This is why Bill Clinton should STFU.

[still_one]

"Bill Clinton calls Obamacare 'the craziest thing in the world'

"Bill Clinton criticized President Barack Obama's signature policy reform while on the stump for his wife, Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, calling Obamacare "the craziest thing in the world."

Speaking Monday at a Democratic rally in Flint, Michigan, the former president ripped into the Affordable Care Act for flooding the health care insurance market and causing premiums to rise for middle-class Americans who do not qualify for subsidies.
"So you've got this crazy system where all of a sudden 25 million more people have health care and then the people who are out there busting it, sometimes 60 hours a week, wind up with their premiums doubled and their coverage cut in half. It's the craziest thing in the world," Clinton said.
Clinton, whose efforts with his wife to overhaul health care in the 1990s were stymied by a recalcitrant Congress and the insurance lobby, told the crowd the insurance model "doesn't make sense" and "doesn't work here."
Touting his wife's proposal to allow people without access to subsidies to buy into Medicare and Medicaid, he also acknowledged that market-based solutions would not solve the country's problems with insurance costs and coverage.
"On the other hand, the current system works fine if you're eligible for Medicaid, if you're a lower-income working person; if you're already on Medicare, or if you get enough subsidies on a modest income that you can afford your health care," Clinton said. "But the people that are getting killed in this deal are small business people and individuals who make just a little too much to get any of these subsidies."

http://www.cnn.com/2016/10/04/politics/bill-clinton-obamacare-craziest-thing/

Does the ACA have issues, yes it does, and they need to be addressed, but I would like to remind Bill that the healthcare attempt by his administration went no where, and nothing happened until President Obama was able to get the ACA through Congress, and that included blue dog Democrats who wouldn't accept single payer, a public option, or Medicare for all.

Get off your F*King high horse Bill, you are not helping anyone

[BobbyDrake]

1. So CNN stirs the shit, and you show up asking for a hot bowl?

Groan.

[still_one]

2. Actually the story was started by Politico, and others are picking up on it. I stand by what I said

We need a united party, and I do not see him contributing to that

[BobbyDrake]

5. Right, and your plan to create a "united party" is to crap on a popular ex-president?

Been a few months since I saw such obvious pretzel logic being deployed to defend violating the Terms of Service.

[monmouth4]

6. I had a similar thought about Bill as he made the President and others wait while he was socializing

on the tarmac after the funeral. He's comes off as quite self-important with little thought or consideration of others..

[MaeScott]

60. For better or worse phrasing, he brought attention to single payer.

[pnwmom]

3. I agree. He can go home now and wait for the election to be over. n/t

[still_one]

8. We need a united party, and injecting things like this into the fray does not do us any good. While

I have no doubt the media is presenting this in more of a negative light than it is. The media is looking for anything to stir the pot. When Hillary made an observation regarding millineals at a fund raising event, the media sure distorted the meaning of that.

[a kennedy]

17. Agree as well.......go home and STHU.

u

[Mamajami]

4. He knows what he is doing. Giving Hillary some daylight to win this thing!

What he says about the ACA at this point is going to bring some folks to her side. Bill is smart and know exactly what he is doing. Hillary can't do this she would offend the base she needs to hold.
Chill!

[radius777]

23. Exactly. Bill is a master of the 'sister souljah' moment. /nt

[Goblinmonger]

41. I remember a time when there were arguments against breaking up ACA

and people thought it was a horrible idea.

Why is it now OK for Bill to argue against it?

[justiceischeap]

7. I agree with everything he said

I am currently without health insurance because I actually cannot afford the $400+ a month I'd have to pay for my "subsidized" health care. They don't take into consideration my monthly costs (rent, car payment, car insurance, groceries, etc.). I live in DC, where the cost of living should be factored into what I'd have to pay.

[still_one]

10. It is how he said it, not that it doesn't need to be fixed.

[justiceischeap]

14. I still don't have a problem with how he said it

It doesn't really help the middle class who have to buy their own insurance. I'm a freelancer so I have to provide my own insurance (which I can't afford) and it's crazy to think that I don't need more than a $35 subsidy (which is what I qualify for).

[Drahthaardogs]

18. I am on an employer provided plan

And EVERYTHING went up while coverage went down. I pay over $500/month. Prescription coverage is now worse and co pays went up.

