Democrats may go it alone on gov't insurance plan

[Adsos Letter]

Source: AP

WASHINGTON – Emboldened by polls that show public backing for a government health insurance plan, Democrats are moving to make it a politically defining issue in the debate over the future of medical care.

Behind-the-scenes attempts to get a deal with Republicans on nonprofit co-ops as an alternative to a public plan have led only to frustration, complains a key Democrat. He and his colleagues may have to go it alone, said Sen. Chuck Schumer.

The co-ops were seen as perhaps the last hope for compromise on a contentious issue that threatens any remaining prospects of bipartisan support for President Barack Obama's sweeping plan to remake the health care system.

"I don't think I could say with a straight face that this (co-op proposal) is at all close to a nationwide public option," Schumer, D-N.Y., told The Associated Press on Sunday. "Right now, this co-op idea doesn't come close to satisfying anyone who wants a public plan."


Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090622/ap_on_go_co/us_health_care_overhaul

[CreekDog]

1. I'm glad they are finally reading the writing on the wall

let's hope. :hi:

[Adsos Letter]

2. Maybe it's time to hit the streets?

:hi:

[nashville_brook]

19. the article says, "the next few weeks are going to be pivotal...recess july 4"

[Delphinus]

36. We've been hitting the streets.

Check things out in DC on 06/25 - they're hoping for a million people all marching on health care.

[Liberal_Christian]

8. That's Bullshit. This fake sympathy on the democrats side is bullshit. This article just proves.

This debate is bull-shit. This "Co-op" nonsense is bull shit. Are you familiar with the expression, "throwing you a bone"? Well, they just did and anyone who takes this seriously as a legitimate debate is biting down hard on that very bone. They're using this as a pacifier. Something to shut up the voting base.

Try something; click on the link for the article on this post. Hit Control (or Command)+F. Type in single-payer. What happens? That's right, nothing.

People need to start realizing that anything short of single-payer is just more of the same. More loop holes for big business. More profit-motive, privatized healthcare that lead us into this mess. I pray no one takes this for one moment something that will help the american people.

Don't be a sucker.

[high density]

29. Single-payer isn't happening in 2009

There is zero political support for forcing people to give up their current health plans. The President doesn't support such an idea.

[kenfrequed]

41. Myth

Universal single payer doesn't force anyone to give up anything. It PROVIDES healthcare for everyone, if you still wanna keep your crappy private insurance plan you can. If you want to throw money away on a plan where they will drop you the moment you get a chronic debilitating illness so be it.

You are also entirely full of crap about the 'zero political support thing.' There is actually political pressure and voter pressure to enact single payer universal so I have no idea what you are talking about that is unless you only measure political support as a measure of how many corporations are interested or have been given seats at the table.

[high density]

44. By all means show me the votes in the Senate for single-payer

Half dozen people maybe, if we're lucky?

It seems single payer by definition forces people to drop their current plan. But whatever.

[kenfrequed]

55. So...

Better by far to never put it on the table in the first place?

Better to not even discuss it in committee?

If it isn't discussed at all it is considered beneath notice and it is harder for it to get the attention that it deserves as an option. But I suppose that is the point, isn't it.


Again, no rational single payer plan FORCES you to abide by it exclusively. You are uncritically putting up right wing spin and propaganda on DU. Plenty of countries with out and out socialist medicine STILL have private insurance for other matters. So "whatever" right back at you.

[high density]

74. Congress can discuss it all it wants

Talking about it doesn't make it law. The reality is that best we're going to get here is incremental process. If you don't want to accept that, again, show me the votes.

It seems to me the single payer system that is generally being demanded or dreamed of on DU would put private insurance companies out of business. If you want to construe my comments as being against socialized health care in general, you are free to do so, but that is not what I said.

[kenfrequed]

82. Uhm

You do recall that a thing needs to be talked about and proposed before it is voted on right? I mean there has too be a bill first that has to go through a committee, after said committee usually has had a few hearings on it.

For someone that keeps talkign pragmatically about the votes and the legislative process you don't seem to be able to speak very directly to any point.

And I already suspected what side of this discussion you are on, so rather than playing coy about your damned opinion just put it out there. Otherwise people are just going to think you are either a plant or a concern troll.

No industry has an inherant and unalienable right to exist. Maybe we should go back to private fire insurance and private fire departments? After all, someone decided that this was a public service for the good of people.

