After a long arduous journey of being half-way there, the Senate finally passed a health care insurance reform bill on Christmas Eve.
How is it that throughout the entire health care debate the issue of job creation and economic stimulus has not been brought up?
The simple fact is, adding 30 million people into the health care system will translate into an abundance of economic activity and opportunity for millions of Americans: jobs such as doctors, nurses, technicians, administrators and new jobs in research, information technology, medicine -- not to mention the positive impact all this fiscal solvency will have on supporting industries and professions.
Not to be a sidewalk superintendent, but it has been frustrating to see this law-making process unfold when obvious political messaging such as "Medicare for All" or "Health Care for New Jobs" has been missing from the Democratic playbook. Yes, I'm aware of Von Bismarck's famous observation, "Laws are like sausages, it is better not to see them being made," but even so, does anyone else feel as if this campaign was waged with one arm tied behind our back?
Job creation and rebuilding our economy is the prevailing social issue of the day; it is a political Holy Grail and it makes me wonder why this aspect of health care reform has not been brought to light. Adding ten percent of the entire US population into a system of continuous preventive care will undoubtedly lead to job and infrastructure growth in an industry that definitively embodies the best way to improve the general welfare of our national family.
In short, a trillion dollar ten-year health care reform package serves double purpose -- not only does it begin to take the steps necessary to provide accessible and affordable health care for everyone, but it also acts as a massive jobs program and stimulus to uplift an economy struggling to recover.
It is beyond me why these two political dots have not been connected; they are so interrelated, and it seems that emphasizing the economic benefits of health care reform would have had a favorable impact by bringing many of the vocal naysayers -- at least -- into a place of neutrality; it may have even brought in a few Republicans to do the unthinkable, vote "yes".
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Comments
If simply forcing people to buy something (and pay for it by taxing others) was a way to "create jobs", socialist countries would be the most abundant. This bill takes money from profitable areas (rich job creators) and gives it to unprofitable areas (rent-seeking companies and those usually uninsurable). A case can be made for universal health care in some ways...but as a jobs booster? No way.
I can see the logic of the healthcare bill boosting the economy and the creation of new jobs.
However, just as one can see that possibility, so can anyone see the possibility of it doing the opposite. Outside of increased government staff anyway. And adding government jobs is not a solution to a lack of job creation except in numbers....not economically.
Employers are affected by the bill. That alone makes for alot of unknown answers regarding how this bill will REALLY affect job creation.
I've seen every twist and shaoe of this bill's high marks and low marks. I think the whole thing has highs and lows that don't do anyone any benefit in the long run at all. It's a draw. So why are we wasting time for a risk and face the REAL threat of having more government involvement with our healthcare.
In my opinion, the tradeoff isn't anywhere near the risks.
I hope this bill meets a death before it finds it's way to Obama's desk.
If this bill is made law, jobs will be lost. Never has anyone talked about it creating jobs. If that was really true, Democrats would have been all over it being as how that is the number one issue on our mind right now. They haven't been promoting this idea. So I call it as what it appears to be.
Businesses such as median level car dealerships will let one or two go before falling under mandates with the health bill. It will be cheaper for them, and many businesses have provided numbers to reflect these as real possibilities.
If it's cheaper for an employer to drop 2 hires than keeping two hires, how on earth do you call that job creation???
The only new jobs will be those implementing the program. The guys who are running the Democratic party have lost their minds.
Creating jobs??!!?? This is a job killer. Adding to the cost of an employer to provide Healthcare coverage will not increase jobs, but kill jobs. Adding taxes to healthcare devices will not increase jobs, and takes money away from discretionary spending. Limiting the amount of money health provides can earn will not create jobs, they will have to get rid of people to make ends meet. This bill will kill jobs, especially when you consider that its 1/6th of the economy the Democrats are messing with. This is very, very dangerous for our economy.
Another point is the unfunded mandates put upon states that by law have to balance their budgets. There is nothing left to cut anymore, so jobs are going to be on the chopping blocks as they have to fund these mandates. A big state job killer for sure
Terry & Steve.. why don't you consider public education a job killer? All those mandates to fund education, obviously puts undo burdens on people forcing layoffs -- come on guys, the health care insurance corps have been laughing all the way to the bank for far too long -- with a 45k/yr body count in their wake. We pay double for care and not everyone is covered. THIS behavior is considered CRIMINAL in the rest of the modern world. Wake up!
