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Poetry, the imagination, and the creative life.

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Health Insurance Reform: Makes a Great Xmas Gift!

. . . Perhaps because of the early hour, Harry Reid accidentally called out "no," but quickly clarified that he meant for vote "aye," to the laughter of the chamber.

The approved Senate bill would reform health insurance regulations, require individuals to purchase insurance, and create a subsidy from the federal government for those who cannot afford it to purchase it on a health exchange managed by the federal government. To pay for the expanded coverage, the bill raises payroll taxes for income over $250,000, imposes a 40 percent excise tax on high-dollar insurance policies, and creates new taxes and fees for medical suppliers.


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My hope is that this is just the beginning of a major shift in how we provide health care in the US. Eventually bringing us in line with the rest of the "civilized" world: universal access, low costs, great outcomes.
Posted by Peter at 7:16 AM
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4 comments:

Collin Kelley said...

I hope so, too, Peter.

Happy holidays!

December 24, 2009 10:48 AM
esther said...

Yes, indeed. Happy holidays, Peter:-)

December 24, 2009 12:05 PM
Peter said...

Thanks C and E.

Yes: all our lives depend on it!

December 24, 2009 12:58 PM
Susan Rich said...

A great Christmas gift for the nation. Happy Holidays, Peer!

December 24, 2009 1:44 PM

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Poetry can communicate before it is understood. ~T. S. Eliot

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Poetry is nearer to vital truth than history. ~ Plato

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A poet's work is to name the unnameable, to point at frauds, to take sides, start arguments, shape the world, and stop it going to sleep. ~ Salman Rushdie

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Poetry heals the wounds inflicted by reason. ~ Novalis

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Poetry is what maintains our capacity for contemplation and difficulty. — Carolyn Forche

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Poetry must have something in it that is barbaric, vast and wild. — Denis Diderot

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Sometimes something wants to be said, sometimes a way of saying wants to be used. — Paul ValĂ©ry

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