Grayson introduces Public Option Act

[Turborama]

Source: West Orlando News

Congressman Alan Grayson, (D-Orlando), today introduced a bill (H.R. 4789) which would give the option to buy into Medicare to every citizen of the United States. The “Public Option Act,” also known as the “Medicare You Can Buy Into Act,” would open up the Medicare network to anyone who can pay for it.

Congressman Grayson said, “Obviously, America wants and needs more competition in health coverage, and a public option offers that. But it’s just as important that we offer people not just another choice, but another kind of choice. A lot of people don’t want to be at the mercy of greedy insurance companies that will make money by denying them the care that they need to stay healthy, or to stay alive. We deserve to have a real alternative.”

The bill would require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish enrollment periods, coverage guidelines, and premiums for the program. Because premiums would be equal to cost, the program would pay for itself.

“The government spent billions of dollars creating a Medicare network of providers that is only open to one-eighth of the population. That’s like saying, ‘Only people 65 and over can use federal highways.’ It is a waste of a very valuable resource and it is not fair. This idea is simple, it makes sense, and it deserves an up-or-down vote,” Congressman Grayson said.

Read more: http://westorlandonews.com/2010/03/09/grayson-introduces-public-option-act/

---

In keeping with the “Grayson style,” the bill is clear and concise. It is only four pages. You can read the bill http://grayson.house.gov/UploadedFiles/Public_Option_Act.pdf">here.

Video of Congressman Alan Grayson introducing the Public Option Act in the House: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x441409

[gateley]

1. Grayson!

:woohoo::woohoo::woohoo::woohoo::woohoo::woohoo::woohoo::woohoo::woohoo::woohoo:

[olegramps]

126. When the hell is Obama going to wake up!

This is nothing more than a fiasco of major proportions that could be easily resolved by destroying the the Health Care Insurance RIP OFF bastards and providing Medicare option for all people. If President Obama doesn't get it by now, he will only accomplish destroying the Democrats' standing with the majority of the party. He needs to grow some balls like Teddy Roosevelt when he took on the Trusts.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

163. It said that he is always willing to listen to suggestions?

I'm fairly sure Obama wants a public option but he knows that there are so many twits in our party who don't (mentioning no names!)

[No Elephants]

188. They need to be made to vote--and not just a voice vote.

[No Elephants]

186. That Obama does not want the same bill you want does not mean he is alseep or not getting it.

[RKP5637]

210. I agree. I also sent the WH a question on why Obama did not support a

public option. So, I got back an answer today... referring me to his health care plan. That was no answer. I'm beginning to wonder anymore who supports whom. I guess this is the DLC in action.

[The Doctor.]

224. Problem is, President still had power in Teddy's time.

[DirkGently]

133. Query

... if enough people spit into the wind, in the same direction, does the wind change? Apparently it's been decided that we can't have this. How far will our supposed champions go to keep The Deal intact?

[skyounkin]

187. Answer

Until we fucking get it.

Understand?

70% of the american people want a public option- the only thing stopping us from getting it is the senate.

[DirkGently]

189. I think it's more than that

I think there is a Deal in place already that there will be no public option and no expansion of Medicare. What else explains why the administration is running away from the idea even as the public demand gets steadily louder?

[No Elephants]

191. +1 Not many seem willing to entertain that possiblity, though.

[patrice]

252. No. They do entertain it as a POSSIBILITY, not as a Given and unless

someone's going to tear the whole fucking thing down, right here and NOW, at least some of them are approaching change themselves the best that they can, one day at a time.

[RKP5637]

215. That's what I think too. Here is how I feel on this...

:banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: And silly me, I thought we had gotten an administration and congress that would listen to We the People. I really fear what 2010 and 2012 is bringing in for elections. And each day it becomes clearer and clearer to me that corporate America, lobbyists and everyone else runs this country but We the People. True, far far far better than Bush years, but I am truly disappointed.

[gateley]

238. I think we may all be surprised -- in a good way! Over 41 Senators have

signed The Letter -- I would have thought that would die a quick death after it made its first appearance.

Now, this HR from Grayson, he was on Ed, hopefully will get more coverage.

We won't know until the deal is done, but I'm surprised at what seems to be happening now.

I loved Dirk Gently. :(

[wordpix]

149. it's especially great b/c HCR could be passed w/out the PO (if necessary) & then this PO Act next

[aquart]

164. Or we could pass this easy-to-read bill first.

That would be excellent fun.

[quakerboy]

231. Or we could just pass this easy to read bill

and screw the lame bill the senate Lobbied together for the benefit of Joe Lieberman and the other republicans who refused to join in. Its simple. Give us an option, and let us freedom loving Americans make our own choices.

[tiptoe]

220. U.S. SAVE MONEY like Kaiser Health Plan: MANDATE NATIONAL TESTING & SUPPLEMENTATION with Vitamin D!

Parasite ANTI-HEALTH-CARE Insurance Companies don't want to be obligated for re-imbursing their subscribers the cost of testing for Vitamin D status and supplementing with Vitamin D unless Vitamin D Deficiency has first been diagnosed (catch 22!). See:

Noteworthy News — Proposed Restrictions on Vitamin D Testing


Yet, KAISER HEALTH PLAN voluntarily initiated Vitamin D Status testing of all its subscribers as part of standard medical checkups last summer.

Why did Kaiser do this, take on an additional service cost? Was it because the health plan subscribers demanded it or was it just out of the goodness of its corporate heart?

Most likely the reason was because of a Feb 2009 study report** for Western Europe that showed for every Euro invested in testing and supplementing all Western Europeans with Vitamin D, a savings of 19 Euros on the cost of the burden of disease would be realized: Almost a 20-to-1 return on investment!

Unlike other Health Plans, Kaiser's Health Plan includes end-to-end health care services and costs -- buildings, doctors, nurses, managerial personnel, pharmacies, janitors, staff, etc -- and carries expenses that other "paper parasite" Health Plans directly do not. The latter look to avoid any immediate, short-term expenses, while Kaiser has a longer-view business-savings motive for boosting the innate immune systems of its members, preventing the incidence of disease, and saving money (a true business model, win-win for patients and Kaiser, unlike the case with other paper-parasite, anti-health insurance plans).

Any Government funded health care program -- Public Option, Single Payer, whatever -- should MANDATE a National Vitamin D Status Testing and Supplementation Program as foundation for reducing the cost of Health Care in America.

Kaiser voluntarily implementing such a practice is proof of its efficacy in reducing health care costs.

The U.S. should do the same and stop coddling health insurance businesses with unhealthy practices in this country at the expense of the well-being of people.