Its also gonna take away jobs. Thanks for trying though...
Docters, Nurses and Health care workers say they will quit. This bill will create a huge shortage of health care workers because their pay gets cut and the work load goes up.
Dear Byron, what kind of dope are you and the Dems/Obama smoking? Your wishful thinking on it creating jobs and staying out of the red ink is a dreamland. Don't forget about the doctor fix of $250 billion (to keep them better paid)that was taken out of the healthcare fiscal evaluation. To Congress: The US Postal Service was established in 1775. You've had 234 years to get it solvent, it is broke. Social Security was established in 1935. You've had 74 yrs. to get it solvent, it's broke. Fannie Mae was established in 1938. You've had 71 yrs. to get it right, it's broke. The War on Poverty was started in 1964. Taking trillions through taxes and transferring it to the poor; has not improved their lot. Medicare and Medicaid were started in '65. You've had 44 yrs. to get it solvent. Future baby boomer promised funds are at a deficit $106 trillion. Freddie Mac was born in '70. You've had 39 yrs. to get it right. It is broke. TARP,the Stimulus, not helping the grassroots. Help France, not us!!
lets abolish post offfice-medicare-soc sec.- hah! I love people who think US is pure Capitalist -- can you say mixed-market economy? M-I-X-E-D M-A-R-K-E-T E-C-O-N-O-M-Y. Look it up. History proves this is the best system --let's keep it that way. Keep preaching corporate feudalism to the tea-baggers.
Natural disasters also create many jobs.
This is a man caused disaster.
Great ideas! If only the Democrats had understood that the Republican leadership has no interest in helping the majority of our people. All they're interested in is scoring political points at the expense of the health of our nation. They don't believe in government so they try to ruin it. I have always felt the call for Medicare for all should have been the starting point, and yes, initiating programs to get families the coverage they need will surely stimulate the economy, you don't need to be an economist to understand that.
Look at the CLASS ACT in the bill. It is a voluntary long term home health care insurance policy. You will AUTOMATICALLY be enrolled unless you "opt out". The premiums will be deducted from your paycheck. If you do not work or work and pay no taxes you will get coverage free.
It is nothing more than a welfare program for SEIU. SEIU represents many home health care workers today and for years.
This is their payoff.
You are right on, Byron. The doctors and nurses I have talked with are all for their patients having health care. And getting better health care technology - such as computerized medical records - will provide jobs and help patient care. Studying medical delivery systems will help everyone when the best practice methods are implemented in areas where patient care suffers. It will take time, but we will all be better off.
Let there be no mistake. I am for Health care reform. I prefer a single payer system like every other developed nation in the world has. Not some half baked scheme that still benefits insurance companies.
If the President is happy, so be it. I will still support our president but I will work twice as hard this year to remove those obstructionist politicians at all levels.
www.helpformanufacturers.org
Smarter Industrial Tax Policy
Healthcare Reform
Create jobs? Like the "stimulus" did?
Hugh, I briefly read your suggested website, www.helpformanufacturers.org, and like what I see. There have been disturbing trends evidenced in the systematic dismantling of the US manufacturing sector over the last 30 years. As Sen. Byron Dorgan has expressed, how is it that Republican leadership, that fancies itself as the party of family values, has abandoned any desire to protect the value of a good paying American manufacturing job? All the hard fought for protections of safety in the workplace, 40 hour work week, environmental protections, child labor laws -- all thrown away just so we can buy a $5 t-shirt? Putting the lofty ideology and theory of the "free-market" above concrete reality? There is no such thing as a "free-market"; there are players and rule makers, sadly, the vast majority of Americans do not have any say in how the playing field is defined anymore. However, Goldman Sachs does.
Missing it- Jobs in education ARE being eliminated right now because states cannot balance their budgets as they are required to do, where have you been?? Giving them more unfunded madates will only make it worse. You are the one who needs to wake up
Steve, you are still 'missing it'. Just because you say jobs are being lost in education doesn't make it so, check the facts before you bark. According to the Bureau of Labor statistics educational services and local government education are growing sectors during the recession, respectively 4% and .4% during the period of Dec 07 through June 09. Republicans all opposed Soc. Sec. in the 30s, said it was a communist invasion, sound familiar? Our health care system should not be solely driven by insurance profits. We can have a combination of private and public care just like our education system, or mail services. It'll work if you let it and sick people will get the care they need instead of going bankrupt. Keeping things they way they are only condemns people who can't affford care to dire and tragic circumstances.
