Obama offers universal health care plan

[jefferson_dem]

Source: AP

By MIKE GLOVER, Associated Press Writer

IOWA CITY, Iowa - Seeking to add heft to his presidential bid, Democrat Barack Obama (news, bio, voting record) is offering a sweeping plan that would provide every citizen a means to have health coverage and calls on government, businesses and consumers to share the costs of the program.

Obama said putting in place universal health coverage has been debated for decades, but the time has finally come to act. He said his plan could save the average consumer $2,500 a year and bring health care to all.

"The time has come for universal, affordable health care in America," Obama said in remarks prepared for delivery at the unveiling of his plan Tuesday in Iowa City.

A copy of his remarks and documents describing the program were obtained by The Associated Press.

Under Obama's proposal, everyone would be able to obtain health insurance, and the Illinois senator would create a National Health Insurance Exchange to monitor insurance companies in offering the coverage. In essence, Obama's plan retains the private insurance system but injects additional money into the system to pay for the expanded coverage.



Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070529/ap_on_el_pr/obama_health_7;_ylt=ApVdZg7BCheoqRT6qHpPD3AE1vAI

---

:applause:

[Nimrod2005]

1. K

[Demit]

2. Unfortunately: "everyone would be able to obtain health insurance" is not the same as

everyone being given health care. I'm tired of seeing the two concepts conflated. They are two very different things—as we've seen time and time again in the sorry stories of people who have INSURANCE being denied actual CARE.

[dysfunctional press]

5. it says that people couldn't be denied for pre-existing conditions, BUT...

it doesn't say whether there would be some type of cap, to keep insurers from charging sky-high rates/deductibles/co-pays for people with certain conditions.

health-care should NOT be about profit for the insurance companies.

[pokercat999]

80. Agreed, I think we should have an American Health

Service based on the military model. Free to all. Expensive? Of course but I'd rather my tax dollars go toward maintaining the health of our country than killing innocents in Iraq or anywhere else for that matter.

[dysfunctional press]

81. not necessarily expensive at ALL...

considering how much people are already having deducted from their paychecks for health benefits- and medicare spends A LOT less of every dollar on administrative costs than insurance companies do.

[bitchkitty]

76. Tell me about it!

Or getting substandard care through an HMO - you might as well be denied care. My experience with Kaiser Permanente was such that I felt my purpose in being there was to give the clerks something to do.

[kath]

99. Egg-zackly - most of the other 1st world nations do not have health insurance- they have healthCARE,

dammit.

Eliminate the blood-sucking parasitic private insurance industry. They suck 30-35% of every healthcare dollar into THEIR pockets and provide nothing of value in return.

[dysfunctional press]

3. keeping the insurance companies in business is NOT a solution

as long as health-care insurance remains a for-profit industry, the consumers patients will be the ones who continue to suffer.

we need SINGLE-PAYER universal coverage.

obama seems more and more like a proud member of the corporati every day.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

4. Exactly right.

Shoring up some of the biggest offenders in the medical care mess is no plan at all. Just another flavor of "bidness as usual".

I have a real expectation that a lot of tunes are going to change once "Sicko" comes out.

[Vincardog]

35. Exactly right. When a candidate comes out with a plan for universal HEALTH CARE

I may believe they are not in the Insurance companies pocket.

[Demit]

7. I agree. Obama's plan is like fixing the house by nailing new 1 by 2s to the rotting studs.

It's not really addressing the fundamental problem with the structure. I don't know whether Obama is being only timid here, or knowingly disingenuous, but I am completely unimpressed by this plan of his.

[Zhade]

44. It's the same pro-corporate bullshit Clinton proposed.

Utterly pointless. Insurance companies are in business to DENY coverage to make money.

[hootinholler]

52. Yes, he does...

It's like he keeps getting educated.

-Hoot

[PSPS]

6. The Insurance Company Preservation Act

This just funnels the US treasury to the CEO's of insurance companies. Pass.

[JCMach1]

96. You got it...

[Nite Owl]

8. So essentially

taxpayers are paying for the corporate system?

Obama's plan retains the private insurance system but injects additional money into the system to pay for the expanded coverage.


More of the same, we are just going to be taxed for a $2500 savings that if the dems were to lose congress at some point would be the first thing to go? This won't work and $2500 might be nice but it's like seeing a sale that's 25% off and you still can't afford it. I'm paying almost 15k right now for our heathcare plan, it's breaking us, I'd like to be paying $2500 a year not saving $2500 a year. This is no where near what we need. Single payer, the only way to go.

[harun]

9. Insurance companies are the problem, not the solution (n/t)

[Bitwit1234]

10. I thought the democrat candidates

had a questions and answer meeting about three months ago where they all proposed a health plan. What did Obama propose then, I think they said he didn't have it ready. They also said that Hillary Clinton's plan was fantastic. Even those who did not like her and there are plenty of democrats still panning her, said it was the best.

[Lasher]

23. Kucinich is the only Democratic candidate who has endorsed single payer universal healthcare.

http://kucinich.us/issues/universalhealth.php

All the other candidates' universal healthcare plans suck because they don't eliminate the insurance companies. If I decide to vote for Obama it won't be on account of his 'new' UHC 'plan'.

