Dear Mr President...Regarding your email: Health Care News Worth Sharing....

[debbierlus]

Dear Mr. President,

Today, I received your e-mail in my inbox...and I was well, nauseated. You wrote:

"The Vice President and I just met with leaders from the House of Representatives and received their commitment to pass a comprehensive health care reform bill by July 31.

We also have an unprecedented commitment from health care industry leaders, many of whom opposed health reform in the past. Monday, I met with some of these health care stakeholders, and they pledged to do their part to reduce the health care spending growth rate, saving more than two trillion dollars over the next ten years -- around $2,500 for each American family. Then on Tuesday, leaders from some of America's top companies came to the White House to showcase innovative ways to reduce health care costs by improving the health of their workers.

Now the House and Senate are beginning a critical debate that will determine the health of our nation's economy and its families. This process should be transparent and inclusive and its product must drive down costs, assure quality and affordable health care for everyone, and guarantee all of us a choice of doctors and plans.

Reforming health care should also involve you. Think of other people who may want to stay up to date on health care reform and other national issues and tell them to join us here:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/EmailUpdates

Health care reform can't come soon enough. We spend more on health care than any country, but families continue to struggle with skyrocketing premiums and nearly 46 million are without insurance entirely. It is a priority for the American people and a pillar of the new foundation we are seeking to build for our economy.

We'll continue to keep you posted about this and other important issues.

Thank you,
Barack Obama


Well, Mr. Obama. On the same day you couldn't wait to share the news of the health insurance industry's sudden desire to give the American health care relief, I watched this video from Dennis Kucinich, & he gave some interesting facts and figures regarding the health care industry and the mass amount of PROFIT the insurance companies stand to make from their newly cooperative stance on health care reform. Over 12 trillion dollars over the next 10 years.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x311402

So let me get this straight?

You write in haste to let me know that these health care STAKE HOLDERS are suddenly ready to 'coorperate' by creating a mandatory system of private insurance and profiteer of American citizens to the tune of trillions. Okay. I take it you think I should be happy about this?

In all due respect Mr President, I am not happy about this at all. I am nauseated. I am infuriated. I am disgusted.

You see, I do not WANT mandated private health insurance. I want guranteed universal health care through a single payer program. As do the majority of citizens.. As do the majority of nurses.... And, the majority of doctors.... (Perhaps you failed to get word about the care givers support since the ones that showed up at the Congressional hearings were arrested or lead out by police).

Frankly, I found your e-mail an insult to my intelligence. But, mostly, I found your e-mail incredibly disappointing.

You are going to let the health insurance companies write our health 'reform'. You didn't meet with doctors or nurses or patients...You didn't meet with citizens who have had relatives die do to the denial of coverage by the health care. You didn't meet with people who go without needed medication on a daily basis due to the profiteering of big pharm. You didn't meet with the patients who have been denied coverage by the health insurance companies. No. You met with the people who denied the coverage. The 'stakeholders'.

So, no Mr President, I am not happy with your e-mail. Not happy at all...

I will continue the fight to get true health reform...to get universal health coverage through a single payer system.

I just had hoped that I wouldn't have to fight you.

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

1. I hit "reply" to that email, said NO! and Put Single Payer on the Table

and said I would not support OBama's insurance subsidy program.

Anyone getting that email today should hit the reply button and do the same as I did
or otherwise say NO.

[debbierlus]

11. I don't think automated e-mail replies will be read -

I wrote to be removed from their e-mail list and told them the reason (there is a box for that). If I have to fight a politician at every turn, he doesn't represent my interests.

[JimWis]

2. I too have been pushing for single payer. I am also open to a

decent public plan, IF it is done right. I am a strong supporter of Obama, but have to admit, a bit disappointed as to why these people aren't allowed at the table. Unless he has something up his sleeve or holding the cards close to his vest - I still can't help wondering what is going on. Your last sentence really caught my attention. And the same old question comes to my mind - why should we always have to fight so hard for what the majority wants. Regardless of the issue. I could understand if it was just me or a small minority that would like something in this country to change - but this seems to be a majority including nurses, doctors, etc.. It's a bit frustrating.

[DrToast]

3. "As do the majority of citizens.."

No, the majority of citizens do not want single payer.

[blaze]

5. Please elaborate

I think this is a very important discussion and appreciate all input.

What would you like to see in the way of health care reform?

[DrToast]

6. Me personally? I think a single payer system would be great

I just don't think anyone should claim that the majority of citizens want a single payer system because it's not true.

In fact, single payer is decidedly UNPOPULAR with the population.

http://www.politico.com/pdf/PPM118_hcan_-_lake_polling.pdf">This research report conducted for Health Care for America NOW! suggests that only 9% want a public only plan.

[blaze]

7. Can you site anyone other than Politico?

Not a great source and not sure I trust that 9% figure.

[DrToast]

14. It's not from Politico.

It's not from Politico.

[avaistheone1]

10. Here are many more RESEARCH REPORTS that say Americans prefer single payer.

"...59 percent of them 'support government legislation to establish national health insurance,' while 32 percent oppose it and 9 percent are neutral."

http://www.pnhp.org/news/2008/march/most_doctors_support.php



30. Do you think the government should provide a national health insurance program for all Americans, even if this would require higher taxes?
64% - Yes,
35% - No,
2% - No opinion

http://www.pnhp.org/news/2007/may/new_polls_on_univers.php



27. Do you think the federal government should guarantee health insurance for all Americans, or isn't this the responsibility of the federal government?
64% - Guarantee
27% - Not responsibility
9% - DK/NA

30. If you had to choose, which do you think is more important for the country to do right now, maintain the tax cuts enacted in recent years or make sure all Americans have access to health care?
18% - Cutting taxes
76% - Access to health insurance
1% - Neither
2% - Both
4% - DK/NA

http://www.pnhp.org/news/2007/march/public_opinion_on_he.php



“Please indicate whether you support or oppose the policy.”
“Universal health insurance”
75% - Strongly/Somewhat Favor
17% - Strongly/Somewhat Oppose

http://www.pnhp.org/news/2005/october/wsjharris_75_sup.php

[debbierlus]

12. And, those who oppose it would change their minds in the blink of an eye...

If they knew the facts...

