Grayson: Should Only Seniors Be Allowed to Drive on the Highways?

[ErikJ]

Last edited Sun Dec 1, 2013, 12:53 AM - Edit history (2)

An email Rep. Alan Grayson sent to his supporters today
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Dear America: I hate to say "I told you so." But I told you so.

I said, waaaaaaay back in 2010, that anyone who wants Medicare coverage should be able to buy it. I was right. And I'm still right.

If you agree, then congratulations -- you're right, too.

Think about it: Has anyone ever complained about being canceled by Medicare? No.

Has anyone ever complained that the Medicare website crashed? No.

Has anyone ever complained that Medicare refused him coverage? No.

Has anyone ever complained that Medicare cut him off when his care got too expensive? No.

Has anyone ever whined that Medicare is socialism? Well, yes. In 1961, Ronald Reagan said that Medicare would bring on a socialist dictatorship. As if.

The real problem that we have is not that some website doesn't work. The real problem is not that Obamacare somehow is compelling employers to drop health coverage (because it's not). The real problem is not that some insurance companies are canceling some policies - when has that ever not happened?

Here are the real problems:
A lot of Americans can't afford health insurance.
In many areas of the country, the health insurance companies and the hospitals are monopolies or duopolies, and they control the market.
The health insurance companies charge as much as they can, they provide as little care as they can get away with, and they call the difference "profit." They have a conflict of interest with you. They make more money by denying you the care that you need to stay healthy, or even alive.
But there is a solution to these problems. In fact, some Americans have an excellent healthcare system, which is overwhelmingly popular. It provides care from Point Barrow, Alaska, to Key West, Florida, and from sea to shining sea. It's cheap and efficient - 97% of the cost goes directly into providing care. We've invested billions of dollars to make it comprehensive and universal. You may have heard of this healthcare system -- it's called "Medicare."

And, weirdly, we open it only to seniors and the disabled. It's as if we were to say that the minimum age to drive on interstate highways were 65 years old. It's as if we were to say that only seniors could go to public school.

That's just nuts.

What would it cost for everyone else? I'm glad you asked. According to the experts, for full coverage, including the prescription drug benefit, Medicare would cost barely $100 a month for children, and less than $500 a month for people in their sixties. Which is much less than my coverage costs -- and, I would venture to say, probably yours, too (unless you're on it already).

Which is why, back in 2010, I introduced a simple, four-page bill, the 'Medicare You Can Buy Into Act.' The bill allows Americans to buy into Medicare at cost. If you want Medicare, and you pay for it, you've got it. Period. End of story.

I signed up more than 80 co-sponsors in the House, in two weeks.

Poll after poll found that a "public option" like this was very popular with the public, too. Politifact did a survey of surveys, and found that in 28 polls, the average result was 57 percent in favor, and 38 percent against - despite massive negative propaganda spewed out by the Chamber of Commerce.

Unfortunately, the Affordable Care Act passed without a Medicare buy-in, or any public option. King Lieberman (D-Aetna) vetoed it. That kept private insurance companies exclusively in charge of health coverage for people under 65. We can all see how well that's turned out. These large and profitable corporations have cancelled policies and raised rates at will. They are demanding the power to continue to discriminate against women, to deny coverage to people with existing illnesses, and to pull the plug - literally - on anyone whose coverage becomes too expensive.

And is it really their fault? "No one can serve two masters." (Matthew 6:24; Luke 16:13.) We are asking the health insurance companies to serve two masters: patients, and profit. They can't do it. No one can.

But the health insurance companies have demonstrated that they are good at one thing - fooling voters. They spent $2 million against me in 2010 in the Great Democratic Apocalypse, and they got rid of me.

Temporarily. And now, I'm back.

So after I won reelection last year, one of the first bills that I introduced was that same old four-page bill, the 'Medicare You Can Buy Into Act' (H.R. 500). Because we need it. Me and you. We need it.

If we open up Medicare to everyone who can pay for it, private insurance premiums will drop, because health insurance companies with local monopolies will face much-needed competition. And, to compete, those companies will have to offer better policies -- policies with more comprehensive coverage, with a broader network, and better service.

Now that's what I call true health care reform. That's what I'm talking about.

We want a public option. We need a public option. And that public option already exists - we just need to open it up, to all Americans.

Here is our cheer: "I want Medicare. You want Medicare. We all want Medicare."

