Wake up America!  Now you can learn who controls the U.S. health care system. Read the provisions of the  new health reform proposal by Senator Max Baucus (D-Mont.) and you will understand why for months there has been a smear campaign against the U.S. government promoting the myth that the federal government will control access to and dictate  choice within the health care system. While America was diverted in a riotous way from a rational approach to health care reform, the insurers were busy making hay with Senator Baucus to ensure that they maintained their stranglehold on the health care sector, the American taxpayer–and, of course, the U.S. Congress.  

With the Baucus proposal, we can truly say that  the federal government does not control health care but the insurance industry does? When and how often you see a doctor–and whether or not you get the necessary lab tests you need–and even which provider you see—are all determined–and will continue to be determined– by the insurers. 

Yesterday, I heard about a patient who was on the verge of a heart attack.  He saw his cardiologist who determined he needed a nuclear stress test immediately.  Did I say immediately?  According to  a top cardiologist he did?  According to his insurer, he had to wait two weeks for the test. Was this the government intruding in health care?  No, way. 

The government is not in your doctor’s office–but the health insurers are.   And now they will be in every house in America–like roaches, they are taking over.  Break out the Combat.

 Insurers broke out the champagne last night, knowing they succeeded in getting Senator Baucus  to allow them to make a killing with provisions for  U.S.  families to pay 13% of their income for healthcare coverage or pay a fine. A family of four with annual income of $65,000 would be asked to spend $8,450 on health insurance premiums before receiving any federal subsidy.  

 Certainly, Senator Baucus has been receiving too much  money from health insurance lobbyists to be in touch with the reality of the average American who cannot pay out 13% of their income on health insurance premiums.  The insurers are already raising premiums to cushion any blow that would come from doing away with non-payment for preexisting conditions.  After all, who is there to stop–or regulate– them?  The government?  With leaders like Baucus, I doubt it.

Where’s the reform?  Where’s the coverage?  Where’s the safety net? Where are the promises of President Obama?  The rising stock prices tell us who is benefiting from reform.  Perhaps Wall Street is also telling us that we learned nothing from the scandals of last year.  If the profits are only benefiting some big companies, something is very wrong.  It is time for Senator Baucus to recuse himself from the debate given that the first reaction to his health reform bill was mild pandemonium on Wall Street.