Dean says today's bill a procedural step forward, but is not reform. Will not help us in 2010.

[madfloridian]

There is a statement at the Progressive Book Club today by Howard Dean.

This bill is a step forward procedurally and it scored well but it is not reform, and it will not help the Democrats in 2010. For that, a real piece of reform must pass this year which allows a significant number of Americans who can not get insurance to become insured by election day 2010. Given the time constraints, Medicare must be made available for a price to some meaningful number of people who are under 65.

[joeycola]

1. He is spot on about this issue.

[saracat]

2. Absolutely.This is forcing Howard to parse his words. What he is really

saying is that unless heathcare is made available to all this is worthless and we can kiss our asses goodbye in 2010.That is why he is suggesting extending Medicarte.

[joeycola]

4. I notion that any reform will not take effect until 2013 is sheer stupidity on

part of the Dems.

[Autumn]

6. Extreme stupidity.

they have got to see that.

[depakid]

11. The fact this was even proposed is insulting

given the scope and severity of the problem.

[depakid]

12. dupe

[ProSense]

3. He's right. Most people understood that a bill needed to get out of the Finance Committee and

that it is not the final Senate bill.

[Autumn]

5. And the good Doctor is

correct, as usual.

[walldude]

7. The media is using this statement to claim that Dean opposes public option

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=6762403&mesg_id=6762403


THe headline: Dean says Public Option will Hurt Dems
Of course if you read to the bottom of the article Dean explains that he opposes a public option that doesn't go into effect until 2013. I hate the MSM.

[karynnj]

15. That headline is essentially journalistic malpractice - if there is such a thing

"Dean: 2013 public option date hurts Dems" is what they COULD have used - it is 2 characters longer, but if that is an issue, replace option with plan.

[tnlefty]

8. I've heard Rep. Clyburn in two radio interviews approx. a month

apart talking about the need for something along the lines of Medicare for some, prior to the 2013 timeframe that even the bills in the House call for. He's stated repeatedly that if people don't see anything changing in their lives prior to the 2010 elections that an enraged populace will take it out on the party in power, and that even President Obama will be vulnerable in 2012.

He also mentioned that the President is smarter than this...I hope that he's correct.

[madfloridian]

9. Video. Dean on Rachel's show tonight with Alison.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=385&topic_id=388361&mesg_id=388361

[Vidar]

10. Dean should be in the government & Emannuel in jail.

[eridani]

13. Bingo. If incrementalism is all we get this time around--

--this is the only way to do it, period. Otherwise, we will be far better off if nothing passes at all.

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

14. Dean should have been the Administration guy moving this forward

You cannot shake him in his firmness and grasp of the facts. He is for REAL reform, not pretend reform.

I have always felt that if President Obama believed in his heart all the things he espoused about healthcare in the campaign - that it is a right not a privilege, a moral imperative, strong public options, etc., he would have proceeded differently than he has.

I may be wrong, and the outcome is what matters to me, not the process. If we end up with a bill that does not end the immoral practices of prior conditions, rescission and capped care from DAY ONE, and if we get a bill that mandates unaffordable healthcare , plus allowing older Americans to get gouged on the rates, and if there is no public option or just the shell of a shell of one, I will be PISSED! And I won't be the only one.

If we've gotten this far, we have to deliver a bill that offers real reform and lowers the costs for average (and all) Americans.

[cal04]

16. Washington Post : Howard Dean: This Bill Is Not Reform

http://views.washingtonpost.com/healthcarerx/panelists/2009/10/bill-dean.html?hpid=talkbox1


Howard Dean, the former governor of Vermont, is a consultant to Democracy for America, the organization he founded after his 2004 presidential campaign.