[avrdream]

84. I read every word in your link.

As courageous as Kucinich is, this plan doesn't offer details for making it work. It gives specifics on the PROBLEM with little about the solution beyond "universal health care". Right idea but short on a plan.
Having read every Democrat plan so far (I haven't seen anything close on the Republican side), I believe Hillary comes closest to STARTING to address the problem. No candidate will be able to fix things in one fell swoop but she is getting close.
My ears are open for more details.

[Lasher]

86. I'm glad you asked.

Here is a link that leads to more details:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=445693&mesg_id=445693

If you want more information about how single payer universal healthcare would work, please advise.

[Zhade]

45. Yeah, people not very clued-in would say that about an insurance sector-friendly proposal.

This does nothing to help people too poor to have insurance.

[endarkenment]

11. As expected Obama opts for corruption.

Mandated insurance purchase programs simply put into law the useless and corrupt rent extraction by the health insurance industry from our health care service. This is a proposal by the corporate elites and for the corporate elites. All of those billions extracted in profits from the system should instead be used to improve the quality of service delivered or reduce costs.

[jefferson_dem]

12. Of course, the plan is more than a so-called givaway to insurance corps. More details --

From politico.com -

According to fact sheets from the campaign, the Obama plan is built on: investing in health information technology to reduce errors; improving prevention and management of chronic conditions; increasing insurance industry competition and reducing underwriting costs and profits; providing reinsurance for catastrophic coverage that will reduce insurance premiums; and making health insurance universal.

<SNIP>

The Obama plan will create a National Health Insurance Exchange to help individuals who wish to purchase a private insurance plan. The Exchange will act as a watchdog group and help reform the private insurance market by creating rules and standards for participating insurance plans to ensure fairness and to make individual coverage more affordable and accessible. Through the Exchange, any American will be able to enroll in the new public plan or purchase an approved private plan, and income-based subsidies will be provided for people and families who need it. Insurers would have to issue every applicant a policy, and charge fair and stable premiums that will not depend upon health status. The Exchange will require that all the plans offered are at least as generous as the new public plan and the same standards for quality and efficiency. Insurers would be required to justify an above-average premium increase to the Exchange. The Exchange would evaluate plans and make the differences among the plans, including cost of services, transparent.”

THE RUB: “Employers that do not offer or make a meaningful contribution to the cost of quality health coverage for their employees will be required to contribute a percentage of payroll toward the costs of the national plan. Small employers that meet certain revenue thresholds will be exempt.”

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0507/4229.html

****

EDIT TO ADD:

Also, recall that earlier this month, Obama proposed cutting subsidies to insurance companies under the Medicare program. To say that he is simply a corporate shill and so on is either ignorant or disengenuous...

Obama: Cut insurance subsidies
From Times Wire Reports
May 12, 2007

Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois proposed cutting government subsidies to private insurance companies under Medicare by $150 billion over the next decade.

Campaigning in Des Moines, Obama said the money could be used to strengthen the Medicare program overall, including a reduction in the prices seniors pay for prescription drug prices.

"We don't do that because we are not setting the agenda in Washington — insurance companies and drug companies are. That's what people want to turn the page on," he said to loud applause. "We want a system that's fair and sensible to everyone."

http://www.latimes.com/features/health/medicine/la-na-briefs12.1may12,1,2565301.story?coll=la-health-medicine

[endarkenment]

15. Need more lipstick?

The pig in this is still obvious.

[jefferson_dem]

19. Perhaps this plan doesn't pass your purity test.

Yet your rant about "corruption" or how it's "by and for the corporate elites", while failing to even acknowledge the parts of of this plan and others Obama has offered that strictly regulate the industry displays either ignorance or disingenuousness ... or both.

[endarkenment]

21. No it means that profits will continue to be extracted

from our healthcare system by the insurance industry for doing nothing other than pushing papers around, which service the existing medicare/medicaid/ss infrastructure can do just as well without extracting billions in rent. You simply fail to acknowledge that this is corrupt, prefering instead to have us look elsewhere, anywhere, other than at the turd in the punchbowl. And, as you may have noted, it seems I am not exactly alone in my sentiments regarding this plan and the other nearly identically flawed plans from other corporate-compromised candidates.

[Lasher]

49. Ooooo, hope I never make the mistake of smartmouthing you.

Ouch, that hurt and it wasn't even aimed at me. :thumbsup:

[endarkenment]

53. We Aim To Please

So you please aim.

Thank you. This subject gets my dander up.

[Lasher]

60. Mine too.

Here's an article to set you off again:

http://biz.yahoo.com/brn/070514/21796.html?.v=1&.pf=insurance

I'll remember you.

Lasher

[silverojo]

66. Sorry, but you're truly a sucker if you believe this

Look into the candidate's past, and see the slimy business deals of Obama's wife, etc. And you think he'll regulate insurance companies? If you seriously think he's anything but the same-old-same-old, you're truly fooling yourself.

