Ed Schultz: Insurance Companies Are At The Table, Why Not Single Payer?
I could sum up this segment from Ed Schultz's show, but David Swanson from Afterdowningstreet.org has already done such a great job, I think I'll let him do it:
I can't recall a better corporate news video segment in at least the past decade than the story that Ed Schultz just aired on MSNBC in which he interviews Margaret Flowers of Physicians for a National Health Program (PNHP) and Senator Debbie Stabenow on the topic of healthcare reform.
Sure, Ed slaps a gratuitous insult on the heroines of Code Pink, says he's against protesting and "getting arrested" as a rule but thinks it's OK if doctors in suits and "educated professional people" do it, and pretends to believe (or actually believes) that President Obama favors considering the possibility of creating single-payer healthcare. But the heart of this story is the gaping chasm between majority opinion and the corporate agenda of the United States Senate. And Ed Schultz hits it out of the park.
Ed goes after the health insurance companies, the pharmaceutical companies, and the HMOs. He plays video of activist Kevin Zeese speaking up at the recent Senate Finance Committee hearing and being arrested. He explains perfectly what single-payer healthcare is. (I recommend this flyer (PDF).) And he denounces the anti-democratic exclusion of single-payer advocates by Committee Chairman Max Baucus.
And then Ed brings on Margaret Flowers who absolutely nails every question he asks, and he asks the right questions. Flowers lists the polls showing that over 60 percent of Americans and 60 percent of physicians want single-payer, explains that PNHP has 16,000 members and is part of the Leadership Conference for Guaranteed Healthcare which has 20 million members. Flowers points out that the next senate hearing is on May 12th and that advocates are asking for at least one supporter of single-payer to be included.
That sort of mention of an upcoming event and very nearly inclusion of exactly what people can do to improve their country is rare indeed on our televisions. Let me take it a slight step further: Senator Max Baucus's phone number is (202) 224-2651.
After Flowers, Senator Stabenow comes on to give a perfect representation of an evasive, dishonest, sleazy senator, claiming not to know why single-payer advocates have been excluded, condescendingly encouraging them to keep shouting even though her gang won't listen, and pretending that "lots of folks" in her state want to keep the insurance they have -- as if trading it for completely comprehensive and completely free coverage (paid in taxes by businesses) would constitute some sort of a loss, would have a down side. Schultz dismisses the senator and lays out his position:
"Does Senator Baucus have his head screwed on wrong, or what? Does he not know that the majority of Americans want single-payer? Now I don't care what the conservatives want when it comes to healthcare. They had their chance, and look where we are right now."
This is the will of the majority of Americans versus the antidemocratic corporate agenda of Senator Max Baucus. Schultz makes that crystal clear. Of course, the Senate (and usually the House too) normally act contrary to the will of the majority of Americans, but it is very useful to have that pointed out once in a while, even if pointed out in a manner that suggests it's a rarity.
Schultz then appeals to President Obama to "nudge" Senator Baucus, despite the fact that Obama hasn't supported single-payer since before he entered national politics, didn't support it as a candidate, and has adamantly opposed it as president, himself excluding any single-payer advocates from discussion forums until threatened with protests. In addition, a president should not make legislation, and a president is further removed from the people than even a senator.
Schultz may be confused about Obama and about the proper division of labor among our branches of government, but he hammers Baucus beautifully, pointing out that Baucus has taken more money from pharmaceutical and health insurance companies than any other Democrat in Congress (even if it is pocket change compared to what Obama has taken):
"Baucus got $183,000 from health insurance companies and $229,000 from drug companies," Schultz concludes. "May I remind you: they were at the table."
Ed's show is good just about every night. He has a difficult time slot as he on here opposite local news. I saw his show last night and was mesmerized by him. It was excellent. He said what needed to be said and he didn't hold back, he made total sense and a total case.
Say what you mean. Mean what you say. But don't say it mean.
1.800.828,0498 or 1.866.220.0044..to contact all of them..not just Baucus....Do not let the lobbyists for HMO's, Big Pharma, and Corps...beat us to getting the right plan for the American people!!!!
