Cheers and Jeers: Tuesday

post from Daily Kos on 31 July 2012 08:44:05 AM. © Daily Kos

C&J Banner

From the GREAT STATE OF MAINE?

Wow---You Don?t See This Every Day

Now that the Supreme Court battle over Obamacare is behind us, I think people are finally starting to unclench their fists, dry their tears and actually take a peek-a-boo at what's in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Deficiencies aside, there's a lot to like about it, and it was nice yesterday when I opened my dead-tree copy of The Portland Press Herald and found several letters in favor of the progressive vision of healthcare reform, including Obamacare.

Here are a couple notable snips. This is from a medical doctor in Cape Elizabeth, who succinctly lists reasons "Why I support the Affordable Health Care Act", including?

Preventive care: Before the ACA, some immunizations were covered and some were not. Before the ACA, some preventive exams were covered some were not. After the ACA, all immunizations and all preventive exams in all health plans in all 50 states are covered. This, of course, is my favorite thing about the ACA. I get to spend more time preventing heart disease and cancer and less time treating heart disease and cancer.

Approved...and upheld.Insurance companies pay for care, not advertising and CEO salaries.
Before the ACA, insurance companies spent 40 percent of its premiums for overhead. About 60 percent went to patient care. Note that Angela Braly, CEO of Anthem/WellPoint, made $13 million in 2009.
After the ACA, insurance companies must spend 80 to 85 percent of premiums on patient care. If not, they must pay the customer (you and me) a rebate check. Hopefully, some of that will come from Ms. Braly.

And a reader in Cumberland Foreside delivers a lovely broadside against the sniveling opposition:

"Get over it."After the Supreme Court voted to stop the 2000 Florida recount, thus awarding George W. Bush the presidency of the United States, the Republican Party had a message for Democrats: "You lost, get over it." [...] Rather than vilify Justice Roberts and take valuable time in the House of Representatives taking a symbolic vote to repeal the new [health care] law, it is time for conservatives and the Republican Party to take their own advice, admit they lost and get over it.

Amen. Although what those whiners really "lost" was a status-quo health insurance system that was almost completely rigged against them and their families. I swear, if a Democrat came up with a cure for cancer, Republicans would immediately find reasons to oppose it. These days it's the only thing they know how to do.

Write letters to the editor. They get people talking. And, occasionally, thinking.

Cheers and Jeers starts below the fold... [Swoosh!!] RIGHTNOW! [Gong!!]