A couple of Kaiser members I've spoken with often are unaware of the Vitamin D status test having been done, and that they'll go back and look at their last checkup results to ascertain their serum Vitamin D status (calcidiol) levels. Another reported Kaiser prescribing vitamin D for his friend, but unsure the dosage and whether D2 or D3 (probably D2). Another wasn't able to discern the test result. (The question remains how updated Kaiser doctors are regarding newer standards for what's "normal" and "deficient", safe and "how much?" and what's being explained to their subscribers. Cook book/statistical medicine: "The rules exist because 95% of the time, for 95% of the people, they’re the right thing to do." ... "And the other 5%?" "...Have to live by the same rules. Because everybody thinks they’re in that 5%." Recently, for myself, a doctor requisitioned the wrong test for true vitamin d status; I caught the mistake before leaving and had her correct the error. Reportedly, according to Dr. Cannell, 21% of doctors requisition the wrong test.)


**
Estimated benefit of increased vitamin D status in reducing the economic burden of disease in Western Europe — Abstract

Link to PDF — Full Report

[earcandle]

244. Vitamin D comes from exposure to the sun. Why do they make us work when the sun is shining? So we

get Sick?  I would not put this past those who work in the
healthcare field.

Why do states insist on sick leave?  Prolly because they know
the causes of disease,
which include no sunshine, and sick buildings that have no
fresh air, due to generated air and non 
operable windows.  

I would welcome getting back to basics.i.e. sunshine and fresh
air.  Good healthy natural food. Yum.

[CONN]

232. I'd sign-up and drop my Aetna/Cigna

[Political Heretic]

2. There are now FORTY confirmed votes for PO through reconciliation in the Senate

That and now this, Grayson's bill - seems like there's a serious movement for actual meaningful health reform afoot....

[peacebird]

4. who is still holding out? Do you have a link to the list?

[Tx4obama]

14. List at www.WhipCongress.com

http://whipcongress.com/

[peacebird]

18. thank you. Unfortunately my tools (Webb/Warner) are both still undecided...

I have called and written weekly... What freaking cowardly weenies. I will definately support ANY progressive running against conservadem Warner - he who loves corporations more than people; Webb still has a chance at redemption.

[pokercat999]

70. Mark Warner (D) is more pro corporation than his predecessor,

John Warner (R), if that's even possible.

[beac]

109. I hate Warner too. You're right-- he's a complete coward on every issue of importance.

I've been calling their offices regularly too and telling them I'm TIRED of hearing "The Senator hasn't released a statement..." Oh yeah, well what the HELL is he waiting for??? I try to be polite to the staffer who takes my call, but I'm not always successful. :mad:

[gateley]

172. I keep calling Kay Hagen's office (although I don't still live there, I supported

and voted for her). I say unless she supports us, we won't support her. She signs the letter or loses my vote, it's as easy as that.

[wordpix]

144. call them! I called Dodd's office twice & told them his legacy will be tarnished w/out PO support

Seems to have helped :evilgrin:

[beac]

195. I called Warner again today and asked "Is this Senator John Warner's office?" and the little

weenie intern kind of chuckled and said patronizingly "Uh, no ma'am this is Senator MARK Warner's office." Then I hit him with "Well, you coulda fooled me!" :evilgrin: And then I asked AGAIN for support for a PO.

Gotta keep it fresh for those poor staffers, you know. ;)

[JDPriestly]

34. My representative, Xavier Becerra, has stated that he supports the

robust public option but is not on that list.

[Tx4obama]

58. Well

There are some Senators and Representative that have said that they support a 'public option' BUT have NOT yet publicly said that they would support a 'public option via RECONCILIATION'.
Perhaps yours is one of them?

[No Elephants]

193. Meh. If they say they support a public option, but not thru reconc., it's bullshit, IMO.

[samurai7]

161. I have written Evan Bayh multiple times as well,

but obviously I'm not holding my breath on that one. Nonetheless, I'll start to call his office as well and try to lay on the pressure.

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

38. I don't want tax money going to insurance companies. Just for medicare

why make the devil stronger?

Feeding them makes them more powerful.

[groovedaddy]

97. Amen! Give me the choice of where my money goes. Thanks to Grayson for doing this! n.t

[WoodyD]

217. from your post

to the FSM's ears. Amen. Stop feeding the beast.

[Aaria]

130. Now they will push the piece of crap through before Graysons takes hold.

[muriel_volestrangler]

157. Grayson's bill would need the existing bill passed to work properly

You need to stop private insurers denying coverage, or jacking up the rates, for pre-existing conditions - or the private insurers would only take people likely to be healthy, and this Medicare option would be left with an excess of those more likely to incur heavy medical costs.

[No Elephants]

192. Either momentum or kabuki--and we won't know until we get a final bill.

[peacebird]

3. this ALONE could provide a huge improvement in health care and lower costs too!

If it passes then people would have a true CHOICE.

Grayson ROCKS!

[GinaMaria]

80. If the subsidies could be applied to Medicare as well as private

insurance that would really help folks.

[David Zephyr]

5. I love this. If this ever went to the floor for a vote the American People would demand it.

Great stuff. K&R.

[BrklynLiberal]

6. Hooray for Grayson. I want to vote for this man!!!

[peace frog]

66. Come on down to sunny Orlando

or Ocala, FL and you CAN vote for Grayson.

It's been so long since I had a congresscritter to be proud of, it's still amazing when he does something else I can cheer for!

GRAYSON RULES!!!!

[spartan61]

93. I am so jealous!!

I live very near Ocala, but I'm stuck with that repuke Cliff Stearns. I want a Congresscritter that makes me proud, too.

[Plucketeer]

140. I'm envious too!

Our corporate shill, (R)Devin Nunes - 21st dist, CA., has one hell of an ass hole (and not JUST because he IS one!). It's because the corporate farmers and the dislocated Hillbillies, have their poop-covered, puppet-hands up his rear to give life to his otherwise mindless and inert cadaver.

[puebloknot]

174. No need to relocate. Let's run him for President in 2012! nt

[BrklynLiberal]

245. Not sure about the year, but sure would vote for him for pres.

[RKP5637]

211. Same here!!! n/t

[57_TomCat]

228. Of course some of us down here think he is...

a laughing stock and embarrasment to the party. Many in the local dem leadership are privately looking for someone else to vote for.

[harkadog]

7. I read the bill. Absolutely no mention of what the cost would be.

[MiddleRiverRefugee]

9. What if it cost LESS? Provided Choice and maybe even....Competition?

Gee, that'd be awful. :scared:

[newtothegame]

35. Cost less than what? This is a new program. The government doesn't currently pay for everyone. n/t

[wordpix]

146. the idea is people pay into the program to get PO insurance---there's no free ride

In Canada when I was living there ('80's) people paid a quarterly premium based on their income AND paid sales tax that went to the provinces to cover all social insurance like health care, subsidies for child care and unemployment insurance. If you buy ANYTHING, you're paying into the system with the sales tax, even if your income is nil.