Making insurance "available" from corporate giants, and making it "affordable"--and free to those who can't afford to pay--are two very different things.

The more I hear about Obama, the less I like him.

[Donnachaidh]

27. It STILL involves INSURANCE COMPANIES -- it's a SELL OUT

No matter what you paint it -- a PIG is STILL a PIG.

I love the way he bashes insurance companies in his speeches, and then hands out *plans* that are goldplated giveaways to the insurance companies.

And he's supposed to be a *NEW* way of running this country. Riiiiggghhhht. :sarcasm:

[msongs]

13. gotta serve his corporate masters and his campaign donors nt

[Ethelk2044]

33. Please give me the name of an insurance company who

has contributed to his campaign. Since you are making the accusation, please provide proof.

[silverojo]

67. Since you're defending Obama

Why don't YOU provide proof otherwise?

[bemildred]

14. We need to ABOLISH the insurance industry, and replace it with a civil-service

single-payer universal general-tax-revenue-funded public health care system. The government should serve the needs of it's citizens directly (sometimes).

[TankLV]

108. Ya got THAT right!

just like the roads, police, libraries, schools - it should be a government provided and paid for system...

It's not better than the bogus "medical savings acccounts" bullshit...

[dysfunctional press]

16. obama's flash just fizzled in the pan...he's done.

WHEN is Al Gore going to get into this race???

[grilled onions]

17. Banish The Pre Existing Clause...

..banish gouging those of us who have pre exisiting. We have a system that allows insurance to siphon all you have. People with serious conditions could lose their lifes savings,their home just to have that life saving surgery or those costly meds that can keep them alive. The rich don't ever have to make such a sacrifice. The politicians,so amply covered by insurance never have to worry. Many of us worry every day. It's a sad balancing act between bills and meds and that next hospital stay.

[Donnachaidh]

28. BANISH health insurance -- single payer plan is the ONLY way to go.

Insurance companies are 30% of the WASTE in the cost of health care. Kick THEM to the curb, place ceiling caps on charges, and we've got a start.

[Nickster]

18. Wow, color me not impressed. What's so hard to understand about the private insurance corporations

being the problem? The question that needs to be answered is, is healthcare a right or simply a commodity to be doled out to only the ones that can afford it? I believe it's a right, so single payer is the answer. Obama's plan is a very small bandaid.

[Imperialism Inc.]

20. Neat. Turn the health care problem in to another way to funnel

tax dollars to corporate America. Very creative.

[FatDave]

22. Up until last week, Obama was my favorite

But his stock has been plummeting lately. Remember a couple months ago how proud we were with our lineup of contenders? How's that looking now?

[goclark]

24. Our candidates sure look better than Rudy and Co.!

I'm taking this approach...
It's early in the season.
Every word that comes out of a candidates mouth does not stop me from voting for them in 2008,this is way too early for me to make those decisions.

It is not too early for me to listen carefully to what they are saying however and let them know my feelings.

My other approach is, "thou shall not bash my own party."

There is not one of our candidates who is worse than GW/Rudy/McCain and the Rethugs.

I'll spend my hate and anger on those idiots. :bounce:

They don't even want ANY kind of Health plan, Obama does.

[FatDave]

31. Of course they look better than Rudy & Co.

But that's faint praise. About as faint as it comes, in my book.

My other approach is, "thou shall not bash my own party."

OK, so we'll just go along with them, no matter how weak the appeal, because they're the lesser of two evils? Maybe that works for you, but it doesn't work for me. Reagan said something similar once: "Speak ill of no other republican". They have held this commandment holier than any other, and look where it has gotten them. Their party is out of control, seized by power-hungry merchants of death, yet no one dare speak against them, for they are republicans and must remain united. Well fuck all that. When my party screws up, my party is going to hear about it.

They don't even want ANY kind of Health plan, Obama does.

Yes, that's true. After years of nothing but ice-cold water coming out of the tap, along comes a candidate who says "Vote for me and I promise I will give you room-temperature water! Sure, it's not the hot water other people are talking about, but it's better than cold."

Seriously, I firmly believe the country is ready for a little liberalism if somebody (somebody with better hair than Kucinich) would step up and offer it. But our candidates are all just more of the same centrist afraid-to-be-branded-liberal chickenshit corporatists we send up every four years, and I for one am fucking sick of it.

[silverojo]

68. Edwards had a health plan long before Obama did n/t

[karynnj]

72. That's because Edwards has been running almost continuously from 2003

It's not whose team gets their plan together first, but what they propose. Edwards' 2008 plan seems a major improvement over his 2004 plan. I have not seen a detailed comparison of the health plans of Obama, Clinton and Edwards - though I am sure they will be done. It is still early - the platforms are not fixed in stone at this point.

[goclark]

77. Is it important who had it first?

I am a big fan of Edwards but I didn't realize that the first person that thought of a plan is better than another candidate.

[pokercat999]

83. A fucking rabbit, donkey and monkey would look better

and govern more effectively than all of Rudy and Company combined. Comparing our weak and ineffective "leaders" to the piles of do-do from the other side is like compairing Small Pox to TB, you'll live with either but you won't like it.

