Deseret News | Baucus says health-care reform a shared duty

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Baucus says health-care reform a shared duty

Alex Adams | 3:16 p.m. Oct. 19, 2009

This is an awful article. I'm sorry, do you work for the Baucus campaign? This seems like PR release. Where's the balance?

Momlee | 3:18 p.m. Oct. 19, 2009

Let's hide behind closed doors, we've got all the answers. With the fuzzy numbers we'll be taxed to death. With 1500 pages and counting...is anyone going to read it. Of course we're 3 year old and can't read. This administration is totally out of control.

Rick Barusta | 3:19 p.m. Oct. 19, 2009

Is access to basic medical care for all Americans a right or not?

Access is clearly not a "right"... it is something that is a "privilege", something that has to be worked for...something that has to be "paid" for.

We already have a document on file called "The Bill of Rights." Our founding fathers would be rolling in their graves to hear of this debate.

With the country bordering on insolvency (bankruptcy), it is unconscionable that Baucus and others would propose additional trillions of added expenses against the national debt.

Comments continue below

Donovan Kim | 3:25 p.m. Oct. 19, 2009

No, Mr. Baucus, the basic question should NOT be "is it our morality that all Americans have health insurance?"

The question should be framed "is it our morality that all Americans have access to affordable health care?"

Do not equate health insurance with the affordable health care service!

Michael Ritter | 3:26 p.m. Oct. 19, 2009

I don't see how we can call ourselves a Christian nation without also agreeing that basic health care is a right for our citizens (Let's put aside for the moment the fact that we are the wealthiest nation on the face of the planet at any time in history and can't provide this most essential service for our citizens). Odd that many (not all) Republicans for the last eight years have claimed a monopoly on morality and the Christian faith and yet are opposed to insuring the poor.

Clark | 3:32 p.m. Oct. 19, 2009

Baucus somehow stakes the claim that health care should be a constitutional right. This so called right flies in the face of life liberty and the pursuit of happiness. This is absolutely unbelievable that a US congressman could be so uneducated about freedom and inalienable rights. How can you subjugate another person and bind him to another persons debt and call this constitutional. He is a jackass of the dumbest kind.
He needs to get an education, He needs to take econ 101. He needs to understand what true competition is and not try to twist it into despotism. Hey people let us rise above this foolishness and take back our rights and pledge our sacred honor. We will not allow this robbery to continue so help us God.

james malone | 3:33 p.m. Oct. 19, 2009

Mr. Baucus is using the phrase's . Health care---Health insurance, as if they were the same.THEY ARE NOT. I think this shows how little our leadera want to represent the people. Insurance co's. have "bought" all of them.

thank you.
James.

Brash | 3:34 p.m. Oct. 19, 2009

Baucus is trying to make a silk purse out of a pig's ear. He also doesn't understand the U.S. Constitution. Nowhere in the document is there any passage that can be stretched far enough to accommodate either the legality of mandatory health insurance or a responsibility by the public to ensure that everyone has health care.

As for the senator's contention that everyone has had a chance to air their ideas, that's pure bull. Every Republican suggestion and attempt at amendment has been blown out of the water by the arrogant Democratic bloc. Of course, a bunch of people went to the August "town meetings" to air their opinions, and were rewarded with slander and ridicule from the likes of people just like Baucus.

CommonSense | 3:40 p.m. Oct. 19, 2009

If I have a bakery, do you have a right to my bread because you're hungry? If I own a car dealership, do you have a right to a car that I have because you don't want to walk?

Healthcare is a GOOD and SERVICE provided by manufacturers and innovators, inventors and service workers.

WHAT IN THE WORLD gives people the idea that it's a RIGHT?! And why on earth would anyone work in that industry ever again if they can't make a profit? Answer? They won't! It will all come crashing down, and we'll have third-world care.

ANON | 3:42 p.m. Oct. 19, 2009

"Regardless of a person's station in life, "is it our morality that all Americans have health insurance?" "

NO! Wrong question! The question is do all Americans have a right to affordable health CARE! The answer is YES!

carolina girl | 3:42 p.m. Oct. 19, 2009

The Health Care debate IS a "simple question of whether or not Americans should have health care." I agree with Baucus. Are we so snooty that we think not every American deserves health care? As Americans we should leave no one behind. These ideas of people who don't have health care choose not to is repulsive. I am a college student working two jobs and can't afford health care. This is the first time in my life without it and the controversy over this makes no sense. Anyone working at this time based on our economy could loose their job and in turn loose their health insurance. NO AMERICAN is above having or not having healthcare. ALL AMERICANS DESERVE HEALTH CARE

rainman2 | 3:45 p.m. Oct. 19, 2009

It would be nice if we all had coverage, but like Baucus said is it a right that all have insurance? I don't think so. It has always been available to everyone but not everyone can afford it. Not everyone who could have bought it. It is far from being a right.