When I visited BC a couple of yrs. ago, the sales tax was pretty high. My daughter, who lives there, said she doesn't mind paying it b/c she's covered for health care, unemployment, etc (she IS employed). This system is also of benefit to taxpayers b/c visitors and undocumented workers pay the sales tax, too. EVERYONE pays in.

[No Elephants]

190. Costs less than the bill currently under consideration by itself.

This bill has a mandate and says we will subsidize those who cannot afford to buy private insurance. The public option may make buying insurance more affordable and therefore reduce both the number and the amount of the subsidies needed.

The Senate bill is a new program, too, but supposedly that reduces costs to the government. Personally, I don't see how, but I can see how the Grayson Bill would reduce the cost of the Senate bill.

[John Q. Citizen]

10. Yep, that's because it would depend on how many people signed up, and

what their actuaries turned out to be.

Which is why the Sec of HHS would set the rates.

[twitomy]

64. Cost is the key

If this is only going to put Medicare further in the hole, then no way.
This option should be self-funded in such a way that it never puts itself in a position where it will "run out of money". If the plan only takes in $1, then the amount of payout less administration costs should be only $1.00.
We do not need to be adding to the debt.

[John Q. Citizen]

82. Let's tax the rich. Like in the good old days.

[jeff47]

96. Reading is fundamental

"If this is only going to put Medicare further in the hole, then no way."

What part of "at cost" is confusing to you? The premium charged would cover the costs. This bill is neutral to tax revenue, neutral to the budget and neutral to the financial heath of Medicare.

[Laelth]

136. Budget-neutrality is a Republican talking point.

I don't give a rip about budget neutrality, and I am not worried about the national debt (just like the Republicans who do not worry about debt when they are in power). In a recession, the Government needs to spend more money, not less. Budget neutrality is a bad idea.

Medicare for all is a good idea. k&r for Grayson!

:dem:

-Laelth

[pscot]

175. Except when they're cutting taxes on the rich

or waging war on behalf of the oil companies. Money is no object then.

[twitomy]

219. So that means money should be no object to Dems?

Are you saying becasue the Repubs are irresponsible with money, then the Dems can too?

Two wrongs mak a right?

If a bunch of people jump over a cliff you should too?

Geez Loweez!

[Occulus]

246. Republicans take money away from society to make war,

Democrats then take money away from the war to improve society.

In exactly what way is that in any sense irresponsible of Democrats?

[twitomy]

256. It is irresponsible when it

piles on to an already horrendusly high pile of debt that threatens the long term stability of our economy (Greece anyone?).

Funny when the talk is of "tax cuts" we hear "how are going to pay for it?" ad nauseum. When the talk is about spending money we dont have, no one seems to ask the question.

Being fiscally responsible is a good thing, not matter the party affiliation.

[twitomy]

218. Yay!!!

Lets just spend money (we dont have) into oblivion, Lets let the interest on the debt alone cost the taxpayer over a trillion a year! Who cares! Its all about MEEEE!! To hell with future generations! I want my *free* healthcare!! ME! ME! ME!<SARCASM>

Take a look to what is happening to Greece...


Oh, and as far as the Republicans go, two wrongs dont make a right.

[twitomy]

216. To be honest... I didnt read

the post in entirety, so I didnt pick that up.

[No Elephants]

197. See Reply ##s 146 and 190.

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

27. they can charge it same way medicare is currently billed - here's more

my mother was on medicare 22 years.

Medicare A was free, it covered hospitalization.
Medicare B, doctors visits etc cost about $100 a month (before my Mother passed bless her).
(the cost of Medicare B varies slightly I think depending on your income)

Medicare D is prescription coverage which everyone knows is non competitive and a rip off.

I also carried a supplimental for Mom, it was $250.00 a month but given that she was elderly
and frail, it was important to have.

But alot of people might get by with a cheaper supplimental.

The government knows how to bill our seniors for medicare, surely they can figure out
what to charge (hopefully the same) for the rest of us.

[BlueMTexpat]

43. Exactly!

Good post!

My husband and I are on Medicare (although I cannot use it when I am outside the US, thus need to have health insurance that covers me abroad as well). We are in a "comfortable" income bracket and - so far knock on wood - in good physical condition. Medicare B costs about USD 185/mo for us BOTH. We were able to buy into the prescription plan of my husband's former employer, but there are other options available for that. And yes, prescriptions have so far been expensive, so that part still needs some tweaking.

Bravo Alan Grayson!

[zipplewrath]

84. This can work

It is a good start. There are known pitfalls, but they can be worked. One of the first complaints is that the people most likely to sign up are those "more expensive" folks that are either denied insurance (if the current bill doesn't pass), those who are in a "cadillac" plan that costs more, or those with pre-existing conditions. That could make Medicare's costs appear to be higher. Flip side is, medicare already has some of the most expensive clients there are. It's hard to imagine they'd find any other client pool prohibitive.

Another thing they could do here, or in a follow on bill, is "require" companies to provide medical insurance to employees (maybe firms of 200+ or something). Their choice is purchase/fund their own plans, or the feds will charge them to place folks under medicare.

The only other thing I would wish for is that we would give HHS the power/authority to negotiate prices and for that matter the very manner in which medical care is charged (i.e. away from fee for service).

[liberalmike27]

31. They are talking about 100 Billion a year for the current bill

Compare that to the trillion a year we waste making enemies dedicated enough to crash planes into buildings. It's a pittance, to keep 45,000 a year alive. Yet, due to 3000 people, killed in one year, only one year, not year, after year, after year, we spend a trillion a year on the Pentagon.

It's madness, and it is the worst form of profiteering from the government, realize it, know it, believe it. It ain't greed wanting health care, benefits, a pension, and a good job that pays well. But these guys, they are some greedy fuckers.

[sheldon]

37. Truth!!!! n/t

[Enthusiast]

59. You think this but

you are reasonable. The opposition is not so reasonable. And THEY have the money and influence.

[laughingliberal]

42. The last time it was discussed, the premium mentioned was around

$400 per person per month. Not that cheap but for a couple in their 50's $800 per month is likely better than they will get from a for profit company.

[watajob]

53. I'd bite!

$800 @ month would be CHEAP even if forced to buy supplemental coverage from the crooked bastards, as most seniors do now. As an example, I tend to my 95 y/o aunt's affairs. Her BCBS supplemental which also includes coverage for part D's "donut hole" is $280 @ month. But, this pretty much covers EVERYTHING with very little or NO out of pocket expense. So, one could infer that a person in their 50's would be less. Let's say $200 a head. $1200 @ month total for the coverage she has, while not insignificant, would be great. Say they work it out where your employer would kick in half. THEY'D be getting a deal and so would the consumer. My wife and I are paying more than that now, through her employer, for marginally adequate coverage. And their end is over $1000 @ month. It'll never fly but GOD bless him for at least trying, a concept "Borat/Babar" needs to grasp.

