Howard Dean: "If you're not going to have a public option, don't pretend you're doing health reform"

[Better Believe It]

Transcript: Newt Gingrich and Howard Dean
"This Week" Transcript with former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and former DNC Chairman Howard Dean
Aug 9, 2009

HOWARD DEAN: "If you're not going to have a public option, don't pretend you're doing health care reform."

Read the complete transcript at:

http://www.abcnews.go.com/ThisWeek/Politics/Story?id=8287587&page=1

[Vidar]

1. Thank you, Howard, as usual.

[BlooInBloo]

Hmmm... It's been about 10 minutes since your last "bait and switch" post...

Falling down on the job a bit.

[Better Believe It]

5. You're opposed to a strong public option?

I'd like to hear your opinion on the subject.

Do you have one?

[cui bono]

17. What's your point?

Oh, and thanks for reminding me to go back and find those bait and switch links to follow up on. I believe they are in the current #1 greatest thread on DU (which was not posted by this OP).

[nilram]

29. I thought it was great to read this quote from Dean. K&R. -nt

[valerief]

46. There are never enough of them!!!! The point can't be hammered home enough. nt

[troubledamerican]

53. BlooInBloo disgraced again by badmouthing a #1 Rec just a little too early

Whooooooooops

Better go back to the Latin America forums where you can defend Colombia's Death Squads some more

[Va Lefty]

2. Once again, the good Doctor speaks the truth!!

[ProSense]

3. DEAN: This is -- this is choice. This is real choice.

DEAN: This is -- this is choice. This is real choice.

[jody]

4. Opinions are like excretory orifices, everyone has one. n/t

[cui bono]

18. And some are way better than others. n/t

[davidwparker]

6. K&R

[burning rain]

7. Howard Dean & Rahmbo Celebrity Death Match time!

.

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

8. The doctor speaks the truth

thankfully someone does.

[Autumn]

9. Howard Dean

I love the way he talks. Straight talk, no bullshit.

[bvar22]

10. Public Option =

Public Option = Publicly Owned, Government Administered Health Insurance available to ALL Americans as an alternative to Private Insurance

This is the Public Option proposed by John Edwards.

This is the Public Option championed by Howard Dean.

This is the Public Option promised by Obama ("A Public Option like Medicare")

This is the Public Option supported by 72% of the American Public


This is NOT the "Public Option" being offered by our Democratic Congress (HR 3200).

[jody]

12. How can that be when so many DUers believe that we Dems have a PLAN? n/t

[earth mom]

24. The old bait and switch. nt

[ChiciB1]

40. You Are SOOOOOOOOOO Correct!!! This IS NOT The Public Option

being offered by THE Democratic Congress!!!!

Too many insurance companies at the trough! Just this AM on C-Span there was a person who tried explaining some of this stuff. Seems Tom Daschle & friends at Goldman Sachs are sitting at the table and lobbying for United Health Insurance.

Don't have a clip, but I'm sure one could be found. I heard it as I was walking out the door for A DOCTOR's appointment! THE Daschle who was going to be the head of HHS, BEFORE the other information came out. He apparently is quite the lobbyist in D.C. and as I see more and more of WHAT is in this bill, I think it's something of a scam! No, I have NOT read all of it, but much of it makes me very queasy.

I would also like to say one more thing... I'm wondering IF this bill is passed, will the Democrats then say "WE Passed Health Care Reform" and then let it go at that? Will this be the END of ANY reform BECAUSE they say it's DONE???

Who was it that said you don't sit down at the table with insurance companies and bargain with them. Or some statement like that! Looks to me that there's a LOT of insurance company input and a lot of it gives them much of what they want. I realize that insurance companies need to be in the mix in some way, but NOT most of the mix!

JMHO, but I think many people are falling for just another piece of legislation that in the end may not be worth the paper it's printed on. Just sayin'!!!!

[Raksha]

54. No, it WON'T be the end of health care reform,

because we the people (the real Democrats) tell those DINOs they haven't done squat. We tell them that what they passed is NOT health care reform, and that we still demand real health care reform. And then we vote them OUT, every last bought-off one of them, and we elect a REAL Democratic Congress not owned by the insurance companies. And we tell them we expect them to pass a single-payer plan like H.R. 676.

And they'll know we mean business.

Re I would also like to say one more thing... I'm wondering IF this bill is passed, will the Democrats then say "WE Passed Health Care Reform" and then let it go at that? Will this be the END of ANY reform BECAUSE they say it's DONE???

They can SAY whatever the hell they want, but we don't have to accept it. There has to be some way to let them know the progressive base of the Democratic Party is playing hardball.

[ChiciB1]

58. Problem Is... It's VERY Hard To Vote Them Out!! Far Too Many Who

run against them just don't have 1) Enough money and 2) Not enough name recognition, which one needs lots of money to get THAT recognition!

