OK DUers the bill is going to pass

[malaise]

Before the screaming begins let me say that any bill is better than no bill. It is a start and it will have been the most successful attempt at reform since LBJ.

To quote Lao Tzu, "the journey of a thousand miles begins beneath one's feet".

[cynatnite]

1. Yep. n/t

[HughMoran]

2. Honoring Teddy

My avatar until reform passes.

[malaise]

4. Very nice

:hi:

[bigtree]

3. now

. . . on to the mind-sucking politics of the Senate. Disgusting.

[liberalmuse]

5. Good. It's a beginning.

We're not going to get a perfect bill, but it will be a start towards one.

[ZombieHorde]

6. Our journey started years ago.

[katanalori]

7. yes - better than no bill

if only because it will assure that we will no longer be fucked due to pre-existing conditions. yaay.

[sandnsea]

8. This bill is a terrific beginning,

The Senate bill, not so much. We've got to fight for this bill when they get to conference.

[dpbrown]

9. Yeah, but that journey doesn't begin with cutting your feet off, either

And then handing them to your enemies, and paying them to sew them back on. And then being forced by the government to buy insurance from your enemy.

[malaise]

12. The mandate part is troubling

but there is no way that's going to happen.

[stray cat]

15. Give people the freedom to choose in advance not to get medical care for anything

you can opt out in advance and decide to only get medical care that you can pay for in cash in advance.

[naaman fletcher]

10. It's great to be an insurance company..

A federal law requiring everyone to buy your product. These guys are laughing all the way to the bank.

[sellitman]

11. This bill is a sham

It disgusts me that with the majority in both Houses and the Presidency we are left with the piece of shit bill that's in the House now. Robust public option my ass. There is no public option. Private Insurance Companies are running this thing and the only reason any Democrat is for this this is to save face.

Fuck that. This bill is shit. Foot in the door? It's foot in a pile of shit.

[tridim]

16. No one's forcing you to participate.

You can keep paying your rising premiums to your insurance company.

I'm glad reform is going to become law.

[naaman fletcher]

18. Actually, you are required to participate.

[babylonsister]

20. Got a link for that? I've heard that if you're happy with your current

doc/health care plan you're not required to do anything except keep your doc and pay your exorbitant premiums.

[Xicano]

22. So are you suggesting you believe every single person currently has insurance?

No you say? So what about all the folks who have no insurance? Are they not going to be 'forced'?

[babylonsister]

23. Don't put words in my mouth. I'm suggesting people who like what

they have doctor and insurance-wise aren't required to do anything.

[naaman fletcher]

26. maybe i am misunderstanings something

I thought you could keep paying your insurance company, or, keep paying your insurance company. At least today you have the option of not paying the assholes. Now you don't.

A federal law requiring that every person buy the exorbitant premiums to a scumbag industry that has an anti-trust exemption. What could be worse?

[dflprincess]

27. The bill allows for the insurance companies to continue to charge huge premiums

(up to 11% of income) and you can bet they'll be jacking those premiums up as much as they can between now and the formation of the "exchange" - though what's to keep them from price fixing once that's running hasn't been clearly spelled out.

You may also be subject deductibles that are so high you still won't be able to get care. There may be more uninsured, but the number of underinsured will continue to go up.

The public wanted reform that would give them access to care - like people in civilized countries have. What we're getting is forced to pay premiums to large campaign contributors and no guarantees that we will get anything for that money.

The bill is a scam and the Progressive Caucus should be ashamed for caving in on it.

[naaman fletcher]

28. Amen.

[naaman fletcher]

17. Amen.

Imagine if McCain had campaigned on "We are going to let the insurance companies continue to have an anti-trust exemption, and we are going to pass a law requiring everyone to buy their product".

Would a single person on this site have supported that?

Yet, that is what we are cheering on now.

[Laelth]

13. Pelosi wouldn't have brought it up for a vote if she didn't think it would pass.

But unless states have the right to elect single-payer, i.e. the Kucinich Amendment is included, then I believe this bill is worse than doing nothing.

:dem:

-Laelth

[tridim]

14. Historic.

America vs. The Corporations.

Looks like we're going to win round 2. :kick:

[Xicano]

19. "The journey of a thousand miles begins beneath one's feet." Yes, but, one must travel in the.....

....correct direction to get to the correct destination.

To quote FDR: "This bill is relief for the greedy, not relief for the needy."

[Odin2005]

21. yes, any bill is better than no bill, but the Stupak shit still sucks!

[babylonsister]

24. It sure does. nt

[malaise]

25. Big time

It's disgusting but that won't pass in the Senate.

[spanone]

29. amen

nominated