[hamsterjill]

25. Ditto! Me, too.

My monthly premium is $1,000 per month.

Bill's comments will most definitely get the attention of undecideds who have been affected in the same way. Big Dawg knows exactly what he's doing.

[still_one]

19. Perhaps your assessment is right, or the media was misrepresenting this as though Bill Clinton was

using this as a slight against President Obama.

Hillary has talking about inequities that need to be addressed and fixed with the ACA, but not in an adversarial way.

It was the blue dogs at the time who refused to sign onto a public option, single payer, or Medicare for all, so it wasn't going to happen in 2008. It would have been something or nothing, and while your situation has left you out in the cold with the ACA, that the foot is now in the door means that revisions and enhancements can be made to cover those who did not get any benefit from it. Another reason why controlling the Senate, and gaining in the House is critical, or nothing will really change if Hillary becomes President

[OKNancy]

11. Me too.

We get a subsidy, but just a little. The problem is, if you are young, the subsidy is great because insurance is cheaper, but the older you get...watch out. If you are over 60 you get killed unless you are near poverty level.

[justiceischeap]

13. I could get a cheaper plan but the 10k deductible makes no sense for me

or anyone else for that matter. I rarely go to the doctor because fortunately I don't need to often (although I am due for a knee replacement) but who in the hell can afford a $10k deductible? Why bother with insurance with something like that?

[OKNancy]

15. Ours is a $4500 deductible, plus another 2000.00 - so total out of pocket per year is 6500.00

Plus all the stuff they don't cover.
We HAVE used it this year. First time ever anyone in my family has been sick. We have so far spent over $9,000 out of pocket.
My husband is out of work for a while. Hopefully he will recover enough to go back to work. We took early retirement as a stop-gap.
My family has pitched in to help and we drained some of an IRA to pay for it.
And starting in January... repeat.

Oh, total Blue Cross has paid is $116,000

[GeorgeGist]

9. The health profiteers make me sick and Bill rich.

[still_one]

12. Bill is not becoming rich because of this, but the health insurers sure are, and that is why the

goal needs to be Medicare for all, a public option, or single payer

[vi5]

16. He's not wrong, but the irony is thick....

..the king of third way triangulating doesn't like a bill that was watered down to the point of ineffectivity because of.....the third way triangulating required to get it passed.

Please tell us more, Mr. President.

[anamandujano]

20. It does sound like Bill is criticizing a popular president. Why not wait on this until Nov. 9.

He doesn't have to get so detailed about policy. I agree with the OP. Why give the tRump@sskissers fodder to spin?

[still_one]

22. That is my gripe. The ACA's deficiencies should be addressed, but not by presenting the

President in a negative light on this.

The blue dogs were instrumental in preventing a public option, single payer, or Medicare for those 55 or older. Not one republican voted for it, and nothing would have happened without the blue dogs support.

It was a rock and a hard place.

[radius777]

21. I think this is strategy, Bill isn't stupid.

I think Team Dem realizes there are issues with the ACA that many middle class voters are having, and he is speaking to this concern, lest they be lured in by Trump.

Remember, the Big Dawg has street cred with many working class voters who remember how good the 90's were; he came from that background and speaks their language, with the same type of righteous indignation about kitchen table issues.

[DawgHouse]

108. This is what I think too.

[NCTraveler]

24. He should shut the fuck up when telling the truth?

Here is a little secret. He said something all of us are already aware of. All of us. Right, left, spineless Stein supporters and ignorant Johnson supporters.

The fact you call these comments as Clinton being on a high horse is really revealing. Not about Bill. Sticking up for middle class America is "high horse" to you. Hmmm.

[anamandujano]

28. Did he explain that Obama had to compromise with the pukes and did the best he could?

[NCTraveler]

29. Yes, every time a camera is on him he has hours to explain a position.

Speaking up for middle class families is now "high horse". Transparent.

I understand you disagree with Clinton here. I an a majority of Americans are in full agreement with him.

[anamandujano]

31. Forget the "high horse" business. He could be more diplomatic instead of divisive.

It sounds like he is criticizing Obama.

[still_one]

37. That was my characterization of Bill Clinton, for exactly the reason you gave, he could have used

more diplomatic terminology. Maybe I could have too in my original OP.

