Waiting to see how the Republicans spin this as a win for them

[BeatleBoot]

And a defeat for Democrats

So disappointing.

[madrchsod]

1. now what happened?

[virgogal]

2. Of course they will. Ain't politics wonderful? :- (

[mediaman007]

3. If it is true that Medicare is being lowered to age 55, the Republicans

are not going to be crowing too much. This was the best option all along. Open Medicare to all Americans!

[BeatleBoot]

4. Open it up to all Americans, yes

Not just those 55 and older.

[Oregone]

9. "foot in the door", "gotta start somewhere", "don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good"

Look, its expanding a popular, established socialistic insurance entity towards the single-payer goal. It will have a direct impact on everyone (even those under 55 whose risk pools just got cheaper to cover). It also adds in another segment of the population that will become avid supporters and fans of Medicare. Real momentum could be built here.

[BeatleBoot]

12. "even those under 55 whose risk pools just got cheaper to cover"

You're kidding right?

The insurance companies are going to lower rates because their costs were lowered?

The insurance companies are going to pass their savings down to their customers?

:rofl:

I live on planet Earth.

I love reality!

[Oregone]

15. The better alternative is just to eliminate the fuckers

And if Congress is too chickenshit to do it at once, then they can do it a little at a time for all I care. This is a way.

[cliffordu]

17. Yep. Excellent post.

[Oregone]

5. I agree

Too bad the Democrats built an ignorant army of followers that pledged their devotion to watered-down & usless "public option"; these people wont take the change too kindly.

Itd definitely be an incremental reform that leaves much of the system in place, but establishes a great pathway to improvement.

[FailingParachute]

6. Limited buy-in

It's another joke.

Please folks, stop trying to believe in chicken salad.

You just got handed a chicken shit sandwich - the first of many.

It's an even bigger fraud than I originally thought, and that is quite a chasm to jump over.

The "conditions" that are going to be attached to this buy-in are going to be laughable.

Don't believe me?

Do you see any insurance companies outraged??

Didn't think so.

They got EVERYTHING they wanted - you got shit.

[Oregone]

10. "The "conditions" that are going to be attached"

That is yet to be seen. I don't doubt it, but its yet to be seen. Don't shit on the idea so fast. Even the public option idea was great to start with, before the politicians touched it.

[dysfunctional press]

14. not to mention the buy-in cost.

it'll probably be A LOT higher than the approximately $100/month that seniors and the disabled pay currently.

[gateley]

7. And Bernie Sanders said he's heard they may broaden Medicaid, which would

be even less to crow about (if that happens).

[RKP5637]

11. I agree. Healthcare should be healthcare. The best solution would have been

to start off with Medicare as an option open to all in fact. Of course in the US what is the best solution often does not occur unless it happens to coincide with those out to make big bucks off someone or some group.

55 is nice, but the country should have national healthcare like most enlightened countries that "really care" about people.

An extreme capitalistic county like the US is now has created a lot of cutthroats out for a dollar at any cost to people.

I consider the US backward in many areas, so I guess some progress pleases me, but it's certainly not optimal.

USA, Inc. sucks!!!

[dysfunctional press]

13. shouldn't you hold your enthusiasm until they say what the buy-in cost would be...?

seniors and disabled persons like myself pay about $100/month for our 80% coverage, but i'm guessing that the 'buy-in' costs for the under-65's will be significantly higher.

[cynatnite]

8. They've always said that killing the public option was their #1 goal. n/t

[timeforpeace]

16. Now you're assuming this will pass? Still think you know which shell the pea is under?