President Obama's presser on the Public Option
By John Amato Tuesday Jun 23, 2009 3:45pm
During today's presser, President Obama was asked several times about his support for the public option. He rebuffed the health care industry's talking point that a public plan would put them out of business.
Q: Won't that drive private insurers out of business?
THE PRESIDENT: Why would it drive private insurers out of business? If private insurers say that the marketplace provides the best quality healthcare, if they tell us that they're offering a good deal, then why is it that the government -- which they say can't run anything -- suddenly is going to drive them out of business? That's not logical.
President Obama is still being vague about his overall support for the public option, but then gives ample information about how strong it would be. It's like he's holding out hope that a deal will be struck in Congress without pressure from him to demand the public option out right. But that's not going to work in the end. As we've seen, senators with small populations and health care monopolies are hijacking the debate and denouncing a public option. And it's coming from members of his own party. Republicans and the Health Care Industrial Complex only want to muddy up the waters with talking points while they kill off all attempts at real competition and a real health care system that helps the American people finally get quality, affordable health care instead of enabling CEOs to purchase new villas and vacation homes while the rest of America suffers.
The President: Now, if it turns out that the public plan, for example, is able to reduce administrative costs significantly, then you know what? I'd like insurance companies to take note and say, hey, if the public plan can do that, why can't we? And that's good for everybody in the system. And I don't think there should be any objection to that.
Full transcript below the fold via The LA Times.
Now, the public plan I think is a important tool to discipline insurance companies. What we've said is, under our proposal, let's have a system the same way that federal employees do, same way that members of Congress do, where -- we call it an "exchange," or you can call it a "marketplace" -- where essentially you've got a whole bunch of different plans.
If you like your plan and you like your doctor, you won't have to do a thing. You keep your plan. You keep your doctor. If your employer is providing you good health insurance, terrific, we're not going to mess with it.
But if you're a small-business person, if the insurance that's being offered is something you can't afford, if you want to shop for a better price, then you can go to this exchange, this marketplace, and you can look: OK, this is how much this plan costs, this is how much that plan costs, this is what the coverage is like, this is what fits for my family. As one of those options, for us to be able to say, here's a public option that's not profit-driven, that can keep down administrative costs and that provides you good, quality care for a reasonable price -- as one of the options for you to choose, I think that makes sense.
Q Won't that drive private insurers out of business?
THE PRESIDENT: Why would it drive private insurers out of business? If private insurers say that the marketplace provides the best quality healthcare, if they tell us that they're offering a good deal, then why is it that the government -- which they say can't run anything -- suddenly is going to drive them out of business? That's not logical.
Now, I think that there's going to be some healthy debates in Congress about the shape that this takes. I think there can be some legitimate concerns on the part of private insurers that if any public plan is simply being subsidized by taxpayers endlessly, that over time they can't compete with the government just printing money.
So there are going to be some I think legitimate debates to be had about how this private plan takes shape. But just conceptually, the notion that all these insurance companies who say they're giving consumers the best possible deal, that they can't compete against a public plan as one option, with consumers making the decision what's the best deal. That defies logic, which is why I think you've seen in the polling data overwhelming support for a public plan. All right?
THE PRESIDENT: I answered the question, Chuck, which is that we don't yet know how this is going to play out. Jake Tapper.
Q Thank you, Mr. President. Before I ask my question, I'm wondering if you could actually answer David's. Is the public plan non-negotiable?
THE PRESIDENT: That's your question. (Laughter.)
Q Well, you didn't answer --
THE PRESIDENT: You think you're going to -- are you the ombudsman for the White House press corps? (Laughter.) What's your -- is that your question? (Laughter.)
Q Then I have a two-part question. (Laughter.) Is the public plan non-negotiable? And while I appreciate your Spock-like language about the logic of the healthcare plan, the public plan, it does seem logical to a lot of people that if the government is offering a cheaper healthcare plan, then lots of employers will want to have their employees covered by that cheaper plan, which will not have to be for profit, unlike private plans, and may possibly benefit from some government subsidies, who knows.