I've been around long enough and seen too many elections that have made my head spin like an owl! One of them right here in my District. Vern Buchanan, when he ran for the House his first time out had LOTS of money, but also about 12 lawsuits against him. Rahm Emmanuel came in and decided to help Christine Jennings with money, and some how she lost, but some how 18,500 votes also got lost. Floating in the Bay probably! She fought back and kept asking for donations FOREVER, but finally D.C. said QUIT!

Second time out, same people... Rahm gives NO MONEY, Vern now has MORE lawsuits and won this election with 63% of the vote. Now Jennings would CERTAINLY have been a DINO as she had switched parties, formerly a Repuke... but in the end, it was STILL about money!

Of course, this is a Ruby Red District, but it happens all the time in other districts too. It's pretty difficult to vote them out. Just think Lie-berman!! He still won by working the system to his advantage! A load of CRAP too!!

I would LOVE to see Sestak beat Specter, but Specter changes parties... the WH SUPPORTS him, and one of the mostly "real" Democrats gets a kick in the pants!!

Why do we put ourselves through this?? I keep thinking about this so much more as time goes by. I'm JUST A NUMBER!!!

[bvar22]

55. If you give them a seat at the table.....

That was John Edwards,
"..if you give drug companies and insurance companies a seat at the table, they will eat all the food. I think you have to take power away from them. I do not think they're ever going to voluntarily give away their power. You have to take them on, confront them, and fight them. I think that is the way we have universal health care – you have to take them on, confront them, and fight them.”

Looks like John Edwards was right.

The only ones NOT sitting at the Obama Table was the Democratic Wing of the Democratic Party....those who support Single Payer.
NO wonder there is no food left for those of us who Work for a Living.

[ChiciB1]

57. Yep, It Was John Edwards & I AGREE With What He Said... I Also Agree

with what you said about the only ones NOT sitting at the table was the Democratic Wing of The DEMOCRATIC Party!

It makes me wonder who's doing what to WHO!!! Guess I'm just getting more cynical as time goes by, and I THOUGHT it was going to be different. But as my father always told me... "that's what you get for thinking!" Guess he was right about that statement in this case! What a shame, and I'm still hearing that THIS WILL be THE Health Care Reform Americans want.

Do Tell!!

[high density]

11. Ok?

Newt was out there doing the typical fear campaign. He was acting as if the Repukes are still in charge of congress, which really does seem to be the case in this situation. Newt said the passage of the bill depends on what Sen. Grassley thinks, and if the Democrats ignore the Repukes then this is the end of the world as we know it.

[Mithreal]

28. Newt is wielding the Blue Dogs as well. nt

[Faryn Balyncd]

13. k and r

[ipaint]

14. Deans definition of a public option:

If Barack Obama’s bill gets changed to exclude the public entities, it is not health insurance reform…it rises and falls on whether the public is allowed to choose Medicare if they’re under 65 or not. If they are allowed to choose Medicare as an option, this bill will be real health care reform. If they’re not, we will be back fighting about it for another 20 years before somebody tries again.
http://wonkroom.thinkprogress.org/2009/02/24/dean-public-option/

Looks like choosing another 20 year fight is now considered reform.

[Doctor_J]

15. Quite true. A bill that just gives more to Big Insurance would be worse than nothing

because it will enable the fascists to say "We already reformed health care"

[DCKit]

16. "...because it will enable the fascists to say "We already reformed health care""

to a point where nobody can afford it.

"It must be working, because we now have 200 million without coverage, and the income of the industry hasn't dropped a cent (so it's good for the economy)." Good luck with that plan Republicans and Blue Dogs.

[ChiciB1]

41. Big Insurance Seems To Be Sitting Right In The Middle Of The Table!!

And it's a turn-table as it twirls around and around with this or that option, or demand whichever you wish to call it.

That's how I'm seeing it! And hearing it too, from Dean and other sources as time goes by! Is this REALLY Health Care Reform of and FOR the people?? I wonder, but what do I know... I'm just one of the lowly citizens of this new DEE-MOCK-CRAZY!!!

[Enthusiast]

50. Or, like before when

they characterized the last attempt as Hillary's failure. They were the obstructionists yet they still blamed Hillary on TV as if was her failure. I can't stand these fucks. They piss me off several ways all at once.

[uponit7771]

19. AMEN!!! Don't even understand why we're even talking about this issue!!

[progressoid]

20. Fuckin' right Doc.

k/r

[Oregone]

21. There already is a REAL public option in America: Medicare

This public option is a fucking distraction. People are making this (which will only cover 12 million people in a decade) a litmus test for success and satisfication. Thats absurd. People are getting led around by some inconsequential, unsubstantial provision (that will eventually be given to you to make you feel good about the "reform").

Demand access to Medicare! Thats a real usage of time. Not some firewalled, self-sustaining "public option".

[gkhouston]

22. +1. People have already heard of it and none of the seniors want to give it up.

