C-SPAN 3 was running LIVE coverage of health care discussions today . ..

[defendandprotect]

you might catch it overnight --

I couldn't pay full attention to it --

Dodd was sitting in for Ted Kennedy --

And, as usual, we're entertaining endless GOP amendments/discussion --
Actually, I'd like to see it move along faster but glad to hear what's on the GOP's mind.

Sen. Bernie Sanders, of course, makes the most sense -- and was pointing out that GOP will
frequently point to Medicare/Medicaid fraud. I've noticed that many people think that it's
other people who rip off Medicare. Actually, it's not --
Bernie pointed out that ALL PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES have been fined hundreds of millions
of dollars for purposeful defrauding of Medicare/Medicaid. And that HOSPITALS AND OTHER
HEALTH CARE FACILITIES have also been fined hundreds of millions of dollars for purposeful
fraud.

Americans are paying $128 BILLION a year for insurance coverage -- but that's only half of it.

And it's still based on DENYING health care and payments.

An estimated 36% of physican's overhead --

I think it was Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse of RI who said he recently visited a health care center
in RI where they had to hire a private contractor for $300,000 a year just to keep up how to
deal with the insurance system. PLUS 50% of their time is involved in fighting with insurance
companies.

Menawhile, it still seems that Medicare's administrative costs are 3% . . .
and 6% of its costs are due to fraud by corporations.

Meanwhile, most private health care insurance reflects a 12% to 27% administrative cost.
Actually, I'd much doubt the lower figure as I understand from other information sources --
Schultz, for one . . . that there are many ways to make these figures look lower while
the methods of corruption/fraud continue to grow.

OK -- hopefully I didn't get too much wrong --

and Vermont and Rhode Island can be proud of their Senators!!!

Hope someone else tunes in as I'm sure I missed a lot.

[demodonkey]

1. I've never met Sanders but Whitehouse is GREAT in person...

Sheldon Whitehouse met with one of my election integrity groups in PA last summer. I told them to expect 15 minutes or less from a sitting Senator -- he stayed about an hour and a half!!

Sheldon Whitehouse totally gets it about the dangers of bad voting machines and bad election practices too. Look for him to do good work to protect our elections when the time comes in the US Senate.

[cutlassmama]

2. this all sounds about right. Too bad the sheeple don't listen to any of this

[Catshrink]

3. Thanks

[JimWis]

4. I have watched most of it for weeks. It was on almost every day

for a couple of weeks, prior to the July 4th break. Now they are back at it. Very interesting. I had it on and listened and watched what I could and if at the computer, I opened it on the live stream on c-span web site. They usually had it repeated again at night, as they did today. Since there are more Democrats on the committee, a great majority of the Republican amendments have been voted down. Except for a few which made sense. Bernie Sanders always has good things to say. Hard facts. He is of course a single payer advocate for the most part. It will get more interesting when they get into the public option portion. They are taking on one section at a time.

[defendandprotect]

6. Throw in a report ever now and then . . . a recap of anything interesting . . .

[bobbolink]

5. Thanks so much for reporting! ^_^ I'm upset that pnhp et al didn't do more to educate these

last few years.

If a majority of the population understood all of this... and it's been known by pnhp for years, we would be much better prepared for this fight!

[slipslidingaway]

8. I think their staff is fairly small and the people they are fighting

have all those health care profits to spend, also many of the names listed still practice medicine.

http://pnhp.org/about/about_pnhp.php

I wish we had more people in Congress fighting for a single-payer, not for profit system.

[bobbolink]

9. They've had YEARS to develop a strategery, and could have had a lot of VOLUNTEER support.

They talked amongst themselves.

I was close enough to see what was happening, and some of us tried to talk about developing an educational strategy.

[slipslidingaway]

10. You seem to know a lot about what they did and did not do...

how were you involved with the organization if you do not mind my asking.

[bobbolink]

11. Is this another snark from you?

You seem to not like what I have to contribute to DU.

I will again suggest to you that you put me on ignore so that you're not subjected to what I say that bothers you.

From previous experience with you, I'm guessing that you can't wait to have the last critical word, so have at it, if that is what gives you reason to get up in the morning.

Have a fine day.

Goodbye.

[slipslidingaway]

12. Fair question after your comments about PNHP...

"I'm upset that pnhp et al didn't do more to educate these last few years.

If a majority of the population understood all of this... and it's been known by pnhp for years, we would be much better prepared for this fight!


They've had YEARS to develop a strategery, and could have had a lot of VOLUNTEER support.

They talked amongst themselves.

I was close enough to see what was happening, and some of us tried to talk about developing an educational strategy."


I love how people make derogatory comments and then, when questioned, go on the attack.

:crazy:


CBO scored single-payer in the early 1990's, the Dems have had years to make their case to the American people.


Where are the Democratic leaders on this issue... educating their constituents and gathering support??? Or telling us that we have to continue to allow the for profit companies to deny care, we do not have the votes, it would never pass etc.

And that other thread when you stated that I was not concerned about the poor...because I want everyone to have health care and Not be separated by a dollar sign in order to gain treatment???

:crazy:

[bobbolink]

13. What is your experience with the Democratic party? Have you worked for the party?

What was your paid position?

You see, you can tell from looking that something is wrong..... right?

I don't give ANY personal information on DU, having been stalked in a very scary manner by another person who chose to take exception to everything I said. I won't make that mistake again! So, you want my personal information, you go first.

Tell ya what... you show ME what PNHP did to educate the population of this country about single payer. You show me how they disseminated all the information that is necessary to make the decision we are now confronted with.

You show how PNHP did all they could to prepare for this battle for the hearts and minds of the public.

And, you may notice that YOU'RE the only one who seems to follow me from thread to thread, objecting to everything I say. You may notice that the OP didn't take exception to what I said. You may want to reread the rules, and notice that stalking IS against the rules.

[slipslidingaway]

14. Bye...

:crazy:

[bobbolink]

15. You can't respond to very reasonal logical statements, so you call ME crazy???

Gotta love those Palin tactics!!!

So long, and don't forget to put me on ignore and save us both the ridiculous crap!

Ta Ta... and no, I don't call people names, so I won't respond in kind. That's your style, not mine.

[slipslidingaway]

7. Thanks n/t