[Ethelk2044]

32. I am very proud of Him.

[goclark]

78. The Bush Bought Press is doing a good job

of building up Thompson this week.

He is the soup of the week.

I will not bash my Democratic field of candidates.

I refuse to give the Bushthugs quotes about Obama,Edwards, Clinton or the rest.

They don't need any of our help to bring our candidates down, IMO.

[Donnachaidh]

25. "INSURANCE" -- uh no dear -- that's NOT what we want

But hey, it sure does keep those insurance companies funding your race, huh? :sarcasm:

[Guaranteed]

26. Just throwing more money at the problem. Won't work.

The system needs to be fixed- e.g., with a single-payer plan- not just covered over with billions of taxpayer dollars.

[Blue Gardener]

29. The best idea I've heard

Is to put a tax on imports to pay for health care. This idea was mentioned in an article in the AARP newsletter. I am somewhat suspicious about how it would work however, since the idea is from billionaire investor Wilbur Ross. Here's the link:

http://www.aarp.org/bulletin/yourhealth/big_business_health_care.html

[Le Taz Hot]

90. Would that be the same AARP

that endorsed the Medicare Prescription boondoggle? Sorry, all AARP does is provide a venue for companies to sell overpriced insurance to people on fixed incomes. They're predators and they have NO credibility.

[annabanana]

102. yup. . They took the low road quite awhile ago. . n/t

[clixtox]

30. Great Plan Obama...

many Republicans couldn't do any better a job pulling the wool over our eyes while throwing ($2500) verbal bones!

The insurance, pharmaceutical and health care industries are the problems, fundamentally, along with our individual poor health habits, tobacco, alcohol and other deadly drug addictions and the large proportion of overweight, sedentary folks.

It's going to take radical changes on many fronts before anything improves health wise for us...

[MethuenProgressive]

34. "Seeking to add heft to his presidential bid..." he makes a play for HealthCareInc

"Obama's plan retains the private insurance system" and gives them more taxpayer money!!

Get a clue, Obama!

[Tatiana]

36. Hey let's not knock the man for, once again, bringing universal health care to the forefront.

The moment you say "universal health care" the Republicans have heart attacks and start bemoaning the threat of "socialized medicine."

Personally, I think a mixture of private and socialized agencies should factor into an American form of universal health care. Create a world-class national hospital and clinic system. Give citizens the choice of free participation in the national plan or let them have the opportunity to go with a private insurance company for an additional charge payable to the private insurance company each month.

Some of the best teaching hospitals in this country are public hospitals. If we fund a public system adequately, attract high-quality staff, and offer excellent preventative and critical care, this will force the private insurance companies to either improve their service or go away. Doctors, nurses, and other health care professionals will be assured of timely payment for their services and an equitable salary with reasonable work hours.

It'll be interesting to see how Hillary responds...

[endarkenment]

37. He didn't, he played me too with the rest of them.

Joining the growing list of creeps confusing mandated insurance purchase programs with single payer universal healthcare in a corrupt and cowardly effort to defuse the popular support for true universal healthcare.

[Tatiana]

41. But at least he's brought the topic back out there.

We can debate it. We can show him why his "universal" coverage plan does not work and illustrate the merits of a single-payer system, while people are now paying attention to the issue.

I'm not at all thrilled with his plan. But you've got to start somewhere. We need to be looking at all ideas, including Franklin Roosevelt's universal health care idea he originally proposed with his social security plan.

[Doremus]

40. There are many things wrong with your premise.

Mainly that it would be possible for a universal health care program to deliver superior service with only voluntary participation. That is not the case.

BTW, the word "socialized" has no place in a discussion of universal healthcare, unless you are talking about China or some other communist country in which the government OWNS all the medical facilities and EMPLOYS all the care givers.

The only way we're going to solve the health care crisis in the US is by working with facts and dispelling the myths (voluntary participation won't work), outright lies (Medicare is baaaddd), and other RW propaganda designed to maintain status quo for the mega-conglomerates who control the health care industry.

[Tatiana]

50. The bottom line is that you lose people when you ask them to give up choice.

I have health insurance that, for the most part, provides me with health care that I am satisfied with. Any major health procedures (as well as numerous minor ones) have been covered by my insurance company. I realize I'm blessed.

There was a time, however, when I didn't have health coverage. I remember coming down with a nasty case of strep throat when I was just out of high school. It was so bad, I coughed up blood. After a few days of misery, I finally trekked down to the county hospital. My only complaint was the wait to see a doctor (around 3 hours). But once I saw the physician, he immediately did the throat culture, got me some freeze pops for my sore throat, and also pointed out that I was severely anemic. I got the antibiotic I needed along w/ some iron supplements and a follow-up appointment. The whole process took me all day (around 9 hours), but the quality of care I received at that public county hospital was the same as the care I receive through my insurance company now.

I guess my point is that I have no problem with single-payer national health insurance. In fact, I think it's the best solution for our health crisis. However, I like my current insurance. It does a good job at decent price. If we start telling others, who also like their own insurance that they can no longer have it and they will be forced to switch to a national plan, you are going to have a lot of angry people and you are not going to get the votes you need to pass a national health insurance plan.