DrGreg | 3:47 p.m. Oct. 19, 2009

The problem with the alleged “right” to health care is that it would authorize the government to use force to compel some members of society (wealthy, doctors, business owners, soda drinkers) to serve the health care needs of others, and by doing so, the government would violate the unalienable rights to life, liberty, property, and the pursuit of happiness of those people who are forced to provide labor or money for this health care on terms dictated by the government.

The alleged “right” to health care involves a contradiction and must be condemned because it is illogical, immoral, and unconstitutional. A right that violates other rights “ain’t right.”

Dr. Gregory Garamoni
Doctors on Strike for Freedom in Medicine

Gina | 4:03 p.m. Oct. 19, 2009

Health care insurance companies should share the
responsibility, they are making alot of profit
off human lives. the insurance companies made 437% profit from 2000-2007.

The 27 or 28 other industrialized nations that
have health care coverage for their citizens are
not for profit and they don't have co-pays and
deductibles.

David G. | 4:14 p.m. Oct. 19, 2009

As worded, this bill will kill my medical device company. We won't be able to make a profit with the taxes and fees they want to pile on us, we're barely making a profit as it is with the economy the way it is.

So, thousands more jobs lost, and one less choice for some lifesaving devices that could have saved your life.

Tommy | 4:17 p.m. Oct. 19, 2009

Look, theere has never been a question of whether essential services shouldbe given to everyone at the expense of everyone. Why is it that essential services inlude such things as education, police services, firefighting services, retirement services (as in medicare and social security), a military, the FDA, the DEA, the FCC, but somehow healthcare chould be a for profit business. Anyone who has taken econ-101 can tell you that the way you run a business is by cutting costs and raising prices. How is this going to lead to better healthcare? Short answer, it won't. Imagine if every time you called the police or fire fighting service, they asked you for a credit card number or fire insurance policy number. Just food for thought from a very hardworking, law abiding citizen whom has lived without health insurance his entire adult life.

I live in montana | 4:17 p.m. Oct. 19, 2009

and I don't like this guy, I am amazed he gets re-elected. what an embarassment to our state, sorry,

J. Frost | 4:20 p.m. Oct. 19, 2009

As to the people who think there is a "right" to healthcare...who provides it? Are you okay with the state forcing doctors to give care, taking away their rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness? Are you okay with manufacturers having their prices controlled? (They'll just stop making the products first.)

You need to think about what you're saying. That healthcare is other peoples' work and effort, from doctors to scientists to people working in factories. What gives you the right to take what they made and provide, any more than they would have the right to take what you make with the state dictating what they can be compensated? It's not magic healthcare, you're talking about taking away others' rights to serve yours. Healthcare is provided by people who work for a living.

It looks ugly when you look at it that way, doesn't it.

Brad | 4:29 p.m. Oct. 19, 2009

I have the RIGHT to own a gun. So, according to Mr. Baucas and Pres. Obama, the government should provide one for me.

I have the RIGHT to worship as I please. So the government should provide a place for me to worship.

Obviously the RIGHT to have something does NOT obligate the government to provide it.

Come on Obama, get a clue.

A Legal Voice | 4:37 p.m. Oct. 19, 2009

Anyone who thinks that the proposed changes will help anything hasn't thought through this thoroughly, and definitely hasn't had a frank conversation with a Canadian.
If you are pro- cancer research then you should be against this bill.
If you are pro- technological advances, you should be against this bill.
If you don't want DMV-style healthcare, you should be against this bill.
There are better options to fixing the healthcare system, namely Tort reform and deregulation (we should be allowed to buy insurance across state lines to increase competition and drive prices down).

Everyone should be able to receive affordable healthcare, but health insurance is not a right. It could never be a right without taking away real rights from the rest of us... and I do mean ALL of us will suffer under this. ALL of us.

