PRESCOTT - Gabriel Buehler is mad that the U.S. House of Representatives passed health care legislation, but Dave Aichelman thinks it is a good first step toward health care reform.
These are some of the opposing opinions among Prescottonians who woke up Sunday morning to learn news of the 220-215 House vote on the landmark legislation. The bill now goes to the Senate.
"I think this sends insurance companies a message to straighten up their act or get better to customers," said Aichelman, 63, Sunday morning. His employer has an insurance plan, but the company continues to reduce coverage while at the same time making Aichelman pay more for him and his wife, he said.
However, Buehler, 24, sees it differently.
"They're going to make me and the rest of the middle class pay for it," he said while his wife, who does not have health insurance, nodded agreement. "With all the changes, I'm scared about what politicians in Washington, D.C., are doing that will have an effect on my children, and I don't have any say in it."
Rose Jackson, 68, is not happy with the bill, but for a different reason than Buehler.
"I don't think it is a well thought out bill," she said. Jackson is covered by her retired husband's policy from Freeport McMoRan at its mine in Bagdad. "I think the president went in blindly and he was not prepared to compromise.
"Personal health care works fine and they should not go in and change it."
Business owner Deborah Holland, 49, thinks it is another example of too much government in the publics' lives.
"It's too much government," she said. As a business owner, Holland provides her own health insurance and she does not have any employees to cover. "They are only going to hurt the elderly who won't be able to get the coverage they need. A lot of companies are going to drop people."
Alexis Force, 23, is the uninsured mother of a 3-year-old son. She finds irony in the fact that she works in a doctor's office that does not offer medical insurance.
"I think it's great that it passed - if it works," she said. "It's ridiculously hard to get insurance."
Force said she is in "a lot of debt" because of doctor and hospital visits for her son.
"I have to pay for every visit," she said. "He got the flu last month and it cost $200 for an office visit."
Although Aichelman is not convinced the bill is going to overhaul the insurance industry, he said it's "time for a change."
"This may not be the right fix, but at least it's a step in the right direction," he said.
Posted: Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Article comment by:
BFriend
This gentleman has the answer, unfortunately it's not what's in the bill. http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200909/health-care
Posted: Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Article comment by:
Anon
To Good Health Begins At Home...Pray that you never get cancer or any catastrophic illness and get completely wiped out while in other civilized nations, you wouldn't even get a bill! My daughter works 12 hours day, 6 days a week in her own business yet can't even afford health care that covers pregnancy...and she doesn't go to the doctor for "hangnails."
Posted: Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Article comment by:
No name provided
I am married and we both work. We just had our first child and our now in debt with medical expenses. We have insurance that costs us $300 a month. While my sister in law is not married, does not work and just had her first child that cost her nothing. Wish I could be a dead beat and get everything handed to me. It is about time we change things for the people who deserve it. Thank you president Obama!!!! Oh and in jail you get really good health care cant let any of those killers and child molesters die.
Posted: Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Article comment by:
Putin
One does not need to read it.
U.S. throws it's citizens in prisons in higher rate then Chinese. It is the laws "You the people" have voted for.So why are you complaining?
The dumbing of America is happening right now.
Posted: Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Article comment by:
ba'cho
Has any one actually read the House Bill? Are you aware of the provision that states in part; failure to comply ie. sign up; with a mandatory health care policy will subject that person to a huge $$$ fine and or FIVE (5) years in prison??? Is fining a person or sending them to prison; now a right or a privivilige of congress? Our elected officials have wasted trillions on bail outs, special interests and pork. But now state there is no money for pay raises or a COLA for our military, retirees or disabled veterans for 2010, 2011 and beyond.So those people who all feel warm and fuzzy about having the House Bill pass. Can thank our Veterans once again for their donation to the health bill as well as contributing to the common welfare.The money has to come from some where folks. Yet once again our nations veterans get the short end of the stick. Thanks so much Congress, great job!
Posted: Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Article comment by:
Observer
Public healthcare should be just as good as public housing. And Medicare, Medicade, Social Security, the Post Office and Amtrak. But the serfs in the Obamanation utopia are willing to see our country go deeper into debt because they have nothing to lose. They like the government picking up the tab, thinking for them and controlling their every breath. Gee thanks Ann Kirkpatrick. Your loyalty to Nancy Pelosi is undeniable. You did NOT represent the majority of CD1. Just the ones you want to control.