And then their employees would be signed up for this public plan, which would violate what you're promising the American people, that they will not have to change healthcare plans if they like the plan they have.
THE PRESIDENT: I got you. You're pitching, I'm catching. I got the question. First of all, was the reference to Spock -- is that a crack on my ears? (Laughter.) All right, I just want to make sure. No?
Q I would never make fun of your ears, sir. (Laughter.)
THE PRESIDENT: In answer to David's question, which you co-opted, we are still early in this process, so we have not drawn lines in the sand other than that reform has to control costs and that it has to provide relief to people who don't have health insurance or are underinsured. Those are the broad parameters that we've discussed.
There are a whole host of other issues where ultimately I may have a strong opinion, and I will express those to members of Congress as this is shaping up. It's too early to say that. Right now I will say that our position is that a public plan makes sense.
Now, let me go to the broader question you made about the public plan. As I said before, I think that there is a legitimate concern if the public plan was simply eating off the taxpayer trough, that it would be hard for private insurers to complete.
If, on the other hand, the public plan is structured in such a way where they've got to collect premiums and they've got to provide good services, then if what the insurance companies are saying is true, that they're doing their best to serve their customers, that they're in the business of keeping people well and giving them security when they get sick, they should be able to compete.
Now, if it turns out that the public plan, for example, is able to reduce administrative costs significantly, then you know what? I'd like insurance companies to take note and say, hey, if the public plan can do that, why can't we? And that's good for everybody in the system. And I don't think there should be any objection to that.
Now, by the way, I should point out that part of the reform that we've suggested is that if you want to be a private insurer as part of the exchange, as part of this marketplace, this menu of options that people can choose from, we're going to have some different rules for all insurance companies -- one of them being that you can't preclude people from getting health insurance because of a pre-existing condition, you can't cherry pick and just take the healthiest people.
So there are going to be some ground rules that are going to apply to all insurance companies, because I think the American people understand that, too often, insurance companies have been spending more time thinking about how to take premiums and then avoid providing people coverage than they have been thinking about how can we make sure that insurance is there, healthcare is there when families need it.
But I'm confident that if -- I take those advocates of the free market to heart when they say that the free market is innovative and is going to compete on service and is going to compete on their ability to deliver good care to families. And if that's the case then this just becomes one more option. If it's not the case then I think that that's something that the American people should know.
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When you start with the compromise position, what do you fall back to?
HR 676 single payer should be the starting point.
The 'Public Option' should have been the last fall back position.
I am with you on single payer.
!
I must admit that what I just heard from Obama does give me a slight bit of hope. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt that he may have a method to his administrative madness....
But the cynic in me is slapping my face saying, "Snap out of it!!!"
I was really annoyed with him at first but now I see how he's getting his way with good old fashioned logic and rhetoric. He will force the other side to paint themselves into a corner by actually saying things that make sense when he knows that their argument is crap. This public option will quickly lead to single payer because no one wants to be on those stupid private insurance plans anymore. I'm seeing Obama's brilliance!
I'm with all of you on that single payer thing. I feel whoever it is that's seeking for and receiving these services should be the single individual paying for it. Whether it be tattoos or treatment for VD which is so badly needed in predominately Democrat voting areas.
In all seriousness, in order to have a VD you must have sexual intercourse with another human being. So at least that rash in your nether regions is not the clap... you should still have it checked though.
LOL.
you just got served by Tyler Durden son!
I have faith in Obama. Gradual change is slow but it'll win more support and more and more people will see the light about universal health care
Exactly. I think just coming out and saying "Single Payer" would make everyone go crazy.
It's like telling a cranky kid, "we're just going to take a ride".
Once you're at the dentist he pretty much has to accept it...
Period.
Think of it as a transition period.
