This week I received yet ANOTHER email from our President touting his health care scheme.  The contents of the letter are below.  I can’t figure out why he doesn’t address the letter to Dear Comrade, but I digress….

Obama has realized that the American people are on to him.  Most people already have insurance.  They understand that it costs a lot of money to have insurance, and if we are to provide insurance t0 47 Million MORE people that is has to COST MOR, not less!  People are asking themselves -wait a sec – this things could really SCREW ME.  So Obama has taken to a new tact.  GIVE PEOPLE MORE FREE STUFF!    Of course, this will result in MORE cost shifting, but irony of all ironies, Obama is shifting the cost to the young adults who were so excited about his candidacy and helped propel him into the White House.  They don’t normally vote, so he knows he can stiff them without serious consequences at the polls.  What is not in the letter is the additional throwaway to the elderly:  that insurance companies can only charge twice the rate to a old person than the do a young person.  Guess who gets screwed on that one?  You got it - the young people. 

The only good news I see in this new approach is that he is terrified of not achieving some sort of health care overhaul. That was his campaign promise and he has set himself up for failure not being an option.  Thus he is beginning to move to a middle ground which will be much more palatable to the Republicans.  Remember, – the Republicans cannot afford to look like they didn’t GIVE YOU something, so they WILL go along – the question is go along with what?  Take the August recess to talk with your elected officials – or risk them giving away everything in September.

Letter is below with my comments inserted

Dear Friend,

If you’re like most Americans, there’s nothing more important to you about health care than peace of mind.

Given the status quo, that’s understandable. The current system often denies insurance due to pre-existing conditions, charges steep out-of-pocket fees – and sometimes isn’t there at all if you become seriously ill.

It’s time to fix our unsustainable insurance system and create a new foundation for health care security. That means guaranteeing your health care security and stability with eight basic consumer protections:

No discrimination for pre-existing conditions  [Cost shift to healthy, younger adults]
No exorbitant out-of-pocket expenses, deductibles or co-pays [why should you pay a lot?  Lower out of pockets = higher insurance premiums and more cost shifting]
No cost-sharing for preventive care[You shouldn't be responsible for your own care - this isn't insurance now - its Pre-Paid Medical care, which = higher premiums]
No dropping of coverage if you become seriously ill [They can't do that now - this is a sounds good line...]
No gender discrimination [ditto - unless you mean that women live longer than men but should pay the same rates... but isn't that discriminatory?]
No annual or lifetime caps on coverage [not necessarily bad, but it should be my choice as to what kind of coverage I need - this will result in higher premiums of course]
Extended coverage for young adults [this is great - parents will now be responsible for their kids - up to 26 years old?  I've got an idea - how about the young adults get their own freaking policy!]
Guaranteed insurance renewal so long as premiums are paid [sounds good - but will result in higher premiums as insurers seek to cover their risk]
Learn more about these consumer protections at Whitehouse.gov.

Over the next month there is going to be an avalanche of misinformation and scare tactics from those seeking to perpetuate the status quo. [counting Mr. Obama's own scare tactics?]  But we know the cost of doing nothing is too high. Health care costs will double over the next decade, millions more will become uninsured, and state and local governments will go bankrupt. [wait a sec....isn't that a SCARE TACTIC?]

It’s time to act and reform health insurance, drive down costs and guarantee the health care security and stability of every American family. You can help by putting these core principles of reform in the hands of your friends, your family, and the rest of your social network.

Thank you,
Barack Obama