so i watched the democratic debate last night. i'm soooooooooooo tired of debates at this point. they are losing the appeal since this race started so damn early. its the same song but remixed to death.
there wasn't any real winner in my opinion. however, i tune in this morning and everyone is putting their own spin on it. the media is a beast for real. i had to ask myself what debate were they watching?! i still think its anyone's race at this point because there is still time for someone to say something or make the wrong move and BAM. this is how Kerry became the front runner last time.
anyway, if i had to say who disappointed me it would have to be Edwards. he reminds me of the middle child that is trying to gain the attention of their parents. it was too obvious, its like alright already. enough with the shots at Obama and Clinton...we get it and we see you. we just ain't really feeling you and this is not helping your cause!
if i had to pick a loser it was Tim Russert. dude intentionally asked hypothetical questions that would get a candidate in hot water if they answered directly. the candidates were smart enough not to get caught in the trap but that just enraged Timmy and he pushed harder. you could definitely see he was trying to make it a must see tv moment but they weren't trying to have it.
overall i was underwhelmed. i still don't feel like i know all the other candidates besides the top three. however, i will say Biden has been giving me a little more every time i see him.
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Rudy on Healthcare Reform
As I’ve stated in previous posts, the republicans aren’t down for the universal healthcare spill that we are hearing from the democrats which would result in big government. Instead they are putting forth a lot of practices that can be put in place to reform health care. Here are some of the practices Rudy hopes to implement while in office.
Expand Choice Through Tax Code Reform: Rudy proposes an income exclusion of up to $15,000 for those without employer coverage to make insurance more affordable. (America's tax system penalizes millions of citizens without access to employer health care, including 40 percent of employees at small firms. This would allow Americans without employer-based insurance to have tax benefits like those with employment-based coverage.)
Help Low-Income Individuals and Families Secure Health Insurance: Rudy proposes a Health Insurance Credit to low-income Americans that can be coupled with other revenue sources such as Medicaid and employer contributions to make coverage more affordable to millions of the uninsured.
Drive Quality and Price Transparency: Rudy would make the price visible and the provider qualifications. (This would basically pressure the industry to be more transparent in its practices, expand competition and open up new motivation for improving quality and reducing cost.)
Reform the Medical Liability Legal System: Defensive medicine is a tremendous burden on our nation with liability insurance in some states costing over $200,000 for OB/GYNs. Rudy’s plan is to end frivolous lawsuits without limiting compensation for real economic loss.
Reward States For Innovative Solutions: Rudy will encourage states to improve health care quality and make health insurance more affordable by offering block grants to encourage innovation, reduce health costs, enroll eligible uninsured, and solve adverse selection issues. (He’s basically putting the burden on local government. However, unlike another plan I outlined there are funds attached.)
Require Availability of Low-Cost Insurance Options: Regulation must not deny access to affordable coverage. If a state’s mandates prevent affordable health care coverage, citizens should be allowed to purchase coverage through interstate markets.
Save Lives and Reduce Costs by Streamlining the FDA Process: Rudy will bring greater accountability and efficiency to the evaluation process for new drugs by ensuring that government regulation does not delay new cures or needlessly cost lives. (Currently it takes a new drug 12-15 years to get to the market and become regulated.)
Invest In Health IT to Reduce Medical Errors, Improve Efficiency, and Detect Health Threats: Would require public-private partnerships to improve and set standards for health IT without overbearing regulations can play a major role in improving care and reducing costs.
Improve and Expand Health Savings Accounts: Health savings accounts provide incentives for consumers to maximize the value of services tailored to their needs. Rudy will expand access to these accounts by simplifying the rules and regulations so that insurance coverage will meet the health care goals of individuals and families.
Infuse Incentives in Insurance Markets That Promote Wellness and Better Outcomes for Chronic Diseases: Health insurance must be redefined to cover wellness as well as sickness. In conjunction with recommendations from doctors and nurses, Rudy will propose new initiatives to promote healthy lifestyles and wellness programs, and tie Medicaid payments to a state's success in promoting preventative care and tracking obesity for children. (This appears to be a theme in every candidate’s healthcare plan. It sounds like a no-brainer to me, I’m not sure why we didn’t reach this conclusion years before this.)