Don't give up on single payer. This transition phase will lead to a tipping point.
1. Roll Medicare, Medicaid, Veterans, and SCHIP into one national health program.
2. Put all Federal Government employees on that plan. (We're already up to around 50 million people, giving the program significant market-share bargaining power.)
3. Put in place non-partisan RATING AGENCY, staffed by DOCTORS, that rates health insurance programs by cost and efficacy, making it easy for CONSUMERS TO MAKE AN INFORMED CHOICE. (Who could object to that, and on what grounds?)
4. Introduce CLARITY OF LANGUAGE legislation that forces HMOs to make it VERY CLEAR what they do and don't cover.
5. Make it illegal to refuse people with pre-existing conditions. (You can't refuse sick clients. You can only charge them more for coverage.)
6. Make a law that everybody has to have adequate health coverage.
7. DROP THE LAW THAT FORCES EMPLOYERS TO PROVIDE IT. (It places American business at a competitive disadvantage.)
Once consumers are forced to buy health insurance, and are given access to accurate and clear information about what plan is the best, they'll flock to the public option given that it's non-profit and therefore cheaper, and provided the government doesn't make a mess of it.
That will be the tipping point where about 80% of citizens will go for the public plan, and the private plans will end up being relegated to providing bonus services, rather than basic ones.
Sounds logical, but there is a big problem with your theory. The health insurance companies already have these Senators in their pocket so there will never be any REAL competition. The system will be rigged to favor private insurance companies.
How many Americans were duped into Adjustable Rate Mortgages, only latter to find out that their mortgage was going to double? The insurance companies will do all that they can to confuse people.
It is a guarantee that the system will be rigged to give private insurance companies a huge advantage. Remember how the gov't can't negotiate drug prices with drug companies. We are the biggest customer, but we couldn't use that power to negotiate lower prices.
Single payer is the only way to go.
It is a failed non-starter.
Single-payer is the ONLY sane way to change the system. It is the most liberal socially and conservative fiscally.
But you will have to snatch the Big Money from Obama (and the rest of Congress' hands).
Congress only has 2 exceptions: Kucinich and Paul.
I do like how the President described the opposition to the public option plan. If the private plans are so good why are they so afraid of being abandoned by millions if the public option is out there?
If Capitalism is so good than... why are you scared?
BTW - Works with the entire Cold War Domino Theory. If Democracy was so great and Communism so bad ...why did the US have fight it wherever it popped up lest it grow like a toxic mold?
One Word - Corporate Money.
(oops! that was 2 words)
I agree - We want the option; and we want government ownership - it's much preferred over capitalism.
Better watch what you're saying!!!
It has a hint of...gasp!!!...Marxism to it!!!
**Regarding Karl Marx: Karl Marx, radical thinker geared his mind for the advancement of humanity with the liberation of the working-class from the exploitation of the capitalist plutocracy. History has proven him correct. Look at the world today and you will see his dire predictions validated. He advocated public ownership of the economy, regulated by popular rule through Pure Democracy. Not a totalitarian state whatsoever.
Just sayin'.
... is that all his observations regarding the shortcomings of capitalism have been proven correct, mostly due to the implementation of multiple Vienna School theories which were devised almost specifically to prove Marx wrong.
Talk about self fulfilling prophecy.
It is time to evolve, this whole savage capitalism BS is getting boring...
It's like this. Interests in countries threatened by communist takeovers were threatened. Valuable interests, understand? Like oilfields and the like. Where billions of dollars of capital were invested to develop these interests, see? And here the communists come to just take them all over, see? Just like General Motors, and Greisler, and all the banks here have recently, see?
Why are you conflating expropriation with crony capitalism?
That is completely absurd.
In expropriation, interests, likely stolen in the first place are stolen back. It is all a messy business.
What we have in this country is crony capitalism and incipient neo-feudalism.
Are you liking it so far?
