Senate sell-out of Public Option? - to get the Senate Republican-Dems to agree to vote for it?

[JohnWxy]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091209/ap_on_bi_ge/us_health_care_overhaul

Harry Reid says they have a 'compromise' agreement on HCR. Question is, does this "compromise" mean a real public option is dead. Looks like they are offering those who wanted HCR a deal - more people to be allowed to buy into Medicare (ages 55-64) in exchange for a Public Option (to control costs) while keeping subsidies for private health insurance providers( i.e. Profit insurance for the insurance providers, paid for by the public - a pretty sweet deal - for the insurance companies.).

Former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean said the Medicare option for people age 55 to 64 was "a positive step forward."

"Using Medicare makes more sense than reinventing more bureaucracy," Dean said Wednesday on CBS' "The Early Show." This sounds like the PUblic Option is dead. THree cheers for the Corporate Lobbyist party protecting Health Insurance company profits. This will mean we subsidize for-profit privately owned insurance companies with NO COST CONTROLS. IN OTHER WORDS SOCIALIZED PROFITS FOR INSURANCE COMPANIES!


Slime-ball, Joe Lieberman (the "independent" Republican) said "I am encouraged by the progress toward a consensus," Lieberman said in a statement that also underscored his opposition to any new government insurance plan that would compete with private carriers. NOw if Lieberman is pleased, I know we are screwed!

So, looks like were getting a Republican approved HCR, that is public support of profits for insurance companies and NO COST CONTROLS.

But all is not lost. Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., is trying to get an amendment added to the bill that will allow importation of pharmaceuticals from abroad at far cheaper prices than we pay for them in the U.S. THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE A CRUMB FOR THOSE WHO WANT MEDICARE TO BE ABLE TO NEGOTIATE FOR BULK PRICING OF DRUGS LIKE THE VETERANS ADMINISTRATION DOES - THE OBVIOUS SENSIBLE, PRACTICAL THING TO DO. BUT THE PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY WON'T APPROVE SUCH A PROVISION. They want to charge the individual sale retail prices they charge in drug stores evn though negotiation better prices when you can guarantee a large number of sales is common business practice. If the Government negotioted for bulk prices it would be operating like a competently managed business. - Remember when the Corporate Lobbyist party used to say the Government should be run like a business? I GUESS THAT DOESN'T APPLY WHEN IT MEANS IT MIGHT REDUCE THE PROFITS OF CORPORATIONS WHO PAY THEM TO SABOTAGE ANY SENSIBLE PUBLIC POLICY.

CONGRATS TO THE CORPORATE LOBBYIST PARTY (including those who call themselves 'Moderate' Dems)! THEY DEFEATED HEALTH CARE REFORM. NOW WE WAIT FOR THE UNABATED HEALTH CARE COST EXPLOSION THAT WILL INEVITABLY COME, PRODUCING A HEALTH CARE INDUSTRY MELT DOWN SIMILAR TO THE WALL STREET INVESTMENT BANKING DISASTER (averted only by you and me bailing out all the Wall Street banks).

[AlinPA]

1. Sounds to me like they are trying to get the few conservative Democratic Senators to go aong with

something. I'm watching the debate on CSPAN and see no indication that any republican will vote yes on anything.

[JohnWxy]

2. Uhhhh the "moderate" dems ARE Republicans. And certainly the fact that the rest of the Republicans

are to a man against HCR (i.e. the "public option") means they deserve some share of the credit for killing it too.

[AlinPA]

4. OK. They are the "Senate republican-Dems".

[yurbud]

5. corrupt is more accurate than conservative for Blue Dogs and DLC

[bvar22]

3. Hey Sen Reid....That is NOT a "compromise".

It IS a "Capitulation".

Complete and total surrender to the Corporate Lobbyists.

[ultimas_blade]

6. I'm just hoping they are moving toward Medicare for All...

..but knowing the DINOs and Rethuglicans they will somehow stall/derail it.

[classysassy]

7. Register more voters

so we can get rid of the career senators,the dinosaurs must go,if we are going to have a true democracy.