Letters: Free market cures no disease

I just received an email from my congressman, U.S. Rep. William Cassidy, M.D.\

He said that the Supreme Court’s ruling on the Affordable Care Act “will not deter my efforts or those of House Republicans to replace the President’s health-care law with something which achieves the goal of providing access to quality health care ... through free-market mechanisms and not through expanded government and higher taxes.”

I then called his Washington office and verified that he receives health-care coverage through one of the plans we taxpayers purchase for him. This raises questions for Rep./Dr. Cassidy.

If the “free market” is so effective, why do almost 50 million Americans not have health care? And which parts of the Affordable Care Act that helps the rest of us does Rep./Dr. Cassidy want to overturn?

Is it the part that would have prevented my son from having to borrow $4,800 to purchase health insurance while he was in law school because my husband and I could not keep him on our policy until he was 26?

Is it the part that requires insurance companies to spend 80 percent of their profits on sick people?

Perhaps it’s the part that guarantees coverage to families with sick children?

Rep./Dr. Cassidy made his living for years at the public Earl K. Long Hospital, the existence of which was necessitated by the fact that the “free market”could not ensure that the poor had care. A member of my family received care in that hospital for a congenital condition that eventually killed him.

Why didn’t Rep./Dr. Cassidy just depend on the “free market” to earn his living as a physician? Why did he depend on taxpayer dollars (as he is still doing as a congressman)?

Exactly why is Rep./Dr. Cassidy so enthralled with leaving people to the mercies of the “free market”? The only freedom that the current situation has given to millions of people is the “freedom” to get sick and die without proper care.

Speaking as his constituent, I would like to say that Rep./Dr. Cassidy should be ashamed of himself. If he wants to overturn the Affordable Care Act, he should first give up his taxpayer-funded health care coverage and throw himself on the mercies of the “free market.” Then he might be able to speak with some integrity.

Constituents in Rep. Cassidy’s district who are without health-care coverage should know about his hypocrisy and remember it the next time he runs for office.

Barbara Forrest

professor

Holden

Comments

1) Comment by ScotB - 12/07/2012

Dr. Cassidy has donated a lot of his time to providing uncompensated care to poor people. He knows far more about the practice of medicine, costs, cost shifting, lack of primary care physicians, the divide between have & have nots, bureacratic morass of paperwork that is Medicare/Medicaid, etc than any of the posters on this forum. I trust his judgement. We are fortunate to have him as our representative at this particular time.

2) Comment by Dotarian - 12/07/2012

Goldensage, consider that there is a base level of service that all citizens must have if a nation is to survive and be prosperous. It is not in the country's best interest to have 50% of real wealth concentrated in the top 1% of its citizens. It is not in the country's best interest to leave a large part of it's population exposed to poor health, low wages, judicial indifference and corporate abuse of their meager earnings. It IS in a country's best interest to ensure that there is some level of minimal protection for all citizens from these things. I'm not talking socialism, where everything is apportioned by the government. I'm talking about minimal, basic safety nets that prevent large swathes of the population from suffering due to poor (or nonexistant) health care. I'm talking about basic regulation of those "too big to fail" companies to ensure that they don't abuse that position to enrich themselves at the expense of those who can least afford it. And I'm talking about a base level of equality in how the judicial and legislative governmental structures deal with their citizens to prevent the elevation or preferential treatment of one segment of the population at the expense of the other. These are not socialist, communist, or any other "*.ist" philosophies that the RW want label. These are basic tenants of our country. And unregulated free markets in health care (or finance, banking, insurance, etc..) suborns the basic ability of common citizens to have a fighting chance to get ahead and stay healthy. Most liberals would NOT want complete government control of health care or any of those industries. But most DO want some base level of meaningful regulation to prevent the companies that these industries represent from abusing their position (and the markets) to enrich themselves. For example, I present Bob Diamond, Goldman-Sachs, etc al. It does the country no good to foist policies on the population that robs them of the chance to stay healthy, to work for an honest wage without abuse, and protects them from the predatory actions of "too big to fail" multinationals that dominate most of the so-called free market today. Don't accuse the liberals of socialism when their main goal is to make sure the "free market" doesn't become a code-word for "let the rich do what they want, regardless of how it affects the 99% of us that are NOT rich....