The Fat Cats run amuck, when they go bust, they get their cronies in the government to give them tons of money.
It is win-win for them, lose-lose for the ordinary citizens.
Who or what is Greisler?
1. Right now America pays the most for healthcare, but, by any measurable standard we don't receive anywhere near the best healthcare. That right there should be enough to silence the shrill defenders of the 'free market' and call for massive regulation.
2. The private for-profit health insurance industry isn't actually concerned with providing healthcare to its customers. The business model for the health insurance industry is clearly to sell as much insurance as possible, BUT to pay for as little healthcare as possible. How does that serve the public?
Now I know some folks argue that healthcare isn't a right, and I'm sympathetic to that argument. However a society that doesn't confer upon the members of that society, the benefits of that society is a failing society. America should provide healthcare for its citizens not because its a right, but because it makes us better as a country in numerous ways.
Your comment about funky health care is right on. We DO NOT get the best health care in the world as the congress assholes like to tell us. They may get the best health care in the world but the general public in this country gets crap. The statistics are staggering. This is a story that needs to be told and make the "best health care in the world" jackasses get back in their hole.
What is the argument about why health care shouldn't be a right? Life+Liberty+Pursuit of happiness no? Health=life no? Maybe its all just pretty words.
My sole reason for saying healthcare isn't a right is because it comes from another person. If you think about it that way, what right do I have to have someone else service me? But as I said, thats only on the individual level. On the societal level, I still wouldn't elevate it to a right, but it just makes so much sense as to almost rise to the level of a right. After all, if the people of society don't enjoy the benefits of that society, then the society is a failure.
Also, as far as health=life that a little too broad for my way of thinking. By that reasoning, if anyone ever dies, the country has failed.
By God I was born here, see? And free health care should be my right. And it's going to be recognized as a right or we're going to the wall on this issue. It's high time we quit putting up with this shit where someone who has the money gets the liver transplant. Let them eat cake. POWER TO THE PEOPLE!!!!
Obviously you have no clue regarding the meaning nor the context of the term "let them eat cake."
... maybe you were too tired from pulling yourself by the bootstraps and dozed off?
Why do we work at all if its not to service each other and improve the quality of life within our society?
I've heard that same argument used recently, and it defies logic. A lot of other rights specifically described in the constitution require the participation of others. For example:
The Second Amendment provides me with the right to keep and bear arms. Doesn't that mean that someone has to make them, so that my right can be fulfilled?
The Seventh Amendment provides me with the right to counsel, but don't lawyers have to make themselves available to fulfill that right?
The Eighth Amendment provides me with the right to a jury trial, but aren't we then requiring that people serve on juries?
Indeed, the Constitution provides me with the right to vote. Does my vote just happen, or does the government have to enlist people to actually provide a mechanism for recording my vote?
I could go on and on but the point is clear. The "right" to healthcare isn't that different from the "right" to counsel, the "right" to vote, etc. Hell, anyone who's ever watched "Law and Order" knows that I have "the right to counsel, and that if I cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided to me." Insert "healthcare" instead of "counsel" and "doctor" instead of "attorney" and the point is pretty obvious.
Not me.
Personally, I think that our tax dollars are much better spent on taking care of America's sick, instead of killing and maiming the hundreds of thousands of innocent victims of our Empire.
But that is just me...
I agree. I find it disgusting how we have all the money in the world for bombs and guns and assassins but when it comes to feeding the poor or medicine for the sick suddenly we are broke. Disgusting. It makes me not want to have anymore children. Why should they suffer the idiocy of their fellow man?
Government Run Single Payer Is What The Public Wants!
Put these damned money sucking, health care denying, none caring, corrupt, sham health care providing insurance companies
our of business and give us a US Government efficiently run single payer Health Care System. The resnublicans keep screaming let the
private sector be involved. How lucky would you be if your lifetime Social Security Contributions were invested in the stock market, as Bushco wanted and you were retiring next month. Man you sure would be living LOW on the hog.