I know some progressives hate Schultz...but I'm certainly glad he's around. From his "Recession busters" on his radio show on Friday's, to his many forums supporting unions, teachers, health care professionals, auto workers, etc. Yes, Ed acts like an ex-jock sometimes, but I really believe that he cares for the poor and middle class...and he does the ground work.
... as that usually means we're getting royally screwed. Like Bush thought a poor single mum having to work 3 jobs to make ends meet was "uniquely American."
There are 2 terms that I usually consider big red flags: "uniquely American" and "bipartisan."
Uniquely American = suppository
n/t
I think if you look at Open Secrets, where Baucus stands on single payer and American health in general.
http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/summary.php?cid=N00004643&cycle=2008
I am Frank Chow and I approved this message.
by the insurance industry.
Duh!
Oh, and Ed's asshole buddy, Byron Dorgan, has got his tea-bag in the water too...
He grates on me sometimes because he gets his facts wrong, particularly about energy issues, specifically bio-fuels and ethanol (understandably being from a farm state like ND that's getting rich from ethanol subsidies).
Ed's value is that he speaks to the hooks and bullets crowd, who are surprisingly progressive about most things but have been voting R from the BS spewed by the NRA.
I am thankful for Ed and to have these folks increasingly as part of our coalition. There needs to more that us pajama wearin', cheeze doodle scarfing, DFHs. (LOL)
Got a staffer on the phone and gave him an earful. It's actually the first time I've ever gotten a live person... Why isn't their phone ringing off the hook?
...my sister -- a family-practice doctor -- is convinced that within Obama's two-term presidency, we will have some form of socialized medicine. She witnesses first-hand every day just how crippled our medical system is.
I just hope she's correct.
corporations and crooks to make the decisions in his administration, it's not going to be a two term presidency.
The inevitability of a single-payer national health care is something that these guys on the senate committee who seem intent upon prostituting their office need to have impressed upon them. There is nothing they can do that cannot be undone once they have lost their seats.
I knew Big Ed would be great on TV. I listen to him on the radio for years now.
Big Ed needs everyones' support. He's the only single payer voice on the controlled TV networks.
What a fuckin' mess the U.S. is right now. I'm not trying to be insulting but thank god I live in Canada.
Show him your rage and disgust. He is preparing to sell all of us down the river, in order to do the bidding of the insurance racketeers, HMO's and drug companies that bought, paid for and own his ass. He and his fellow cronies need to know that not only can they be replaced, but any corrupt deals that they turn into legislation can be undone once they have been thrown out of office. Jees, I expect this kind of corruption only from GOPers.
Never trust a corporatist.
BTW, the number I saw for money he acepted was closer to $600K. Quid pro quo bribery. That douchebag belongs in jail, not in charge of a senate committee.
I thought I was talking to Mitch McConnell's office. I was told that single payer health card had no chance of passing so it was not going to be discussed. May Senator Baucus fall ill before the hearing. He has health care coverage. He apparently doesn't give a damn about the welfare of the people of his own state. I am sorry, but the attitude of the woman on the line was abhorrent and sounded a lot like an insurance company representative.
I don't think the idea of democracy has ever occurred to the "senator" Baucus.
It's time to begin a Blue America campaign fund to field a real Democrat to replace him. Tired of corporate prostitutes who pretend to be Democrats.
It's probably a good idea to get this issue front an center of every blog possible.
We can no more defeat Baucus than we can defeat Lieberman or Specter. Even if he were somehow beaten in a primary, he would run as an independent, and then hysterical Democrats - afraid of a Republican victory - would vote him right back to the Senate.
No way we're gonna primary him. We're lucky to have a D. We could however potentially impact his chairmnanship, particularly in the future. Harry Reid must go!
Pity, isn't it? I would be inclined to argue that this whore is, at best, a DINO.
A lot can happen between now and then, and there's a lot on our plate to get done in the next ten months. If you're going to publicize this issue, I would suggest laying the groundwork two or three months ahead, not ten.