3) Comment by Dotarian - 12/07/2012

8point6, you said "Did you bother to "verify" that the democrats also receive health-care coverage through one of the plans we taxpayers purchase for them?"....Funny way to misrepresent a situation, since the Dems aren't the ones demanding that we give up the safety net of government funded (or regulated) healthcare. The Republibaggers are, hence the hypocrisy of their position (and your statement). Don't ascribe positions to your opposition that they don't hold and then bash them for it.

4) Comment by warreni - 11/07/2012

GoldenSage: That was one heck of a rant, but your seemingly-irrational hatred of Democrats and progressives isn't all that relevant to this discussion. It's sad that you think that everyone can't be covered by a single-payer insurance; take a look at pretty much every other country in the Western world. All of our brethren have national healthcare programs and they work well and they cover everyone. It's not a utopia or fantasyland. Sure, it may as well be here, because of the financial and political power that is arrayed against the idea of providing a single-payer system for everyone. It would mean an end to private healthcare insurance as we know it in this country, but the rewards would be great. We could dramatically decrease healthcare costs as no one would be denied basic preventative care, which means that many more people with chronic illnesses and even acute conditions can be treated earlier, have better outcomes and consequently a less expensive and shorter treatment regimen. Despite what you seem to believe, progressives actually do care about people. I think that an America that strives to provide basic healthcare to all of its citizens instead of none to many and an elite level to a select few who can afford it is a place I'd be proud to call home.

5) Comment by The_Host - 10/07/2012

Just wanted to point out YET AGAIN that the other "Most Commented" story has 37 comments but for some reason you can no longer comment or even read the other comments. Yet they move it to the most commented section. I would change the name to the most CENSORED comments section. That would be much more technically correct. Thanks Advocate for making sure nothing is allowed to spoken online lest it be heaping praise and worship on our overlords. You are the best paper EVER!

6) Comment by GoldenSage - 10/07/2012

It is a shame people get sick, and I feel sorry for those who are misfortunate to get sick. BUT, if anyone thinks that every person in the U.S. can be covered with health insurance without someone paying the price then they are not very bright. And I hate to tell Democrats (progressive) and liberals the real world is NOT an Utopia and never will be. Truthfully, the Progressive and Liberal Democrats know this. Any person that thinks Democrats care about the people aren't very bright. Study history and you might learn something. Yes, ObamaCare might help some people, but in the long run, more people will suffer, especially the old and sickly people that are not cost efficient. So, one person suffering now will be many people suffering later. Life Aren't Fair And NEVER Will Be. Get Real!!! Democrats only want Puppets... that follow talking points and it seems like there are many of them that read the Advocate. THINK! Don't be lead but so-call Democrats. True Democrats are few and far between. Progressives follow the motto: The End Justifies The Means... which includes using the unknowing people; followers; puppets for their power. Study history...Germany, 1920's and 30's. Get real before it is too late.

7) Comment by ABayouBoy - 10/07/2012

@Old Man Kensey, the only problem that I have is when Congress gets control of any industry, ultimately, mismanagement and misappropriation of funds, overspending, over-taxation, and bankruptcy is the result. And guess who foots the bill? The middle income taxpayer.

8) Comment by Old Man Kensey - 09/07/2012

Question ABB, what is the difference to me between a "tax" to pay my healthcare and a "Premium" to pay for my healthcare? Both come out of my pocket. Both take my hard earned money. But the old system allowed the "priviate" providers to take my money and NOT (always) give me what I paid for. .... you don't see a problem with that?

9) Comment by ABayouBoy - 09/07/2012

The truth is, is that this health care package is just a new tax in disguise. I'm sure that Prez. Obama's intentions are good in seeking to provide national heath care, but he needs to realize that the vast majority of Americans are already paying a bundle for it now. Just how does he expect middle income taxpayers for handle any additional tax burden. We are maxed out on taxes as it is.

10) Comment by ABayouBoy - 09/07/2012

I've got a great idea! Let Congress, and all government employees receive the same options for social security retirement, health care, 401k plans, and tax rates that the rest of most Americans have to live with. I'll bet that there would no longer be a budget crisis or problems with Social Security and health care in the future. But, that couldn't possibly happen. They would have to bring themselves down to mere mortal status and humble themselves before the sheeple.