You selfish DEMOCRATIC Senators and Congressmen join together and give us a Government run Single Payer Medical Insurance Plan. Let the efficiently run Medicare System be your guide.
Please don't miss the opportunity to do the right thing!
These damn greedy, corporate, health-care lobbies always screw us; we elected this government to give us health care and a single payer..and after that, I also want to do something about government subsidies for home and car insurance.
Homes and cars are peoples own responsibility.
Health is a Right.
CIVIL RIGHT.
And the next new civil right should be free food! And we shouldn't stop here on new rights!! I'm thinking free beer and free refrigerated air conditioning should be a right!! And free steak!! Now that should be a right!!!
waffling members of congress, put them on ebay and try to buy them.
I'm pretty sure this one will come down to a brawl though. It damn well better, these bought out politicians are going to have to answer to me.
I may sacrifice myself here. Since everything I do turns to shit I may open up a health care insurance company. Then the single pay plan will happen. No doubt.
It's sorta like washin' the car to make it rain.....
They claim it's the BEST HEALTH CARE IN THE WORLD. Then people should WANT to pay for it. I agree. So Movie Stars and Baseball Players and Conservative Radio HATE SPEECH talkers, who all make over a million dollars a year SHOULD BE ABLE to get their facelifts and botox and oxycontin and steriods whenever they want it. And the great American Health Care System should provide the highest quality for these "cash on the barrel head sickies. It's like driving a PORSCHE just because YOU CAN.
The rest of us continue to drive Fords and Chevys and Hondas and Toyotas because they, also, get us from the front porch to the bar downtown... and they cost ONE TENTH THE PRICE.
Cept for the Oxycontin. That ain't bad if you can get it.
how urgent healthcare is to Americans (and I'm sure it is), why is NOBODY taking Obama to task for his continued warmongering Bushways in the Middle East? Do progressives and liberals in the US support this??? Really???
Suspected U.S. Strike Kills at Least 60 in Pakistan
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/24/world/asia/...
Has the world not had quite enough of the NeoCon killing of innocent people yet? Are Americans more than happy to support this, cuz it's a Dem and he gives great speeches, or in reality nobody really gives a damn? Oh but the outrage about Iran's supposed rigged elections, huh?
With "healthcare" legislation "on the table" there's just no room for a discussion of U.S. massacres in Pakistan (after all, their government DID accept our billions of dollars in military aid. Right? Right??)
No room for torture discussions....war crimes. OFF the table.
No multi-tasking here in the States Canuck.
Sorry chap.
Most of that money goes from employers and individuals through the health insurance to providers. As it passes through Anthem, Healthsource, Humana et al, they take a cut for administrative costs, overhead which includes outrageous salaries, bonuses and perks for the weasels at the top, and a very fat profit, and is paid out to providers who's prices and fees are equally obscene.
Insert a government plan and impose price controls on Pharma (no, you can't make 3000% profit on an thirty year old drug) remove the greed factor in the middle and health care becomes affordable - just like in Canada which ranks about 6th in life expectancy while the US ranks lower than Bosnia where citizens are treated like ducks in a shooting gallery.
The difference between Iran and the US. They take to the streets, we turn on American Idol.
How about this: Iranians take to the streets.
More and more Americans are living on them.
Don't for get the $30+ billion
spentwasted by doctors on administrative expenses incurred on behalf of private insurers in their attempts to deny payment for care.any better.
This is going to be the big test for Obama as far as I am concerned. If this health care deal is not solved satisfactorily for me and many many many many people he will be gone after his first term. This is his baby. If I can't get a better deal than I am getting right now for health care insurance and if I see people who get totally screwed by this then it's by by time for Obama.
You jokers who are reading this message who work for the administration would do well to pass this message to President O because I am not the only who feels this way. I know you read this stuff now go get it to the boss.
right on. If there is no single payer the Dems will lose my vote.
