(s) since reading It’s Robbery” href=”http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/20090823_this_isnt_reform_its_robbery/” target=”_blank”> this article several months ago.  There are also arguments to be made that this isn’t really about health ^[1], but about illness care.  I get that. I also understand arguments for less government and more personal responsibility ^[2].

However, I know people that have needed medical care that haven’t had the insurance (or money) to pay for it. I know people that have faced bankruptcies because of medical costs from injuries.   I know families that are under considerable financial stress because of a sick family member and their insurance and medical care cost.  My grandmothers take part in a socialized government health care program (and I’m very glad that they are in it) called Medicare.

I had hoped that the passage of “health care” reform would help these people.  I had hoped that it would solve some of the problems that many individuals and families are facing. I am not philosophically opposed to a national health plan any more than I am opposed my grandmothers having Medicare.

I am against the current “Health Care” bill.

Howard Dean, the medical doctor turned politician, states in today’s Washington Post ^[3]:

“If I were a senator, I would not vote for the current health-care bill. Any measure that expands private insurers’ monopoly over health care and transfers millions of taxpayer dollars to private corporations is not real health-care reform. Real reform would insert competition into insurance markets, force insurers to cut unnecessary administrative expenses and spend health-care dollars caring for people. Real reform would significantly lower costs, improve the delivery of health care and give all Americans a meaningful choice of coverage. The current Senate bill accomplishes none of these.”

It’s a good article, you should read the whole piece ^[3].

Most people are going to have a large additional monthly expense, and health care costs will not be coming down. If you want real reform, this bill should fail. If you want record profits for the insurance companies then it should pass. It’s a charade with politicians once again giving big business what it wants.

Whether or not this “Health Care” bill passes, Health care reform is dead.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news ^[5], world news ^[6], and news about the economy ^[7]