If people want to keep their private insurance plans, they should have the option. But they should be required to pay for that option.

Even the Canadians have problems with their system. But faulty as it is, it's still better than what we've got here and so we need to take what's good about their program and France's and improve upon the faults.

On edit:

I mentioned "socialized medicine" not because I believe that's what an American universal health care system would be, but because that's what the right-wing will call it. We need to be cognizant of these sorts of things and prepared to frame the issue in a more honest and truthful manner.

[endarkenment]

51. Nice corporate framing there.

Here is a simple fact: medicare recipients have not 'given up their choice'. They can go to any doctor or hospital that accepts medicare. The 'choice' framing is complete and total bullshit.

Our healthcare system delivers mediocre to poor results at spectacularly high prices compared to the healthcare systems (the socialized single payer universal healthcare systems) of all of the other major industrial democracies, including Canada. By any fair measure, our system sucks and is massively expensive.

[kath]

103. "By any fair measure, our system sucks and is massively expensive."

Just had to see that again, 'cuz it's SO true.

(love your "name" and your avatar, BTW)

[Doremus]

56. Why would your range of choices change under a single-payer system?

Assuming that most doctors would choose to participate in a single-payer system as they do now in Medicare, what are the choices you would be losing? People on Medicare choose their own doctors (as I said assuming they participate which most do) and other health providers. Please spell out specifically which choices you would be relinquishing.

Yes, we need to be cognizant of the lies being churned out by the RW spin machine. We should NOT back down, however, on either our efforts to expose them for the lies they are, nor in our earnestness in seeking a true, universal health plan for ALL Americans.

You're happy with your situation, that's great. For how long? My husband and I were very content paying $575/mo. for our family's union-sponsored plan. Then the union could no longer afford to absorb the skyrocketing costs and had to pass them on to its members. For over 2 years now we've been paying $1,000/mo. premiums and we are barely hanging on. The moral here of course is that you may be comfortably insured for the moment ... assuming it will stay that way is folly in this day and age.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

74. The number of people who "like their current insurance" is rapidly

reaching the vanishing point.

A friend of mine used to be covered by a gold-plated union-negotiated insurance policy. Oops, now, all of a sudden, as of this year, the premiums are 50% higher and there's a $1000 deductible. Good-bye satisfaction.

[bemildred]

75. A large number of us now have no coverage at all.

Of those that do have "coverage", the vast majority have "coverage" that is expensive, not worth much, and likely to be withdrawn if they try to use it (i.e. actually become seriously ill.)

The notion that such a situation represents some sort of consumer "choice" that one would not want to give up is nothing but unconvincing propaganda pushed by the health insurance racket.

[pitohui]

79. nobody in the usa has "choice" in their health plan

your personal experience is not relevant to the usa election

in this country, health insurance is employer based, you get it thru your employer and you have no choice in the matter about which plan or which hospital or which doctors you are allowed to see, it is all dependent on what plan your employer can negotiate, so if you have a small employer w. little negotiating power you are effed, if you have a big employer who can get away w. offering an inferior plan because the alternative is you don't get hired (walmart anyone?) again you are effed

no one living in the usa except for the extremely wealthy has any "choice" in their health care plan so no one has any "choice" to give up

currently under my health plan i don't seem to have any primary care physician in my area at all, many other specialties (such as dermatology) have long waiting lists under the plan, and i'm on one of the biggest plans in the country (blue cross) -- true, shortages are more severe in katrina-affected areas but i'm hearing that shortages in some specialties are nationwide

doctors don't wanna deal w. medicare or insured patients any more, they all wanna do lazik or plastic surgery and get paid cash

that is the issue, there is only "choice" for getting boob implants and face lifts, not for things like bypass surgery

[Zhade]

46. This isn't universal health care, it's universal health insurance profit-boosting.

This isn't all that different from Clinton's idea - and they BOTH ignore the underlying problem: companies whose daily workload involves ensuring people DON'T get covered so they can boost the corporate bottom-line should not be in control of healthcare accessibility!

[ProudDad]

98. Excuse me

but Obama's "plan" doesn't include "universal care".

Where do you see universal coverage in his "pump money into the health 'insurance' racket" plan.

[Doremus]

38. Sorry, Obama. We need somebody in office who's NOT afraid to push for single-payer.

What is it with Dem pols and their fear of REAL universal health care?

I'm sick and tired of these corporate-friendly profit-making schemes masquerading as universal health care!

Give us a REAL plan and a REAL candidate already! Sheesh :grr: :banghead: :spank:

[mainer]

39. Sounds like a form of Hillary-care. Won't work.

Why the hell doesn't someone propose just expanding Medicare?!! Start off by adding kids and pregnant women, then eventually expand to all age groups?

Medicare works. It's single-payer. And the system is already in place.

[Doremus]

42. Mainer, you said it for me.

Thanks.

[RufusTFirefly]

47. "Why the hell doesn't someone propose just expanding Medicare?!! " Someone already has

But my handlers from the corporate media tell me he's unelectable, and so I must obey.