Info here.
This should have been the stupidest question, I heard in a long time. Are he is saying that no Employer have ever changed the insurance plans for their employers? For the last 8 years, with the same employer, I am already in to my third insurance plan - against my wishes. What a load of crap!.
May be, we should ask all of them who are against public or single payer option to hand over their current insurance coverage and experience the lives of 35 uninsured million Americans, who could not afford to see a doctor for a simple headache.
Whether it is a single payer, or public option, as some one mentioned here, health care reform, now Obama owns it. He can not afford to do nothing or do only little.
There are lot of expectations from the people. If he nails it, I don't see how a Repulican can come back to power for a long time. It is their interest not to make it happen, and that shows very clearly in their conduct so far in this debate.
Be happy that you have a job AND your employer gives you health insurance!!
{ Please do not post in all Caps or in all Bold lettering. It's yelling. Thank You. SiteMonitor}
Caps and bold? I wonder what he was yelling about. That is just wrong.
A good answer, really good. Now go fucking do it.
And I agree with the posters who favor a single payer. But keep in mind there are other good systems out there that use a combination of private and public options.
For those interested Singapore seems to have a good system.
http://econlog.econlib.org/archives/2008/01/s...
"For this reason, I will continue to work with my colleagues on a bipartisan basis to resolve the remaining issues that are hindering a comprehensive final proposal. A broad coalition is needed when addressing an issue as large as health care reform.
While, in general, I would prefer not to see a public plan option because of cost concerns and the possibility that it could potentially prevent the formation of the coalition that will be necessary to pass reform, I am very open to all ideas that have been laid on the table. I am hopeful that my colleagues on both sides of the aisle will come together to achieve meaningful health care reform that expands coverage, reduces costs, and improves the quality of care in our nation."
Sincerely,
Joseph I. Lieberman
UNITED STATES SENATOR
JIL:vdh
:-/
Lieberman....Hartford, Connecticut.
Hartford, Connecticut.....Insurance Capitol of the Planet.
Lather, rinse, repeat.
Lieberman is representing the Insurance Capital of the World. As is Dodd. If these guys DARE go up against Hartford and it's ilk you can stick a fork in. They are definitely DONE.
I would be flat-out flummoxed if either Dodd or Lieberman made even the slightest move against the insurance industry. We're talkin' major political suicide. (And I'm no fan of Lieberman!)
I myself would not stereotype their political futures on this single albeit important issue. The gut strategy is an excellent tool absent other facts. Now, Joe Blows, gotta go, though I'm just one vote. ;)
Dodd Supports a Public Option as Part of Health Care Reform;
[ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5V_hzO_pufo ]
(1:20/4:55)
Amended: I had talked to a few people in MA, that wasn't fond of "Romney championed a universal plan as governor." Living in the Berkshires, have you any opinions on Mr. Romney 's plan?
See: The Health-Care Debate (dated)
→ → →[ http://www.newsweek.com/id/94933 ]
My Rep.→[ http://courtney.house.gov/News/DocumentPrint.... ]
See:Click here to watch Congressman Joe Courtney address the House of Representatives and healthcare reform.
What Lieberman, many members of Congress, and the insurance companies want is so-called reform without a public option. Both the House and Senate are talking about mandated coverage for those without insurance with the government subsidizing the cost for those that can't afford it. If they there is not REAL competition from a public option, the insurance companies will suddenly have millions of new customers subsidized by the government. Cha Ching!!!
Straight up lies:
The U.S. has the best health care in the world.
Canadians hate their health care system.
Check this out. Click on Warnings and 5 day cone.
Numero Uno
"..if they tell us that they're offering a good deal, then why is it that the government -- which they say can't run anything -- suddenly is going to drive them out of business? That's not logical."
Oh sssssssssssssnap!