[knixphan]

85. Seconded.

[clixtox]

133. Thirded... N/T

[sharesunited]

118. The private bail bond business was abolished in Illinois in 1962.

An entire industry eliminated through enactment of a statute. Everybody working in the bail bond business here had to go find something else to do for a living.

[No Elephants]

141. And the problem with putting private health insurance companies out of

business is? Don't tell me about their employees. Most or all of them can go to work in the "public option" sector.

[Oregone]

73. Who cares if people have to drop a shitty, expensive plan for a cheap one that is great?

This argument is asinine.

[high density]

77. Who says everybody has shitty expensive plans?

Bad assumption to make. Now companies might want to drop expensive plans, but then again they might also want them as a benefit to attract top notch employees.

[Oregone]

79. Everyone does have a shitty plan compared to single-payer

Here is my current plan:

Premiums for my entire family: $108 a month
Co-pays per visit: $0
Per Person Deductible: $0
Pre-Approved Procedures: All
Covered Surgeries: Any necessary performed by any physician of my choice
Annual Maximum Coverage: Infinite

Don't you get it...When you look at the cost, freedom, choice, coverage of single-payer health care (done right), everything else is shitty and expensive (to you or your employer) in comparison.

[Oldtimeralso]

86. Oregone, Is That A Canadian Gov. Plan? n/t

[Oregone]

101. Yes

British Columbia's. Some provinces are cheaper. Some cover a few more procedures some deem unneccesarily too (fertility, sex changes, vasectomies, etc).

I highly doubt you will be able to show me a cheaper and better private plan in America. Yes, this doesn't cover the "goodies" like dental/eyecare, but a *cheap* private market exists for those, which are only $100 a month per family for solid plans.

[dogfacedboy]

139. Here is the shitty plan that I'm stuck with right now.

Premium for my entire family(my wife, an infant daughter, myself): $110.85 PER WEEK. YES, PER WEEK.
Co-pay per visit: $30.00
Per person deductible: $1000.00/yr.
Prescription drug co-pay: $30.00 for generic/ $50.00-$80.00 for non-generic.

This is an "employer provided" BC/BS PPO plan.

[Stellabella]

93. Have you ever had to fight with an insurance company? File an expensive claim?

If you had, you would know that ALL insurance companies are impossible to deal with, and their ONLY bottom line is their profit. They don't give a shit about anyone else.

[Butch350]

97. Yes, I have!

For over 25 years I've paid into my health insurance plan, hundreds of dollars a month. Not to long ago I had a
double hernia operation that cost around $6,000, and my stinking insurance company had to pass it through some kind
committee to determine I had no other health insurance plans that would help cover the operation. Who in the hell
pays for two health insurance plans monthly? (not Me)

This went on for months before my health insurance company forked up the money! Plus, i recieved additional billing from
that operation that my health insurance company didn't pay. It sucks go get screwed out of your hard earned money!

[Oregone]

102. Yes, so why would anyone want to "choose" this shitty service?

With single-payer, you don't even see the bill. Literally. You walk in, give em your card if it is not already on file, and walk out when done. Case closed.

[Liberal_Christian]

136. I really don't give a shit how "good" your plan is. Here's why:

The World Health Organization has American healthcare ranked 37th out of every nation.

Here's the really pathetic part: THERE ARE 16 INDUSTRIALIZED (DEVELOPED) COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD.

That's just it. You have to have a "really good plan" for something that should be, and can be STANDARD.

I would buy into your argument about single-payer not being good for us but Canada, many countries in Europe, and many countries in Asia prove you dead-wrong.

If you have a problem with that; ConservativeUnderground.com is down the hall.

[valerief]

56. That's a lie. Sorry, I mean an untruth. Or a misspeakness. nt

[high density]

75. OK, your opinion overrides mine I guess

But by all means tell me who is going to vote for the Dennis Kucinich Single Payer Healthcare Plan?

[kenfrequed]

83. Err

Again, unless I miss my guess, the "lie" was about people being forced to give up their health insurance.

Again, it is a lie. No plan requires that people give up their plan. If the insurance company has such a great plan that people keep it, than the insurance company will survive. Simple as that.

Germany, France, Sweden, and several other European countries have both public coverage and there are still companies that provide private supplimental insurance in these countries.

[Liberal_Christian]

140. "Forcing" HA!

Good one. :-)

[northernlights]

40. single-payer will not happen this year

A serious public option, without putting health care on the shoulders of business, can ultimately achieve the goal of single payer, one step at a time.

Obviously single payer is the best solution. But it's not going to happen overnight, any more than we're going to pack up and leave Iraq overnight.