11) Comment by stuckinthebr - 09/07/2012

Triple - The GBRCC is a great nonprofit, i.e. not a market participant. The free market does not care about the people the GBRCC helps. The free market cares about public relations vis-a-vis the return on investment to the bottom line, and issues grants to the GBRCCs of the world for that reason. This is as it should be. Market forces should not drive health care. The bottom line of a market participant is altogether agnostic to the best interests of individuals' long-term health. This is why charities and the government have to take care of the least among us. The ACA is an attempt to expand care for the least among us (as well as to rationalize a completely absurd private-market driven system), and leaving the health of large sections of our community at the whim of our most fortunate seems like a poor and naive choice next ensuring access to health care for everyone and having everyone pitch in.

12) Comment by Old Man Kensey - 09/07/2012

Triple-- you first.

13) Comment by dday198 - 09/07/2012

gbrcc is a very good thing that cassidy was involved in we're not talking about 98 we're speaking in the now. he is a party line republican that is considered a rino by the tea party who thinks everyone but jim demint a rino. he's just another politico trying to do 20 years on the public dole.

14) Comment by Triple - 09/07/2012

Agreed, this politician knows nothing of the free market, back in 98, he and his cronies put together the Greater Baton Rouge Community Clinic, with the following mission statement, "To provide comprehensive healthcare to the low income working uninsured population of the nine-parish Greater Baton Rouge area".  What a slug.  Undermining the free market by offering free immunizations to thousands of children.  Truly a RINO, by providing families with quality healthcare that they could not afford.  I'm sure all the posters here have done so much more to help the impoverished in our area.  Please share your stories of the thousands of families that each of you have helped.

15) Comment by Old Man Kensey - 09/07/2012

I also found this in the article and it begs for me to ask a question. Why do the republican leadership always have to lie about the numbers? Answer- to get people that don't study the issues to freak out and support them.. Same thing happened with the pipeline when they claimed it would create 60,000 jobs when it was actually only about 2000 temporary jobs (which is a no brainer since pipelines are built then maintained without a large number of employees)... why oh why can't they just get real, reasonable numbers rather than use scare tactics? ............................................................................................................ In 2010, House Ways and Means Committee Republicans issued a report saying the IRS may need as many as 16,500 additional auditors, agents and other employees "to investigate and collect billions in new taxes from Americans.".............................................. That assessment has been widely cited by opponents of the law. The IRS disputes the jobs number but hasn't offered another one............................................................................. "That is a made-up number with no basis in fact," IRS spokesman Dean Patterson said in an email. "The 2012 budget calls for about 1,200 employees for the IRS to implement the (Affordable Care Act), and the vast majority of those employees are needed to build technology infrastructure to support payments like the new tax credits for individuals and small businesses."

16) Comment by Old Man Kensey - 09/07/2012

@8point6 & whatnow: I read your article and this is what I found in it...................."Treasury spokeswoman Sabrina Siddiqui said, "The overwhelming majority of funds used by the agency to implement the Affordable Care Act go to administer the premium tax credits, which will be a tax cut averaging about $4,000 for more than 20 million middle-class people and families."

17) Comment by Old Man Kensey - 09/07/2012

Nimby, who paid the price for the deregulation of the banking industry? Who paid the price for the deregulation of the oil industry? Who always pays for the bad policies of Washington..This is the only bill that actually gives us some benefit with the cost.

18) Comment by Whatnow - 09/07/2012

@DMJ, is THAT what you got out of Nancy's comment? Wow! What a great spin!

19) Comment by Whatnow - 09/07/2012

@Tea_Slayer, get off the hyperbole kick. You are an "intellectual" bully. (Although, you think you are the smartest person in the room.) You offer nothing to any comment section except insults. Do you think it's an insult to call me the "good christian?" I will take it as a compliment and I will glory in it. What a nice label that you gave me. Thank you! What an honor. Seriously! Didn't you say you wouldn't insult me with your intellect anymore? Does that make you a liar also? Just askin....

20) Comment by dday198 - 09/07/2012

give us the Conservative answer to insuring 30 million more people

21) Comment by nimby? - 09/07/2012

experiments are conducted in a lab under controlled conditions for results . products are tested , re-tested over and over before being allowed to the public . still there are side effects , and the occasional class action law suit . none of that here , the tax payer will be the guinea pig . when this "after the fact" increases cost and people see what it is , decide they don't want it /like it , the options are ?

