I want single-payer, too.

[LuckyTheDog]

BUT... the problem with saying "it's single payer or nothing" is that our bluff would be called. I guarantee it.

I think we need to crack open the door as wide as we can, stick our foot in and never walk away, even if we don't get all the way inside. If it means putting up with a hybrid system for a while, so be it.

That is just how I feel.

[sharesunited]

1. Ask for it by the popular brand name Medicare for All.

That shifts the burden to opponents to explain that this is in fact single payer and to explain shy it is "bad."

Medicare is bad? Now that's a burden to carry off!

[rollingrock]

2. Universal Medicare

has a good ring to it.

[LuckyTheDog]

3. It's worth a try

But no ultimatums. Getting something is better than getting nothing.

[sharesunited]

10. I'm with You Lucky.

Get the nation to open the door and put your foot in.

Medicare is the model ya'll. Just keep fighting for the funding. And to properly fund existing Medicare whatever else happens.

[abumbyanyothername]

11. I am strong for single payer and think we should fight the fight but

perhaps we could push for dropping the eligibility age for medicare to 50, or 40 or 30.

[sharesunited]

16. Now You're Talking. When you get down to age zero then you are down age to a good zero care.

[pnwmom]

12. Their answer to that is that Medicare is close to bankruptcy.

That's why Obama has to push for cost cutting with any health care plan.

[dflprincess]

4. A hybrid system we could live with

something that expanded Medicare coverage in increments (like all uninsured people & their families become eligible immediately) then start phasing other groups in by age or need.

That we could all live with.

But, at least the House plan, is a long way from that. It's a plan that props up a failing system and forces most of us to continue to send money to the for profit insurers. The "public option" as written still includes large out of pocket expenses that will discourage people from getting treatment. They can tell us that all preventative care is covered, but what good does prevention do if you can't afford the follow up when the mammogram or pap smear comes back saying you need more work done?

Being told we're getting something when we're getting nothing - that I can't live with (though it appears I'll have to).

[Andy823]

5. I agree.

As long as we can get some of the major points taken care of it would be wise to get a "hybrid" system, and then go after a single payer later on in Obama's second term. I think if the democrats play their cards right, and the republicans keep on saying "NO, NO, NO" to everything Obama wants, it will help get more democrats in congress which "should" help Obama get a better system in his last term in office!

[Stinky The Clown]

6. I'm with you, Lucky

I want single payer and nothing less ans have been VERY vocal about and very vocal about the shortcoming of DC dems of all level in allowing it into the debate.

That said, a significant move forward is an acceptable first step - and maybe the only first step possible.

This does not diminish my disappointment in the tactics employed at ALL LEVELS of our democratic hold on power.

[John Q. Citizen]

7. Problem is HR3200 is subsidizing the insurance companies and no public pool. The

CBO says that by 2019 what they are trying to call a public pool will only have 10 million people in it tops.

That means about a trillion in tax payer subsidies for the insurance industry and mandatory purchase of private insurance.

That won't lead to anything except stronger richer insurance companies.

Check out the health insurance companies stock prices. They are doing well. The reason? Investors who make it thier job to know see that this is a massive givaway to private insurance. It's the Massachusetts plan on a national scale. It's Romney Care.

It's also why the insurance industry worked side by side with congress to get this done. Just like in MA.

This is the plan for people who never want single payer ever.

Check it out yourself.

[RC]

8. Why isn't anyone going after the insurance companies for

profit taking, fraud, misappropriation of funds?
And the non-profits for not plowing their profits back into the operation of the business by funding junkets, bonuses, and excessive salaries for upper management. I think things are bad enough RICO can and should be invoked.
Those are premium dollars they are using to buy our Congress.
Those are our premium dollars they are using to disseminate propaganda and outright lies to keep their profit train going at the expense of the very lives of their customers and ex customers.

[enlightenment]

9. Because a nice part of all that money they're raking in

goes into the pockets of our politicians.

It's called a political machine and it seems to be the only 'industry' that's working perfectly in this country.
The more things change, the more they stay the same.


"Who Stole the People's Money?"




"The Bosses of the Senate"

[Maru Kitteh]

13. I agree.

[HughMoran]

14. I agree, nobody here doesn't WANT single payer

AND I want whatever we can get.

[leftstreet]

15. Let them call our 'bluff'

Better to let people stay angry about this than mollify us with a bs plan that won't help.