Reply #9: Krugman makes excellent points

[OzarkDem]

the biggest point (same one many of us here have been making) is that the uninsured are a big financial burden, both on the health care system and on any health care reform program and ultimately a taxpayer burden.

Yes, its quantifiable and proven.

from Krugman's column

Mr. Gruber finds that a plan without mandates, broadly resembling the Obama plan, would cover 23 million of those currently uninsured, at a taxpayer cost of $102 billion per year. An otherwise identical plan with mandates would cover 45 million of the uninsured — essentially everyone — at a taxpayer cost of $124 billion. Over all, the Obama-type plan would cost $4,400 per newly insured person, the Clinton-type plan only $2,700.

Will it be difficult to pass? Yes. And even more difficult when Obama uses fear, false information, demagoguery and right wing talking points in public discussion of the issue. These tactics will kill the chance of any meaningful health care reform, Obama's plan included.

If Mr. Obama gets to the White House and tries to achieve universal coverage, he’ll find that it can’t be done without mandates — but if he tries to institute mandates, the enemies of reform will use his own words against him. I'd like an Obama supporter to prove to me that he isn't aware that his demagoguery against Clinton's plan will also hurt chances of passing his own version.