[PragmaticLiberal]

43. I'm in agreement with him as well.

Still doesn't mean he couldn't have phrased it differently....

[KeepItReal]

30. What compromise from President Obama? And in return the GOP gave him ZERO votes in favor of ACA.

Don't say POTUS had to compromise with the GOP.

If anything, he compromised with Blue Dogs that got rolled out of Congress.

The public option (Medicare buy in), much less Medicare for all, was never even on the negotiation table. What kind of starting point is that?

[anamandujano]

35. I'm no diplomat but how about, "This is how we're going to fix the health care problem."

Leave Obama out of it. Don't you see how that could make problems?

[KeepItReal]

42. ACA is President Obama's. It has major issues. I'm cool with Clinton stating the obvious.

People tried to get the President to not make it such a corporate giveaway (absolutely no controls on pricing, just improvements in levels of service).

People that are not poor are still stuck with high ass deductibles and out of control drug prices. And zero competition from Medicare.

[anamandujano]

45. Things seem to be going well. Why throw a buzz saw into the works at this time?

Why have it appear that we are eating our own? There is no. good. reason.

I'm not talking policy. I'm talking diplomacy. To be fair, Bill's judgment has not always been stellar.

[still_one]

103. It was the blue dogs, or nothing would have resulted

[Ms. Yertle]

89. Obama didn't compromise

with the R's. They weren't going to vote for ANYTHING he proposed. The compromises were all with the D side. This is one thing we can't blame the R's for.

[former9thward]

91. No he did not compromise with the pukes.

Not one Republican voted for the ACA.

[GhostofFDR]

111. Nope

He had to compromise with moderate Dems after Scott Brown won a Senate spot to replace Kennedy's previous seat.

The ACA was teetering on getting enough Democratic backing to have the votes. The Public Option was dropped to get moderate Dems on board, unfortunately.

[former9thward]

116. The poster I ws replying to said he had to compromise with Rs.

Didn't you read that?

[still_one]

32. No, but he shouldn't phrase it in terms of slighting President Obama. As far as your

insinuation that somehow I am "slighting the middle class', that is uncalled for, and wrong.

If you need me to remind you how when Bill Clinton was President how he helped the middle class, I will be more than happy

[NCTraveler]

71. With the direction you are going at here.....

I don't believe my words are uncalled for, and you have actually agreed that they are not wrong. You don't need to remind me, you need to recognize helping the middle class is still important today. You have gone to a level of nit pick that has opened the door for these questions.

[still_one]

76. I do recognize the middle class is important. I am part of that middle class

[Goblinmonger]

44. Holy shit

So when other Dems argued that we need to move toward single-payer they were accused of trying to "dismantle" Obamacare and that was something HORRIBLE.

Now we all know there are problems that need to be fixed?

I woke up in Bizzaroworld

[Demsrule86]

55. The primary is over.

And we should move towards single payer for all including the elderly...what we said should not happen is to dismantle Obamacare before having single payer...we need something. And Obamacare has saved many lives including that of my daughter. We could not get single payer through and still can't so right now we need to sustain Obamacare...someday maybe single payer.

[NCTraveler]

72. No clue what you are talking about.

"So when other Dems argued that we need to move toward single-payer they were accused of trying to "dismantle" Obamacare and that was something HORRIBLE. "

I agree we need to move toward single payer. As does Obama. As does the op, I believe. No clue what you are talking about here.

"Now we all know there are problems that need to be fixed?"

I would hope so. I guess everyone but you feels healthcare in this country needs to be fixed. Some things are too obvious to debate.

"I woke up in Bizzaroworld"

Please note I am not the one that claimed it as you place of residence.

[Goblinmonger]

81. So when Chelsea said Sanders wanted to dismantle Obamacare

in order to get single payer, that was a compliment?

[AtheistCrusader]

104. But but but. That was different. That was the primary.

Totally different now. For reasons.

[Arazi]

105. Snort!

[zipplewrath]

46. Kinda Ironic

It's the problem of the "speak no evil" policy around here. It makes it hard to have a discussion when one isn't supposed to speak the truth. It's funny to realize that if Clinton had posted his comments here, they'd be alert worthy. There are real, serious problems with the ACA and the middle class, that Clinton is trying to appeal for support, knows some of what they are. A presidential candidate has to be able to address those things. And they shouldn't have to worry about hurting the feelings of the democrats that have gone before them.