She actually said MAy 12th.
running this thing way out ahead so the big three P I & HMO can work out their ad campaign to brainwash the masses into thinking that Single Payer is bad for them
Their new feature ad is going to be titled 'Weekend at Bernays'
Max Baucus and Debby Stabenow (my senator) to urge them to allow a PNHP representative at the table on the 12th. I hope they will listen, I hate going to war with the party I voted for.
...they aren't legitimate members of the party you voted for.
... are not immune to the siren's song of corporate largesse. Even when the Dems were in the minority, the corporatists kept up their payments just in case the "Permanent GOP Majority" failed to materialize.
Putting a bit of pressure on even those most in the pocket of the corporatists might help them develop just a bit of spine and maybe act in their constituents best interests rather that those of their sponsors.
Hi Ed, welcomr to the real world There is No such thing as capitalism this is a illusionary word used to scare the uninformed if there was such a thing as capitalism the low life scum and trash (justified name calling because they are trying to fix the prices)capitalism in the weak fetted mind of the repulsive ignoraqnt right wing nut is I make the offer to benefit me and me only any type of counter offer is Unamerican and Unpatriotic so says the babbling rightwing nuts.
Further pricing of the product is done after and only after one pays one self sees how much is left over move 50% of that to a bonus fund then infalte the difference cut any thing that assist the the buyer add it on as a Co-payment and jack the rates to what is rough;ly 35% of the purchasers take home pay.
So please do not talk to me ab out capitalism when you have the rightwing nuts of America beating it to death for their own sick twisted perverted reasons.
You can't really believe the statement that single payer coverage will be "completely comprehensive and completely free coverage (paid in taxes by businesses)"
Nothing is free.....ever, ever, ever. Once your mommy stops taking care of you, you are never taken care of again. Period. You can storm congress and demand to be taken care of ....but if you expect that to really happen then you are just putting your faith in the most corrupt place in America.
I am a business person and I hear you saying you want to tax me, to provide your health care. And I would not have a problem with that except for the fact that when the cost of my product goes up, you will buy it cheaper online from a service center that barely speaks english..... and not blink an eye when I go out of business.... costing 14 Americans their jobs. Please wake up and smell the coffee! The federal government was in charge of regulating banks.......and look where that got us. They were going to protect us from corrupt bankers by insuring our deposits and putting a close watch on bank activities....they called it "bank regulations" and "consumer protections". That really worked out well for us didn't it? Don't you just love the way they took care of us on that one? The federal government is controlled by congress and congress is corrupt to the core. They took care of the people that greased their palms, and if you think they will not screw us over on health care you must be absolutely crazy. I am scared to death my business will not survive this administration. I had high hopes that the new president would bring positive changes, but I see he does not understand what hard working small business needs to survive. Support your local community banks and support your local small businesses. We need it now more than ever. I am not a right wing nut, I am just working for a living and signing paychecks.... on the FRONT! Stop calling me greedy. You don't know me!
would be paid for with a payroll tax, and it wouldn't require an employer contribution.
lets say i own a circus. i give my employees a per diem to pay for thier rooms while we are on the road.
while seting up the tour i phone hotels where i am going and i book rooms but only if the hotel gives me a kickback. i then tell my troupe this is where we are staying which they are paying for but of course not telling them i recieved a kickback from thier per diem.
is this not fraud?
how can it be legal to give money to a politician and then benefit from legislation that politician designs for me.
is this what shrub meant when he said that these barbarous countries hate us for our freedom, thier freedom to steal from the taxpayers.
america is becoming a third world country faster than you can blink.
why are people not rioting in the streets?
President Obama promised that EVERY one would have a seat at the table, that would include doctors, nurses etc...
Lieberman, Baucus, Reid, Pelosi, Specter, and Obama are all working for corporations. Why do you think they would turn against the people who OWN them?
I hope Ed keeps on this because it is a ripe issue whose time has come.
Once Americans understand the benefits of single payer, and how our so-called representatives in DC are acting in the best interests of insurers not Americans (hmm, what do lobbyists pay politicians these days to do their bidding?), political heads will roll. We have been fleeced for too long.