There's a "but how will we pay for it?" fear. Show people how much we're already paying for healthcare now, both for the insured and the uninsured, and that fear may become manageable.

[TheCoxwain]

23. Calling spade a spade ..... Howard Dean is that man ...

Unfortunately for many in Washington ... pretending that a spoon is a spade is the first order of business..

[DeeDeeNY]

25. K & R

[MasonJar]

26. My sentiments exactly! I am afraid that Obama just wants credit for

a health care bill. He is not committed to any elements or agenda, even public option. Obama's greatest failing may be his obvious need to be conciliatory. That is not how great projects get born and great men are fashioned. Only Henry Clay, America's Great Compromiser, seems to have managed that feat and that was 150 years ago and a different world.

[Enthusiast]

52. He won't get it.

If it isn't an outright giveaway to the insurance industry they, along with the GOP, will whine and if it is a giveaway to the health care industry he will lose his supporters-like us.

[Mithreal]

27. Guess we know why Rahm didn't pick him for HHS. nt

[ChiciB1]

42. Yes, But Obama TRIED To Get Daschle... A Lobbyist Involved With

Goldman Sachs AND United Health Care!! Does anyone think this is a bit weird?? I'd rather not say much more on the issue because I'm not feeling all that comfortable about THIS BILL and may say something I shouldn't! I'm for taking it back to the drawing table!!!

JMHO!!!

[LaPera]

30. Love Dean!

[Jakes Progress]

31. "Say a prayer for the pretender"

A little Jackson Brown for our situation.

"Say a prayer for the pretender
Who started out so young and strong
Only to surrender."

Or

"I want to know what became of the changes
We waited for love to bring
Were they only the fitful dreams
Of some greater awakening? "

[ChiciB1]

44. Jackson Browne Has Written So Many Songs That Could Be Quoted

here! I know of several, but he's probably my FAVORITE singer/song writer and I never tire of listening to his "political" statements by way of his songs!!!

He says it SO WELL!!!

[winyanstaz]

32. Darn right! You tell em Dr Dean :)

As long as there are insurance companies making a profit out of illness and injuries....we will not have good health care. Some will be left to die. We already have a death panel and it is the US insurance companies.

[mdmc]

33. Sing it Doctor DEAN!

:patriot:

[Kingofalldems]

34. Aha, this is why disruptors hate Dr. Dean so much

He's a real Democrat.

[SemperEadem]

35. EXACTLY RIGHT, GOVERNOR

Tell 'em!

Public option and single payer. No other alternatives need be discussed.

[MrsBrady]

36. you are correct, sir. n/t

[Kajsa]

37. K&R!

Dean speaks the truth.

[SemperEadem]

38. I guess it boils down to

people not minding making someone of the likes of the CEO of United Health Care richer than he already is. I guess someone has to be their king.

[katty]

39. Thanks again Howard! K&R

[slipslidingaway]

43. If the public option plan has 5 to 10 million enrollees, as stated by Dean,

is that real reform and competition for the insurance companies.

:shrug:


"...One estimate by Lewin Associates (sic) is 131 million Americans will lose their private insurance and be pushed into a government plan.

STEPHANOPOULOS: Governor Dean, those arguments seem to have taken hold, at least in the Senate, where even Democrats say you're not...

DEAN: Look, let's be fair. Lewin Associates is owned by a health insurance company. So let's -- let's -- let's -- the CBO, which I think is a more reasonable organization, says 5 million or 10 million people are going to end up there..."

[valerief]

45. I LOVE that dude! nt

[stray cat]

47. But it is insurance reform - they have to cover you w/o charging more

can't drop you and your out of pocket is capped. Beats what we have now.

[Better Believe It]

49. Really? Who said that?

It you can find any links to that information that would be most appreciated.

[Enthusiast]

48. What a contrast.

Newt Gingrich, an arrogant spokesman for the for profit health care establishment, and Dr. Dean an advocate of actually providing for the people's health care.

Gingrich is just plain repulsive. Can you imagine having him as a college professor? That is one course I would flunk.

[harun]

51. Actually real reform is not possible in the current environment.

The public option just opens the door for real reform. I am good with it if it actually opens the door. If they only enroll a few people and no one really gets to use this plan then of course it isn't anything.

[David Zephyr]

56. Gignormous K&R for Dr. Dean.

I love this guy.

[midnight armadillo]

59. let's just come out and say it...Dean 2012!

If Obama can't reform health care, then it'll be time to get a doctor in the White House.

[bklyncowgirl]

60. GOOD BOY HOWARD!

Catch the video at the end where Dean cuts the Newtster off at the knees. Gingrich raises fears about euthanasia, government bureaucrats getting in the way of people's treatment and deciding who will live and who will die.

Howard gets in the last word and it's a beauty, pointing out that as physicians he and his wife never had a medicare bureaucrat tell them what they could an couldn't do but they ran into that problem all the time with insurance companies. I believe his last words were "That is the system we have now and it's broken"

Newt did not look happy.