War919 | 4:40 p.m. Oct. 19, 2009

It has been said here already; it is absurd to call access to health insurance or health care for that matter, a right. It is not. Would it be a better world if everyone had access to health care? Yes. Should anyone be forced to provide this for another? No. Morality has nothing to do with this issue, no matter how much those in favor of it wish that it did. This has to do with one thing...Cost! As in, we cannot afford the cost. And to those who say things like, we are the richest nation in the world, you may want to ask the creditors who hold the notes on the record, over 1 trillion dollar debt that we find ourselves buried under. Richest debtor nation in the world? Idiocy like this Health INSURANCE Reform are the reason we are so indebted; that combined with the myriad other government programs that WE HAVE NO CHOICE but to pay for are the reason life is so sub-standard for so many of our citizens these days. But the liberal bent says that those programs are the answer. There is no logic.

Anonymous | 4:51 p.m. Oct. 19, 2009

Hey world wake up.
Just because you get insurance compaines to insure more people does not mean the companies will make money. If you were to insure more heavy users of the policy the insurance companies will actually lose money not make money. Then guess whose premiums go up? Yours!!

It is like insuring a 100 building and five are on fire and 20 have smoke coming out of the roof. How do you charge enough in premiums to pay for the loses. If you own one of the buildings that is well maintained and kept up properly with a fire prevention system and smoke alarms and automatic water system, why are you charged teh same for those who don't protect their property. Same thing with health insurance. Those who maitain a sensible life style now will have to care and pay for even more of those who don't try to maintain themselves. I am all for helping those who truely are mentally or physically unable to care for themselves for reasons out of their control. They make up a small percent of the uninsured.

Anonymous | 4:57 p.m. Oct. 19, 2009

HealthCare Reform Change Now!

The current for profit healthcare system is unethical and just about as ridicules as a for profit police or fire department would be if privatized.

Imagine getting the following responses from police and fire department.

"You didnt pay your premiums so we cannot help you with the crime (Fire, Rape, Robbery, Shooting etc) being committed."

"Please pay your premium in the future and maybe we will help you in the future if you survive this one."

"Sorry this is not a public problem but a private problem because it is happening at your home."

"Sorry, Our police captain and his officers didnt make enough bonuses this month."

"It looks like you dont make enough money for us to help you."

The current for Profit Healthcare System is built on all these excuses.

The quality of health care in the US has deteriorated under the privatized for profit system.

Treatments should not be denied because of a corporations quest for profits.

The Healthcare industry should be a nonprofit industry.

A public government healthcare option is needed to control costs and give the people choice.

Anonymous | 4:59 p.m. Oct. 19, 2009

UNAFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE BILLS ARE NUMBER 1 CAUSE OF BANKRUPTCYS!

UTAH IS THE ONLY STATE THAT APPEARS IN EACH OF THE TOP 5 LISTS OF QUANTITY OF BANKRUPTCYS IN THE NATION (Chapter 7, Chapter 11,and Chapter 13)

It is time everyone had a chance to go and spend a day in one of the many bankrupty courts in Utah and see a bankruptcy happening every 5 minutes.

It is hypocritical to ask the FEDERAL GOVERNMENT to stop over spending that leads to Bankruptcy when our own people,

YES THE STATE OF UTAH HAS THE NUMBER 1 RANKING OF MOST BANKRUPTCYS IN THE UNITED STATES (#1 Total in percentage of bankruptcys per each 1,000 households).

THE STATE OF UTAH RECIEVES FEDERAL MONEY and relies on it BECAUSE THE PEOPLE OF UTAH CANNOT STOP OVERSPENDING and CANNOT BALANCE THEIR OWN ACCOUNTS.

How about fixing our personal spending and RESOLVE THE PROBLEM IN OUR OWN STATE OF UTAH.

UNAFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE BILLS ARE NUMBER 1 CAUSE OF BANKRUPTCYS, FIX THE PROBLEM REPUBLICANS BY LOWERING OUR HEALTHCARE COSTS OR UPPING OUR WAGES!!

NONSENSE! | 10:15 p.m. Oct. 19, 2009

Baucus' bill has finally been released, and it is a mind numbing 1,502 pages long!

NO ONE KNOWS WHAT IS ACTUALLY IN THERE< OR WHAT IT DOES!

This insane power play to seize control of one sixth of the U.S. economy is an outrageous example of the power lust of those in Congress and their refusal to allow time for public scrutiny of their mischief.