I am STILL not understanding all these job creations and deficit-lowering ploys this bill is supposed to be accomplishing! But, of course, I HAVE lost my rose-colored glasses somewhere and can't find them no matter how I try!
Well I can't understand why the taxpayers if this country are being held responsible to pay for everything, today it is something called Health care, tomorrow everyone will need to have cars and car insurance provided by the taxpayers, the next day the taxpayers will be required to purchase the fuel, then the taxpayers will be required to purchase everyone a garage to park the cars. When does it stop? Creating jobs through stimulous plans or unfunded mandates is just like scooping water out of the deep end of the swiming pool then pouring it into the shallow end then calling that a "gain". Wait until everyone finds out how much this is going to cost
Bryon... Brilliant observation!!! We will need THOUSANDS of new FEDERAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES to handle the health care stuff. Each one will be paid a fair family wage, regardless of their race, color, creed, sexual orientation, disability, pre-existing conditions, and voting record, and jail record. Each will recieve a complete health care package that will cover them, thier spouses, children, illigitimate childred, shack up boyfriend, shack up girlfriend, shack up homosexual lover. Wacg will be entitled to day care for their children and illigitimate children. Each will get 12 paid federal holidays, and 1-6 weeks of vacation pay, plus time off for sickenss of themselves, family members, boyfriend, girlfriend, homosexual lover. Yes Sir that WILL be a boost!
Hey Byron, are you going to attempt to even defend your piece from all these counter points? I would hope so. This is a forum right?
Right on Joe! says: lets abolish post offfice-medicare-soc sec.- hah!
What a DAMN great idea!!! EVERY one is losing trillions of our hard earned cash!
Sorry! I missed your follow up.
I think 30 states in the US have manufacturing as their number one source of revenue and jobs. Manufacturing jobs are not as many as years ago but many require more education and skill. Thus more money.
You say "how is it that Republican leadership, that fancies itself as the party of family values, has abandoned any desire to protect the value of a good paying American manufacturing job?"
The conservatives protect the value of the EMPLOYERS and their business so the employees you say you worry about, have, as Joe Biden said, "the 3 letter word" J O B S!
Do you work for a poor person Byron? Does the person who signs your paycheck make more than you?
I AM A THIRD PARTY MEMBER OF THE GREENS, WE NEED UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE FOR ALL. WE LIVE IN A DISEASE INDUSTRY, it is a basic human right t have health be free or cheap affordable for all Americans. i love this country and it takes serious concern to make it the way we want to see it
Larry, the "free" trade policy that's been supported by all Republicans (and many Dems) has dismantled our manufacturing sector by shipping good jobs overseas or south of the border. This agenda is being driven by the CEOs more interested in securing profits and not the long term health or strength of our economy. A "hollowed-out" nation is what we're chasing down. All this going on while a $2 billion dollar-a-day trade deficit continues to suck out the prosperity of America. Larry, that isn't "conservative", nor is it "protecting employers" -- it's putting the ideology and theory of the "free market" above the reality of a healthy and diversified economy, and it's mortgaging our future for a campaign contribution. Solution? The US economy needs to be diversified, with a rebuilt manufacturing sector, fair trade legislation and treaties, responsible spending practices, and a Marshall Plan to create a million Green-collar jobs.
Since when are social programs meant to be profit making entities? When was the last time a police department, the NOAA, or the the public library turned a profit? Both rich and poor benefit alike.
Thank God many of those manufacturing jobs went overseas!
Otherwise many of us could never afford to have all the things we do! Imagine your cell phones made by union labor in the US.
With Andy Stern as the union boss how much do you think your cell phone would cost?
Thank God these jobs went elsewhere and we are STILL the most prosperous nation on the planet.
Do the math. 30 million uder insured people who are now priced of the opportunity to see a doctor or a dentist will be making appointments for health care when this bill comes online. They will be taking up space in a waiting room near you. Thousands of support staff will be required to meet their need(s). This spells: J-O-B-S!
Common Sense- You are taking a simplistict view of a very complex issue. Your totally incorrect assumption is that everything will stay exactly the same except for more patients. This is wishful thinking at best. There will be more jobs lost, that the small number gained. This bill is a jobs killer.
Yes, one just has to look around now in late 2011 and see how well that worked out.
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