There has been such a disinformation campaign about what single payer actually is....Most people who oppose it, they aren't informed of the facts.

[DrToast]

15. Those polls say universal health care

It doesn't say single payer.

[DKRC]

21. Choice of private or public 73%

From page 6 of the poll you're quoting:

Overwhelming support for a public plan choice – over 7 in 10 voters prefer having a choice of a public or private health insurance plan.


Which of the following three approaches to health care reform do you prefer: one, everyone getting health insurance through private health insurance plans; two, everyone getting health insurance through a public health insurance plan; or three, everyone having a choice of private health insurance or a public health insurance plan?

Private only 15%
Public only 9%
Choice of private or public 73%
Don't know 2%

[avaistheone1]

8. Yes, the MAJORITY of citizens DO want single payer.

Proposals to expand Medicare to all Americans as an alternative to private insurance are met with widespread approval by voters nationwide. More than six in 10 (64%) support federal legislation to create this public health plan option.

http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/resources/PollMemo.pdf




Americans are more likely today to embrace the idea of the government providing health insurance than they were 30 years ago. 59% say the government should provide national health insurance, including 49% who say such insurance should cover all medical problems.

http://www.cbsnews.com/htdocs/pdf/SunMo_poll_0209.pdf




"....local ballot initiatives supporting single payer and opposing individual mandates passed by landslide margins in all ten legislative districts where they appeared. With almost all precincts tallied, roughly 73 percent of 181,000 voters in the ten districts voted YES...."

http://www.pnhp.org/news/2008/november/single_payer_ballot_.php



9. Do you think it's the government's responsibility to make sure that everyone in the United States has adequate health-care, or don't you think so?
In Pennsylvania; Yes 65%, No 31%, NA/DK 4%

http://www.quinnipiac.edu/x2882.xml?ReleaseID=1164

[DrToast]

16. Again, none of those polls suggest that's the case

These polls all refer to having some sort of national health plan as a OPTION available.

[blaze]

4. Great reply debbierlus!!

I don't remember my entire reply, but I *do* remember that I ended it with, "I am so discouraged."

[debbierlus]

9. Obama, imo, he is turning out to be just what I feared

The new representative for the corporate state.

Over & over & over & over again...

He sides with corporations and the military industrial complex over the people.

It just doesn't stop. The continuation & expansion of Bush's illegal detention and NSA spying programs. The trash for cash bank bailouts.

It is indefensible. And, most people here really don't defend it. In fact, if you keep a post PURELY about the policy and don't bring Obama's name into it, it will be K&R to the moon, if well written. However, if you point out Obama's involved, the support for the post is much less.

The corporate machine did good for themselves, didn't they?

Hip politiican to sell the same shit policies under the illusion of change.

There is just no hiding it anymore.

[imdjh]

13. Wow, you got all formal and stuff. I just wrote "Kiss my ass....

... Single payer now, or you go home in 2012."

[debbierlus]

17. That is another way to put it, I guess

:)

[avaistheone1]

18. OR~

Lead or get out of the way.

[bluethruandthru]

19. Great email!

Good for you. Obama's hostility toward single payer advocates is really disappointing and surprising. I realize he was not a proponent of single payer...but it just boggles my mind that he is sooo thrilled with the insurance industry's "trust us, we'll cut costs" crap. He's bragging about this promises to save American families $2500 over 10 years!!!???? Really? Wow! I can hardly wait. That'll really help since my monthly premiums are DOUBLING next month!

[riderinthestorm]

20. "Saving" $2500/family?! WTF?? The avg family of four pays @ $16K in premiums/year

for standard coverage.

What does that "savings" work out to be? Not enough. And that's only for those who HAVE insurance.

I see no mention about those people who DON'T have any health insurance. And what about those who have pre-existing conditions? The exorbitant fees for them (if they can get health insurance at all)?

Pretty crappy.

[debbierlus]

23. It is disgusting. Most people can not afford health care -

And, the simple fact is that we can't give universal guranteed coverage to all while keeping the health insurance middlemen.

Obama is meeting with them while doctors and nurses are ARRESTED for merely ATTEMPTING to speak this truth. I do not understand how people can keep defending him. At every single turn...on the bank bailouts...on the wars...on spying...on detention policies....on
EVERYTHING...he is betraying his base.

I don't know how he gets away with it. Obama is not representing us. He is standing with the corporations above us, and the worst part of all, he is getting away with it.

I literally feel sick just thinking about it.

[BR_Parkway]

24. And that's over 10 years - so enjoy that $250 per year savings!

Buy a new TV or something so we can prime the economy!

Where's the fucking change we can believe in?

[Jennicut]

22. I am not sure what plan I support.

Health care is monstrous and we need to do something about it. I am not sure what plan I really like right now. I have diabetes as well and am at my endocrinologist every 3 months and pay for meds (insulin, test strips for my meter, needles) every month. The copays at the doctor are not outrageous but the meds are. What would improve the cost of meds for me?