[laughingliberal]

54. Back before we went totally broke we were paying $1200 per month for my COBRA

$800 per month would be a savings for most couples over 50.

[druidity33]

65. $1200 pr month is my mortgage payment...

Is health care supposed to cost as much as housing?

:shrug:

[midnight]

78. Good point. And no should be the answer.

[truedelphi]

199. We paid $ 957 a month for kaiser

Four years ago,before the horrendous increases started getting thrown around at people.

[Overseas]

50. The national health security Medicare represents is priceless.

Deeply compassionate. A basic human right.

[timtom]

104. Surprising how few Americans realize this.

[Overseas]

106. I am sad that basic compassion in exchange for our taxes is subject to debate

while the bloated military budget is off limits for cutbacks. We just accept it that billions and billions are poured into wasteful military projects while 45 million people remain uninsured in the USA.

We have to bargain away a public option to protect insurance companies with record profits. It has felt strange to hear our president chastising the insurance companies now for things they were already doing before he took office. The language he was using in his latest speech could have been used a year ago to explain why Democrats were staying with the public option of expanding Medicare.

I wish we were like those Europeans who looked T.R. Reid in the PBS special like he was crazy when he asked them how many people go bankrupt due to health emergencies in their countries.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/sickaroundtheworld/

Basic low cost healthcare for all and a strong, well-funded public education system for all (through college in many cases) are considered bottom line human rights.

[mdmc]

69. the costs would be determined by HHS

if I read right..

[Donnachaidh]

91. and does the Senate bill give any idea of what the cost would be?

THIS is closer to what the voters want than that POS insurance company bailout.

[Moosepoop]

101. Where did you read the bill?

It's not at the Library of Congress website yet -- can you provide a link to where it's posted online? Thanks!

[Turborama]

123. It's in the OP

Here's the actual link: http://grayson.house.gov/UploadedFiles/Public_Option_Act.pdf

[Moosepoop]

155. Oh, good grief!

Duh me!!! :dunce: Thanks, Turborama!

[No Elephants]

196. The CBO can do that, if the bill ever makes it to the CBO. HR 676 never did.

[rucky]

225. It's a buy-in

People pay in to cover the costs.

[ShamelessHussy]

249. AT COST - that means it would be deficit neutral

FYI

[OHdem10]

8. He has a spine, he is articulate and yes, CREATIVE.

Thank you Congressman, we need many more like you.

[bvar22]

11. K&R for a "Democrat" who represents The People.

Stay out of small planes, Mr Grayson.

"There are forces within the Democratic Party who want us to sound like kinder, gentler Republicans."---Paul Wellstone

[No Elephants]

200. +1 Wellstone must be dizzy from rolling over in his grave over the Senate bill.

[still_one]

12. Now I am excited. The leadership better allow this to come to a vote /nt

[harun]

86. We need to make them vote on it, only way.

[gristy]

13. Now THAT is a good idea!

:bounce:

[yurbud]

15. great argument!

[saracat]

16. I still say Grayson 2012. He has the guts the WH should have!

[Tx4obama]

17. Obama/Biden 2012 - Grayson/Weiner 2016 - Weiner/Franken 2024 n/t

[RoccoR5955]

92. Kucinich/Grayson 2012!

I want a primary. Obama/Biden are too much in the pockets of corporations for my taste.

[puebloknot]

176. Yes! nt

[disndat]

95. Howard Dean/Grayson 2012. nt.

[WorseBeforeBetter]

156. ...

[puebloknot]

177. Yes! nt

[SharonRB]

119. Now there's a succession I can believe in!

[salguine]

20. Hell, I wish we could swap him and Obama out now. How long till THIS is deleted?

[activa8tr]

167. I agree, where is the guy we elected to fight for us?

He seems to be enjoying his family's government provided health care, and forgot about the other 300,000,000 who would like a fair deal.

[Iowa]

44. Yep. Grayson 2012...

I wish we could put him in the WH tomorrow.

[Politicalboi]

19. And this from a

Republican. LOL! "Thanks Fox news for keeping us infromed"

[Tx4obama]

23. What from a republican? n/t

[FarLeftFist]

29. TYT: Poll - Alan Grayson Leading in the REPUBLICAN Primary

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=385&topic_id=440997&mesg_id=440997

[laughingliberal]

46. Yes, and would you think some of our leaders would get a clue from this?

Like, kissing Republican butt for a year isn't going to get you any of those Republican votes? People like politicians who stand for something. Grayson took the Republican lawmakers on head on, spanked them, and stood up for the American people and is leading big time in his conservative district. Not only that but he raised more money than anyone else in the last FEC reporting period. (pssst. hey, Rahm! take note, here: money! there's more than one way to get those campaign contributions).

Remember the hand wringing of some of our members when he was making the talk shows? Called the Republican plan, "Don't get sick," or "Die quickly?" "Oh, he's going too far! They'll marginalize him as a nut case! Okay, that was good but he needs to lay low, now." It's been so long since Democrats went on the offensive with an effective message they didn't know what it was.

[colsohlibgal]

21. I Love This Guy, He Rocks!

We're building some populist momentum here but will it be snuffed by Barack and Rahm? This might get interesting, I think Well Point being amazingly stupid and greedy may have been what we needed to get through to more people that money for their chemo or medicine is going instead toward 10 million dollar salaries.

[neuvocat]

22. Grayson is a good man.

[PoliticalOne65]

24. This is a smart move Mr. Grayson.

He is bypassing the Health care bill all together. It appears that he doesn't trust the senate to do it after their bill is passed like they are promising.

[bertman]

25. Good work, Congressman. You are an American Hero. REC. nt

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

26. this bill lets those who want it have it, others/conservatives don't have to buy medicare

if they'd rather pay more for private insurance and be denied coverage etc.

This is a brilliant bill, only 4 pages long.

[daleanime]

28. Yes, please dear god.....

even most repugs who are willing to talk about politics with me(most run away with their ears covered) like the idea of a 'buy in Medicare'.:bounce:

[Lugnut]

30. Yes!

I truly believe this approach is the way to go. Thank you Rep Grayons!

[pa28]

32. I wish we could clone Grayson.

No need for a long bill at all. No corporate lobbyists were involved here. No bipartisan compromise or page upon page of giveaways and loopholes.

A great deal for new subscribers, real competition in the marketplace and a long term boon for the Medicare program by incorporating a paying base of young and low cost enrollees.

Of course his bill will go down in flames but it will be a public service to note who is holding the match and which corporate payroll they are on.

