Kerry is one of only a few Senators who answered yes to all questions on public option questionnaire

[ProSense]

From Standwithdrdean.com:

We’ve been working to get senators on the record in support of a strong public healthcare option. We’re asking four specific questions that get to the heart of real reform. See the full questions and ask your senators the tough questions right now.

The chart below is the most current posting of answers available. Many responses are linked to a public statements for a more complete review of the senator’s position. If you got a different response from your senator then what is listed below, please email that response right away to [e-mail]

Kerry's responses (PDF)

U.S. Senate Public Option Questionnaire

* Please email directly to [e-mail] with subject line: Questionnaire or fax to 802-651-3299.

U.S. Senator: Senator John Kerry Date: July 9, 2009

Staff Contact: Jodi, Seth Phone:


• Do you support a public healthcare option as part of reform?

Yes.


• Do you support a public healthcare option that is ready on day one?

He supports a public option that will be available immediately.


• Do you support a public healthcare option that is national, available everywhere, and accountable to our government?

Sen. Kerry supports a robust public plan, that like Medicare, would be available to everyone from coast-to-coast.


• Do you support a public healthcare option that has the clout to establish rates with providers and big drug companies?

Sen. Kerry believes a public plan will meaningfully transform our delivery system through its lower administrative expenses and bargaining power. These efficiencies will provide affordable coverage to those enrolled in the public plan and due to increased competition could lower costs in the private insurance market.

[Oregone]

1. So, he is among the few that want a real "public option"

Does that give you any indication of what you are actually going to get?

[ProSense]

2. " Does that give you any indication of what you are actually going to get?" Yes it does:

Things look damn good.

[Oregone]

3. Sure they do

:wtf:

Im confused as to why you are so hell bent on this thing to shill at any expense to your credibility. To each their own. In the end, you'll get the reform you deserve.

[ProSense]

5. "WTF?" Problem?

Im confused as to why you are so hell bent on this thing to shill at any expense to your credibility.

Linking to Kerry's response and Dean's site is being a shill?

Was your head exploding when you wrote that? There is going to be a public option, deal with it.

[Oregone]

6. Shilling, as in your past lies and obfuscations

Confusing the competing bills, interchanging terminology, comparing incomparable health systems, etc, all to support some notion this reform will be super-duper, double-plus good.


"There is going to be a public option, deal with it"

I realize that. Honestly, I could give a damn either way, as it will be rather negligible to the overall reform. Its just a shiny trinket hiding the bulk of the reform, for better or worse.

Regardless, do me a favor. Bookmark this thread and come back to it in 7 years or so when you are going over your health insurance bills. You will get the reform you deserve.

[ProSense]

8. Do you always accuse people of lying when you lose an argument?

Me: There is going to be a public option, deal with it

You: I realize that. Honestly, I could give a damn either way...

Your head-exploding reaction indicates otherwise.

[Oregone]

9. "head-exploding" == fucking lame

Deal with it. I think this is some sort of game to you or something. People are dying. You disgust me.

[ProSense]

10. No you're the one who thinks this is a game with

your all or nothing bullshit. "People are dying"? Do you really give a shit? Health reform is sorely needed. What's your fucking idiotic response to the public option passing:

I realize that. Honestly, I could give a damn either way, as it will be rather negligible to the overall reform. Its just a shiny trinket hiding the bulk of the reform, for better or worse.

That fucking negligible is the diference between life and death. So take you bullshit somewhere else. Period.

[Oregone]

11. Negligible, as in, won't compete, won't drive down prices, wont keep insurers honest...

The public option, in scored forms, won't do this. Not when it only covers segments of the population that are unprofitable to cover conventionally. There are other measures in the bill that will do some of that, but wether or not there is a public option is pretty meaningless to all but the 10 million on it in a decade.

Im not for all or nothing. All is the complete socilization of all health care facilities and elimination of insurance (with doctors being on salary). I am for a centrist compromise to allow delivery privitization and insurance socialization (Medicare for All). Its a centrist middle-ground in the debate, if this debate was at all sane. It isn't.

People will continue to die in this pro-private insurance reform. This is the reform you are shilling for. Pro-private, pro-death, pro-bankruptcy, pro-indentured servitude. Its sad the lengths you are going to win an internet debate game.

[ProSense]

12. No, the idiocy of the statement was clear because you repeat it

People will continue to die in this pro-private insurance reform.

[Oregone]

13. games are fun, aren't they?

quips make heads explode.


Do this enough, and magic fairies will come and perform bypasses on your entire extended family.

[karynnj]

23. You can't redefine the playing field

The fact is that even though Medicare for all is more moderate than complete socialization, the fact is - in the US Senate and House - it is NOT a centrist middle ground. The fact is that it simply does not have near the votes needed.

[Oregone]

24. Why not? The right-wing has continuously redefined it for decades...

And a barbaric system, that is leagues behind other nations, remains. The reality is that there are more choices in this world than the false dichotomy being shoved in front of our eyes. Its time to re-frame the debate and educate the public.

[karynnj]

22. Maybe you should bookmark this thread

and - in future years, return to it when a relative or friend is able to get insurance in spite of pre-existing conditions.

The fact is that Kerry, like Kennedy, would prefer a single payer system. Both have said there are far too many people ideologically not persuadable. The fact is that many features that have been mentioned on this reform are major compared to where we are. Consider how SCHIP is regarded now - as the biggest expansion since the 1960s - yet it was just kids, not a national program and not an entitlement.

That it is not as good as something no one ever promised because it could not be done, does not mean it will not be an accomplishment or that it will not do good.

What do you want that could be passed?

[karynnj]

21. huh?

How does this in way damage her credibility? I think it damages the credibility of certain other users (not you), who jump on anything to state that Kerry is not with the Kennedy wing on this - when he always. You might argue it is unnecessary - and indeed it should be - but, there have been threads trying to claim otherwise. Now, with his strong public meeting, in addition to his answers to Dean and Bowers and his Daily Kos comments, it would be nice if those individuals agreed that he is on our side.

[Cha]

14. Pro..the link

isn't working for me.

[ProSense]

15. This one in the comment your responded to?

Try this

Here's the title of the thread: Senator Wyden open to public option. Support up to 49?

[Cha]

18. Yes,

the one I replied to.

Thank you! That is encouraging!

[rockymountaindem]

4. What indication should it give us?

[Oregone]

7. Well, when there are only a couple Senators that actually agree with the notion of a strong PO

Its likely they won't get their way completely and the "public option" will be less than strong (or rather weak), in order to reach a compromise. It may end up looking like the one drafted in HR 3200, rather than some Medicare-like option all Americans will have access to, available immediately.

[karynnj]

25. If he is one of the few backing a real "public option"

and you are aying that means the actual bill has to be weaker than he wants to be passed, why attack Kerry? He is a force moving things, as much as he can, in the right direction. It would seem better to educate the people far to his right.

[Mass]

16. This is no good news. We need all dems to answer YES.\nt

[ProSense]

17. It is good news. The majority of them

have answered yes to a public option and to at least one other question. The fact is that 49 Senators have said expressed support for a public option.

Senate Whip Count Update: No Democrats Oppose Public Option .

Landrieu came out in opposition since Friday. Blanche Lincoln is hedging.

[Mass]

19. If Kerry is one of the few who answered YES, it is bad news, not good.

[ProSense]

20. To all four questions. His responses are definitive.

How is 49 Democrats saying they likely vote for a public option bad news?

Not all of them are fighting for it or even stating definitive support for it, but I fail to see how this is bad news.