October 29, 2010

Health care political rhetoric on the eve of the midterm elections

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I’m in Missouri, and I just saw a Kansas City Star story, “Brownback says health care law cost is far above official estimate.” Excerpt:

“Sam Brownback and other Republican U.S. senators across the country are telling voters that the new health care law will cost $2.6 trillion — a price that wildly inflates the official estimate.

Brownback, who is running for governor in Kansas, said the law required “$8,470 in new government spending per every Kansan. That money is going to come by more taxes, more debt, probably both.”

Lamar Alexander of Tennessee, Mike Crapo of Idaho, Saxby Chambliss of Georgia and several other GOP senators have cited the same number — $8,470 per citizen — in their criticism of the law.

But critics note that number would put the total cost for the law at $2.6 trillion over 10 years, more than double what Congress’ own nonpartisan budget experts predict.

Also, it does not take into account the Congressional Budget Office’s projection that the law will pay for itself in the long run.”

Princeton economist Uwe Reinhardt addressed the same theme – overestimates of the cost impact of the Affordable Care Act – in his talk to the Missouri Health Policy Summit today.

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Ken Leebow

October 29, 2010 at 2:25 pm

I certainly have no clue what the health care plan will cost. However, as someone in the middle class, I see absolutely no benefit. In fact, I assume my premiums will escalate at a higher percentage than in years past.
Rather than depend on the health care system (candidly, the disease care system), I have made a decision to live a healthier lifestyle. It’s easy and it works. As a senior, I see my doc once a year for him to tell me that I’m healthy.
It really would be a welcome change if our politicians would discuss lifestyle changes as opposed to “healthcare” changes. Unfortunately, that’s not good for big Pharma and big food.
That’s enough soapboxing. Now, I’ll go back to my cynic’s corner.
Ken Leebow
http://www.HighSatiety.net

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