*PUBLIC OPTION* is about to become a reality -- join the fight, and never give up!

[thotzRthingz]

40 Senators (some say it will soon be 41) and 120 House members have spoken out thus far... they are in favor of a PUBLIC OPTION via reconciliation:

see: http://whipcongress.com

Please continue to CALL and EMAIL both of your Senators, your House Member, the Senate & House Majority Leaders (and Whips). If they've already spoken out, THANK THEM! If they've not yet made their position clear... SCOLD THEM (politely, of course), and then DEMAND that they support this!

On January 1st 2010... the number was ZERO... your CALLS & EMAILS really do make a difference! DO NOT relent, the FOR-PROFITS certainly aren't (they're continuing their "fear-mongering" and "misinformation" campaigns... running commercials and making ROBO CALLS in congressional districts where they think they can sway opposition in their favor).

*YES WE CAN* -- NO ONE else can do it, NO ONE else is going to do it... so, JUST DO IT (and never give up)!

[Oregone]

1. What public option?

Is it a sandbox without any lines so far? Is it a Medicare buy-in?


Or is it some anemic entity named "public option" to pacify their base and look like heoric legislators?

[librechik]

2. it's an insurance company run by the government that competes in the exchange with the private compa

You have to buy in w premiums. If you don't have enough money to pay your premium, you get a subsidy to make the payment. And (I hope) they can control the terms and negotiate for lower prices.

[PHIMG]

4. You think the insurance companies are going to allow that?

If they can manage to keep the public option out of the bill as they have with all this attention focused on it why don't you think they'll be able to fly under the radar and get thier allies in congress to make the public option a dumping ground for the sick and an epitome of the right-wing myth that the government can do nothing right?

Public option is a joke. The only thing worth thinking about other than Medicare for All is a Medicare buy in, but NO VERSION of the public option is a simple medicare buy in because the Insurers have ensured that the Public Option was compromised down to nothing and that it would not wind up in the final bill.

A victor on the public option is not really a victory. The bill is the mandate. Mandated profits for big insurance and half a trillion per decade in subsidies for the evil insurers.

Don't be so naive, stop drinking the HCAN coolaid.

[librechik]

6. I was just answering the question. I have no idea if the Insurance Cos "Will Allow that"

because presumably they are bystanders as the Congress is voting on this thing, not them. Of course Medicare for all is better in every way. And I doubt we will get that anytime soon.

What I do know is I hate Mitch McConnell. And Mitch McConnell wants to stop this bill. So I am FOR THIS BILL. It's that simple. Oh, and 30 million folks get access to healthcare who didn't have it before. That alone is worth it, even though the Senate Bill sucks rotten ogre toes.

[PHIMG]

15. The doubt is the problem.

When they convince us we can't get anything done but what they suggest, that's what they win. The = the elite, the defenders of the status quo. When they can sell you the status quo and call it change and you just throw your shoulders up and say "oh this is the best we can do" then you never had a chance at winning.

This bullshit public option compromise came right from AHIP, call me a conspiracy theorist but I think time will show this to be the case. I can't say more becuase a fear of being sued, but think up the biggest names in the public option camp, follow the money and see how many Public Relation firms you trip over.

Public Option was a distraction from the rest of the bill which is a horrible, horrible bailout, bad public policy and bad politics. Corporate power can and does influence the progressive movement at least certain factions of it, and they steered the Democratic party to the public option.

This bill is going to be be Obama's NAFTA. It has alreayd driven labor farther from the Democratic party, a non uninteded consequence.

We need a voice to speak the truth about what how the D.C. system forced Obama to pass this bad bill and how we need to correct it with MEDICARE FOR ALL.

Believe it. Demand it. Win it. - Medicare for All.

[PHIMG]

3. Public Option = An option for 9 million people at best

The Public Option is a cruel joke.

I'd love to meet a Public Option supporter who can accurate describe the house version of the Public Option, let alone what it's likely to look like coming out of the Senate.

It's not very public, it's not a medicare buy in, it will be a dumping ground for the sick, it will not keep the insurers honest, and it probably won't be an option FOR YOU.

But it has distracted progressives from the defining aspect of this bill - the personal mandate and the massive transfer of public wealth to insurance companies without any meaningful cost controls.

Imagine how much closer we'd be to a real functional healthcare system if all this activism was expended on a real solution - Medicare for All.

[Political Heretic]

12. Actually at this point the PO would be whatever whoever introduced the measure wanted it to be.

There's no set definition on "public option" anymore, seeing as how what was proposed for one variant of SHCB wasn't included in the final bill.

So it could mean whatever...

[PHIMG]

20. My bet: An option for 2 million with a triggered sunset

[thotzRthingz]

5. I see that the naysayers are out in force... do NOT allow them to discourage you, simply IGNORE them

...meanwhile:

Who are AMERICAN'S MOST WANTED (for BREACH OF CONTRACT, FRAUD, MANSLAUGHTER, MONEY LAUNDERING)?

* Stephen Hemsley: United Health CEO
* Mark T. Bertolini: Aetna CEO
* Angela Braly: WellPoint CEO
* David Cordani: CIGNA CEO
* Karen Ignagni: AHIP CEO
* Michael McCallister: Humana CEO

Click here to see their proposed indictments: http://truemajority.org/wanted/index.php and to add your own story and MOST WANTED to this list!