Obama is strategic, he also seems to be methodical.

He needs public support -- writing in a public forum is not public support. Writing to, and calling, your congress critters is public support. Marching on the 25th, if you're in the DC area, won't hurt either.

[high density]

45. Too many people here can't see the light at the end of the tunnel

"One step at a time" indeed.

[Political Heretic]

121. Then it won't happen at all.

If you pass some sort of "health care reform" you don't then come back and pass it again.

This is what happens when people believe the myth of incremental change. When we passed the Family Medical Leave Act it was shit, unpaid time off that virtually no one can use anyway because they can't afford it.... at the time it was said that this was the start and that paid leave would be added later. That was fifteen years ago, and guess what it is nowhere on the agenda.

If we pass shitty health care now, our politicians will say "but we've already done health care reform" and use the shit as an excuse to not do anything else for a generation.

[lark]

124. Sorry, FMLA has saved many a person's job

It may not be perfect,but it does what it said - it saves sick people, or folks that are the primary caregivers for sick people from losing their jobs - very important to many people and a lifesaver for a lot of others. You can't compare the two issues.

BTW - I do agree that if we don't pass single payer or government health option with no hamstringing in favor of profit margins, we might have to wait another 30 years to get a 2nd chance to actually cover everyone.

[Political Heretic]

134. Saying it "may not be perfect" is a ridiculous understatement.

The issue is not whether or not a government ensuring medial leave for employees is good or bad, the issue is that capitulation and excuse making left us with a pathetic policy that lags every other industrialized nation in the world - and the excuse made at the time was "we'll do it in stages."

Now its fifteen years later and the "next stage" is nowhere on the horizon. This is what happens when we accept a terrible compromise with the lie that "we can get to the rest later." That later never happens.

Alternatively, we could have told compromisers to shove it, and said that at least some kind of compensation was a non-negotiable element and our representatives could have promised to shut down the entire legislative agenda and make every other vote difficult or impossible until a reasonable, responsible FMLA was passed.

[Political Heretic]

135. One other thing: I've got hard statistics on FMLA

I just finished my masters degree, during which time as part of family-centered policy analysis we dug into statistics on FMLA. FMLA is horribly underutilized, primarily because it is toothless by being time off without pay. The number of people eligible for FLMA who don't use it is shockingly high. The people who DO use it tend to be upper middle class or better. For the lower middle class or working poor - FMLA is useless.

[Liberal_Christian]

137. "an ultimately achieve the goal of single payer, one step at a time."

That is your opinion. One I whole-heartedly disagree with. You seem to forget how powerful big business can be. Anything short of single-payer is just another series of loop holes big medicine gets to fuck us over with. Put it to you this way; I'm sure Rick Scott's Conservatives for *"Patients" Rights LOVES your little "baby step".

[RaleighNCDUer]

80. That's just the point - after reducing the concept from single-payer to

public option and finally to co-ops, and getting republican resistance all the way down the line, it is now time to go back to the top and work on the blue dogs - because with them we CAN get what we need, which in this case would be a public option that will, given time, convert to single-payer. And we can do it without the republicans.

[Liberal_Christian]

138. BLUE DOGS?!?!?! Are you kidding me?!

Blue Dog Democrat- Conservative Democrat

We Need LESS blue dogs. You suck out any progressive or liberal agenda from a democrat and you get a blue dog. You really think a blue dog's going to be for single payer?

[Seldona]

113. Not to mention all the teeth will be removed before final passage.

I hate to be so cynical, but it's getting very hard not to.

[AnneD]

68. Maybe now they'll swear in Al Franken....

after all he won it by any count imaginable.

[GreenTea]

99. Republicans won't allow it!

MN Republican Guv refuses to until after MN high Court has a ruling...The republican party is paying for Coleman to continue his court battles and prolonging them as long as possible....

And at least one judge on MN Supreme court gave donations and voted for Coleman and he's making a decision? That republican judge should of recused himself....but he was slick and scolded Coleman legal team during the hearing process to make it seem as though he was impartial....republicans are diabolical....

I wouldn't get my hopes up too high on Franken being seated....obviously the Court is taking a long time and may find a way to deny Franken his rightful seat....the Dems in congress & pres. should and better be all over this and not be their usual passive spineless selves...this is a six year senate seat the republicans are trying to steal.

[Seldona]

114. I hope Minnesotans are sick enough of these obstructionists

to vote them out at the next opportunity. When Coleman was up, Franken should have conceded for the good of the people, at least according to republicans. But when the final votes were counted, and Coleman was obviously the loser, their hypocrisy proved just how much republicans care about their constituents.