Let's make it happen. Sign the petition today: : http://wewantmedicare.com

It is never too late to do the right thing.

L'chaim - To Life,

Rep. Alan Grayson

"The greatest wealth is health." - Virgil

P.S. Since lobbyists own Washington, D.C., only a movement, a committed corps of can-do citizens, can achieve a public option. If you want to be part of that movement, then you need to demand a public option, and ask your friends, family and co-workers to do the same. Start by sharing this with your friends by e-mail, and on Facebook and Twitter.

[Politicalboi]

1. Why must we pay ANYTHING

We can afford war, we can afford to cover everyone without paying another out of reach amount like $500.00 a month. That's just too "fuckin high"

[WinkyDink]

9. Exactly. Precisely. Correcto-mundo.

[billhicks76]

12. Grayson For President

Quit thinking he can't win because he's liberal. A ham sandwich could've beat the republicans in the last two elections.

[Doctor_J]

15. as the president so eloquently put it,

"Insurance companies deserve to make a profit"

[Enthusiast]

21. But they don't.

They are an entirely parasitic entity.

[Doctor_J]

26. I think that is when the first time voters in 08 knew they'd been conned

When the president who'd promised a public option declared that the blood suckers had a right to our blood.

[Vincardog]

2. Thank You for Signing Our Petition!

[pangaia]

3. $500/mo for those over 65?

I could not afford that.

[Fridays Child]

6. Neither can I.

[zeemike]

8. If you are 65 you qualify for medicare now.

And it cost me 125 bucks a month that comes out of my SS.
And if it applied to all it would be taken out as part of your withholding from your wages...no middle man to skim off the cream.

[pangaia]

10. I am 70 and have a Medicare Advantage Plan.

But, unless I read his statement incorrectly, Grayson says that with Medicare for all, or for all who want it, for those over 65 it would be $500/month. I pay $109 to Medicare and about $26/mo to the Advantage Plan.

[zeemike]

11. I took it to mean for a whole family.

And that would be cheaper than the insurance company I am sure.

[pangaia]

13. I just checked it again.

Sure looks like $500 for A PERSON over 65.

[zeemike]

14. Well I am over 65 and I don't pay that much.

Why would others?...

[Hassin Bin Sober]

18. He said "in their sixties"

I took that to mean under the Medicare age but over sixty.

Like My mother in law who had to roll the dice for several years in her late 50s and up to 65.

Btw, it was "under" 500 which would be a bargain for a 61 year old.

[pangaia]

32. You're right. I mis-read it.. twice.

Well I am just out of my sixties, maybe that's why.

[NYC_SKP]

4. I'm going to go ahead and post a URL, a clickable link for other members to use:

Right here:

http://wewantmedicare.com/

[sabrina 1]

5. Great speech from Grayson. If there had been a PO, imagine how hard it would be today

for the very people the President tried to please the most and who instantly, as soon as they got concessions from him, did exactly as we predicted they would imagine how hard it would be for them to do what they are doing right now? They couldn't because the program would be so popular they would be run out of town if they tried to destroy it. Not to mention, those of us who AGREED WITH GRAYSON and warned what would happen if the current bill passed, are now expected to go to bat for something we never agreed with? But if it had been the PO they were after. people would be so fired up to defend it, the media and Republicans would be shouted down to the point where they wouldn't even be heard anymore.

All the excuses we heard about why we 'can't have a PO'?? 'Republicans would never support it'! Really, and when we pointed out that they would not support anything that came from a Dem so it was worth getting what was the best policy while we could, we told to STFU.

Well, I don't like having to say 'we told you so', but it's the truth, we did and nothing that is happening now was not predictable.

And in the end, not a single Republican voted for the ACA so why didn't Dems just go ahead without them, as they did, and push through what Grayson is talking about??

It's all so sad. To be in a position where we could have all fought together against these evil people, instead those who chose to make excuses, to get angry when all we were asking for what we were promised, THEY are to blame for what is going on right now.

[tblue37]

20. Dems didn't have enough DEM votes for the PO--because o f blue dogs and Lieberdweeb. nt

[sabrina 1]

29. That's nonsense. If they are Dems, which many of us are doubtful about considering they

are always USED as the excuse as to why Dems are so helpless, EVEN WHEN THEY WIN, but assuming they are, then they would have voted with their party on something as important as this.