Posted: Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Article comment by:
Birther T. Bagur
The "poor" as you put it already get health care. This bill most helps people who are self-employed (esp. those in their 50's who get denied on the open market) or those making a living above poverty but below $80,000 who aren't offered benefits at work and get jerked around in the individual market. If you want to call people who are self-employed or make 50 grand a year working 2 and 3 jobs "lazy" or deadbeats, I think that says more about you than them.
Posted: Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Article comment by:
KC
What ever happened to Access? I could have sworn that this is what the "poor" use as their healthcare. Am I wrong? Bottom line is, they still get healthcare. Illegals get health care. So what's the debate? This whole health care issue is not about health care, it's about control. The government wants to control every aspect of our lives, and it seems that the only people who don't have a problem with this are the people who have had their hand out for years. Sorry that I don't want to pay for you to sit around while the rest of work for a living
Posted: Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Article comment by:
Good health begins at home...
If this whole healthcare thing is such a great idea, why should we be fined or incarcerated if we don't sign on? I have always paid cash for medical. What is so wrong about that? I don't abuse the system by running in to the doctor for every hangnail and sliver either; I take responsibility for my own good health...
Posted: Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Article comment by:
Good Riddance
Mr. DeCosta, Your letter is typical of the superficial generalizations that pass for deep thinking in this part of the world. Your presence will not be missed.
Posted: Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Article comment by:
Hey Brent
I'm sorry you moved, but I'm glad you're happy there. You're wrong on several counts. Actually Prescott's rate for serious crimes has been going down for the past several years. There still is a great sense of community. The newcomers don't want to destroy that sense of community, in fact many came here looking for just thatl. However, it is hard to maintain when people are so willing to point fingers and shout blame and say hateful things. It those people who are destroying the sense of community.
Posted: Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Article comment by:
Just wait.
Just wait for the people of the United States to find out what is really in this 1990 page bill. It has been hidden from us since it was 1100 pages. I wonder why. Wink. Wink.
Posted: Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Article comment by:
Putin
Yes. For the first time in history Americans have a chance to make helthcare a right and not a privilige. You know the rest of the civilized world figured it out a long time ago.
Americans are flocking to Europe these days with the hope that they can stay and enjoy the generous benefits the European citizens have.
It's not so easy and many countries are starting to require visas after 3 months.
Isn't that special?
Americans are a confused bunch these days and getting confused even more without a proper diagnose.
If you don't clean up your house soon my friends your life expectency will be bellow Somalia in a decade or so.Good Luck
Posted: Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Article comment by:
Rich Toms
Rep Kirkpatrick did the right thing and voted yes. She listened to her constituents.
Posted: Monday, November 09, 2009
Article comment by:
Bret daCosta
Wow.. I remember when Prescott was a haven for conservatives, there was low crime and a sense of community. Seems like liberals have taken over and Prescott is no longer a low crime town with a sense of community. It has turned into a classic example of what becomes of a nice place when the I wants and I deserve mentalty types move in. I am glad I moved you can have it.
Posted: Monday, November 09, 2009
Article comment by:
Sounds expensive
People, the economics of this isn't real hard to figure out. If this bill forces many more persons to be insured then for one thing many will have to allocate a chunk of change to insurance and spend less on other stuff (D'oh). Those who are broke will get theirs for a reduced price or for free. The money for that welfare will come from various places, including people with money (taxes). They will razzle dazzle you with savings figures but everyone in the biz (I'm a doctor) knows that in this country healthcare useage goes up every year, never down. People who have insurance feel a need to use it a lot of the time, unlike auto insurance that you can only use if you wreck. There's no premium hike if you run to the doctor with your sore neck like there is if you wreck your car. This will get expensive folks, and the only way out will be to ration it a little. That's a very negative work in healthcare speak, but it's not really that bad of a thing. Everybody doesn't need 10 physical therapy sessions for their low back pain or sore knee, but if it's covered they'll go for it more often than not. The question is always "is that covered by my insurance?" instead of "do I really need all that?." There has to be some personal incentive to stay away from nonemergent care.