Not one bit.

[midnight]

128. What a happy day that will be when they swear him in.

[quidam56]

3. We must have health care reform this year,

we are the change we voted for, contact your congress person and senators. After seeing what is deemed, defended and supported in TN & VA as the acceptable standards of health care, I support HR 676. How many more will die so the politicians and the profit machines can pad their filthy pockets ? http://www.wisecountyissues.com/?p=62

[Oregone]

4. Well hell, if you go it alone, might as well go with Single-Payer

:)

[dreamnightwind]

6. Absolutely!

Or at least a public option that has every chance of proving itself and expanding to take over the whole thing. These ideas I've heard of somehow "crippling" a public option so private industry can compete with it are infuriating.

But hell yes, go for it Dems, we've got your back, single payer is the real reform many of us want.

[girl gone mad]

9. Yep.

People don't want some half-assed bureaucratic nightmare like Romney Care, they want serious reform.

[rockymountaindem]

58. Except that most Democrats don't support that

Otherwise, I'm sure getting 25 votes for it on a resolution of some sort might be a moral victory :sarcasm:

[Oregone]

72. That is what leadership, education and a bully pulpit is for

The polls have greatly swung into favor of the ambiguous, new, undefined concept of a "public option" with piss poor leadership. It wouldn't take much...

[New Dawn]

111. Actually, most Democrats do support universal health. The ones in Congress are not the norm.

[Justitia]

5. Cool. So let's bring back all the things we really want in it, give it some teeth. -eom

[billyoc]

7. First good news in a while.

[eridani]

10. They have no choice

Repubs will oppose any plan offered by Dems, period. So why not go for single payer?

[zbdent]

11. I'll believe it when I see it ...

Don't count on Spectre's vote ...

[hayu_lol]

13. A Co-Op plan was what the original...

HMOs were. Worked quite well at first but over the years was degraded as the 'bean counters' took over.

The mechanism for single-payer is already in place--Medicare. Just expand it and provide full coverage rather than the co-pays. Do none of our leaders understand any of this? Does not seem so at this time.

[customerserviceguy]

35. Medicare works for only one reason

there are private health insurance plans, with employers and employee groups willing to pay whatever it takes in premiums to make up the gap between what it costs doctors and hospitals to treat Medicare patients, and what they get reimbursed.

Take that away, and Medicaid/Medicare just become even more unstable.

[SemiCharmedQuark]

14. That's my feeling on it too.

[earth mom]

108. Yeah, I was thinking the same thing. Those guys talk the talk but NEVER walk the walk.

:argh:

[Suji to Seoul]

12. Watch it, Congressional Democrats: That grow you feel is a spine growing

and those things are dangerous.

[zbdent]

20. the pharmaceutical companies have something they can take to

clear that sucker right up ...

[nxylas]

32. Ask your doctor about Money™

Side effects of Money™ may include malfunctioning moral compass and loss of memory regarding who elected you and why.

[SammyWinstonJack]

64. Money and lots of it should take care of that.

:evilgrin:

[pattmarty]

15. I already sent E mails to my Congressman and BOTH Senators, AGAIN.

[stlsaxman]

16. So fucking be it!

Schumer is right- this co-op business is sounds like "HMO lite" to me. The only thing missing are the profits.

[Lasher]

17. Well duh.

After all this time of kissing GOP & lobbyists' asses, they just now thought to see what the people want. What a novel approach.

Go for single payer. Use reconciliation to pass it with a simple majority in the Senate. Put it up for a roll call vote so the Republicans and vichy Democrats will be purged during the midterms.

[aquart]

18. Private plans might be able to compete.

If they lowered executive compensation to government pay levels.

[Psychic Consortium]

22. Ins companies make billions of dollars denying care to the sick.

There is plenty of money if the ins companies go away.

[stubtoe]

71. Isn't that the truth!

[lark]

125. If they did that, how could they pay off all their Repug friends?

Priorities, priorities!!!

[MannyGoldstein]

21. That Would Be Great

I'll believe it when I see it.

[Vinca]

23. Maybe they're finally getting it. Forget the kumbayah moments

because it doesn't matter what kind of plan Democrats come up with, Republicans will oppose it. Republicans have a mission and that is to be a clear opposition to the Democrats and that means one thing and one thing only: saying "no." Democrats need to put together a plan the majority of citizens has indicated it wants and pass the damn thing. I would bet my life savings (or the jar of pennies on the kitchen counter, whichever is greater)that as soon as public healthcare is available, it will be swarmed by Republicans wanting to sign up.

