So their reform is offering the choice of an HMO or a PPO?

If this is true, I hope the media covers it with the same balance as normal: "Republicans say rescission is good, Democrats disagree."

Somehow I doubt that will be the case.

Repugnants' healthcare reform really is

"Don't get sick, If you do get sick, hurry up and die."

That and

"Bring the money to the insurance companies."

Hope Grayson has a field day with this...
Prescient words..."Don't get sick, If you do get sick, hurry up and die."

As TonyB intimates, I fully expect the media to cover the Republicans' bill with solemn, serious, and thoughtful insight, elevating it to be on an even keel with the Democrats' plan.

The recipe is set for yet another 'two sides' discussion amongst the chattering class and the Village in general, with equal seriousness applied to each plan from the start.

I'm glad to see that Republicans are comitted to helping the unfortunate and disadvantaged through crises.

Republican motto: "We give a leg up to those that already have a ladder."

Let me guess.

1) Doctors are wealthy. Lowering taxes on the wealthy will lower taxes on doctors and they will pass the savings on to us.

2) Eliminate malpractice lawsuits. This will lower the insurance premiums that doctors pay and they will pass the savings on to us.

3) Reduce regulations on drug companies. Allow them to test drugs on poor people. This will lower their costs and pass the savings on to us.

4) Outlaw abortion and birth control. Fewer medical procedures in these areas will reduce the demand for medical care... and the cost savings will be passed on to the consumer.

5) Create prayer centers for healing the poor. Sending messages asking for divine intervention is is the most cost effective means of treating poor people. Rich people are already favored by god, so if they get sick they will need doctors.

6) Bomb Iran. There is no rational reason it will be in there, but probably it probably will.

etc.

"....Republican reform plan may be quite a gift to Democrats".
Are you sure? Don't the polls show MOST people are happy with their existing insurance plan? And the GOP is about to show how the cost of that plan can be lowered (by crapping on the poor and disadvantaged)? I see a major marketing need looming for the Democrats who are notoriously fall-down stupid on precisely this point. Interesting times.

So does the GOP plan include the costs to be incurred for the death panels and hospices that will be needed once the uninsured have been kicked out of the emergency room to the curb?

Healthcare is a CLOSED system. Unless you are willing to go the Soylent Green route, you will never reduce the costs from all the emergency room care for the uninsured.

Well, if you don't have health insurance, you're not paying anything for it, you lucky duckie, so you don't need a health-care plan to bring your costs down.

Buford! "Bomb Iran"...where can I send my dry cleaning bill! Great line..

The sad thing is the Republicans want to squeeze the people with incomes under $40K. The Dem plans all squeeze people from $30K to $60K. My biggest source of pessimism right now, though, is the House bill. This was their opportunity to stuff reform down the Senate's throat, and they are taking a pass.

I'm looking forward to this, actually. If the Republicans think that "lowering costs" is the most important way to go, then there's a very easy way to lower costs across the board. I.e., government price controls.

Let's see here: first the GOPers presented a 'budget' with no numbers in it. Now, they're planning to present a plan for healthcare reform with no reform in it. Makes sense to me.

You write/quote: Minority Leader John Boehner (R., Ohio) said Monday that the plan wouldn't seek to prevent health-insurance companies from denying sick people insurance... A Wall Street Journal report added yesterday, "Republicans also wouldn't prevent insurers from ending policies once an individual becomes seriously ill."

I don't think the word "insurance" means what Repubs seem to think it means.

And the GOP is about to show how the cost of that plan can be lowered (by crapping on the poor and disadvantaged)?-Chopin

The GOP proposal I've gleaned from reports, "plans" (and here I use the term loosely) to control costs principally by tort reform and interstate insurance purchases. Oh, and small businesses will be allowed to pool. So, Republicans "showing how the cost of that plan can be lowered" is a dubious claim, the media's efforts at balance in trying to treat the GOP plan seriously aside.

Can someone explain what the "so-called" advantages of interstate insurance purchases? All I see is a race to the bottom by the insurance companies to the states with the least regulation and consumer protection. Can you say credit cards?

So, what's in it?

Tax cuts for insurance company CEOs and Park Avenue doctors.

What else have Republicans ever offered besides tax cuts (and endless war)?

So, when unemployed/uncovered people have need of healthcare, what do they do? If I were a GOP congressperson/Blue Dogshit, I'd increase my investment in personal security. Also, you might want to be sure your security person doesn't have any pre-existing conditions or family members who may be subject to the GOP healthcare system. Would you want an angry person whose husband/wife/child/parent was denied coverage and died/went bankrupt because of a medical condition? These people cannot see a foot in front of their face. die Quickly, indeed.

lost my train of thought. Would you want an angry person whose husband/wife/child/parent was denied coverage and died/went bankrupt because of a medical condition in charge of your personal security or your family's? There are lots of returning vets who won't have coverage and have jobs in security. Beware whom you arm.

Hey, I bet it meets what seems to have become the primary criterion for goodness: it's short.