Atlasian National Healthcare Bill (Law'd)

[Marokai Backbeat]

I would not. Don't count on my vote with such absurd regressive tax increases in this bill.

Honestly, fellow Senators, man up and raise income taxes, stop pussy-footing around the finance issue with ass-backwards revenue raising schemes.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

I would not. Don't count on my vote with such absurd regressive tax increases in this bill.

Honestly, fellow Senators, man up and raise income taxes, stop pussy-footing around the finance issue with ass-backwards revenue raising schemes.

This has nothing to do with the finances, you fool. It has to do with discouraging the irresponsible use and consumption of products that can be damaging to ones health and thus increasing the burden on society and the overall cost of Health Care. Don't think that this won't be an issue with your precious public plan simply because its on the Taxpayers dime, in fact its because of that we should consider these measures.

[Vepres]

I am pleased with the direction this bill is taking. I'll reiterate a few concerns however.

1. There needs to be a way to encourage quality over quantity. Computerizing records will help in that tests won't need to be repeated. Still, more should be done. As to what, I'm not sure.

2. Perhaps this belongs in a separate bill, but I think we need to somehow encourage healthy lifestyles. Getting people to exercise and eat healthier foods, sleep more, among other simple things can cut down on ER visits significantly, which could save lots of money down the road.

3. I realize the public insurance will help with this, but we need to get the insurance companies competing more.

4. Also, we need to ensure that businesses don't drop covering their employees over the public system, especially if their provided plan is superior.

5. I don't believe you've addressed discrimination against people for current, pre-existing, or past conditions. (Correct me if I'm wrong)

I'm very pleased overall, though.

1. We are waiting on that

2. The only thing we could do on that is to raise the Tax on Tobacco, Alcohol, etc considerably like 50% taxation, however I doubt this Senate has a stomach for that option. I am sure there are other things we could do as well.

I can think of some things to do, but they're more of a regional responsibility, at least in my opinion. For example, government employed teams that work with GPs and pediatricians to ensure their patients are living healthy lives. The physician could refer the people to these teams, which could include a nutritionist, a psychologist, perhaps an exercise expert, among other things. This service would charge a modest fee, just enough to break even. Besides, they won't need fancy equipment or anything.

However, that seems like a regional thing to me. I plan on introducing something like this if/when I become governor.

I have a few other ideas, but again, they are regional things in my mind.

[Marokai Backbeat]

I would not. Don't count on my vote with such absurd regressive tax increases in this bill.

Honestly, fellow Senators, man up and raise income taxes, stop pussy-footing around the finance issue with ass-backwards revenue raising schemes.

This has nothing to do with the finances, you fool. It has to do with discouraging the irresponsible use and consumption of products that can be damaging to ones health and thus increasing the burden on society and the overall cost of Health Care. Don't think that this won't be an issue with your precious public plan simply because its on the Taxpayers dime, in fact its because of that we should consider these measures.

We already have obscene taxes on those "undesirable" activities. If drinking and smoking hasn't been taxed and stigmatized to death by now, there's no sense in harming average Atlasians further. If this isn't about finances, then simply spend some money on an advertising campaign, or research on their harmful effects. There's no reason to hurt poor people, who are most of our smokers, and probably most of our drinkers.

[Vepres]

I would not. Don't count on my vote with such absurd regressive tax increases in this bill.

Honestly, fellow Senators, man up and raise income taxes, stop pussy-footing around the finance issue with ass-backwards revenue raising schemes.

This has nothing to do with the finances, you fool. It has to do with discouraging the irresponsible use and consumption of products that can be damaging to ones health and thus increasing the burden on society and the overall cost of Health Care. Don't think that this won't be an issue with your precious public plan simply because its on the Taxpayers dime, in fact its because of that we should consider these measures.

We already have obscene taxes on those "undesirable" activities. If drinking and smoking hasn't been taxed and stigmatized to death by now, there's no sense in harming average Atlasians further. If this isn't about finances, then simply spend some money on an advertising campaign, or research on their harmful effects. There's no reason to hurt poor people, who are most of our smokers, and probably most of our drinkers.

Agreed. Another point, if your addicted to something, then I highly doubt a "sin tax" will deter you.

[Lief 🗽]

And besides that, I don't think the government should be telling people that they shouldn't smoke or drink beyond a reasonable point. And a 50% tax on those activities isn't very reasonable. With alcohol especially (though with cigarettes too to a certain degree) there aren't serious life-threatening health complications unless there is frequent unhealthy use. And if someone is an alcoholic, as the honorable Midwestern Lt. Governor pointed out, a sin tax isn't going to get them to quit.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

I would not. Don't count on my vote with such absurd regressive tax increases in this bill.