[HughMoran]

39. Do you think this wasn't their plan all along?

I find it hard to believe that even DUers are fooled by a good poker hand.

It all comes down to being able to say "hey, we gave you a chance to participate and all you ever did was crap all over us, so we'll do this without your help".

[Vinca]

66. I'm still worried they won't be able to come up with 51 votes.

[HughMoran]

67. Then we'll be having the blue (dog) plate special

I think there'll be hell to pay if these fuckin' blue-dog Dems fuck up health care for everyone in this country.

[droidamus2]

24. You never hear

The basic argument which is should peoples health care really be seen first as a 'for profit' business or should peoples health come first (single payer) and profits (especially the insurance company profits) come second. Just because we have large health insurance companies now does not in any way mean private insurance is the best or only way to provide health care coverage. Don't get me wrong, health care providers i.e. Hospitals, Doctors, nurses, etc. should be able to make a good living providing this vital service. On the other hand, what do insurers and administrators add to the process besides denial of service and paperwork? Of course, I am biased because I see most insurance as nothing but a government sponsored scam so I am not the most open minded person on this subject.

[niceypoo]

25. The republicans will yell BOO!

...and the Dems will pass some timid, watered down, token plan while the republicans laugh at them.

[Wapsie B]

50. I'd be in favor of letting them opt out. I mean if they're going to stand on their principles

about this. Just like repugs whining when they have to join a union. They certainly forgo the benefits afforded them don't they?

[mdmc]

26. Schumer telling it like it is

:shrug:

[trthnd4jstc]

27. Sink or Swim: A common Republican Belief. They would rather us die. n/t

[Alcibiades]

28. Bipartisanship has gotten nothing so far

There's no sense in giving away the farm to obtain a "bipartisanship" that gets us a policy outcome worse than what we would have gotten without it. If Democrats get national health care without the Republicans, then Democrats get all the credit, and the Republicans are simply obstructionists working for special interests.

Fuck them.

[Eric J in MN]

61. Good point.

There may be a political upside to bi-partisanship for doing something unpopular, but not for doing something popular like health care reform.*

* - popular if there is a good public option, not if there is no public option or a lousy public option

[nradisic]

30. It's about time...

I believe Obama made the "bi-partisan" move to include Republicans in the debate, just to show Americans that you cannot be bipartisan with Republicans. Their idea of bipartisanship is to agree to what they want and that's it. Democrats now realize that 72% of Americans support a single payer system. Get 'er done....enough games already... steamroll the GOP and get it done.

[snot]

31. HELL YEAH.

[Bette Noir]

33. Any plan the Republicans would sign off on would be a bad plan.

[Kingofalldems]

34. No way! I want Newty's Health Savings Account

It's the best! :sarcasm:

[HughMoran]

37. Republicans consider all human life a dollar sign - oh, unless it's unborn

Republicans are filthy money grubbing ass-holes who could care less about the health of Americans.

Fuck them. We'll reform health care, and, as usual, these scum-sucking pigs will benefit from it - all the while pissing and moaning about how much it costs. How much do your fucking wars cost? Of course they like war because it destroys life, not saves it.

[PSPS]

38. "May"? It's a foregone conclusion. They'll never get any GOP votes for anything worthwhile.

What's left of the GOP is merely the Palin/Limbaugh crowd -- between 15 and 20%. The dead enders. Leftovers of the "loyal bushies." Any desire to bring this crowd of anti-americans on board is horribly naieve. If the democrats try to hang their hat on this canard for blowing this chance, nobody will buy it.

[xchrom]

42. recommend

[kmac3]

43. Make All of Them Believers . . . .

The best way to convince the Republicans and many of our DINO democrats the need for good health insurance for all is to take away their government paid insurance. Until they have to pay out of pocket premiums and until they have to fight with these money making mongers when settling a hospital bill there is no way they understand the dire needs others are experiencing. In the meantime not paying Congresses' health insurance would be a perfect way to cut the huge deficit!
:think:

[happygoluckytoyou]

46. With or without the GOP..... HOW COULD YOU EVER TELL THE DIFFERENCE ? ?

[Gman2]

47. This has been Obama's plan all along!

Now, I see it. He must wake us all up to the worthless reality of republican participation in what we used to call governance. He must show conclusively, that they intend nothing but NO. I know that No is not proper twice in the same sentence, but hey. When the nation witnesses the bought and corporate paidfor republickers, shilling for the hated insurance corporations, they will not exact near the political capital for the exercise. There is STILL more work to be done AFTER health care is put at least more on track. This man is beyond the political calculations of his enemies. They continue to play into his hands. And as the nation sees how right on Obama is in line with military sanity, with regards to Iran, his prestige, especially in light of Cairo, soars.

