Int w/President: Jail time for those without health care insurance?

[katty]

more:

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2009/11/interview-with-the-president-jail-time-for-those-without-health-care-insurance.html

From Sunlen Miller:

During an exclusive interview with ABC News’ Jake Tapper today, President Obama said that penalties are appropriate for people who try to “free ride” the health care system but stopped short of endorsing the threat of jail time for those who refuse to pay a fine for not having insurance.

“What I think is appropriate is that in the same way that everybody has to get auto insurance and if you don't, you're subject to some penalty, that in this situation, if you have the ability to buy insurance, it's affordable and you choose not to do so, forcing you and me and everybody else to subsidize you, you know, there's a thousand dollar hidden tax that families all across America are -- are burdened by because of the fact that people don't have health insurance, you know, there's nothing wrong with a penalty.”

[Autumn]

1. So what should the people who are trying to

“free ride” the health care system get? Everyone that I know, young or old who doesn't have health insurance, doesn't have it for one simple reason. They CAN NOT fucking afford it. "free ride” the health care system" is a disgusting term for a politician to use, just as "Welfare Queen" is.

[Igel]

24. Perhaps. But try a random sample.

When I was in my 20s I saw no reason to have insurance.

When I did risky things I took out insurance for the day. Otherwise I didn't do risky things. And, for 10 years, I had perhaps $100 in health care costs. Yet I could have afforded subsidizing others by buying health insurance.

You could say that I had health insurance, but getting it for a day to go skiing or having medical coverage in my car insurance is not what's usually meant.

No insurance. No 'free ride', either. In fact, the problem isn't those wanting a 'free ride', the problem is those who don't want to pay in more than they'd get out. Somebody needs to subsidize others, to pay in more than they get out of the system. They don't want to do it voluntarily, they'll still do it or face fines or arrest.

Now, my SIL has a free ride. She's on disability, so the government picks up costs for her chemotheraphy. On the other hand, she has well over $5 million in the bank. She avoids excessive taxes by having most of her money in tax-free or tax-sheltered instruments. In fact, since they own their house and her husband works half-time (his own business) they manage to exist on very little official income.

[Daveparts still]

2. Free Ride!!?

That is such a poor comparison, people without cars don’t pay car insurance.
People that ride public transport don’t pay bus or rail insurance it’s built into the price of the fare. This whole healthcare debacle has become so screwed up that Kucinich was right to vote against it.

[Autumn]

3. Free Ride. a little insulting

to people who can't afford insurance.

[GodDamLiberal]

4. Could we give a couple good

speeches to get free health insurance?

[pokercat999]

5. Up yours Obama, just give me what my congressman has

at the same percentage of my income that he pays as a percentage of his income!

[winyanstaz]

6. I cannot believe anyone is stupid enough to believe people deliberatly

go without health insurance.
And the talk of "Penalties" is something only a rich person out of touch with what the majority of Americans are facing now would say.
If your budget is so thin you are robbing peter to pay paul already, how is that trying for a "free ride"?
Going to the emergency room is the ONLY option now for many families..and that costs MORE than a regular Doctors visit. You really think people CHOSE that more expensive care on purpose>?
People are already chosing between eating and heating and many middle class families are already teetering on the brink.
This is just what America needs...a big fat SHOVE over the edge for Americans already hurting.WTF~~!!!!!!&#@#%$%@!!!!

[bertman]

9. I know you do not want to hear this, but THERE ARE people who deliberately go WITHOUT

health insurance and I know some of them. They know that they can walk into state medical center and get their care free--or for such minimal payments as to be free. And we're talking about everything from being seen when they have a bad cold to being treated for physical illness brought on by smoking and drinking to excess.

These are the same folks who don't report their taxable income accurately so they can get public assistance.

They are a minority, but they are out there.

[winyanstaz]

10. Well please tell me why we should punish the poor and middle class because of these few?

Why dont we catch the criminals and put them in jail instead.

[bertman]

12. I totally agree that we should catch the criminals and put them in jail instead. I was

simply refuting the statement that there is no one who is deliberately not buying medical insurance who could afford it.

To me, one of the biggest failings of our government is that we allow too much fraud to be perpetrated on government agencies--from the poor who lie in order to get more public assistance money, to the heads of giant corporations who flaunt the law and engage in war profiteering.

Every time I bring it up on DU that we should increase the oversight and enforcement to prevent these billions of dollars from being stolen, I am accused of being a heartless fascist who doesn't realize that there are only a miniscule percentage of these thieves in our society. The miniscule percentage part may be true, but they have a disproportionate impact on the treasury and on the confidence of many Americans that their government is spending its dollars wisely.

[winyanstaz]

15. I suggest we start from the top down then...

and set a good example for the people.....

[wolfgangmo]

21. You are an accomplice to a crime.

If you know names then report them. Name them. Do your civic duty.

But I am going to guess that you: a) won't, b) are lying your ass off, or c) not aware of all the details and could be falling for some BS your friends are spinning you over a few beers.

Which is it? All I know is this, if you know that someone is breaking the law and you do nothing then you are no different than the kids who stood around and watched that poor 15 year old girl get raped during her prom.

[libodem]

7. I wonder if they pay for your meds

and treatments while jailed? Hmmmm? Maybe that's a good thing. I could use some dental work.:sarcasm:

[Uncle Joe]

8. Medicare for everyone from the cradle to the grave and raise tax rates on the

wealthiest to anywhere near what it was during the 60s.

[Zoeisright]

25. [phone]

Spot on.

[Bluenorthwest]

11. During the Primary he painted Clinton as being a monster

for holding the position he articulates as his own just a few months later. Audacity is one word for it, mendacity another.

[bemildred]

13. As long as the definition of "affordable" is high, I'm Ok with it.

But it would still be better and clearer if is was just a tax, which is what it is anyway.

[justgamma]

14. if you have the ability to buy insurance, it's affordable and you choose not to do so

[niyad]

16. and there is nothing wrong with universal health care in the so-called richest country in the world

stop these damned wars, and there will be money for universal health care obama. no need for penalties, no need for putting a burden on other people. just the same thing YOU and the members of congress have, just the same thing civilized countries have.

[wolfgangmo]

22. He can't - Don't blame the president.

"They" showed him the film.

After he took the oath, like all presidents before him, he walked into the oval office alone (this is kind of a tradition that new presidents get to "experience" the oval office by themselves the first time) but he found several old, well dressed white men in the room already.

He asked, "what are you doing here" and they replied "you need to see this Mr. President" and then played a film. It was a film of the Kennedy assasination seen from an angle suspiciously like a grassy knowl. Then they asked him how much he loved his family.

Before they left they handed him his agenda for the next 4 years and promised him that if he played along he would keep his life, his families life, and get a second term. If he didn't ...


So you see, Obama, like every president before him, has no choice. He can either play along with the owners, or he can be replaced. We are all just commodities to the rich.

[diane in sf]

17. The free riders are the insurance companies--Single Payer for All Americans Now

[dotymed]

19. Amen.

This may be a "for profit" society, but when you put
profit before lives, it is a horrendous society based on
making the wealthy, wealthier. HR676 saves Americans money
while creating health care for all. What is more moral, only
helping sick people who have money, or, having the wealthy pay
more taxes and treating everyone equally? Other nations have
chosen and show that they are more moral than America. 1% of
Americans control 95% of the wealth....come on.

[katty]

20. right, insurance companies continue to be gleeful about profits

[wroberts189]

23. and another point ..what free riders? You can afford it without INS you get a big bill. nt

[Demeter]

18. I'm Giving 5th Rec for the Comments Posted

not for the Presidential doublespeak fallacy.