Honestly, fellow Senators, man up and raise income taxes, stop pussy-footing around the finance issue with ass-backwards revenue raising schemes.

This has nothing to do with the finances, you fool. It has to do with discouraging the irresponsible use and consumption of products that can be damaging to ones health and thus increasing the burden on society and the overall cost of Health Care. Don't think that this won't be an issue with your precious public plan simply because its on the Taxpayers dime, in fact its because of that we should consider these measures.

We already have obscene taxes on those "undesirable" activities. If drinking and smoking hasn't been taxed and stigmatized to death by now, there's no sense in harming average Atlasians further. If this isn't about finances, then simply spend some money on an advertising campaign, or research on their harmful effects. There's no reason to hurt poor people, who are most of our smokers, and probably most of our drinkers.

We probably already have high tax rates on those things as we should. It seemed like you failed the grasp the whole reasoning behind the proposal in the first place by insinuating it was part the financing. I would argue that poor people are already harming themselves by being addicted to these things and so frankly that is not my concern. My concern is that we not subsidize the irresponsibility of a few on the backs of millions of responsible taxpayers.

I would not. Don't count on my vote with such absurd regressive tax increases in this bill.

Honestly, fellow Senators, man up and raise income taxes, stop pussy-footing around the finance issue with ass-backwards revenue raising schemes.

This has nothing to do with the finances, you fool. It has to do with discouraging the irresponsible use and consumption of products that can be damaging to ones health and thus increasing the burden on society and the overall cost of Health Care. Don't think that this won't be an issue with your precious public plan simply because its on the Taxpayers dime, in fact its because of that we should consider these measures.

We already have obscene taxes on those "undesirable" activities. If drinking and smoking hasn't been taxed and stigmatized to death by now, there's no sense in harming average Atlasians further. If this isn't about finances, then simply spend some money on an advertising campaign, or research on their harmful effects. There's no reason to hurt poor people, who are most of our smokers, and probably most of our drinkers.

Agreed. Another point, if your addicted to something, then I highly doubt a "sin tax" will deter you.

Addictions can indeed be broken you know if properly motivated.

It doesn't matter though. Lets move on.

[MasterJedi]

I hereby open up a vote on this amendment. Please vote Aye, Nay or Abstain.

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[Purple State]

Aye


Regarding sin taxes, while it is true that we should attempt to reduce unhealthy living practices, obscene taxes aren't going to do it. If someone would like to propose a program to that end, that is another story.

[Marokai Backbeat]

Abstain

[Fritz]

Aye

[Brandon H]

I (finally) have some free time and will be working on some statistics. I'm going to start with a population of 307 Billion. What numbers are we looking for? I see one request for cost of the program. As far number of uninsured, I'm going to see if what previously passed legislation affects health care, and then modify the real number of uninsured based on any of those bills.

[Purple State]

I (finally) have some free time and will be working on some statistics. I'm going to start with a population of 307 Billion. What numbers are we looking for? I see one request for cost of the program. As far number of uninsured, I'm going to see if what previously passed legislation affects health care, and then modify the real number of uninsured based on any of those bills.

In conjunction with cost, also how much of that cost the financing measures in the legislation will cover and how much is still missing (or how much over we are projected to be).

Some numbers on how many uninsured this bill will cover and how many will switch from private to the public option. Plus anything else you want to throw in.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Aye

[MaxQue]

Aye

[tmthforu94]

Aye

[Hash]

aye

[MasterJedi]

Aye

With 7 Ayes, 0 Nays and 1 Abstention this amendment has passed.

[MasterJedi]

As of now there are no more amendments.

[Purple State]

I've covered everything I wanted to. I would like to give the GM a little bit of time to provide us with some data, but I don't want that to drag this on for too much longer. If we don't get anything by Thursday I say that would be a good time to open a vote.

[Fritz]

I appreciate everyone's involvement in amending this important legislation into a package that, I hope, will be acceptable to all parties.  I hope this bill can be passed without any further ado.

[afleitch]

Kudos to all

[Hash]

Is it possible for some brave soul to post the text of the legislation, after all amendments? Pretty please?

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Is it possible for some brave soul to post the text of the legislation, after all amendments? Pretty please?

I two would like to see the current text.

[Purple State]

Is it possible for some brave soul to post the text of the legislation, after all amendments? Pretty please?

I two would like to see the current text.

MJ has some issue with his internet if I'm not mistaken, so this may take a day for him to get to.