[pleah]

48. There is that word again. I am sick of seeing the word "may", I want to

see the word "will".

[thereismore]

49. Thank you repigs for rejecting the coops! You still suck but I gotta give it to you - you're stupid!

[redqueen]

51. This is very encouraging. We need to push this hard.

Two recent news media polls have found public support for a government plan, even if many people are unsure about its implications. The most recent survey, a New York Times-CBS News poll released Sunday, found that 72 percent supported the idea, including half of those who identified themselves as Republicans.

"The polling data backs up our subjective view that to make health care reform work, you need a public option," said Schumer.

Doesn't matter if you live in a blue state or not, those numbers are threatening. Call your Rep and Senators and hammer them with it.

[andym]

105. Especially important to call them during the July 4 congressional break.

when they are home with their constituents. Everyone, call now and then make sure to call then.

[redqueen]

107. Yes! You make a very good point! Thank you!

:thumbsup:

[Vidar]

52. I'm glad the cowards realize that 60% of the Senate & 73% of the

people might be a large enough lead to bank on. Of course they'll dilute & bastardize it to the point of unworkability, to satisfy their owners.

[prolesunited]

53. Call Congress RIGHT NOW!!!!!

Seriously, keep the pressure up and let them know we demand reform now.

Do they answer to the people or to the lobbyists? This case is clear cut.

[LuckyTheDog]

54. This is good news -- if they follow through

This is good news if your goal is to create an affordable, universal health care plan that works for everyone. This is bad news for those whose goal is to protect the profits of health insurers and/or to create some kind of nonsense Ayn Rand-ish objectivist utopia in which everybody's economic inputs and outputs are kept in perfect balance at all times.

It's time to put the needs of real families ahead of profits and ideology. And don't try to tell that opposition to universal health care is based on a concern for "liberty." I fail to see how making people vulnerable to financial ruin if they get sick helps to keep them free.

[FourScore]

57. C'mon Dems... Let's do this thing right! k/r nt

[FourScore]

59. "But Republicans, insurers and many business leaders say a government plan...

...could drive private insurance companies out of business."

Duh! Gee, I wonder why that is.

[TankLV]

91. "drive private insurance companies out of business" - and that would be a BAD thing, how again?!

There should be NO "insurance" in HEALTH "CARE"...

THAT'S THE WHOLE POINT!!!

[Deep13]

60. BFT

'bout fuckin' time

[earcandle]

62. Single payer means go to the same doctor, gov pays bill

Health care is free.  The government pays the bill.  The
quality of health care will go up because then doctors won't
be hampered by insurance industries trying to keep your
insurance money and not pay for health care.  Health care is
not health insurance.  These are two different things.  We
won't need insurance.  We will have the real thing. No bets. 
All bets off.  No threats, nothing to fear.  Get sick. See
doctor. Get well.  Toothache?  Implant?  Kidney?  Hey lets see
what we can do with stem cell research now!  

[high density]

78. If by "free" you mean we pay some taxes to fund it, then yes, it is "free"

(I'm not against the idea of socialized medicine, but it is NOT free.)

[earcandle]

129. Obama said earlier that with the savings of the middle man costs

meaning the insurance companies, we would have enough to pay
for the full cost for everyone. 

I suppose that money is to be part of the budget paid by our
PR,Sales, and Income taxes we already pay the government for 
general services.  So, you are right, it isn't free, our taxes
will go for this instead of other costs we pay.  

[Mark Twain Girl]

63. If they're going it alone, we'll see what they truly want to do. I want single payer.

What's holding them back now?

[grahamhgreen]

65. Good. Let's hope it's a trend that will continue! n/t

[slay]

69. About fucking time!

If they ever thought they could work with the repubs on this, they are delusional. SEAT AL FRANKEN - you'll have filabuster proof majority - so use it already - health care WITH a public option is sooooooo needed right now - it's sickening to watch the republicans protect insurance companies over the needs of the people. I really hope the Dems just say fuck it and pass it by the narrowest of margins if need be. THIS is what we need to see - the Dems start acting like they have a spine finally!

