Basic Health cuts would be devastating for thousands

sara41 said on December 15, 2009 at 2:49 AM

WOW, that's a beautiful baby, I don't get to see little one's very often and it's a delight to see them in pictures and in person.

tobegolden said on December 14, 2009 at 8:31 AM

Society depends upon members at all levels. The brain surgeon could not operate, if there were not others that swept the floors. We all depend upon farmers, and the truckers that deliver the goods. We depend upon the check-out people and the baggers. So in return, society owes all the basics: police and fire protection, food, a school, and basic health care. If society can provide these things through employment, that is the best solution. If not, government assistance should fill the gap. There is nothing wrong about having the government ask for something in return for the assistance: attending school or a public service task.

rumispice said on December 13, 2009 at 11:54 AM

My family is on basic health and no it is not free. We pay $68.00 a month and we are at the lowest income level. Prior to getting on basic health I looked into getting private insurance. It would cost me alone $1000.00 a month because I am a diabetic. (a very healthy and in control diabetic) Yes that is one thousand dollars a month, and that was at a place that advertised "affordable" insurance. That 1000 bucks doesn't cover my husband and 4 year old daughter, just me. For the record I went to college and we own and operate a small cafe. I work 6 days a week. We are struggling but making it work the best we can. My husband stays home during the week to care for our child. He could get a job but it would just pay for daycare and whats the point of that.

factoid said on December 12, 2009 at 3:23 PM

Government is the problem. While it is true that big and small corporations engage in influence peddling, it is the politicians taking the money. Just say no. If you think Government is not the answer to health care, look at the VA or Medicare. Name a single function that the Government does well and I don't mean extorting more money from its citizens.

bob42263 said on December 12, 2009 at 1:28 PM

Goverment is not the problem, large corporations buying off politicians is the the problem. Can anybody think of anything the goverment has done lately that benefits the average American? Almost everything our elected officials do benefits big business directly and if we are lucky average Americans indirectly. Our goverment role is to provide for the common welfare, not to make multi-national corporations huge profits at the expense of Americans. Nobody wants anything for free, that is a moronic statement. What we want , and what we need is a goverment that represents Americans first. A single payer healthcare system would be a step in the right direction. Nobody said it would be free, but it would be smarter and provide better healthcare for every American, at a lower cost for everybody. The only losers would be the Insurance and Drug companies. Rather them than us I say

unbelievable said on December 12, 2009 at 11:15 AM

Hey Jack, I do believe that the people voted against the tunnel, but Gregoire and Nickels decided to do the tunnel anyhow instead of another viaduct. Maybe it is time for her to go with the viaduct and keep these people who need it so badly insured.

mya2828 said on December 12, 2009 at 5:58 AM

OK lets let her go on wash basic. Lets take away from The Governor's and all of her staff's medical thats when we will see some money saved. Then give it to the poor who can not pay for it SHE sure can with the money we give her to tax us to death...... god help us all.

cmeeverett said on December 12, 2009 at 12:12 AM

If we had some kind of National Insurance plan, then we simply wouldn't need these kinds of clinics & it would relieve the burden from the State. I'm betting on the Governor to cut these funds on anticipation of the Presidents "promise".

noskills said on December 11, 2009 at 11:38 PM

Oh I completely agree that the Viaduct needs to be replaced. But did they really have to pick the most expensive option available? And to Bazwest, there are some people that do abuse the system but for others its there to be used as a stepping stone. Take myself for example my 2 kids are on state medical right now because I just finished my doctorate degree and it will take some time before I have a decent income level to pay for medical out of pocket along with student loans and rent to name a few. And when I am finally set financially I will have no problem paying a bit more in taxes to help out people less fortunate. There are lots of circumstances where people are not abusing the system, however, people like to just point out those situations where there is abuse.

jackwong said on December 11, 2009 at 10:12 PM

@noskills: Common sense is not what we need. We have intelligent politicians fighting for us to invest into the Puget sound, and the tunnel is just one of them. Politics is very complex, we can't just postpone things hoping we will get it later. While there is support, we have to do it now before it's too late. What's even more devastating is if the viaduct collapses and thousands die. Followed by people not being able to get to work living in Ballard, Shoreline, Northgate, etc. Millions have been spent on lobbying efforts to get the tunnel, who pays for that? We must do it.

bazwest said on December 11, 2009 at 10:10 PM

It is alarming to me the rate at which able-bodied, able-minded, people are increasingly expecting the government to provide them with all the basic things of life like free health care, free child care, free food, subsidized housing. I suppose that people want government do these things so they don't have to apply themselves, get a good education, and find a good job to earn an honest. Progressives feel it wouldn't be "just" to expect people to provide for themselves now a days. Perhaps the government should just take away all our personal property, tell us where to work, pay us all the same wage whether we are bagging groceries or doing brain surgery, and make sure we all have a place to live and that everything we eat is healthy. Life would be very equal then right? Yes, we would all be living in misery together just like the millions who lived like this under the authority of marxist ideologues in the former soviet union and other communist countries; just like North Korea now

factoid said on December 11, 2009 at 8:16 PM

'noskills' That's just way too much common sense for the average politician and bureaucrat to understand. I bet the average citizen could balance the budget without cuts to the programs such as the ones in the article. These scoundrels are just preparing to vote on increasing taxes so they can fund these programs. I mean who is going to vote against providing health care for children? They are playing a very expensive game with our money. It will take a few years, but I say we need to vote out every incumbent and start over.

noskills said on December 11, 2009 at 7:08 PM

I understand we have a budget short fall. But wouldn't postponing or altering the plans for a 4.5 billion 1 mile tunnel be a better way to save some money.