These are the people representing you, America. Instead of fair, balanced debate of the issues, the GOP resorts to interrupting the process and acting like petulant children. The people of America have spoken and ELECTED those that are in congress. Obviously we want those people representing us. We want them making these decisions, and we want to see health care reform move forward.
The GOP had their chance to show America that it was right. They released details of their so-called healthcare plan (HR 3962) that they claim is better and will cover more than the democratic bill. In fact, however, the CBO reports that their bill will have almost no effect on healthcare at all. It will reduce the deficit, but just barely. Quoting from the CBO:
CBO and the staff of the Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT) estimate that the amendment would reduce federal deficits by $68 billion over the 2010-2019 period; it would also slightly reduce federal budget deficits in the following decade, relative to those projected under current law, with a total effect during that decade that is in a broad range between zero and one-quarter percent of gross domestic product.
But, you say, there are provisions in the bill to reduce the cost even more and help people afford it! Well, the CBO looked at this as well and concluded:
CBO and JCT estimate that those provisions would increase federal budget deficits by about $8 billion over the 2010-2019 period, reducing the number of nonelderly people without health insurance by about 3 million in 2019 and leaving about 52 million nonelderly residents uninsured. The share of legal nonelderly residents with insurance coverage in 2019— 83 percent — would be roughly in line with the current share.
So after all of the crap they've been spouting about how much better their bill is, in the end, it helps no one. In fact, after ten years, there will be LESS coverage. Genius. Keep up the great work, you morons..
