True the Gov't has a pretty iffy track record at containing costs. Just look at our military expenditures, postal service and Amtrack...

That said, the Congressional Budget Office, Not the White House or the Congress says it will have this financial effect on the deficit. Also, MIT just released a study yesterday that suggests premiums should go down for most Americans' health care costs.

The CBO releases their preview on effect on premiums this week-it'll be interesting to see if their outlook jives with MIT's.

Who's suggesting we have nothing to worry about? This won't be the end of fixing healthcare by a looooong shot. There's not nearly enough in either Bill that addresses costs, so we'll all be back here in a year
working on this again. To address costs meaningfully, we'll need to get everybody in the boat and have some adult type discussion on how best to spend limited health care dollars. IMO, this Country isn't ready for that kind of conversation yet, so I don't see it happening anytime soon. Other Countries have figured this out, why not us? Sometime taxes aren't bad things. Taxes pay for any number of things society has deemed worth it, like Parks, Sewage & Water systems, Education, etc. I have great healthcare and would be willing to pay higher taxes so other Americans could have access to health care. I'd rather pay for them to go to the GP for a $20 co-pay on a check up than hundreds/thousands on an ER visit for a stupid head cold.

Unemployment is going up, but the rate of unemployment claims is slowing, which is better than if it wasn't. Employment is a lagging indicator in an economic recovery, so its one last things that will really improve.

These are all pretty complex issues. Smart people from both political parties haven't figured it all out yet.

------------------
Bill in Dayton

[This message has been edited by Bill in Dayton (edited 11-29-2009).]