= liar as well.
more news casts like this that point out the disconnect between the corporate senate and the American citizens? Are we really to believe that the senate will moderate itself and tell the corporations "tough we are going to do what the American public wants."? Film at eleven.
They do not want single payer because "it doesn't work". And they won't let us try it because it would work.
I do the payroll for a small business I work for. By adding me to the health care, our bill went ups 33%.
we can barely stay in business as it is - the bosses make as much as the workers. Or less, if things get worse.
SINGLE PAYER NOW!!!!
86% of large businesses are self-insured. This is in recognition that once a critical mass of employees are reached, with suitable geographical dispersion, there is no sense in paying an insurance premium, since the risk could be calculated within a fraction of a percentage.
So, it the country was to operate like a business, it would also self insure, which is the essence of single payer. This would put small business on an equal footing with large businesses among other things.
What we're witnessing with this charade, (and when cost comparisons of alternative approaches are off the table, charade it is), is yet another example of government corruption that is destroying our economy.
Of course, exhibit "A" of the corruption is lack of indictments against those who conspired to grade the mortgage back securities "AAA" with knowledge that they were not entitled to such a rating, which is the root cause of the financial meltdown.
Schulz has his head up his ass on a few issues but on most he has it nailed. On health care he is "spot on." Sure he is a dumbass sometimes but I'm glad he is on our side and he has a TV show.
Ed,
I used to turn you off on the radio but you are rising to the occasion. Clearly, Max Baucus only wanted people to be at the table who make money from "handling and massaging" healthcare. Then he can get more campaign donations so that Mrs. Baucus will get treated better when she goes mulching. He doesn't want people who actually are involved in providing hands on healthcare or even people who need healthcare. Baucus is so full of himself and arrogant. What does he know? What did he do in his life before he became the prostitute of the insurance and Pharma industry? Single payer supporters will not become rich from this system. They will get paid a fee fixed by the government. There is only a finite amount of dollars that we can spend for healthcare. Why should people who push papers around( and all the lives of the people who filled out these papers) for NO ADDED VALUE be allowed to decide our current anf future health? Wake up everybody. I still believe that we need a mass mailing to everyone with info about the truth about single payer. I am a physician and the ignorance even among healthcare workers is deplorable. I would rather deal with the federal government any day than United Healthcare of Greed, Blue Cross/Blue Steals, the Covetting Company or any of the others.
Obama ran on the premise of opposing single payer, and said he would cover the uninsured by increasing federal spending and cutting federal spending elsewhere. So, in answer to one of the questions posed in the video, Obama does support excluding single payer advocates, as he did by excluding Congressman John Conyers (D-Michigan), a sponser of HR 676, from the President’s March 5 health care summit at the White House.
About 5 minutes into this video, it is claimed that the financial and insurance sector was Obama's largest corporate campaign donors.
It's quite clear that our government of the corporation, by the corporation, and for the corporation has got to keep any comparisons of a single-payer (self-insured) approach off the table. This is in order to rip the public off, probably at least $600B. What is obvious is that analysis of the costs if a single payer system was copied from Japan, and/or Canada, and/or a European approach would cause the American approach to pale in comparison. The 60% or so of the public supporting single payer would probably swell to 75% or more. Therefore, the reform hearings depends on not establishing a single payer benchmark. Instead Baucus supports a unique American solution, which is, of course, to impose a rip-off that none of our allies would tolerate.
This should be no surprise to anyone. The reason why this country's economy is in the toilet is because a corrupt government allowed white collar to run unchecked. Our soldiers couldn't get body armor because corrupt politicians needed funding for useless defense projects against hypothetical threats. Our drug policy maximizes cash flow to the traffickers, in the name of maximizing shareholder profits at for profit prisons. We have a foreign owned network exclaiming that America is on the road to fascism if multi-nationally owned corporations aren't allowed to engage in laissez-faire capitalism, and are somewhat engaging in sedition. They wave the American flag and proclaim that America has no role in regulating business so that it operates in the public good.
Even in this MSNBC video, we didn't really hear anything about the magnitude of the savings involved in going the "single-payer", self-insured route. The money involved needs to be the big part of the debate.
