flag @ whitehouse . gov

[tonyarn]

The White House - Blog Post - Facts Are Stubborn Things

There is a lot of disinformation about health insurance reform out there, spanning from control of personal finances to end of life care. These rumors often travel just below the surface via chain emails or through casual conversation. Since we can’t keep track of all of them here at the White House, we’re asking for your help. If you get an email or see something on the web about health insurance reform that seems fishy, send it to flag@whitehouse.gov.

What are your thoughts on this?

BTW...not trying to start anythingf, just curious about everyone's thoughts.

[selah]

Suspicious and not at all trusting of the government......especially this administration.....government seems to be hiding more and more stuff from us, so when they say send us your emails....you can trust us.....I say, yeh, sure......not happening. Makes me think they just want to shut-up the real truth.

[MaryMary]

If I'm proposing something which is up to votes, do I want any negative opinions spread around?
But for White House I'd say this is low, violation to freedom of speech and opinions.

[CoffeeMom]

I think they just want to know what the most popular misconceptions are so they know what to focus on in terms of 'advertising.' Of course they want public support for the reform but how can people support it if they don't know what the facts are?


...of course, I wouldn't advise anyone to blindly accept what the government tells them, but I understand where the request is coming from.

[wvmommy]

I have to agree with MaryMary. This is a clear attempt at silencing people who have negative opinions on the bills that are up for vote. It will ultimately be a violation of freedom of speech.

It seems things are not so transparent anymore.

[beth119]

I think they just want to know what the most popular misconceptions are so they know what to focus on in terms of 'advertising.' Of course they want public support for the reform but how can people support it if they don't know what the facts are?


...of course, I wouldn't advise anyone to blindly accept what the government tells them, but I understand where the request is coming from.

I 110% agree.

I have to agree with MaryMary. This is a clear attempt at silencing people who have negative opinions on the bills that are up for vote. It will ultimately be a violation of freedom of speech.

It seems things are not so transparent anymore.

Asking for chain emails, smearing messages, etc... that distort fact and the truth...

Is not a violation of freedom of speech. DUH.

I think it just comes down to wanting to see how much BS is out there... and there IS A LOT.


Its funny how everyone wants to slam the president about this.. but wanting to defend Sarah Palin everytime something was printed about her. Saying that she should SUE for misinformation, libel, etc...

Please don't even try to be "outraged" when all the white house wants to do is gather information.

If someone REALLY thinks this is a "free speech" violation... go back to 2nd grade. Or quit with the BS complaints.

[MaryMary]

I went to see their consumer protections, most looks good with some comments.
No Discrimination for Pre-Existing Conditions
Insurance companies will be prohibited from refusing you coverage because of your medical history. Yes, how about your credit history? They cannnot deny you on your medical conditions but can offer such you rates you'd refuse coverage by yourself?
No Exorbitant Out-of-Pocket Expenses, Deductibles or Co-Pays
Insurance companies will have to abide by yearly caps on how much they can charge for out-of-pocket expenses. Would this also include premiums?
No Cost-Sharing for Preventive Care
Insurance companies must fully cover, without charge, regular checkups and tests that help you prevent illness, such as mammograms or eye and foot exams for diabetics. Sounds great, will see how it well be implemented.
No Dropping of Coverage for Seriously Ill
Insurance companies will be prohibited from dropping or watering down insurance coverage for those who become seriously ill. Would it also prohibit raising premiums to people incurring lots of expences for the insurance co.?
No Gender Discrimination
Insurance companies will be prohibited from charging you more because of your gender. Do not think insurance co's will go for it. Mathernity is an expensive thing.
No Annual or Lifetime Caps on Coverage
Insurance companies will be prevented from placing annual or lifetime caps on the coverage you receive. Nice.
Extended Coverage for Young Adults
Children would continue to be eligible for family coverage through the age of 26. Sounds good. Not all kids are able to get jobs offering own health insurance right after school or have to buy insurance from college.
Guaranteed Insurance Renewal
Insurance companies will be required to renew any policy as long as the policyholder pays their premium in full. Insurance companies won't be allowed to refuse renewal because someone became sick. But they can raise that premiums to the hights unreacheable to the person who likely to lose some income because of sickness..

If all above rules with some adjustments will be implemented, why do we need anything else, like socialized medicine?

[beth119]

BTW, Most "Liberal" groups will always forward the chain email crap to party leaders.
And I am pretty darn sure it works vice versa.

When my mom was campaigning.. there was an entire system (prior to email, though) for this. All smearing crap was sent once a week in a marked envelope to be sorted... you need to know what is being said...

ANd you would be surprised what people will believe.

[beth119]

I went to see their consumer protections, most looks good with some comments.
No Discrimination for Pre-Existing Conditions
Insurance companies will be prohibited from refusing you coverage because of your medical history. Yes, how about your credit history? They cannnot deny you on your medical conditions but can offer such you rates you'd refuse coverage by yourself?
No Exorbitant Out-of-Pocket Expenses, Deductibles or Co-Pays
Insurance companies will have to abide by yearly caps on how much they can charge for out-of-pocket expenses. Would this also include premiums?
No Cost-Sharing for Preventive Care
Insurance companies must fully cover, without charge, regular checkups and tests that help you prevent illness, such as mammograms or eye and foot exams for diabetics. Sounds great, will see how it well be implemented.
No Dropping of Coverage for Seriously Ill
Insurance companies will be prohibited from dropping or watering down insurance coverage for those who become seriously ill. Would it also prohibit raising premiums to people incurring lots of expences for the insurance co.?
No Gender Discrimination
Insurance companies will be prohibited from charging you more because of your gender. Do not think insurance co's will go for it. Mathernity is an expensive thing.
No Annual or Lifetime Caps on Coverage
Insurance companies will be prevented from placing annual or lifetime caps on the coverage you receive. Nice.
Extended Coverage for Young Adults
Children would continue to be eligible for family coverage through the age of 26. Sounds good. Not all kids are able to get jobs offering own health insurance right after school or have to buy insurance from college.
Guaranteed Insurance Renewal
Insurance companies will be required to renew any policy as long as the policyholder pays their premium in full. Insurance companies won't be allowed to refuse renewal because someone became sick. But they can raise that premiums to the hights unreacheable to the person who likely to lose some income because of sickness..

If all above rules with some adjustments will be implemented, why do we need anything else, like socialized medicine?

There should be no credit checks... to many people have been ruined by healthcare as it is...
There should also be a cap on how much can be charged.... there are laws against price gouging for other things... why not this?

[selah]

Please don't even try to be "outraged" when all the white house wants to do is gather information.

Yeh, just like the census.....just want to get a little info....our government is just looking out for our interest.....they just care.