Let’s say congress compromises and comes up with some sort of health care plan. If you disagree with whatever they come up with, what exactly can you do about it? The only thing we as citizens can do is let our representatives and senators know what our positions are in advance. So if you haven’t already done so, then get off your ass and do it. The main objective here is to vote for change at every opportunity until we get a batch of politicians who care more about the people than a corporation’s bottom line. That’s how democracies work. In the meantime, continue to highlight the hypocrisy of the republicans until they become extinct, since they are the real problem, as usual.
I love the way the question is always posed thusly:
Do you want government controlled health care?
or
Patient controlled health care?
Problem is, you have to be a patient first.
US Government Medicare Health Care Plan words. Use it as the model when fashioning a Health Care Plan for all Americans.
Medical Insurance companies are: Profit seeking, health delivery denying, with conniving greedy bloodsucking executives guaranties
that the public will get minimal treatment and will have to fight tooth and nail for that
We're being asked to reject the public option on ideological grounds. Relying on ideology is easy, as well as lazy, because it relieves one from analyzing the data.
All of our allies have made it abundantly clear that their approaches are far cheaper, and deliver at least as good quality service, to everyone. But, that data, and data in general is off the table.
So is Medicare. Somehow, these politicians go on TV again and again disparaging socialism, and no mention of Medicare is ever made. Why aren't they out there disparaging Medicare, and seeking its abolition? Inquiring minds want to know. If Medicare isn't so bad, maybe it could run the public option? I would be happy to join and find out.
Of course financial ideology isn't limited to health care. We rely on ideology to tell us that free trade is a great thing, because the data, namely the trade deficits, as well as the loss of manufacturing show that it isn't working. The affect on the standard of living has been masked by massive government and private borrowing, but, that it going to come to an end.
I have a financial ideology - fiscal conservatism. That doesn't mean I don't want to buy things - it just means I don't want to pay more than necessary. In the case of health care, the single payer is the fiscally conservative choice because it would generate a net savings to society. But the fiscal conservatives have been displaced by the corporate welfare queens.
you are correct. If we spend the same aggregate amount on health care that we do now on a single payer system we could cover everyone. We can use the savings on administrative costs (some estimates have it at at $400 billion a year) to cover those without insurance.
Obama is trying to move slowly to single payer by using the public option as a stepping stone. Very bad move. You can bet the insurance industry will rig the system so that the public option is limited in how it can compete. We will not get true competition. Why you ask? If we had a fair competitive market, the insurance companies will lose. They can't get the administrative costs low enough to compete with the government. The government will not need to make a profit and pay CEO tens of millions of dollars a year.
We have decided that some things shouldn't have a profit motive. Fire protection, police protection, and social security. Health care should be in that group. It is right, not privilege for only some people to have with others making a profit from it.
The US does not really have a "health care system", we have a market where people can buy health insurance. If the market was perfect and the market was efficient, why do we pay twice as much for health care and get worse results? The insurance companies are not making health care more efficient in this country. So what is their role in this "system"? They are causing inefficient and waste. That is the exact opposite of what a perfect market does. We don't need the health insurance companies.
with me at least, the success of the single payer healthcare option and his willingness to go to the mat for the policy, is my make or break point with supporting obama. so far, his willingness to moderate his campaign stances to the right to appease gop bipartisan pressure at the loss to the progressive positions has left me increasingly frustrated. quite frankly, i'm not willing to compromise on this issue, and i don't believe either should he.
america needs single payer healthcare, the hell with the insurance industry, big pharma, the corporate media, the gop, and the blue dogs, this needs to be rammed down their throats via reconciliation. 70% of the electorate support the policy.
and a repuke prez in 2012....grats
i dont care how shitty he becomes
he will nominate supreme court justices
or havent you noticed that its the supremes who are making sure all our rights are taken away
progressives deserve shite
driven out of biz??? can someone explain that to me?
they dont do shite for me
AND WHY THE FUCK IS COMPETITION GOOD FOR THINGS LIKE PUBLIC EDUCATION...BUT NOT HEALTH CARE?