Universal Health Care

Dennis Kucinich is the only Presidential Candidate with a plan for a Universal Single Payer, NOT FOR PROFIT Healthcare system.

MEDICARE FOR ALL

The plan in embodied in HR 676 the Conyers-Kucinich bill, written by Dennis Kucinich & John Conyers

The plan covers all healthcare needs, including dental care, mental health care, vision care, prescription drugs, and long-term care - at NO extra cost!

Kucinich's plan, HR 676, is supported by 78 Members of Congress, 250 Union Locals, and 14,000 physicians and is endorsed by the New Hampshire Democratic Party.

More

[mainer]

85. Poor Kucinich. No one wants to hear the truth.

Expanding Medicare is the best way to get this done. It doesn't mean insurance companies would go out of business, because some people will always opt for supplementary coverage (as in the UK).

[nashville_brook]

43. omg, I'm so tired of this bullshit -- this "plan" will do nothing for the uninsured and uninsurable

but, on the upside it will keep the insurance lobby dollars flowing into his war chest.

[depakid]

48. Yet another boondoggle

that fails to address the basic problem.

[eridani]

54. Average cost of health insurance is $10K

http://www.thinkglink.com/Cost_of_Health_Insurance_is_Rising.htm

$7500 isn't any more affordable for the low income uninsured. Why add more tax dollars to a system that is already twice as expensive as any other health care system in the developed world?

We are already paying for universal health care--we jst aren't getting it.
-----Dennis Kucinich

Obama is sucking up to the insurance companies, who will royally screw him anyway over the "pre-existing conditions" proposal, just like they did Clinton in 1993.

[DrFunkenstein]

55. Why I Think Everybody Here is Wrong

First of all, I am not fond of the "my way or the highway" mentality, even in liberals. Before we enact real reform, we must first change the political center of gravity - which is not at a single-payer system. As much as it may be the CORRECT idea, it does not represent the most strategically smart course.

No President can shove major health care change down the throats of Congress unilaterally. What Obama is presenting us represents a major step forward - NOT the end of the road. And sometimes the fastest way between two points is not a straight line.

Obama's proposals are, for the most part, very much in line with what Kerry was presenting in 2004.

Here are some of the key features that few here have bothered to pick up after they folded their arms over the single-payer plan:

1. A special pool to remove the catastrophic illnesses out of the general premium coverage. That's a biggie.

2. A major focus on preventative healthfulness. Some have mentioned the need for this without saying that Obama is focusing on the issue.

3. Updating the records.

4. Exempting the smallest businesses from participating - this removes a major talking point for the GOP.

5. The fact that the coverage is choice-based (this is where the political center of gravity remains).

------------

Once people realize that health care is their right as a citizen, THEN we can lean upon both parties in Congress to press even farther into a more just health care system.

[Doremus]

58. Go along to get along? Nah, thanks.

I'd rather do without than send any more of my tax dollars to the mega-conglomerates than control our healthcare.

[karynnj]

71. Thanks for the excellent quick summary of his plan

I am really glad that he picked up Kerry's catastophic illness idea which was one of the most innovative ideas that I have heard on health insurance in the last few decades.

[Name removed]

57. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[silverojo]

69. And she's a complete bitch if she feels that way!

Wait till SHE'S old, and I'll bet she'll sure want good medical care. I just lost a beloved family member to a terminal illness, and I take VERY STRONG offense at such a cruel, callous, disgusting statement.

Take that thinking to Free Republic where it belongs.

[angstlessk]

59. Politicians today would demand a buggy whip in every new car

in order to save the buggy whip industry..but would be more than willing to send the manufacure of buggy whips to china...I am VERY PISSED!

[SoxFan]

61. Funny thing

When Howard Dean proposed a very similar plan four years ago, many of the same folks who were doing the happy dance are the same ones who are in a high dudgeon this afternoon.

Obama's plan is a good one. It's an approach that many Democratic candidates have campaigned on in the last few years. It gets us a hell of a lot closer to universal coverage, addresses inefficiencies in the system, and is politically feasible. Obama deserves praise for tackling a tough issue in a thoughtful way.

[flaminbats]

64. actually Dean's plan was more conservative..

I don't remember Dean's plan requiring businesses or individuals to pay part of the premiums. Dean's plan offered health benefits for the same price that federal employees get. His plan relied on statewide pools to reduce premiums for everyone, while making it illegal for insurance companies to charge higher premiums and offer less coverage for those with pre-existing conditions.

but I agree with your main point, Obama has an excellent plan. all of our frontrunners have better plans than Kerry or Gore supported in past elections. after the insane Congressional debate in 1994, healthcare reform became very unpopular. Gore won the nomination by offering prescription drug coverage to those in Medicare, while extending Medicare only to those who were 55 or over.

but it took nearly ten years for universal coverage..or even universal access for health insurance, to become positions that Democratic leaders would even touch. it makes me pleased to finally see all of our candidates zeroing on this issue after years of nothing, but it worries me that we might have a future political dark age..in which even the underdogs in our party may not have the courage to support the positions now taken by the most conservative Democrats.