Expand Choice Through Tax Code Reform: Rudy proposes an income exclusion of up to $15,000 for those without employer coverage to make insurance more affordable. (America's tax system penalizes millions of citizens without access to employer health care, including 40 percent of employees at small firms. This would allow Americans without employer-based insurance to have tax benefits like those with employment-based coverage.)
Help Low-Income Individuals and Families Secure Health Insurance: Rudy proposes a Health Insurance Credit to low-income Americans that can be coupled with other revenue sources such as Medicaid and employer contributions to make coverage more affordable to millions of the uninsured.
Drive Quality and Price Transparency: Rudy would make the price visible and the provider qualifications. (This would basically pressure the industry to be more transparent in its practices, expand competition and open up new motivation for improving quality and reducing cost.)
Reform the Medical Liability Legal System: Defensive medicine is a tremendous burden on our nation with liability insurance in some states costing over $200,000 for OB/GYNs. Rudy’s plan is to end frivolous lawsuits without limiting compensation for real economic loss.
Reward States For Innovative Solutions: Rudy will encourage states to improve health care quality and make health insurance more affordable by offering block grants to encourage innovation, reduce health costs, enroll eligible uninsured, and solve adverse selection issues. (He’s basically putting the burden on local government. However, unlike another plan I outlined there are funds attached.)
Require Availability of Low-Cost Insurance Options: Regulation must not deny access to affordable coverage. If a state’s mandates prevent affordable health care coverage, citizens should be allowed to purchase coverage through interstate markets.
Save Lives and Reduce Costs by Streamlining the FDA Process: Rudy will bring greater accountability and efficiency to the evaluation process for new drugs by ensuring that government regulation does not delay new cures or needlessly cost lives. (Currently it takes a new drug 12-15 years to get to the market and become regulated.)
Invest In Health IT to Reduce Medical Errors, Improve Efficiency, and Detect Health Threats: Would require public-private partnerships to improve and set standards for health IT without overbearing regulations can play a major role in improving care and reducing costs.
Improve and Expand Health Savings Accounts: Health savings accounts provide incentives for consumers to maximize the value of services tailored to their needs. Rudy will expand access to these accounts by simplifying the rules and regulations so that insurance coverage will meet the health care goals of individuals and families.
Infuse Incentives in Insurance Markets That Promote Wellness and Better Outcomes for Chronic Diseases: Health insurance must be redefined to cover wellness as well as sickness. In conjunction with recommendations from doctors and nurses, Rudy will propose new initiatives to promote healthy lifestyles and wellness programs, and tie Medicaid payments to a state's success in promoting preventative care and tracking obesity for children. (This appears to be a theme in every candidate’s healthcare plan. It sounds like a no-brainer to me, I’m not sure why we didn’t reach this conclusion years before this.)
Rudy is Bringing Order to the Border!
Congress authorized the construction of 700 miles of border fence in 2006 and then appropriated over $1.1 billion for border security. However, Washington has only built a few dozen miles of fence.
Rudy will finish what Congress started by building the fence. He hopes to deploying 20,000 Border Patrol agents. Rudy will implement BorderStat to bring accountability to measuring the progress in securing our borders. BorderStat is modeled after the Mayor's New York City program CompStat. (I have heard of many city’s utilizing such programs to get a grip on spending and particularly crime. I’m aware of O’Malley using a similar program for Baltimore and is implementing the program statewide now that he is the governor. I mention this because I am aware of the benefits programs have on a local level for a particular area but I’m not sure how this will work for an issue of this magnitude.)
So the biggest issue that has people marching and hiding outing in churches is related to how illegal aliens will be identified. Also, at this point we have aliens who have children that are citizens so how will the new president deal with this? Keep reading to see how old Rudy will address such pressing isssues!
IDENTIFY ALL NON-CITIZENS ENTERING AND EXITING AMERICA
Issue A Single, Tamper-Proof Biometric ID Card: This is a Secure Authorized Foreign Entry Card (SAFE Card) to be uniform for all non-citizen workers and students, utilizing tamper-proof and biometric features for secure identification.