SHAME ON BAUCUS AND EVERYONE WHO VOTED FOR THAT BILL- when they did not even have actual bill to vote on.

Anonymous | 11:04 p.m. Oct. 19, 2009

DOING NOTHING IS INSANITY!

UNAFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE BILLS ARE NUMBER 1 CAUSE OF BANKRUPTCYS, FIX THE PROBLEM REPUBLICANS BY LOWERING OUR HEALTHCARE COSTS OR INCREASING OUR WAGES!!

REFORM NOW!

BD | 12:53 a.m. Oct. 20, 2009

No, it’s not! Your body is not a shared duty.
Baucus keep dreaming that your crafted slop will be passed.

J. Frost | 1:51 a.m. Oct. 20, 2009

Hey, anonymous, you want to increase wages? Have the government stop collecting income taxes from every working person for one month. Easy. Ah, but liberals hate that idea, as it only helps people who work.

No, blank-eyed shouters like you would rather drool and yell for things you don't even understand. That "lowering healthcare costs" would take the form of taking away the rights of those who work for a living in the healthcare industry, the doctors and nurses, the factory workers at medical companies, either compelled to work at State-dictated pay levels or restricted from making a profit.

Which will cause them to stop making medical products, and keep people from going to med school, since they don't want to become slaves of the State.

But you liberals can't see that. You just chant your slogans and lead us to ruin.

It's all a privilege | 3:35 a.m. Oct. 20, 2009

Just like working is a privilege, so is health care and education. Neither are rights and its foolish to hope that any national plan of insurance will benefit any living american.

It's hard to comprehend that the citizens of america are willing to sacrifice their rights and freedoms and country over a misconception that government owes them. The american people are willing to give up their rights of choice to fight excessive health care costs. You fight excessive health care costs by uniting by force as americans and beat these costs in to the ground. A united force of americans can do more good to cut health care costs than giving up your rights of choice. It would be far better for every american to cancel all insurance and put them out of business than become submissive servants of the government.

Canceling all policies would bring the industry and health care costs to their knees and make a much large message than being blind and giving up what you are, the american people. America was built on sacrifice, not submission to government or any industry.

Health care is a monopoly filled with incompetent service and care.

Life and Liberty | 6:52 a.m. Oct. 20, 2009

Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. Americans are dying from lack of screening, lack of treatment and lack of medicine, all because they lack health insurance.

If preserving Life is not constitutional, nothing else matters. How can a Christian even consider it OK that our neighbors are dying, unconscionable.

Cosmo | 9:34 a.m. Oct. 20, 2009

Baucus, if it is soooo wonderful why are you fat cats exempt?

Mark | 11:03 a.m. Oct. 20, 2009

Giving the government control of our health care isn't going to make it affordable. When people can pick and chose their own health care based on what fits their needs, health wise and money wise that's what is going to make it affordable. Everyone working for the government IS the problem! Private enterprise is what made America great and will again if we can get out of the clutches of our overpowering government.

RedShirt | 12:16 p.m. Oct. 20, 2009

To "Life and Liberty | 6:52 a.m." stop spreading the propaganda. 95% of the uninsured are that way by choice. If you don't include those people into the uninsured figures, you have less than 1% of the population that are truely uninsured.

The health care "crisis" if a fabrication being used to add additional government controls over your life. Liberty itself is sick, but the government is just making things worse.

DrGreg | 5:49 p.m. Oct. 21, 2009

To "Life and Liberty | 6:52 a.m." You have a right to the pursuit of happiness. If you are like most people, your sexual satisfaction is integral to a life of happiness. You have the right to pursue sexual happiness with the voluntary consent of a willing partner. You do not have the right to force others to have sex with you -- to rape them. Nor do you have the right to force other people pay taxes to fund your "happy endings."

And if you demand, based on your right to pursue happiness, that the government use its power to provide sexual outlets for your happiness, don't be surprised if taxpayers tell you: 'Go (expletive deleted) yourself!'

And if you demand, based on your right to life, that the government use its power to force others to provide you with health care, don't be surprised if taxpayers, doctors, business owners, and others targeted for plundering by the liberals tell you the same thing.

Fey.May | 3:56 p.m. Oct. 25, 2009

Insurance companies are evil. I'm so sick of dealing with their "claim denied because we are not the primary insurance company" crap, and my family has experienced very-good-to-excellent health. I can't imagine having to deal with them if I had a child with a chronic illness!

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