[karynnj]

70. Kerry's 2004 plan was good

His intended 2008 plan that he detailed in a Faneuil Hall speech last year expanded on it. Kerry's 2004 plan was better than the other 2004 candidate's per most (if not all) independent assessments and Obama's plan has much in common with it. It has Kerry's idea to handle catastopic insurance seperately - which was a major innovation.

[bvar22]

62. No Thanks.

I will vote for Dennis Kucinich's Plan....Medicare for ALL!
Infrastructure already in place, the system already works. Simply extend coverage to all.
Private Insurers are free to compete, or provide coverage for items nor covered by Medicare.



The Democratic Party is a BIG TENT, but there is NO ROOM for those
who advance the agenda of THE RICH (Corporate Owners) at the EXPENSE of LABOR and the POOR.

[Neshanic]

63. "injects additional money into the system". And that means

the insurance companies.

Nice try but no cigar.

Everyone should HAVE, not "be able" to have health insurance. No pre existing. No cherry picking.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

65. I have a relative visiting from Norway staying with me now

and I asked her about health care there.

Basically she said what I already knew, that they pay high taxes, but in return, they get health care at no cost. They can choose their own doctor, and there is no charge for hospitalization.

[endarkenment]

73. And they pay less per capita and get better results.

We have a system that is corrupt and that sucks. What a deal. And we have those here we rail on about 'choice' while stuck in their PPO networks with few choices at all and with bean counters deciding their treatment, their medications, and when they can see a specialist of the bean counter's choosing. It is a sick joke, pun intended, and almost anyone who has actually had major medical problems can readily provide you with insurance company managed care horror stories.

[LanternWaste]

82. I guess that's what happens when...

I guess that's what happens when health care is meant to provide preventative and curative measures to patients rather than profits to the owners...

I've heard the same about Germany, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. And every time I hear it, it frustrates me more and more that we (as Americans) just don't seem to get it.

[DFW]

87. I am in Germany a LOT, and my wife is a German citizen

No their system is not perfect, and their bureaucracy is infuriating, but
when she had cancer, she was taken care of with the best the country had
to offer, and it cost her nothing.

Citizens of countries like Germany, Norway, etc. lose a lot of time with
the paperwork, but what they DON'T lose is their jobs, their money, or their
lives. That's a trade-off I'd take any day.

On the other hand, the situation in the USA has deteriorated to the point
where I don't think what we need as a nation can be instituted on one go.
Obama's plan may be a start, and I'm OK with him if he realizes it's a starting
point, and not where we need to be.

I'll be looking for clarifications from him on this.

One thing to remember--the baby boomers are aging, and a LOT of them who vote
Republican will think twice about it if they get bankrupted by having to decide
between death and cat food.

I'm with RFK, Jr. on this: there is NO WAY a country with our wealth and
level of technological sophistication has any business tell ANY citizen they
are too poor to get health care. None. If the term "socialized medicine" scares
some, how about "justice for all," or is that just some stupid phrase they would
rather leave out of the pledge of allegiance they so piuosly defend?

[kath]

104. Key phrase - "it cost her NOTHING". Not it was "affordable" - to the tune of thousands of dollars,

which is NOT affordable for so many, and is the level to which costs can rise even under Medicare (and Medicare premiums and drug costs can be quite high). In most, if not all, other first world nations, health care (including drugs) is virtually FREE.

[TankLV]

109. The "affordable" crap gets me all the time, too..

after all, for years "they" (nameless, faceless) have determined that "affordable" housing was in the $200,000 range or even highter now!

[NotGivingUp]

88. this is not a universal health care plan. he can stick this up his ass. nt

[MadHound]

89. This isn't universal health care, this is a giveaway to insurance companies

And another screwing of the American people. His plan combines the worst of both worlds.

The only person who has a real, true UHC plan is Dennis Kucinich, and he's had it for many years now. Sadly, like with the Iraq war, Dennis is out ahead of the rest of the pack, and nobody wants to listen to him.

[Bodhi BloodWave]

91. people, people

One thing you should be aware off i think, the insurance companies will never be abolished, shut down or anything else as they are there to stay.(They still do some good outside of health, least they have in Norway even if i don't trust em myself)

Also the mindset of 'all in one go or you are a sellout to corps' is not very sensible since its not politically possible as of now, DrFunkenstein stated earlier there has to be a change of gravity on this matter which i fully agree with.

From what i've read of his plan its a very good start toward universal health care and it diminishes some of power of the insurance companies, and i don't believe i have heard Obama state that this is his final plan for health care(that i believe was universal health care by the end of his first term so this could be the first step)

[ProudDad]

100. The buggy whip manufacturers

and the builders of horse buggies went out of business. There are no corset manufacturers any more. I can't remember the last time I've seen a good selection of bread boxes in the stores, alas.

In this case, this is an industry that has become more dangerous to people's health and well being than they're worth and should be abolished!

They are NOT here to stay any more than any other destructive industry.

[flaminbats]

92. wow..this guy wants my vote!!

:woohoo:

[Oak2004]

93. You know folks, we DO have some say in this over and above

who we elect.