Create A Single National Database Of Foreigners: Basically speaks for itself. There will be a national database of non-citizens in our country. Rudy will propose consolidating all existing databases into one so a foreigner's legal status can be quickly checked. (This of course would have to rely on all non-citizens registering their information to be put into the database.)
Identify Those Who Have Left The Country With Biometric Check-out System: Forty-five percent of illegal immigrants in America came into our country legally but overstayed their visas. Rudy believes we need a biometric check-out system so we know who has left America and can focus enforcement on those who remain.
DEPORT CRIMINAL ALIENS
Deport All Illegal Aliens Who Commit A Felony: America currently only deports 14% of the roughly 300,000 foreigners who commit crimes in our country. Rudy will commit to deporting all foreign individuals who have abused their privilege of staying in the United States. (The cost for such an operation would be costly. We can barely round up the citizens with outstanding warrants so I can only imagine how thorough an agency would do in rounding up all the illegal aliens that commit a crime. Once again a great idea in theory that would more than likely be aborted due to the costs.)
AMERICANIZE IMMIGRANTS
Require All Immigrants to Truly Read, Write & Speak English: Rudy will propose that all immigrants who want to become citizens must truly read, write, and speak English and learn American civics. (I for one think this is a great idea. We need a common language in this country. Its not to say other languages cannot be spoken or have material translated but English should be the national language. Other candidates have tapped dance around this issue. What’s your take?)
Rudy will finish what Congress started by building the fence. He hopes to deploying 20,000 Border Patrol agents. Rudy will implement BorderStat to bring accountability to measuring the progress in securing our borders. BorderStat is modeled after the Mayor's New York City program CompStat. (I have heard of many city’s utilizing such programs to get a grip on spending and particularly crime. I’m aware of O’Malley using a similar program for Baltimore and is implementing the program statewide now that he is the governor. I mention this because I am aware of the benefits programs have on a local level for a particular area but I’m not sure how this will work for an issue of this magnitude.)
So the biggest issue that has people marching and hiding outing in churches is related to how illegal aliens will be identified. Also, at this point we have aliens who have children that are citizens so how will the new president deal with this? Keep reading to see how old Rudy will address such pressing isssues!
IDENTIFY ALL NON-CITIZENS ENTERING AND EXITING AMERICA
Issue A Single, Tamper-Proof Biometric ID Card: This is a Secure Authorized Foreign Entry Card (SAFE Card) to be uniform for all non-citizen workers and students, utilizing tamper-proof and biometric features for secure identification.
Create A Single National Database Of Foreigners: Basically speaks for itself. There will be a national database of non-citizens in our country. Rudy will propose consolidating all existing databases into one so a foreigner's legal status can be quickly checked. (This of course would have to rely on all non-citizens registering their information to be put into the database.)
Identify Those Who Have Left The Country With Biometric Check-out System: Forty-five percent of illegal immigrants in America came into our country legally but overstayed their visas. Rudy believes we need a biometric check-out system so we know who has left America and can focus enforcement on those who remain.
DEPORT CRIMINAL ALIENS
Deport All Illegal Aliens Who Commit A Felony: America currently only deports 14% of the roughly 300,000 foreigners who commit crimes in our country. Rudy will commit to deporting all foreign individuals who have abused their privilege of staying in the United States. (The cost for such an operation would be costly. We can barely round up the citizens with outstanding warrants so I can only imagine how thorough an agency would do in rounding up all the illegal aliens that commit a crime. Once again a great idea in theory that would more than likely be aborted due to the costs.)
AMERICANIZE IMMIGRANTS
Require All Immigrants to Truly Read, Write & Speak English: Rudy will propose that all immigrants who want to become citizens must truly read, write, and speak English and learn American civics. (I for one think this is a great idea. We need a common language in this country. Its not to say other languages cannot be spoken or have material translated but English should be the national language. Other candidates have tapped dance around this issue. What’s your take?)
Overall Rudy provides some feel good solutions. However, I could not find any costs associated with these ideas. As a budget analyst, things always come down to dollars for me. I don’t think people truly understand how much it would take to make a lot of these candidates’ ideas to fruition.
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