Why the Senate Should Vote Yes on Health Care, By JOE BIDEN

[jefferson_dem]

Why the Senate Should Vote Yes on Health Care
By JOE BIDEN
Washington

IF I were still a United States senator, I would not only vote yes on the current health care reform bill, I would do so with the sure knowledge that I was casting one of the most historic votes of my 36 years in the Senate. I would vote yes knowing that the bill represents the culmination of a struggle begun by Theodore Roosevelt nearly a century ago to make health care reform a reality. And while it does not contain every measure President Obama and I wanted, I would vote yes for this bill certain that it includes the fundamental, essential change that opponents of reform have resisted for generations.

We have been here before. In the past, as the moment of decision drew nearer, criticism from both the left and the right grew louder. Compromises were derided. The perfect became the enemy of the good.

Most recently, in 1993, Democrats had a chance to forge a compromise with Senator John Chafee, Republican of Rhode Island, on a health care reform bill. Congress’s failure to pass health care reform that year led to 16 years of inaction — and 16 years of exploding health care costs and rising numbers of uninsured Americans.

We can’t let that happen again. While it is not perfect, the bill pending in the Senate today is not just good enough — it is very good. Insurance companies will no longer be able to deny coverage to those with pre-existing conditions or drop coverage when people get sick. Charging exorbitant premiums based on sex, age or health status will be outlawed. Annual and lifetime caps on benefits will be history. Those who already have insurance will be able to keep it, and will gain peace of mind knowing they won’t be priced out of the market by skyrocketing premiums. And more than 30 million uninsured Americans will gain access to affordable health care coverage.

That is not all. President Obama and I know we have to put our fiscal house in order. This is why those who claim they oppose reform because they fear for our country’s fiscal stability should finally acknowledge what the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office makes crystal clear: not only is the Senate bill paid for, it is this country’s single largest deficit-reduction measure in a dozen years.

I share the frustration of other progressives that the Senate bill does not include a public option. But I’ve been around a long time, and I know that in Washington big changes never emerge in perfect form.

<SNIP>

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/20/opinion/20biden.html?_r=1&pagewanted=print

[ananda]

1. Historic is no excuse for voting for a very bad bill.

Besides, what does "historic" really represent here?

IMNSVHO, it represents the destruction of people and
the foundations of rights and liberties that so many
have worked so hard for.

[vaberella]

2. A bill that has yet to go to conference and that's all they're bloody trying to do with it. n/t

[Bodhi BloodWave]

4. people don't want to think about that next step, it hinders doom and gloom prophecies n/t

[vaberella]

6. I've noticed. It's the same people who did this to the Baucus bill which is NON-EXISTENT right now.

But they cried and cringed as though it was the final bill forced down our throat.

[DJ13]

3. I share the frustration of other progressives that the Senate bill does not include a public option.

Somehow, I doubt you're as frustrated as those people who now face being forced to buy private insurance without the check on rates a real PO would have provided Joe.

Seriously, you're a nice guy Joe but you havent faced making ends meet every month since the late 70's like many Americans do on a regular basis.

You're too insulated to care anymore.

[Laelth]

9. +1 n/t

Kill the bill.

Forcing people to buy insurance is no more the answer to a failed health care system than forcing people to buy houses is the solution to homelessness.

:dem:

-Laelth

[Zomby Woof]

5. Thank you Vice President Biden

[jonnyblitz]

11. change the word "thank" to "fuck" and i would agree with you. nt

[w4rma]

7. Well written and said, Vice President Biden. (nt)

[IndianaGreen]

8. Is it true Joe that the WH is going to push this bill thru the House without changes?

Tell us how you are going to protect women's reproductive rights that the bill is assaulting. I hope you do a better job than you did in protecting Anita Hill against that pervert Clarence Thomas during his confirmation hearings!

[katandmoon]

10. Put a sock in it, Joe, you fucking tool of the credit card industry.

[dflprincess]

14. That was pretty much my first thought as well

Biden voted for the bankruptcy bill - so we know how concerned he is with the working and middle classes.

[jeanpalmer]

12. He lost me

when he invoked Theodore Roosevelt. HCR has nothing to do with Teddy Roosevelt. This has to do with are we going to keep a bloated insurance system, that makes health care unaffordable, afloat? And the bill he is supporting keeps health care too costly, unaffordable for the average person.

I'm really disappointed in Biden. He's just doing the political thing. Shame on him. But, I didn't expect anything more from him. I can honestly say that.

[jillan]

13. I'm just going to assume that he is doing this for his boss.

:banghead:

[ProSense]

15. Why, because he supports the bill? n/t

[whirlygigspin]

16. Joe's doing it cause he's a team player

he'd eat a shit sandwich if he has to take one for the team.

I say Congrats to Rahm and Lieberman for making Americans continue to be treated like chattel; may you reap what will be sown by this.

[grytpype]

17. I am so sick of the crying, screaming libs on this board.

There are stupid people on the left as well as the right, and they are taking over here.

[jefferson_dem]

18. I abhor both extremes - the loony left and the nutjob right.

They are equally clueless.

[davidpdx]

19. A moment of silence for Joe Biden

thrown under the bus on DU.....

[HughMoran]

20. Hear! Hear!

thanks Joe!

[FrenchieCat]

21. Folks are going to be pleasantly suprised, when they finally read the bill.

Till then...Go Joe!