Congress does not have to pass a plan proposed during some primary. It can pass a more sensible plan, such as the Conyers/Kucinich bill, or amend the President's plan to something more nearly like the universal healthcare we want (and finish the job in another session of congress, thereby defusing the Republican screaming points). I can't imagine a Democratic president is going to veto any reasonable healthcare reform bill presented to them by a Democratic congress, even if the bill isn't the same bill the President asked them for.

Whether or not Congress does the above can be influenced by us, by contacting our representatives, lobbying, rallying, petitioning, etc. -- and above all by working to insure we have decent congresscritters in the first place. I know in the Corporate States of America, the land of Diebold and the DLC, it's tough to get decent members of congress, but we have to fight for them nonetheless.

Though, I will admit, having decent congresscritters can get boring. In Vermont, half the time when the call goes out to contact your members of congress to support bill XYZ, I start to do so then find out that my congresscritters are authors or co-sponsors of the bill (yes, drip with envy, then go get your own. Bernie would like more company I'm sure :))

[AngryAmish]

94. So is this the same young people subsidize old folk's health care?

'cause if buying insurance is mandatory then that is what the plan is.

[Neshanic]

95. Thanks Obama, the Ministry of Pre-Existing Conditions will have central files on all.

That will be centralized and doled out to your insurance company money men.

God, he and Clinton just don't get it.

No votes for you.

[Ethelk2044]

97. I see People complain about Obama's Health Care Plan

How many are willing to pay more in taxes to get the Insurance companies out of the system. That is what it will take for individuals to pay more in taxes to make sure everyone is covered. I will be naive of us to think we can have health care and not pay for it in some way.

[ProudDad]

101. Your "economics" are off

The facts about HR676 - Universal, single-payer, Medicare for ALL:

"HR 676 Would Reduce Overall Health Care Costs

Families Pay Less

A study by nationally recognized economist, Dean Baker, of the Center for Economic Research and Policy concluded that under H.R. 676, a family of three making $40,000 per year would spend approximately $1900 per year for health care coverage. Currently, (in 2007) the average annual premium for families covered under an employee health plan is $11,000. (National Coalition on Health Care.)

Business Pays Less

In 2005, without reform, the average employer that offers coverage will contribute $2,600 to health care per employee (for much skimpier benefits), or 217.00 per month. Under HR 676, the average costs to employers for an employee making $30,000 per year will be reduced to $1,425 per year; or about $119.00 per month.

Baker's study reported that HR 676 would reduce health spending in 2005 from $1 trillion, 918 billion dollars to 1 trillion, 861.3 billion dollars, which translates into a saving of $56 billion in overall health care spending while covering all of the uninsured. This is a 3% reduction in over-all health care spending.

Proposed Funding For USNHI Program:

Maintain current federal and state funding for existing health care programs; employer payroll tax of 4.75, an employee payroll tax of 4.75; establish a 5% health tax on the top 5% of income earners; 10% tax on top 1% of wage earners, 1/3rd of 1% stock transaction tax, closing corporate tax loop-holes; repeal the Bush tax cut for the highest income earners."

http://www.healthcare-now.org/index.html

http://www.healthcareforall.org/blog/?p=4

There are many other good sites with accurate information about single-payer health care...

Google is your friend...

[PaDem]

106. I am.......

my employer can then pay me more in return because they won't be paying for 80% of my healthcare. It's really a simple issue.

[TankLV]

110. WE DON'T PAY ANY FUCKING MORE FOR THE BILLIONS FOR A WAR OF CHOICE BASED ON LIES!

DON'T EVER FUCKING TELL ME OR ANYBODY THAT "WE CAN'T AFFORD" CRAP!

WE CAN AFFORD A FUCKING ILLEGAL WAR THAT COSTS BILLIONS EVERY WEEK - BUT SOMEHOW WE SUDDENLY BECOME COST CONSCIOUS WHEN IT COMES TO A NECESSITY?!

IF WE CAN GO INTO DEBT FOR A FUCKING WAR AND STAR WARS AND NUKE HANDOUTS AND HALLILBURTON LOSING BILLIONS - WE CAN "AFFORD" FREE HEALTH CARE FOR ALL!!!!

GODFUCKINGDAMMIT GET A CLUE!!!!!

[Harper_is_Bush]

105. Is Hillary offering that? As a Canadian, I can tel you....it is wonderful.....

of course there are complaints. Waiting times are supposedly bad for some procedures, for example.

I've broke my neck and had no problems getting MRI's or anything else.

And when you need stitches you wait for an hour or two, but it's nice not having to pay $300 for 15 sutures.

[TankLV]

107. Government Paid for Health Insurance. Nothing less will do.

What Obama proposes is more bullshit of the same...

Like a broken clock - even he can be OCCASIONALLY right.

Too bad the clock is still broken...

Obama - feh....

[unkachuck]

111. forget Obama....

....he's lost me....the great Illinois 'socialist' is squishier than a stewed tomato....it must be all that corporate money he's been floating in....just more of the same repackaged in a new box....

....besides the war, this is the single greatest problem we have, and he's failed us miserably....