[George II]

26. He said a LOT more than those few sentences over a 30-second period. What did he say just before...

...and just after that?

[still_one]

34. As usual George you are right, and as usual if given the opportunity, the media will go out of its

way to present something as diversionary between Democrats

[NWCorona]

27. Bill is just pulling Hillary away from Obama and the ACA and I actually agree with him

Hillary has said in the primaries that it needs adjusting and the recent news on Obamacare is forcing her hand. As it sits the ACA isn't sustainable.

[still_one]

33. Yes she did, but she didn't do it by putting President Obama in a negative light

[Auggie]

54. Bil is speaking for me. I loathe the ACA. We need Single Payer.

[still_one]

86. yes, but that isn't what he is saying.

[Auggie]

87. He's saying the ACA is fucked-up. And it is.

[still_one]

88. The public option, single payer or Medicare for all didn't have the votes in 2000

The republicans and the blue dogs made it clear that wasn't going to happen

What the ACA did is get the foot in the door

The short comings can and should be addressed, but unless Congress changes drastically, single payer does not look like in the cards

[Auggie]

92. You are changing the discussion

I know what and how it happened. That doesn't make it right. The ACA still sucks.

I have my fingers crossed that California (my state) can put together a public option to add to Covered California. This might help get the ball rolling in other states.

Bill Clinton absolutely nailed it.

[still_one]

93. You changed the discussion. You implied BIll Clinton was suggesting single payer, and that is

not what he was suggesting. I also never said it was right.

The ACA has a lot of problems, but it has also helped a lot of folks

To put it your way, sure, it sucks for a good number of people, but compared to what was there before it is an improvement.

The all or nothing philosophy would have done nothing.

10 years ago before the ACA, if I was to get an individual policy with no preexisting conditions, which had good coverage, it would cost me 500-1000 dollars a month, and that sucked too. I was fortunate, the companies I worked for split the heath insurance premium cost, and with a family that helped big time.

California is my state also, and unfortunately there isn't a public option on the ballot in November, so the only way that is going to happen is through the legislature and the Governor. I hope it happens, and I hope The Giants make it to the series also

[Auggie]

94. I said we need Single Payer

[still_one]

95. I agree

[Agnosticsherbet]

36. The AC is a great first step to get healthcare for everyone.

The task falls to Clinton to preserve what's good and make it better.
It is how we do things in the US.

I am glad to hear them talking about those adjustments that must be made rather than run with the Turmpenservatives with "Repeal! Repeal! Repeal!"

[still_one]

38. I agree, and as has been pointed out in this thread, there are a good number who have been left out

because they slightly exceed the subsidy limit. Assuming that Medicare for all could not pass in this environment, they need to do exactly as you are suggesting

[apcalc]

40. Maybe he is angling ultimately for single payer?

[anamandujano]

47. And it's a great idea AFTER. NOV. 8.

[apcalc]

56. Hear ya there.

[Demsrule86]

48. First of all...Congress is to blame for much of this...

and the failure of states to expand Medicaid. But I am the first one to admit there are issues that must be dealt with...this is what president Obama could get... not necessarily what he wanted. I didn't hear you complain when during the primary Bernie Sanders attacked Obamacare relentlessly. I hope we will move towards single payer with a public option.

[saidsimplesimon]

52. +1 Demsrule

Best comment so far today, imho.

[Demsrule86]

96. So kind thanks! nt

[saidsimplesimon]

106. I disagree

My support for the Obama family is a record I am proud of. I have the right to disagree with the implementation of the strategy.

[Demsrule86]

118. My daughter is on Obamacare because her Dad retired (forced) early and she can't be on his

retirement health care (over 22 grandfathered in policy ), she is in college and has a pre-existing. She could not get insurance at any price under the old system...This is where I part company with some...those people who are willing to sacrifice the lives of innocent people for single payer and refuse to accept any other plan...well we might have to wait another 100 years for that to happen...Obama got what he could. Had he not passed some health care, thousand would have died by now maybe more...including my daughter ...so disagree all you want. I will simply remain grateful that we had such a decent compassionate president who put people first and not ideology.