Obama may yet turn around on this issue, in part, if we step up the pressure. But, there is other concerns. GDP has shrunk faster than Obama has anticipated, shrinking government revenues in the process. And the Chinese have begun to lecture us on fiscal discipline, and in any event, the Chinese have an awful lot of eggs in our basket. Borrowing for consumption isn't sustainable, hence, while our budget isn't balanced, increasing government spending on health isn't fiscally responsible. So, Obama is going to have to decide who to throw under the bus, his insurance campaign donors, or the health consumer.
This congress doesn't care, so they won't do anything to accommodating what the majority of Americans want..single payer health care. I called several offices of the committee members, as well as Baccus. They just gave me the run around or were totally rude. One guy asked me if it was Baccus' fault my friend had died of a treatable disease, just because she didn't have health care. I asked how many years Baccus has been in office, he replied since 1978. YES, you are responsible. You take money from insurance companies and let citizens die. That's your legacy. (the guy on the phone said I was hurtful. Brother, he should feel my hurt at losing my friend.) Representative Democracy is over, it's now Representative Lobby Friends in Congress.
Why does NBC have to stoop to Fox production levels to bring issues up for discussion. This was an exact duplicate of the Glenn Beck show with the diving dutch angle cameras, flashy graphics and a summary poll that will of course validate the speaker's point with biased polling. I thought us liberals were supposed to be more intelligent and capable of rational discussion.
Yeah I thought pretty much the same thing... but I was going to say Schulz's mannerisms mimicked Beck's... yikes!
there will be no option for single-payer.
and Ed smoked the dems asses like a pack of kools.
Some stuff you can't make up!
I like Ed on the radio but I did predict that he'd flop on prime time TV , I was wrong and I'm glad I was wrong . He doesn't get it right all of the time in my humble ( ? ) opinion but his head and heart are in the right place , he's a straight shooter , he doesn't suck up and he's not afraid to call bull shit , in other words he's no Chris Matthews . Refreshing , it's good to have another progressive voice on the tube prime time .
Someone please name one single payer system that delivers superior care in a timely manner compared to the U.S. system?
Canada? LOL! are you kidding?
U.K.? pffft um no.
Do I need to go on...
Does it really matter whether the world's finest healthcare is available, if you can't even go to the doctor's office for a routine physical?
What's wrong with the Canadian system? All I've seen so far are isolated anecdotal stories about waiting and long lines at doctors' offices and hospitals. Believe me, if people were dropping dead on the streets of Montreal, we'd be seeing it over and over on Fox News. And over, and over, and over....
And one further thought. Imagine a self-insured entity with 300 million subscribers who formerly paid hundreds of billions of dollars to middlemen who skimmed hundreds of millions of dollars for executive compensation and perks. Imagine taxes increasing to pay for such a system with money that is no longer thrown down a black hole in private plan premiums.
Government programs have waste, inefficiencies, and polical corruption.
Big business programs have fat cats and middlemen all taking their perks and compensation.
I am not sure one black hole is any better or worse than the other.
out with single payer governmental health care for all - so what? There are many ways to achieve low cost health care for all. Obama's team has been saying "Don't let the perfect destroy the possible" which means don't try to start out with the perfect plan which will be fought tooth and nail with the insurance companies and never get passed. Start with what's possible and tweak it every day to reach compromises that will lead to future victories and possibly - eventually to what's impossible now - a single payer comprehensive plan for all.
chairmanship on this committee and is transparently paying back favors to his big donors. He is making a mockery of the democratic process and it's business as usual in Congress. That is exactly what so many Americans detest about Congress; that it sells itself to the highest bidders and at whose expense?: at the people, the voters, individual tax-paying Americans. Yes, we all should press for inclusion of a single payer system and demand that it be included in all talks and deliberations from here on out in this debate. This is not a country that can exclude the will of a majority of Americans. Senator Baucus should be made to feel heat, if necessary, to include all points of view in the health care reform debate, including advocates for a single payer system. If Baucus can't do the job, someone else should take over for him.
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