[PSPS]

33. I hope Pelosi doesn't block it from a vote.

[Patchuli]

36. Heavens above, I love this man!!!

Whooooooooo HOOOOOOOOOO! :applause:

[LaPera]

39. Seems these five Democrats can be persuaded to sign, after that, it looks bleak?

Sen. Herb Kohl - WI
Sen. Tom Harkin - IA
Sen. Claire McCaskill - MO
Sen. John Rockefeller - WV
Sen. Thomas Carper - DE

http://whipcongress.com/?action_id=3333290&akid=.193153.-TJLGs

[lonestarnot]

40. Well someone with some balls and a brain!

:applause:

[laughingliberal]

41. Rec! I just love him!

Of course if it passes the House it still has to get through the abyss of the Senate-where bills go to die. But they are hanging themselves over there by killing everything that is popular with the public.

[pnwmom]

45. Key question: does this reduce the deficit? Can it be passed thru reconciliation? n/t

[Son Of Wendigo]

60. Deficit Neutral

The article says that the Secretary of DHHS would set the premiums so that they would match what the actuaries say the health care costs of the folks who actually enroll would cost. This would render the net cost deficit neutral. I believe that it could be run through the reconciliation procedures.

[efilon]

47. Previous Universal Health Insurance Act

Conyers-Kucinich Health Care Bill from 2005 Buy in to Medicare.


http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d109:H.R.676:@@@L&summ2=m&


SUMMARY AS OF:
2/8/2005--Introduced.

United States National Health Insurance Act (or the Expanded and Improved Medicare for All Act) - Establishes the United States National Health Insurance Program (the Program) to provide all individuals residing in the United States and in U.S. territories with free health care that includes all medically necessary care, such as primary care and prevention, prescription drugs, emergency care, and mental health services.

Prohibits an institution from participating in the Program unless it is a public or nonprofit institution. Allows nonprofit health maintenance organizations (HMOs) that actually deliver care in their own facilities to participate in the Program.

Gives patients the freedom to choose from participating physicians and institutions.

Prohibits a private health insurer from selling health insurance coverage that duplicates the benefits provided under this Act. Allows such insurers to sell benefits that are not medically necessary, such as cosmetic surgery benefits.

Sets forth methods to pay hospitals and health professionals for services. Prohibits financial incentives between HMOs and physicians based on utilization.

Authorizes appropriations and provides for appropriated sums to be paid for: (1) by vastly reducing paperwork; (2) by requiring a rational bulk procurement of medications; (3) from existing sources of Government revenues for health care; (4) by increasing personal income taxes on the top five percent income earners; (5) by instituting a modest payroll tax; and (6) by instituting a small tax on stock and bond transactions.

Requires the Program to give first priority in retraining and job placement to individuals whose jobs are eliminated due to reduced administration.

Establishes a National Board of Universal Quality and Access to advise the Secretary and the Director to ensure quality, access, and affordability.

Provides for the eventual integration of the health programs of the Department of Veterans' Affairs and the Indian Health Service into the Program.

[alp227]

48. Keepin' it alive!

Alan Grayson isn't just someone who disses Republicans ("They want you to die quickly!"). He is proactive about his views.

[Overseas]

49. Beautiful! Yes Please !! //nt

[deacon]

51. How can one not k + r? :) n/t

[Hekate]

52. I'm beginning to really like this man. KnR for the Honorable Congressman!

:toast:

[Divine Discontent]

55. EXACTLY my dear congressman - I don't want to give $$$ to a Co. that can deny care coverage to me

because they wish to make a few extra thou for their greedy asshat VP's!


LOVE MY REP!!!!!

[onestepforward]

56. LOVE this man! n/t

[benny05]

57. He is such a flip for many Floridians

But OTH, many of them are in Medicare.

This makes sense to me since I'm already paying into the system and I get no benefits for paying for it.



:kick: :loveya: :yourock: :applause:

[harun]

100. I was thinking the same. Wonder what Floridians are thinking of this

approach?

[fl_dem]

201. this Floridian thinks its a marvelous idea

and loves Grayson, he gives us something be proud of and we don't have enough of that!!!

[harun]

229. You should certainly be proud of electing him :-).

[boppers]

61. Obama/Grayson

That's all I'm going to say.

[disillusioned73]

89. What about.......

Grayson/Obama 2012???

[paparush]

98. Obama / Grayson 2012 then Grayson / Dean 2016

[howmad1]

227. Screw Obama 2012!

I've had more than enough of this phony. How about Dean/Grayson, 2012, Grayson/Franken, 2016.

[paparush]

257. I'm in!

[icee]

115. Grayson/ABO

[Little Star]

62. Yes! A different kind of choice! Grayson speaks for the people!

He is right. "A lot of people don’t want to be at the mercy of greedy insurance companies that will make money by denying them the care that they need to stay healthy, or to stay alive."

[No Elephants]

207. Apparently, to speak for the people, you must be either very rich or very poor.

[Little Star]

63. Dupe

[onlyadream]

67. Thank God for this guy - I love him!

And I hope his idea isn't squashed by all the politicians who are in cahoots with the insurance industry.

[mdmc]

68. If only this was the hcr bill

i know it leaves millions without insurance, but it would help me a great deal..

[No Elephants]

205. ? This is in addition to the current bill, not instead of it.

[JNelson6563]

71. Rock on Congressman Grayson.

I hope Kucinich watches this guy and learns a thing or two about getting it done as opposed to just being an obstructionist pain in the ass.

Julie

[Toasterlad]

99. Excuse Me...But Kucinich Introduces Legislation All the Time.

What exactly do you imagine Grayson has "got done" that Kucinich hasn't?

[timtom]

103. Not to mention that DK voted to NOT extend the Patriot Act

While, alas, Alan Grayson voted TO extend the Patriot Act.

Not that this has anything to do with Public Option, but it is definitely a point for serious consideration for those who would lionize Grayson and continue to demonize Kucinich.

(Go figure, eh, toasterlad?)

[Toasterlad]

112. I'm Actually Not Trying To Pit One Against the Other

Both men have their faults, and both men have their merits. But to compare one to the other unfavorably is counter-productive. They're both loud progressive voices, and that is something that is very much needed, and very much in short supply.

[timtom]

122. You're absolutely right.

It's just another prop for DK at this point. I've been strongly behind Grayson, as well.

I also think that it was an important point to make.

[truedelphi]

198. Thank you for that bit of common sense and

Wisdom.

[puebloknot]

178. I've worked for Dennis. I agree. Grayson is "fresh blood" ...

... and might be able to get the same message out without the baggage of having already run and lost.

Kucinich/Grayson for 2012 would be marvelous.

How about Grayson/Kaptur? She admitted in Capitalism: A Love Story that we've been through a financial coup d'etat! We need people who will tell the truth, regardless of political fallout!

I envision a debate between Kaptur and Palin.

I am concerned about Grayson's voting for extending provisions of the Patriot Act.

[KamaAina]

226. Slight problem: Kaptur has an anti-choice past

then again, so does Kucinich. Seriesly.

edit: Ouch. Kaptur voted for the Stupid-Pits amendment. :puke: DK voted against.

[puebloknot]

254. Didn't know that. It's disappointing. nt

[DisgustedInMN]

72. 2 thumbs up for Grayson! n/t

:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[ejbr]

73. And this is why even Republicans prefer this guy! n/t

[Cass]

74. Great news! Let's hope it gets an up or down vote that it deserves.

k&r

[Ohio Metal]

75. Grayson...Please move to Ohio.

Steve Driehaus isn't cutting it and Jean Scmitt is cut from the same cloth as Michele Bachmann. We need a real Rep with a spine. If what Kucinich said on Countdown holds any weight, he should vote for this bill.

[Dinger]

76. Move To The White House First (nt)

[pleah]

77. K&R

[GOTV]

79. If I owned the media ...

... this bill would lead the news everyday until it passes or is killed. Every day it would be: what's happened to the bill today, who's signed on, who's pledged to vote for it, whose desk is it sitting on, what's the next step, who's in the way.

I'm afraid that, like most bills, it disappears behind the wall of media banalities.

[No Elephants]

203. Ed Schultz will do that. Unfortunately, he's on MSNBC, where ratings go to die.

[Vinca]

81. The end result of passing this bill would be an influx of cash and

healthier people into Medicare which would help to save it.

[panzerfaust]

83. Is this guy really a Democrat? I mean, he is willing to take a stand and DO something!

Without pandering to "the center."

More of this, we need.

[AzDar]

85. Grayson for Prez!

:loveya:

[SlingBlade]

87. K & R .....Alan Grayson for President

He'd make a damned fine challenger to the present CEO now running this Corporation

[Bluenorthwest]

88. Democrats who do not support this must be told they have no

future. The remaining Senators who refuse to support so much as a public option need to be put on notice. That Jim Webb for one, needs to understand that he will have no place on the national stage if he does not put his vote on the line. He's half a Republican anyway, and this is his defining moment. Jay Rockefeller is just a tool for not joining in after all his windbaggery claiming to support decent reform and a public option.
My Senators are on board, of course. Many here list resident states that have non supporting Senators, many of those are here whining rather than taking action. Why are your Senators not on board, people? What are you going to do about it?

[RoccoR5955]

90. WTG Grayson, Stand for WE THE PEOPLE, not them, the corporations!

I'm sure Kucinich can get behind this, but I am not sure if our corporatist President can.

[freddie mertz]

94. This what true progressive LEADERSHIP looks like!

Why hasn't Obama introduced something like this?

[DirkGently]

102. Absolutely

This is the approach that should have been taken first. It also ought to be sold as the WAY to save Medicare -- a bigger pool, with younger people paying premium and balancing the costs. Seems like it would be politically unassailable -- tell the teapartiers it's this or the end of Medicare, and the majority of them dry up and blow away ('cause they want THEIR government-run healthcare yesiree).

Sadly, Grayson's probably spitting in the wind here. The closer we get to something like this, the faster the administration seems to run away. It appears to be one of many valuable progressive ideas quickly swept "off the table."

Still, a huge outpouring of public support might change that.

[MineralMan]

105. Great news! I hope it succeeds.

[Wednesdays]

107. The Dem holdouts

Baucus (MT)
Bayh (IN)
Begich (AK)
Byrd (WV)
Carper (DE)
Conrad (ND)
Hagan (NC)
Harkin (IA)
Kohl (WI)
Landrieu (LA)
Lincoln (AR)
McCaskill (MO)
Nelson (FL)
Nelson (NE)
Pryor (AR)
Rockefeller (WV)
Warner (VA)
Webb (VA)


My guess is that two or three of those will be easy to turn. It's the other seven or so that we need from the list that'll be the tough part.

[Luciferous]

108. This man should be President

:loveya:

[beac]

110. I would support human cloning if we could use it to replicate Grayson hundreds of times and flood

Congress with his duplicates!

Hurrah for Alan Grayson!! :applause:

[no limit]

111. Why even use the term public option? Call it a medicare buy in

[No Elephants]

208. SUPPOSEDLY, some folks ae in love with their current insurance & skeered to lose it.

An option, rather than single payer, makes them more comfortable.

SUPPOSEDLY.

[Raster]

113. Wow! A Congressperson that actually works for the best interests of the citizens of the US.

Amazing! Thank you Representative Grayson!

PS: Please stay off of small planes!

[myrna minx]

114. Excellent!

[KansDem]

116. DAMN!!! I hope this passes!

I'm planning a career change and wonder if my next employer will give me health insurance. This would take a load off my mind!

[Christa]

117. K & R

for reform!!

[groundloop]

118. Why couldn't we have just done this in the first place ????

I guess it just makes to damned much sense, and certain congress critters wouldn't get to add their own pork.

[L. Coyote]

120. One small step towards non-profit health care and a humanistic society

and perhaps a tactic/threat that will push the bad bill forward, and having the wrong effect---placing profit for the few ahead of public welfare of the People.

[HCE SuiGeneris]

121. Can we have 200 more like this guy?

K & R

[valerief]

124. Medicare You Can Buy Into Act!!!! I LOVE IT!!!!! nt

[FourScore]

125. Wow. Just wow.

I love this guy.

[madrchsod]

127. .funny... dennis proposed the same thing and more during the election

he`s also done more for keeping the medicare for all alive that anyone else in washington dc. yet he`s dissed constantly ....
maybe the dlc`ers have`t received their talking points today

[glitch]

131. They're in an emergency meeting about it.

They'll be here shortly.

K & R for Grayson!

[azul]

150. The media has successfully trashed Kucinich, and so his HR676 is brought low

by association. Maybe that is why the PO if off the table and a non-supportable position for many reps: they would be put on the Dennis Island and hunted down by news foxes.

The corporate sponsors and owners of the media want to make as many people sick as possible and then pick their pockets? And now deny them any option out of this trap?

The media needs a good shake by the collar, to begin to restore the government to real people, the rightful owners. People presently have little say in legislation, but are responsible for the costs.

But who can shake the media of this corrupted power?

[defendandprotect]

128. The other day, 10 Dems voted AGAINST the $250 for Senior Citizens . . .and NO Repug voted for it!!

[defendandprotect]

129. Public Option: MEDICARE FOR ALL . . . Go Grayson -- !!!

Guess this never occurred to Obama or Rahm?

Right!!

We have to make taking money from corporations if not illegal, then deviant --

[and-justice-for-all]

132. So Grayson and Kucinich are on the same page

which is that the current HC bill does not go far enough; and yet, no one here is verbally beating the shit out of Grayson?!!

[berni_mccoy]

134. LOLOL! Did Grayson say he'd vote AGAINST the HCR Bill? No. They aren't on the same page.

Grayson said he'd support the HCR Reconciliation bill. Kucinich has vowed to vote against it (and has voted against the PO in the past).

[nightrain]

138. and Kucinich's remarks were prior to Grayson's bill. Kucinich has principles he

stands by.

