As we end week 7 of the public debate on health care, the tone has changed. Neither the Republicans nor the Democrats are pushing forward with clear explanations of who specifically will benefit, or who will be hurt by reforms offered. The tone has changed to finger pointing and mis-information.
As the public support for HR 3200 dwindles, the push-back has gotten nasty. House Majority leader Nancy Pelosi has accused the insurance industry of “IMMORAL” Profiteering. Democratic leadership has also accused Republicans of organizing “Angry Mobs” to disturb town hall meetings. Republicans are pulling out some ‘cold war’ terms to demonize the Democrats.
Profiteering is a pejorative term for the act of making a profit by methods considered unethical. Business owners may be accused of profiteering when they raise prices during an emergency (especially a war). The term is also applied to businesses that play on political corruption to obtain government contracts. (source: Wikipedia)
I encourage readers of this blog to keep focused on the issues at hand. You are encouraged to be informed of cost and value while promoting intelligent discussion of ways to improve our nation’s health care system without vilification.
If you are ready for a good read, you are encouraged to view the 44 page summary of HR3200 and committee notes, as prepared by the Kaiser Foundation. It makes no judgment or editorial on the plans, but rather it points out the complex tax and benefit structure that each ideology outlines.