FUCK IT....WE ARENT GONNA GET THIS DONE
That John Amato and Company do not push and prod for Single Payer, not-for-profit health care.
But, sadly, that is what democratic party sycophants do.
Diplomacy meets amid the complex affairs and interests held by resolute parties.
One can jump in the face or more gently cajole. We test the commitment to free speech by jumping in the face more starkly than might otherwise be prudent.
I agree wholeheartedly that for profit 'health insurance' is an abomination. These people increase their profits from withholding PAYMENT for health care, NOT providing payment.
The Government should be the only payer.
Getting profit out of health care itself, ALTOGETHER would be far more problematic.
Even as an avowed socialist I would not attempt to take that one on.
When the Government is the only payer for a service, costs and profits will be controlled. They should go down, all else being equal.
The profiteers should be concerned, but look what Congress with Medicare D.
I am a socialist without a party. I would make that a LARGE 'D' Democratic party, because 'democratic' it isn't. I don't vote for them.
Perhaps another country would suit you better.
You have registered for two hours and ten minutes, just to say that?
It is not this country of my birth for which I have a problem.
It is the Oligarchs and the stupid people that are so easily taken in by them.
Are you one?
Because it's just a silly idea to want to improve things where you already live, isn't it?
Nice to hear some reasonability...
If you support the public option like 76% of Americans, let your voice be heard. Add your name to this list and your name may appear in ad that will be run on CNN, MSNBC, and The Daily Show so Senators and their staffers will have to pay attention. www.WeWantThePublicOption.com
Stop supporting the public option. It is a sham. We need a single payer system. Sign this petition instead
http://sanders.senate.gov/petitions/index.cfm...
Single payer is the only way to go!!!!!!
this video explains the single payer system
http://1payer.net/what-is-single-payer-health...
Single payer is the only way to go!!!!
I am a small biz owner. I pay for my own Health insurance. I watch every penny and do not go an ER room for a cold. My husband was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer (we are in our 40's). I thank God everyday that I live here instead of a socialist country where his late stage cancer would not have been seen by a doctor for 6 months. He is cured. He would not have lived the 6 months waiting. I suggest all on this site grow up and start taking your health as your own responsibility NOT the GOVERNMENT'S. You will face a health issue, Let's hope that you won't have to wait (or be too old) to get help. I'll pray for all of you that this will not pass.
And while you're at it, you might want to reconsider mindlessly parroting Republicans memes. Please give me one verified example of someone in one of those "socialist countries" that was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and could not have been seen for 6 months.
I noticed that captain Kangaroo made a comment about Canada's health care system. He said that Canadians hate their health care. Uh....I don't think the Captain lives in Canada. I have Diabetes, a heart condition, had open heart surgery, All kinds of specialist, and actually some of the best doctors in the country and maybe even the world, My heart surgeon was offered his own wing at a Boston Hospital. So not only have a been covered for all of my mishaps and health issues by some pretty fine doctors and nurses, I have NEVER and I said NEVER been refused health care. and have NEVER I shall repeat NEVER paid a cent. So as a Canadian, I have to say to Cappy Kangaroo....BULLSHIT!
Not sure what the reporters name was, was it Chip Tanner? The man sounded like a pure shill for the insurance industry.
He was less concerned about what type of health policy Obama wants to institute than he was about putting the poor, beat-up insurance industry out of business. Well, boo-fucking-hoo and tough shit.
If a few thieving corporations get put out of business and the rest of the industry learns a lesson from a public option, so much the better. It shows me the insurance industry, in spite of their "feel sorry for me" apologists like Tanner care not one WHIT about their clients health and more for the health of their bottom line for their stockholders.
Fuck 'em all, jam the public option down their throat and let 'em die off one by one until we get the single payer healthcare every industrialized nation in the world has but us.
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