[mvd]

159. I think both are great progressives

I have seen here at DU that passing the Senate bill isn't the only way to move forward. We can pass a public option and other good points in the bill before we add the unpopular mandates. If people see there is a strong public option first, than mandates won't look so bad. I don't think voting for the bill makes Grayson less of a good progressive, and don't think Kunicich voting against the bill makes him less of a good progressive. There are good arguments for both moves. What we can't do is just scrap health care reform.

And :applause: to Grayson for his efforts!

[nightrain]

241. better to have a good bill than do poor policy in transferring public wealth to the

disease management corporations. Medicare needs some overhaul that Grayson didn't include--get rid of the 20%, open it up to other practitioners, fix Part D...

[The Backlash Cometh]

135. I hope he succeeds.

[followthemoney]

137. Thank you Mr. Kucinich and Mr. Grayson

Corporations are always able to give the people the bad news that prices must rise or jobs must be cut. This bad news is always accompanied by the crocodile tears demanded by the present state of the art of the public relations industry.

The people, through their government, must be able to give the corporations the bad news that their profits and jobs are not sustainable, and that both must be cut. It is our duty as stewards of this nation's economy to deliver the pink slips, tears of remorse, and well wishes, to these parasites whom the life blood of our economy can no longer sustain in the manner to which they have become accustomed.

Even these precious 'people' known as corporations must sometimes be given the ax, downsized, and sent on their way to find a new way of earning a 'living'.

Can the government of the people deliver the news to the health insurance companies that their product has gone the way of the horse and buggy, and that they must find a way to make themselves useful to society if they expect to be supported by it?

The insurance companies must be stopped from their continuing extortion of the wealth of the people by means of their Health Care Terrorism.

Thank you Mr. Kucinich and Mr. Grayson.

[neuvocat]

139. Kucinich does nothing.

Grayson schools Kucinich on how to be a liberal.

[ProSense]

143. Exactly. n/t

[ShamelessHussy]

250. lol

don't be hater

[ChiciB1]

141. While I DON'T Feel What Grayson Is Doing Will Take Hold, I MOST CERTAINLY

applaud his efforts!! How I wish he was MY REPRESENTATIVE down here! But NO, not here, not ever... my little part of this state is stuck on RED and has been since I've been around here! That's about 30 years now!

Go Grayson, and thanks for all you do, we NEED about 300 more like you!

[wordpix]

148. you need to hammer away at your reps & public (letters to the editor, etc)

Of by and for the people means US

[ProSense]

142. This is terrific, and Grayson plans on voting for the current health care bill.

That is what people who want progress do: vote for it and keep working toward more.

[goclark]

145. That's why I love Grayson ~ he supports the Party

[backtomn]

147. Forget Grayson........NOW......

I read today that the DailyKos people will support any candidate that will run against Dennis Kucinich, if he doesn't vote for the Senate bill. Have we all gone completely nuts!!! Are we going to start sacrificing our own in favor of this Senate bill???

Grayson is buffoon and a grandstander....while his party is eating its own. This is serious.....and I wish Grayson was serious.

See Huffington Post

[duhneece]

151. I love it, I love it

You rock, Grayson.

[Auggie]

152. RECOMMENDED

[happygoluckytoyou]

153. HOLD THAT PUBLIC UP AND DOWN VOTE.... at lease we can identify the jerks

[earcandle]

154. Makes perfect sense! Count me in.

[Melissa G]

158. Grayson! Grayson! Grayson!!!... n/t

[femrap]

160. k and r

If this doesn't go anywhere, we will all know you is on which side....the People or the Corporations.

I so want a public option....I'd pay my FAIR share into Medicare.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

162. Holy Moleys! Way to go!

[libodem]

165. Hubada hubada

Fawn, grovel, scrape, bow, kiss, hug, bat eye lashes, give gooney look, twitterpate, throw myself prostrate, hmmmmm, just what is the protocol for thanking a Congressman????

[tango-tee]

166. Go, Grayson, go!

Finally, someone with guts. What a welcome change. Change to actually believe in. Thank you, thank you Grayson!

[tango-tee]

168. Forgot to say: Rec.

Goodness gracious, rec. Grayson is a good man.

[polichick]

169. Grayson is an example of real Democratic leadership. k&r

[Guilded Lilly]

170. If only...Let's GO YES (n/t)

[emald]

171. yes, this is the answer.

[puebloknot]

173. Mr. Grayson is infected with the *leadership* virus. I hope he does not have ...

... health insurance to help him over it!

[kenfrequed]

179. Excellent

I agree!

[smoogatz]

180. I love this guy.

Wish we had 300 more like him.

[icee]

181. Grayson! Grayson! Grayson! Medicare for All!

[Kingofalldems]

182. Yeah....Yeah!!

K and R for the sneaky freepers.

[ebbie15644]

183. I think I love him!!!!!

[w4rma]

184. Simple. Easy. Smart. Popular. How will the DLC try to kill it? (nt)

[IndianaGreen]

223. There is no profit in having people going under Medicare

The corporate wing of the Democratic Party won't have any plan that does not fatten their investment portfolios.

[earth mom]

185. K & R but not holding my breath because the insurance bastards are gonna fight this tooth & nail.

God, I despise them! :grr:

[apnu]

194. Sweet Move Grayson. Nice one. (nt)

[humbled_opinion]

202. This is what America both needs and wants.

Thank you Congressman Grayson there is no doubt that unlike most of our leadership you do get it.

[ShortnFiery]

204. This pseudo-progressive KNOWS that it will never go anywhere in the Senate so he can posture

and preach ... accomplishing NOTHING. :thumbsdown:

All sweet talk to DUPE more democrats into voting for this shitty Senate Bill with NO DELIVERY.

[IndianaGreen]

221. That's because we elected a bunch of corporate whores with D after their names

instead of electing Democrats totally dedicated to serving the public, not the corporations that bleed the people dry.

The fault lies in us!

[upi402]

206. k/r n/t

[fascisthunter]

209. Late to the Party...

sometimes that's a good thing.

[jimmyzvoice]

212. Maybe Bill Nelson (F) could work with Grayson...

Huffington Post is reporting that Bill Nelson, the Democratic
Senator from Florida is the 41st Senator to sign on to
endorsing the Public Option in reconciliation. Here is a link:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/03/10/public-option-support-now_n_493725.html

Can we get Nelson and Grayson to work together on this
Medicare buy-in? Nelson has been strongly on the side of
seniors on health care. I believe that you can make a strong
argument that additional people buying into Medicare would
strengthen the program overall. I also believe that a buy-in
to an existing program (Medicare) would fit into the
reconciliation rules.

Let's do whatever we can to boost this.

[d_b]

213. 400 recs

[W_HAMILTON]

214. I was just about to say...

I've never seen a thread recommended so highly. Hell, even the Freeper trolls must have rec'd it!