[oneofthepeople]

70. Then go it alone

The only ones who DON'T want a public option are the Insurance Companies and those in their pockets, which is just about all of Congress. This is not about them, but the American People. I call and write all the Centrists on the Dem side, over and over again. Republicans idea of Healthcare Reform is NO REFORM, so why should they be considered. The Polls clearly show the American Public wants a bold approach, not more of the same. Congressmen not getting that are offering more of the same, self preservation, pocket infusions by Insurance Companies. America needs a Public Option now.

I hope they are getting it, as many of us will not stop hounding them until they do.

[Romulox]

76. A little sugar-coating for the MANDATORY, FOR PROFIT INSURANCE Dems want to make you buy!

[MindMatter]

81. You make it sound like that's a bad thing.

Elections have consequences, at least they are supposed to.

[JohnWxy]

84. We won't get real healthcare reform unless EVERYBODY gets involved in this fight.

Don't assume others will do this for you. the health insurance companies and big-pharma are not going to give up BILLIONs of %%s in profits just because health care reform (Ideally single papyer, or a poor compromise - Government run option) is the RIGHT thing to do, not only ethically but ECONOMICALLY, (MEdicare: 4% G&A, private health insurance: 30% to 40% G&A with PRofits).

Private health insurance will break our economy, this is what Obama is telling us and what all economist recognize. The only way we can afford universal coverage is wtih a SINGLE payer/insurer. NOw, the health car industry is sending thousands of lobbyists (this includes the corporate lobbyists in Government called Republicans) and millions of dollars to stop Single payer or even the government run option.

THEY WILL WIN UNLESS EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US CALLS AND EMAILS OUR SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES - AND THEN CALL AND EMAIL AGAIN.

a sample email can be found at this link:


http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=103x455594

WHO KNOWS YOUR ONE EMAIL JUST MIGHT BE THE ONE TO BRING CONGRESS TO THE TIPPING POINT. YOUR ONE EMAIL MAY BE THE ONE THAT TURNS THE TIDE. MAKE YOUR VOICE BE HEARD, .. PLEASE.

[NancyG]

87. I desperately need at least a viable public option...

Blue Shield just increased the two of us to $1336/mo. That's $16k per year. For high deductible, $45 copay, $500 each deductible for meds.

I want to buy into Medicare.

Of course, I'd prefer single payer. But I'd prefer and need a viable public option over nothing. Way over.

Self-employed small business of one. Let me buy into a big group that doesn't look at age, previous conditions, location, whatever. One big insurance pool of Americans. Yeah, that's single payer, but don't hold out for that because I and a whole bunch of other Americans need it now.

I think Obama is brilliant. Offering a hand to Republicans to work out something bipartisan. It's not in their DNA to do so, so they give the old Fuck You to the American people needing help, and Obama and The Congressional Majority unilaterally vote in something that works.

Concerned still over the Blue Dogs and those sucking at the teat of the insurance companies. Yeah, that could be bad. My realistic optimistic side still believes/hopes Rahm and Co will be able to work the Senate and pull in enough votes for a Viable Public Option.

[Oldtimeralso]

88. We Need To Get The Word Out.

The Republicans only care about life until you are born!
The GOP says to hell with the aged, sick, poor, and working poor.

[UrbScotty]

89. Now we're talking!

[Triana]

90. WELL DO IT ALREADY! We don't NEED BIPARTISAN SUPPORT and we are NOT going to get it!

GET ON WITH IT - leave the Pigshits behind wallowing in their own feces and GET ON WITH IT.

[Stellabella]

92. About damn time.

Repukes are not going to do anything to help the average American, and it's about time Democrats realized that. Just ignore them.

[ooglymoogly]

94. let the grandstanding begin....the proof is in the pudd'n

The double cross will come when the vote comes down in one grand kabuki, and if we pay very close attention we will see behind the masks and learn who the true traitors to the democratic party are. Time for a dart board targeting these DINO's. Adam Green at 'http://change-congress.org/ has got the right idea on this, as shitbag Ben Nelson will quickly attest.

[DailyGrind51]

95. Aesop said it best, "No gratitude can be expected from the wicked."

Compromising with Republicans is like the frog carrying the scorpion across the Nile River, you are bound to get stung, just because it is in their nature.

[ejpoeta]

96. co ops are bullshit!! you need ONE public plan with everyone in that one plan

not a bunch of small ones. the power is in the the numbers. They better forget about any sort of working together. working together only works when both sides want to get to the same place. the republicans are only interested in trying to sabotage everyone and everything.