22) Comment by DMJ - 09/07/2012

The "pass it so we can see what's in it" refers to the belief that once the bill takes effect, people will like it because they'll benefit from it.. Obviously, if it never passed, it would never take effect and people would never get to "see what's in it." Everything makes a little more sense with context, no?

23) Comment by nimby? - 09/07/2012

a recent story in a northeastern publication suggest quite a few "dem" heads will be 'circled around an am radio hanging on to every word" . same story suggests more watch fox news than msnbc .....

24) Comment by 8point6 - 09/07/2012

Yep, they're all back at "work"......too funny!

25) Comment by dday198 - 09/07/2012

ditto heads circled around an am radio hanging on to every word.

26) Comment by Tea_Slayer - 09/07/2012

it's quite frustrating to try to have intelligent debates with those who have a high opinion of their intelligence despite evidence to the contrary. The loonies have taken control of these boards.

27) Comment by Tea_Slayer - 09/07/2012

and teh "good christian" complains of others' hyperbole? I don't think god really likes lying...

28) Comment by dday198 - 09/07/2012

so what is the answer anyone have answers to offer?

29) Comment by dday198 - 09/07/2012

Oops! Sorry, the page you requested either doesn't exist or isn't available right now! i tried

30) Comment by nimby? - 09/07/2012

wondering if Madame Pelosi has gotten around to finding out "whats in it" .......

31) Comment by Whatnow - 09/07/2012

@8point6, your "progressive" friends won't read it. They don't like facts, remember? They will only amuse us with their hyperbolic LW drivel, just like this letter.

32) Comment by Elderly Man - 09/07/2012

Our Representative offers no solutions. He is a great disappointment. Private healthcare insurance providers have largely failed us. They had had over 50 years to prove themselves. They failed. //Dr. Cassidy is a poor model for either a physician or congressperson. He is shameless, like too many in his party.

33) Comment by dday198 - 09/07/2012

the point is all pols, military, people over 65 get a sweet deal form the government. pols like cassidy want to keep it that way. many dems. are for single payer or medicare for all. i guess cassidy likes working that gun and knife show on airline where very few have health insurance.

34) Comment by DMJ - 09/07/2012

A scathing, yet accurate description of Mr. Cassidy's hypocrisy. Indeed, he should be ashamed of himself.

35) Comment by 8point6 - 09/07/2012

Only two anti-Republican letters today. "I then called his Washington office and verified that he receives health-care coverage through one of the plans we taxpayers purchase for him." Did you bother to "verify" that the democrats also receive health- care coverage through one of the plans we taxpayers purchase for them? Since most of my "progressive" friends were not at their "work" computers this weekend, I will post this again: http://news.yahoo.com/tax-man-cometh-police-health-care- 115736849--finance.html

36) Comment by Bighug - 09/07/2012

You make some good points, Dr. Forrest. If only we could elect someone like you to public office in Louisiana. I doubt that you could get what is required, however, which is the approval of the hate group, Family Forum.

37) Comment by dday198 - 09/07/2012

it's not about rep. cassidy giving up anything. he's not giving up anything. he works with poor people who have no health insurance you don't need to ask he will tell you every chance he gets to mug for a camera or open mic. sell insurance across state lines and health medical savings plans is the only plan i've heard him talk about and he did support the first paul ryan plan of ending medicare. this does not matter the more right-wing the bigger his polling numbers. we live in a state that likes to make it hard on everyone. we love prison labor and hate organized labor. oil and insurance pretty much run the state.

38) Comment by gary - 09/07/2012

Great letter. Dr. Hoopalong (aka dr. cassidy)has one goal - to unseat Sen Landriue - if little Bobby is not on Mitt's ticket - Hoppie will be outa luck - then he might start to help the disadvantage folks in his district - I always wonder about this "free market" do-do - that is why the U.S. is becoming a 2nd tier nation.

39) Comment by ceolalong - 09/07/2012

Search on the web "Penny Health" if you have a condition such as high blood pressure, asthma, diabetes, cancer, depression or have had an injury, like a broken leg and need health Insurance NOW.

40) Comment by Tea_Slayer - 08/07/2012

excellent letter. Too bad the "good christians" will baselessly bash the letter writer with hyperbolic RW drivel.