Has it occurred to you at all how sick people are of these weak excuses, and this very excuse is what caused Independents and young people to stay at home rather than vote for these Blue Dogs who we are told are useless to the Dems anyhow??

First it was 'Republicans won't support it'. After they got a bill passed without Republicans, it was 'Blue Dogs' are to blame??

Seems to me that no matter what, Dems can't win.

How about we turn this around and tell these Blue Dogs, 'Real Dems won't support what YOU want' and let THEM be the ones to cave.

Why is it always the interests of the People that lose?? Are Dems so weak they cannot control their OWN party? THAT is what you are saying. And if that is the case, then we may as well have only one party, because if these few people have that much control over the Dem Party, what good is it to 'vote Democratic'?? Is THAT your conclusion?

[tblue37]

30. A lot of blue dogs were ditched in 2010--which is even worse,

because we need to be in the majority in both houses. Being the majority party does make a difference, even if some members of our caucus are not always cooperative.

I do think Dem leaders don't strategize long term the way Repubs do, and don't publicize or explain liberal positions well. They are too stupid to intelligently make use of people like Howard Dean or Wesley Clark and prefer to marginalize them instead. But they still didn't have the Dem votes at the time.

[Doctor_J]

27. because the dc dems, including the president, are whores for Big Insurance too

[Fridays Child]

7. Grayson used to support HR 676, then he withdrew his support.

The difference with his new plan is that it shifts the cost to individuals. Funding for HR 676, Medicare for All, is to be provided as follows:


¨ Maintain current federal funding for health care.

¨ Increase personal income tax on the top 5 percent of income earners

¨ Institute a modest and progressive excise tax on payroll and self-employment income.

¨ Institute a modest tax on unearned income.

¨ Institute a small tax on stock and bond transactions.

[golfguru]

16. In which year Medicare is scheduled to go bankrupt?

They keep changing the posts, so I can't keep it straight.
Please don't go bankrupt before I kick the bucket!
I am on Medicare and Only complain I have against Medicare is that
fewer and fewer doctors are accepting new Medicare patients.
And there is no law which prevents doctors from dropping current patients either.

I have moved 2 times since going on Medicare, and it is a bitch to find a
good doctor within 10 miles or so who will accept new patients.

[liberal_at_heart]

17. K&R except I want single payer, not Medicare.

You should be able to pay a tax, go to the hospital or doctor's office and walk out without a single bill, premium, deductible, or co-pay.

[golfguru]

33. I see no difference

between paying a tax up front or paying health premiums and then a "user fee" when you actually use health service. The overall cost has to be paid and how you pay it makes little difference.

[libdem4life]

19. To think this is doable because of the ACA...maybe with all its warts, it's paving the way..one step

at a time. Signed and passing it on.

My political hat's off to you, Rep. Grayson, for having to somehow put up with Rick Scott, with a straight face, what with all his "Medicare Wisdom"...they should have hauled his sorry ass off to jail.

Anyway, many, many thanks for your work and your contribution on DU. You're the only elected official (that I've read) that posts here and keeps us informed. Same to Bernie Sanders, the only Senator willing to stand up and to be listed on the Progressive Caucus. We need more of you guys and Elizabeth Warrens to help us right, or should I say left, our Right Lilting Political Vessel.

But King Lieberman (D-Aetna) ... LOL ... thanks for the Gallows Humor.

[Enthusiast]

22. K&R! King Lieberman (D-Aetna)

Just imagine, we elected that asshole to Vice President.

[Cleita]

23. He's on to something here that the single payer lobby should latch on to.

People who want to buy into Medicare as part of the exchange shouldn't be denied the ability to do so. It should be a right that they can.

[Laelth]

24. k&r for Alan Grayson. n/t

-Laelth

[Egalitarian Thug]

25. K&R&Done. n/t

[idwiyo]

28. k&r

[bvar22]

31. DURec for a DEMOCRATIC approach to the Health Care problem.

This is a plan and a vision for America I can support.

Access to Health CARE is a basic human right,
not a Commodity to be SOLD to Americans by for profit Corporations.

Selling "Insurance" to Americans, and forcing them to BUY it is the Republican Plan,
and one of the reasons why I hate Republicans.

[AzDar]

34. Late-arrival K & R...

Because Alan Grayson is right, and awesome.