[thotzRthingz]

8. There *are* 50 votes (very likely more IMO), in the Senate, to pass the PUBLIC OPTION...

Bernie Sanders (I-VT) is saying that the Senate has a majority for a public option–in direct contradiction to claims by President Obama. From TPM:

Sanders said he thinks Democrats have 50 votes in the Senate to pass a bill “certainly to include a public option.” It was a bit of good news for progressives, who have turned their attention to using reconciliation in the Senate to bolster a reform bill with the addition of a public option.

Last week, Obama met with House progressives, and blamed demise of the public option on the lack of votes in the Senate. Of course, I don’t know how Obama came to the conclusion the public option could not get fifty votes in the Senate through reconciliation, since every indication is that he never once whipped for it, or even politely asked a single senator to please support the idea. If the public option lacks 50 votes in the Senate, it probably does in no small part to the Obama administration’s constant signals that he did not really care about it and was more than prepared to give it up for fig leaves like triggers and co-ops.

Who is right–Sanders or Obama? The PCCC now has a total of 41 senators on record supporting the public option through reconciliation. Only 9 short of fulfilling a major health care promise Obama made to his supporters throughout the 2008 campaign.

One would hope that, if Democrats use reconciliation, the Democratic leadership will not try to stop a public option amendment when it does come up for an up-or-down vote, so we can know which senators stand with the American people, and which are fighting to protect the private insurance industry.

- source: http://fdlaction.firedoglake.com/2010/03/10/bernie-sanders-contradicts-obama-says-senate-does-have-50-votes-for-public-option/

[thotzRthingz]

10. ever seriously wonder WHY THE FOR-PROFITS FEAR A *PUBLIC OPTION* ??? well, you can stop wondering:

The article is dated 11 March 2010. The NUMBERS in the opening paragraphs are NOT up-to-date (intentionally so?)... but the ensuing FACT is spot on!. Here's the relevant excerpt:

Since September 2008, the government has infused billions into an insurer that provides coverage for cars, homes and business assets. Once this insurer got government funding, it began slashing premiums for many of the insurance policies it sells. Its private-sector competitors have cried foul, but new customers keep signing up.

- source: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0310/34211.html

[thotzRthingz]

14. bump (n/t)

[janet118]

7. Especially people who live in Virginia and West Virginia . . .

which have a total of four "undeclared" Senators re the Public Option. Also there's Tom Harkin - what's with that? And Jay f@*%ing Rockefeller? Just when you think you can get rid of the Blue Dogs by going to reconciliation . . . a new group of so-called Democrats starts acting coy. It's like herding snakes to get these slimeballs to do anything that doesn't suck.

[thotzRthingz]

9. although VA's -Webb-Warner-Nye have not recently disclosed their support for a PUBLIC OPTION

Senator Mark Warner has said, in the past, he would support it
ref: http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/08/warner-ill-vote-for-public-option-if-health-care-reform-legislation-contains-costs.php

Senator Jim Webb has been more reserved, and so has Rep. Glenn Nye.

I continue to CALL and EMAIL them all ... let's git-r-done!

[Political Heretic]

11. Brace yourselves for a crushing defeat.

I really think you're getting ahead of yourselves emotionally on this, setting yourself of for massive disappointment.

I'm glad for every senator that comes out saying they'd support PO through reconciliation. However, if we don't have 60 votes to bust the "point of order" with the parliamentarian, it doesn't matter. If no one will step up and introduce the measure, it doesn't matter. The fact that leadership has made it absolutely fucking clear that they do not want the public option, is of pretty big concern.

It's not like massive support for a public option is new, and politicians are now feeling the pressure. The public option has ALWAYS been the most popular part of health care discussion with the people.

People hate the health care bill (though I hear the gap is narrowing now) but overwhelmingly want a public option. What does that tell you, that once again Washington does not give a fuck about the will of the people, but only the will of their fucking masters.


Now..... having said all that, I was on the phone with Wyden's office today demanding he support a public option via reconciliation. Just don't get your hopes up.

[thotzRthingz]

13. I continually see people raising two points, when saying "it'll never happen" ... however:

1. The so-called BYRD rule, is an obstacle (!NOT! -- except as a HOPE on the part of REPUKES)

Byrd Himself Gives the Thumbs Up for Reconciliation
ref: http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2010/03/byrd-gives-the-thumbs-up-for-reconciliation/37094/

Well, there's that.. and least we forget:

2. the Senate parliamentarian makes the call, and so the PUBLIC OPTION via reconciliation is doomed:

What they seem to be missing (as ill-informed as they are)... is that the Senate parliamentarian is but an "advisor"

For if/when the REPUKES try blocking anything, via reconciliation, it will go something like this:

"Point of order!"

The VPOTUS is "the decider" (not the Senate parliamentarian) on such matters!
ref: http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2010/03/01/2215134.aspx

I wonder if the REPUKES--famous for their misinformation and ignorance of the FACTS--can recall who the VPOTUS is?

IOW: A "simple majority" (and not 60 votes) is all that will be required.

[Political Heretic]

17. You seemed to ignore a few points. And you are mistaken on this:

The VPOTHUS is not the "decider" on all points of order. In some cases, it takes 60 votes.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35651075/ns/politics-capitol_hill/

[Jefferson23]

16. Dodd signed on, and that took some doing. n/t

[yurbud]

18. k & r

[ShortnFiery]

19. Dream on. eom