[SixString]

49. I remember when some here spoke ill of the ACA...

...they were quickly taken to task.

I guess it's ok to do that now.

[radius777]

50. Go and watch the video, he's not bashing Obama, that's CNN's spin.

Bill said Trump wants to go back to the old system that was the most expensive in the world, and that the ACA helped many, but still has issues for middle class or small business people who don't qualify for subsidies, and that Hillary will address this concern.

[Orsino]

51. So was DADT.

But it was the best you could do at the time, wasn't it, Bill? Even though it destroyed careers and hurt our military readiness.

Right, Bill?

[radius777]

58. Incrementalism. The 80s/90s were the most politically conservative

era in modern American history, caught in the grip of the Reagan Revolution. It's amazing a Democrat, even a moderate like Clinton/Gore even got elected, it was only the force of Bill's charisma that allowed it to happen.

I suppose Bill could've pushed for gay marriage/gays serving openly and lost all 50 states, and caused Dems to hemorrhage seats all over the country.

President Pat Buchanan surely would've done alot for gay people.

[Orsino]

59. Yep. Just as Obama judged that single-payer was a losing proposition.

What we squeezed out of Congress was about the best we could have hoped for.

[radius777]

61. Agree. Obama is a pragmatist just as Bill was,

and now it's time for Dems to go for more if H is elected.

That's all Bill is saying, not bashing Obama.

It is strategy to try to reclaim voters who may have some issue with the ACA, and who may be leaning towards Trump or 3rd party.

[Kathy M]

113. This ^

[yardwork]

65. This gay, happily married poster agrees with you.

[jalan48]

53. Clinton's statement will play with the millennials. They are a target group right now.

[beachbum bob]

57. It's a useful comment as ACA has shortcomings and

The next president will need to fix it....Obama would be the first to agree

[tman]

62. Days before 2nd debate, Bill gives Trump major talking point.

She's up in the polls and Trump was drowning in bad headlines.

Context or no context. A stupid choice of words.

[Mamajami]

64. NO!! He's giving Hillary a winning opening. I hope Trump takes the bait. It's wiggling on the hook

[tman]

67. Good luck getting ahead of the headlines/talking points already in motion.

Bill has put his foot in it multiple times in the last year, just as he did in 08.

When it becomes a pattern, it's probably personal.

[Kathy M]

112. No , not a stupid choice of words

posted link at the bottom of this thread from conversation the other day if interested .

Its good to have this subject on the table .....

Let Trump talk away and repeat Clinton ' s words .... maybe there are some supporters of trumps interested in this subject

[yardwork]

63. Bill Clinton is a shrewd campaigner.

I think this might be a smart move.

Remember it's all about optics. Obamacare is very unpopular among the demographics that Hillary has to persuade to vote for her. This way, candidate Hillary can distance herself from an unpopular law while not personally showing disloyalty to the president.

Anyway, we all want single payer.

[still_one]

69. You might be right, and the media might also be putting more emphasis on the

"criticism of President Obama", than there actually is.

[Joe941]

66. The republicans have destroyed ACA...

but Bill should just hold this type of speech until after the election. We are on the cusp of victory and Bill is not helping the situation by giving the repubs ammo.

[still_one]

68. I think it is good that he is recommending what needs to be fixed in the ACA, I just think

a little less criticism of the President, and more about what needs to be done to fix it

[Joe941]

70. The problem is...

this story is plastered across all the media now and its being portrayed as bill and obama in a spat. We need to be portraying unity so close to the election. After the election we can tell it like it is - its a matter of optics and timing.

[yardwork]

75. Nobody who supports Obama will turn toward Trump over this.

Not after the week Trump had. This can only help us.

[Demsrule86]

97. It is not a spat...Obama would be the first one to tell you...we need to work on it...Congress is to

blame mostly as I posted before.

[yardwork]

74. It's not possible to give them more ammo on ACA.

One of the last remaining reasons that people cling to Trump is because they've been taught to hate Obamacare. Now a Clinton is saying that he feels their pain. Way to take the air out of Trump.

[helpisontheway]

73. Just jealous because he could not do shit about healthcare

during his presidency. Hillary needs Barack and Michelle. Let him piss them off if he wants to...Barack should have let him take his own flight back after the funeral.