[GreenTea]

98. What the fuck did the Dems expect-republican don't give a shit about the people only corporations...

MONEY!

Republicans tried to stop Social Security and still want to destroy this very successful program because of their ideology which is greed and selfishness.

And now the republicans are lying and trying to stop a public option health care program for all.... that this county's people and economy needs so desperately!

[Uncle Joe]

100. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, Adsos Letter.

[kevsters]

103. Democrats Won't Go It Alone, Many Of Them Don't Want Public Health Care.

It won't be long before Congress and Obama both buy into Jack Welch's "Die Early- Save Money" health plan.

It's like the book "Boomsday."

Here is a clip of Welch.

http://progressnotcongress.org/?p=1916

[sasquatch]

104. Good, fuck the bastards that stand in the way of ration, logic, and reason

[nightrain]

106. well hell then... go for single payer, not a second best option!!

[MasonJar]

109. I'm surely glad the GOPers wouldn't go for the co-op, which apparently

is just a gift to the health industry since the coops could not compete with them and so would not help in any way...economically or medically.

[LaPera]

110. It's about fucking time!! Fuck the corporate elitist republicans!!

[jmondine]

112. They won't go it alone. They will have the vast majority of the American people with them

[Third Doctor]

115. this was what they would have wanted to do

at first anyway. To say that you need bipartisan support when you have a strong majority almost to a point you can block fillibusters is a smokescreen. A certain amount of senate Dems don't want to pass healthcare because the medical industry is holding thier reins. The fact that they would ignore the will of their constituients is galling and I hope the DINOS face primary opposition.

[and-justice-for-all]

116. Repukes are corporate whores...

they are in it to get theirs and make sure their corporate pimps remain high on the hog...

I fucking can not stand road block repukes!

[moondust]

117. Just do it!

No doubt even some Repubs know that in this dicey job market most anybody can be thrown out of work and out of insurance and hence out of affordable health care indefinitely.

[Political Heretic]

119. Public activism and pressure is what is driving this - it must continue relentlessly!

[varelse]

120. Alone?

what are the millions of voters who approve a public insurance option or universal single payer health care? chopped liver?

[glinda]

122. We all have been goin' it alone. GET USED TO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[proud patriot]

123. it's about friggin time

or

Duh

[PuppyBismark]

126. Just More Proof the Dems Are Owned by Big Business

If this does not pass this year, it is time to kick some butt! Any Dem who votes against a public option, has voted him/herself out of office!

We mobilized for Obama, we can mobilize for health care. I am so disappointed and even angry at the Dems at this point. This is pure CRAP!

:grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr: :grr:

[Wizard777]

127. This is wise. We need to distance ourselves from the Republican Party

They are unpopular here in America and pariah Internationally. It is not our job to rehabilitate them or their image. It is not our job to shield them from the natural consequences of their actions. Obama needs to drop his insistence on Bipartisanship. We cannot work with a party that can only work against us and the greater world at large. They are an anchor to all our ambitions and we need to cut them loose.

[earcandle]

130. Repeat, the costs are already included in our taxes for single payer

Obama said earlier that with the savings of the middle man costs


meaning the insurance companies, we would have enough to pay
for the full cost for everyone.

I suppose that money is to be part of the budget paid by our
PR,Sales, and Income taxes we already pay the government for
general services. So, you are right, it isn't free, our
taxes will go for this instead of other costs we pay.

[No Elephants]

142. Our taxes will go up, no matter what they are saying now. However, our

health care costs should go down. And fewer people will die for lack of health insurance or $$ to pay the doc. That makes it worth it to me, even if my total costs go up.

My son's unemployed, uninsured friend died in September because he refused to see a doctor until my son and a third friend carried the patient into the Emergency Room. By then, his encephalitis had progressed to far and he was dead within 60 days.

If I had known he was sick, I would gladly have paid for some doctor's visits and tests myself, though I could not have afforded to pay huge bills. I am sure his own mother would have as well, even if she had to knock over a convenience store (j/k, kind of) but neither of our sons said anything to us and neither of us was in the same state.

Anyway, point is, some things cannot be bean counted.

[zoff]

131. Less talk, more action.

Let's see if Schumer et al can back up these words.

[farmboxer]

132. Why does Congress have Universal Health Care and we dont'?

More proof that we live within a Plutocracy. It's time "We The People" started a march on Washington!

"We have the best Congress money can buy." - Will Rogers