Posted: Monday, November 09, 2009
Article comment by:
Jay
I am glad to see Buehler as another person in my age group who isn't drinking the kool-aid and knows Washington has become nothing more than a clown show!
Posted: Monday, November 09, 2009
Article comment by:
Good point...
Good point "Not Everyone Happy with Prescott Daily Courier Political Coverage"
We forget that history is full of examples of people who thought an idea was horrible, yet it happened anyway and life went on. The country didn't collapse. As a matter of fact, I believe critics of The Constitution in the 1780's argued that it would make government too big and powerful. Well, as you know it was approved and I'd say the country turned out pretty good.
Posted: Monday, November 09, 2009
Article comment by:
Birther T. Bagur
There are lots of people who work hard and don't get good insurance. I just think that if you work hard in American and play by the rules you shouldn't be getting jerked around by insurance companies when you are 60 years old and they don't want your business and would assume you go die instead. Or you are 35 with two kids, one of whom has issues and your insurance drops you because you forgot to report to them that you got a prescription for eczema shampoo once five years ago.
A 24 year old doesn't understand that, and neither does someone who got a lifetime insurance guarantee from back in the day when companies did right by their employees. If you think that hard working people in America should be prey to the greedy insurance cos. and the new third-world way companies treat their employees then let's just say you and I have a difference of opinion.
Posted: Monday, November 09, 2009
Article comment by:
No name provided
The Daily Courier is the same scumbag rag...always with the negative fear=based messages from the ignorant, selfrightous folks...
Posted: Monday, November 09, 2009
Article comment by:
No name provided
In August 2008, while on the campaign trail, Obama said in a town hall meeting that with health care reform, he will collect doctors, nurses, insurance companies, etc all together in a forum, and have it televised so the the American public knows EXACTLY what is going on. Anyone else remember this? Yes, there needs to be health care reform, but 2000 pages that NO ONE seems to know about is a bit scary. I certainly would like to know more about it. If it is going to raise my monthly rates or reduce or diminish my care in any respect, then NO THANK YOU. Something like this shouldnt be rushed into and then 'patched' later. Who is going to pay for this? I sure DONT want to and I dont want my childrens generation paying for it either. Guess we will have to wait and see.
Posted: Monday, November 09, 2009
Article comment by:
You are An American
And you represent what's gone wrong with our country over the past three decades. Do you really have to call people who disagree with you "ladies" and, in your mind, do you really consider that an insult. My 10 year old daughter has more sense than you do. One things for certain -- included in that that finely honed sense of freedom you cherish so much is the freedom to remain ignorant. You, sir, are no better than the Taliban.
Posted: Monday, November 09, 2009
Article comment by:
Alan K. Whitney
I find it incredible that the story fails to mention that our very own Rep. Kirkpatrick voted in favor of the bill!
Posted: Monday, November 09, 2009
Article comment by:
An American
Thankyou Gentalmen, its good to know that i dont stand alone.
Posted: Monday, November 09, 2009
Article comment by:
Read Closely
How very true! The truth hurts indeed! Why is that so hard to understand? Sound out the words if you must. I believe strongly in helping those that are less fortunate, only until they once again become self reliant. Some here think that wealth is a bad thing. My guess is that they have never actually applied their God given talent or intelligence. ALL of us have some unique ability or talent. So pull yourselves up and quit holding your hand out, you just may surprise yourself. Anything in this world is possible and everything is within your power to change. So, knock it off with the "poor pitiful me" whining. You teach your children what you want to teach them, just quit trying to teach my children your distorted and gloomy class warfare views. It is all of our responsibility to help those in need, but it is not our responsibility to bear a permanent and crippling tumor in the form of perpetual entitlements to those that refuse to apply themselves. I know that many of you that consider yourselves to be liberal are right now fuming mad, before you get your undergarments all balled up and cause some chaffing actually take the time to re-read this post. You will find that I believe in every one's ability to succeed and I know that it is sometimes hard to prevail, but persistence is rewarded. Try taking care of yourself, the feeling is truly great.