[retrowire]

77. lol oh Bill... nt

[louis-t]

78. Uh, let's see, my plan is better, deductible is $1,000 less,

I now have drug co-pay, and it costs $30 a month less than I was paying before.

[DallasNE]

79. What Possibly Could Bill Clinton Have Been Thinking

While the ACA has not delivered on some of the cost savings promised the positives far outweigh the negatives. Two of the biggest positives are the 25 million that didn't have health insurance before but now they do and the elimination of pre-existing conditions. We have this "crazy system" because it took people like Ben Nelson to get it passed and with his insurance background they were going to be protected.

[still_one]

84. As has been pointed out to those in this thead that the ACA has left behind

something needs to be done to address those issues, where if someone's income is slightly over, they do not get a subsidy because they cannot afford the premiums.

While everything you point out is accurate, there are a good number who don't get the benefit, because the premium is too costly

My issue was that go after improving the ACA, and fixing the discrepancies, with less emphasis on slight the administration for at least getting a landmark heathcare bill foundation, that can be improved upon, or perhaps evolved into Medicare for all.

I have been fortunate in my career where my employer shared the cost of health insurance. Ten years ago before the ACA, if I was going to go out and get good healthcare insurance coverage, with no pre-existing conditions, just for myself, it would cost anywhere from 500-1000 dollars/month.

[AlbertCat]

80. Well....

The ACA is health care insurance reform

Not health care reform.


Good for him.


The solution is obvious. Just do it.

[apnu]

82. ACA sucks, but it is better than what we had before. The Clinton plan from the 90s was better.

The ACA is the Republican plan from the 90s that went up against the Clinton initiative. I know I was there for it and I canvassed for the Clinton plan.

ACA is, at best, "OK" but it is a hot mess. It will remain a hot mess while we still have a for-profit health insurance system. That model has no interest in healing people because sick people are profitable and will pay anything to live. Its extortion, plain and simple.

The ACA needs much improvement, and the first thing we need is to burn down the for-profit insurance industry and replace it with a non-profit model focused on wellness and health.

That would come as an incredible shock to America and most Americans are stuck in their ways and would be resistant to that kind of upheaval change, but its what we need if America is serious about the health of its citizens.

The ACA is what the Dems could pass at the time when they had that tiny window do do so. Its clearly rushed, but yes it got done and it does help people far more than what we had before.

[reflection]

100. Perfectly said.

Consider making this an OP.

[pansypoo53219]

83. fix it. social security is not what it was day 1.

[still_one]

85. Yes.

[OnDoutside]

98. Scarborough is doing the backstroke like a pig in shit. FFS Bill, if you can't have coherent on

message thoughts, that don't screw your wife's chances, use a TELEPROMPTER.

[Stuckinthebush]

99. Bill screwed up badly

He gave Trump and the GOP a really nice gift. Just shut up, Bill.

All that said, it won't have any effect on the race. It was just stunningly stupid for him to say that

[OnDoutside]

101. I think we now know how ordinary Republicans feel when Trump goes off the wall. It's not nice.

[ibegurpard]

102. first thing Bill Clinton has said in a long time

That I agree with. That's the guy I voted for in 1992. Not the one who signed NAFTA, DOMA, and telecommunications deregulation.

[MyNameGoesHere]

107. This speaks to my hate to love Bill Clinton syndrome.

Yes I love the flawed, wonderful, despicable, brilliant, idiot, intelectual, horn dog, best president ever and a major asshole on occasion. It's an acquired taste to hate loving and admiring this man. I bet Hillary has had a few of those incidents.

[still_one]

110. well put

[GhostofFDR]

109. Seems to me...

that Bill doesn't handle criticisms of failings of his administration, even if well intentioned that were bad in retrospect. The kicker is he can't bite his tongue and zip it while his wife is running for the same office. Pride seems to be more important than not damaging her campaign.

[Kathy M]

114. Not at all

[Kathy M]

115. A thread from yesterday or day before on the same subject

Post below is not as long as this but some information inside

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10141589172

Senate and House seats are just as important to have

[Joe941]

117. With friends like this...

Biden has basically said: he knows people aren't crazy about Hillary but vote for her anyway. Ugg