Anyone hear Howard Dean on Countdown tonight explaining how HCR could be done without a mandate?

[NNN0LHI]

Paraphrasing here because what he said didn't make a lot of sense to me. First he said something about if someone decides to opt out of coverage that should be OK but they have to sign something that says they don't get any benefits if they get hurt or sick. I think thats what he said? Is that what he said? I don't think he means people who opt out wouldn't receive life saving medical care when they need it. Because that can't be. Can it? And I don't think there was any mention of who was going to have to pay for that medical care for those who opted out. Was there?

Then he started talking about young men having their motorcycles repossessed and he lost me.

Anyone see that tonight and can explain what Howard Dean was trying to say?

Don

[Davis_X_Machina]

1. I love Howard...

...just this side of idolatry, but there are times when Howard Dean doesn't know what Howard Dean was trying to say.

[NNN0LHI]

2. I take it you seen him on Countdown tonight?

Not one of his better moments was it?

Don

[Davis_X_Machina]

4. He's been known to speak in advance of his think...

...or think behind his speak, for a long time. On the stump in early '03 he was often.... interesting, but no one was covering him yet.

(Disclosure: I was a small-time contributor to his gubernatorial and presidential (and Bernie's House) campaigns going way back. The northern New England Democratic community is pretty small, and in those days in NH it was pretty vestigial, so Mainers and Vermonters helped each other out a lot.)

[Motown_Johnny]

7. or scream in front of his think.....

[Davis_X_Machina]

9. 'Tis a warm-hearted failing...

...and of a great man' the Irish will tell you.

[TheWraith]

3. Okay, short version.

If I followed correctly, he was saying that the way to achieve universal coverage without a mandate, and without exclusion for pre-existing conditions, is to have a waiting period where people would have to pay for their own care if they signed up after getting sick. And then saying basically that Vermont's universal coverage for kids, without a mandate, has 96% coverage, and MA's universal plan, with a mandate, has 96% coverage, so you can do it with or without a mandate and it basically doesn't matter. And that almost everyone who can afford coverage, including young people, will sign up because they know it's worth it to be covered in an emergency.

[NNN0LHI]

10. Well there is the problem right there. If that is the short version we are fucked

This has to put into short concise talking points like, "They are coming for Grandma!", or we are wasting our time. Majority of people are never going to sit down and read and understand what you just wrote. Even though what you said is true that doesn't matter.

This has to be explained to people like we are dealing with 3-year olds. Just like the Republicans do or it won't work.

Don

[Hoyt]

5. I think he was trying to say all would not be lost if the mandate were deemed unconstitutional.

But, he got a little strange with the Harley references and stuff. He was smiling so much tonight, I think he'd sampled some medicinal pot before appearing.

He did say that if someone decides not to purchase health insurance they'd be out of luck if they got sick or had an accident. But, we both know that wouldn't last long -- stupidity is not a reason to be condemned to death or sickness (in most cases, any way).

I don't see any real way around a mandate as long as those who really can't afford it get adequate subsidies. Single payer would have been nice, but that chance is long gone. A public option though could be in the cards -- heck, even the so-called Catfood Commission recommends that.

It was interesting to see that the judge who ruled today is a part-owner in a company that lobbied against health care reform.

[stray cat]

6. You opt out you pay is what he said

If you can't pay - they take everything you own and I guess than the rest of us take responsibility for paying your bill

[msongs]

8. that's how it is now via the emergency room nt

[SugarShack]

11. What he was saying in regard to reposessed vehicles was

that if you don't have insurance, and you are hurt, you will be treated and get a bill. If you don't pay it..they start repossessing your belongings. If you pay into the system, then you will not have that happen. It was a very scarey mean tactic. Scare people into buying it. Or don't ever get hurt or sick!

[madfloridian]

12. What a misleading post and equally misleading comments!! Video.

Here's the video, make your own decision.

He has always said the mandate was not necessary.

He was presenting facts not scare tactics...good grief!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRNZkvGFGBA