Deseret News | Matheson aims to cut public health option

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Matheson aims to cut public health option

Happy Valley Heretic | 4:54 p.m. Nov. 5, 2009

Jim: Bought and paid for by the Health Care Industry. Without a public option this is a handout for the Industry (which is why they are giving millions to politicians like jim in exchange for his loyalty and possibly his soul.)
Increase competition and bring prices down, just like when they broke up Ma Bell, or cable... boy that sure drove the price down... NOT.

Where does Jim get his Ideas from? research, think tanks, HEALTH CARE INDUSTRY LOBBYIST just curious

Stop grandstanding | 4:55 p.m. Nov. 5, 2009

What part of we need insurance reform NOW don't these politicians hear?

More and more business owners are not able to afford insurance for their employees and these guys do nothing.

Brain | 5:35 p.m. Nov. 5, 2009

It's cool having a Democratic Representative from Utah. It would be even cooler if he weren't a Republican in disguise. Would it be too much to ask to have one of our politicians represent the rest of us? We're not all Glenn Beck Reactionaries!

Comments continue below

Anonymous | 6:08 p.m. Nov. 5, 2009

A significant portion of health insurance premiums go not for actual medical care but for private jets, generous CEO salaries and underwriters who decide when to drop patients who become too expensive, according to audits done at insurance companies.

discouraged | 7:11 p.m. Nov. 5, 2009

Why did I think that Jim would fight for the health care that America needs. My husband spent ONE night in the hospital last month. The bill was $22,000. That does not included what the doctor is going to charge us. A consultation with him was $265.00. This illness will cost more than we make in a year. Does Jim care? No his health care is paid for by the tax payers.

Mc | 9:00 p.m. Nov. 5, 2009

To discouraged:
What hospital was your husband in? My husband spent 4 days in the hospital following surgery and the bill was "only" $24,000. We thought that amount was ridiculous, but it looks like it was better than yours!

discouraged | 10:08 p.m. Nov. 5, 2009

He was in utah valley hospital. He was there 24 hours. I was shocked. The care was good, but who can afford to get sick?

Anonymous | 10:34 p.m. Nov. 5, 2009

A significant portion of Anonymous posts are bunk and unprovable.

Dave | 10:36 p.m. Nov. 5, 2009

Congratulations to Jim. We do need health care refor. Jim understands this, but it should be reformed to make it better, not to get more costly and subject to more cumbersome governmental regulations.
Hang in there Jim. Don't let the earlier pessimists get you off track. We are proud of you!

Anonymous | 11:08 p.m. Nov. 5, 2009

71% want the public option. These people don't care what: we the people, want. They are slaves of the corporations that have them on their payroll.

Anonymous | 1:57 a.m. Nov. 6, 2009

Dave,
Want to make healthcare cheaper? Why don't we get rid of insurance companies? What service do they actually provide to justify gobbling up 30 percent of the $2.6 TRILLION spent on healthcare in this country?

Re: Anonymous 11:08 pm | 8:17 a.m. Nov. 6, 2009

I don't know where you're getting your figures from; the pollster Rasmussen -- whose predictions were the most accurate during the past two elections, by the way -- shows a solid majority opposed to passing the entire health care bill.

"Blue Dog" Democrats know this -- they do their own polling so they know not to trust biased media polls -- which is why Matheson is so adamantly opposed to the public option; he knows he wouldn't survive the next election if he supported it.

If it comes down to voting for the far-Left agenda of Nancy Pelosi and Barack Obama and getting re-elected, politicians such as Matheson will choose incumbency over ideology every time.

Anonymous | 8:25 a.m. Nov. 6, 2009

Great job Jim. Nice to have a Utahn as a voice of reason among a government that has become so polarized that neither side really represents the needs of the people.

It sounds lie a group of moderates among the Democrats are in a very powerful position. Even with the Demo majority, there are enough of the Blue Dogs that either side needs them to get things done.

Finally a voice of reason with enough power to make people stop and think about what they are doing.

journeyhome | 9:31 a.m. Nov. 6, 2009

The GOP is a wholly owned subsidiary of Corporate America.

A friend of mine recently laid off is paying $2,500.00 dollars a month for his COBRA. Anyone taking up the insurance industry's cause doesn't know what they are talking about.

If you think the insurance companies are going to voluntarily lower their cost while having a monopoly over the process — you are being disingenuous

Over 60% of all US bankruptcies are attributable to medical problems. Most victims are middle class, well educated and have health insurance - (The American Journal of Medicine)

The insurance companies and their representatives in Congress would love to perpetuate a business model that is crippling our overall economy — a bunch of great Americans aren’t they?

90% of the wealth concentrated in 1% of the population is no way to run a country but a heck of a way to establish a royalty ruling class. Yacht sales can not sustain 350 million people. I'm for the public option, competition and a level playing field or break up the big insurers like we did AT&T.

Paul Burke
Author-Journey Home

Leadership | 9:48 a.m. Nov. 6, 2009

I remember another Matheson who as governor of the State of Utah would take what action he thought was best for the state and would not be pushed aside because of partisan lobbying. It is clear that Jim Matheson is cut from the same mold. In the face of the mockery by the liberal side of the Democrat party, Mr. Matheson has the courage to challenge the direction of the party when he feels it is not in the best interest of the residents of Utah.

LInda | 12:02 p.m. Nov. 6, 2009

The public option is necessary for limits on liability. Congressman Matheson, please wake up and represent Utah citizens instead of corporations.

Common Sense | 2:41 p.m. Nov. 6, 2009

Given the pathetic state of Social Security and Medicare exactly why do people think that the government can possibly handle Health Care. "Corporate Slave" is nothing more than liberal rhetoric. I have private insurance that has high deductibles, but at least I can see a specialist of my choice. If you really want socialized medicine just move about 700 miles directly north.
Besides, if this plan is so good why aren't Congressional members going to be a part of it. You people all want something for nothing.

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