Why did this take so long to do? It is simple, and something we should have done all along. Open up Medicare for those who want to buy into it!

[Vidar]

222. Bravo, Congressman, Bravo!

[CONN]

230. Great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Uncle Joe]

233. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, Turborama.:thumbsup:

[FailureToCommunicate]

234. Now if only more in the Senate would pressure our reluctant President...

[Usrename]

235. wtg

:patriot:

[Shining Jack]

236. K&R n/t

[johnaries]

237. But will it pass the Senate? Everyone write your Senator!

I'm afraid that it will just be "sent to committee" and die there. But it has a much better chance of passing the House than the Senate. We only have 40 votes for a PO in the Senate, and we would need at least 10 more just to get it passed via reconciliation. We need to put pressure on the Senate. We need to remind them that this is what the PEOPLE WANT!

I'm going to contact Jim Cooper to express my support. But then I get to write Alexander and Corker, and I am expecting 2 form letters full of bullshit in return. But I am also going to write my local community newspaper, so at least I'll be able to make some noise!

[PADemD]

239. In case the public option does not get added to the final

health care bill, they'll have this bill to contend with.

[muntrv]

240. Barack should have been pushing this right from day one.

[leehut]

243. Health Care Reform

We should all remember that almost every president once
elected tends to move to the center.  Obama campaigned as a
liberal progressive, but campaigning and governing are two
different things. Still.  I hope that he will jump on board
with the public option.  I would much prefer Medicare For All,
but if politics is about the art of compromise, then we can
only hope for him to insist on the public option. 

[nightrain]

255. let's distinguish between politics and policy.

If Obama is going for a political win, which it seems, then his lack of support for any PO or single payer would be congruent.

If he were going for a wise policy decision, then he has failed miserably by not including single payer advocates from the beginning.

FDR moved left after getting in office due to circumstances of the time. Despite nearly as drastic economic and social needs, Obama moved well to the right, toward protecting corporations rather than what people want and need.

Welcome to DU.

[James48]

242. Cosponsors so far.....only 10.

Pick up the phone tomorrow, and ask your Congressman/woman to become a cosponsor - get this some momentum!


H.R.4789
Title: To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for an option for any citizen or permanent resident of the United States to buy into Medicare.
Sponsor: Rep Grayson, Alan (introduced 3/9/2010) Cosponsors (10)
Latest Major Action: 3/9/2010 Referred to House committee.

Status: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

COSPONSORS(10), ALPHABETICAL: (Sort: by date)


Rep Edwards, Donna F. - 3/9/2010
Rep Filner, Bob - 3/9/2010
Rep Frank, Barney - 3/9/2010
Rep Jackson Lee, Sheila - 3/9/2010
Rep Kucinich, Dennis J. - 3/9/2010
Rep Pingree, Chellie - 3/9/2010
Rep Polis, Jared - 3/9/2010
Rep Schakowsky, Janice D. - 3/9/2010
Rep Shea-Porter, Carol - 3/9/2010
Rep Watson, Diane E. - 3/9/2010

[harun]

251. Wow, great to see that many co-sponsors so far. I'll ask my Rep to get on board.

[SpankMe]

247. Fuckin'-A. You go, man!! n/t

[SandWalker1984]

248. Are Democrats just serving their true masters?

I’ve had enough of the US corporate profiteering healthcare system.

A few years ago a family member had a minor heart attack. He thought he had insurance. While in the hospital, looking at hospital bills of possibly $150,000, he found out that Aetna had changed the terms of his policy several months before and they would only pay $5000. He was never notified by Aetna of the policy change. They claimed they had sent him notification but never provided any proof. Aetna was charging him $666 a quarter for $5000 per year maximum coverage. That's loan shark rates.

He found out that they didn’t even HAVE to notify policy holders by mail of the change. He was told that this was “legal” in 34 states at the time - now it’s even more. You only think you have health insurance. Try using it!

To add insult to injury, the 1st night he was in the hospital he almost died because they gave him too much nitro, causing his blood pressure to drop too low. They didn’t even have a blood pressure monitor on him, the guy with the heart attack. If his wife hadn’t been there to alert the nursing staff, he could have died. I could write a book not only about the incompetent medical service he received but also about the incompetent billing department at the hospital and at Aetna. It took him almost a year to sort through the mess and deal with all of the multiple billing, billing errors, etc.

Now he can't get affordable insurance because of his pre-existing condition. Under Orahma Care, insurance for him will still be unaffordable. So he will be stuck buying a useless, high deductible policy that covers very little OR pay fines.

From what I heard yesterday on one of the major media channels, the subsidies won't kick in until 2014 (if they are not legislated altogether out of the bill after 2010 elections) but the mandates to buy insurance would start before 2014. So that means you will be forced to buy insurance you probably cannot afford without the benefit of the subsidies. If you cannot afford the mandated insurance, you will be fined thru the IRS or go to jail.

Consider the following: Anthem Blue Cross (yes, the company wanting 39% increases in premiums) brags that a woman can still get a private insurance policy for only $156 a month. That may sound good to some until they consider this policy has a $1500 deductible, and then only pays for 30% of most medical procedures and tests, makes the woman pay up to $500 a day for a hospital room, and doesn't cover pregnancy or delivery costs at all. How good a policy is that? THIS is your future health insurance policy under mandated Orahma Care. A promise of insurance for all but no limits on how bad that coverage can be.

There's one other problem with this bill. The expansion of Medicaid in the bill, which is a single payer system funded by working American tax payers. I'm good enough to pay taxes to support the expansion of a single payer program for others but I am told that I cannot have that same program for myself by the Democrats in Congress. Yes, there will be a political bloodbath for the Democrats in November if they pursue passing this corporate benefits package they call health care reform.

Rep Lynn Woolsey, head of the progressive caucus, was just on MSNBC tonight saying that there's no guarantee that if the House passes the Senate's bill that there will be a reconciliation fix of the bad items in the Senate bill.

As another duer, bvar22, stated in a thread here the other day:

There will be NO "Fixing it Later".

There will be NO "adding a Public Option later."

Even if The Democrats are successful at adding some "regulations" to this Health Care Bill to make it seem more palatable,
they will simply be De-Regulated after the Blood Bath.

THAT is what Republicans and "Centrist" Democrats do....De-Regulate.
(SEE: NAFTA, repeal of Glass-Steagal)

We are going to be forced to live with the FOUNDATION of this Bill for a LONG time,

and that FOUNDATION is:
Mandatory Profits for the Health Insurance Industry.

Every American WILL be forced to contribute to these profits,
AND America WILL blame the Democratic Party.

Rightly so.



If the Republicans are the party of "No," the Democrats have become the party of "Dough."

Chains we can believe in.....

[SimonPhoenix]

253. Couple it with a federal cap on non-economic damage awards

And I'm aboard.