Pelosi Says House Will Vote Next Week To Repeal Anti-Trust Exemption for Health Insurance Companies
I was on a conference call with Nancy Pelosi Tuesday afternoon, and she was clear: There's not a snowball's chance in hell that the House will vote to pass the Senate health-care bill in its present form.
"Don’t even think of asking us to vote for the Senate bill unless the other bill has passed both houses that will amend it through reconciliation," she said. But she promised several times during the call: "We will get this done."
What the House apparently will vote for is a repeal of the antitrust legislation that exempted the health insurance and malpractice insurers for the past 65 years. She said it will happen next week.
And in case you haven't figured it out yet, the new Democratic mantra is "Jobs, jobs, jobs." Pelosi wove the theme throughout the call.
She talked about job lock ("If you want to leave your job and become a writer or an entrepreneur without worrying about your health insurance, you can do that.")
"Every issue for us has been about jobs. The recovery, the budget, health, education, climate and energy bills – all about the economic well-being of America’s families," she said.
"Healthcare is central because the current system is so unsustainable. It’s not back-burnered," she said. She noted the difference it make "in the economic security of America’s families.
"We have to get this done, we are so very, very close.
She said some senators are calling her, urging her to take the opportunity to put in single payer and the public option. "I have to wonder, is there a market for these things?" she said, noting she didn't think the Senate had the votes for either.
She ended the call with an exhortation.
"It’s a heavy lift," she said. "The other side has endless money, total determination that change will not happen." She said the insurance industries have the "same philosophical backing as the same people who tried to keep Medicare from happening."
"It’s a pretty exciting time. You can’t be discouraged, we have to keep fighting for the American people and our democracy, she said.
"It’s not only about their health, it’s about economic security. We are determined to get that done. If I sound calm, it’s because we will not be deterred from this, we will get it done."
how many (R)ahmocrats are bought and paid for in the house.
Some stuff you can't make up!
has a better chance.
til they screw it up! Call them 1.866.311.3405
Pessimism plays into the repub/wingnuts hands! And gives them a meme to point to...
I can do that. But sometimes I feel the entire Democratic Party has Stockholm Syndrome after decades of of being held hostage and demonized by rightwingers and they just can't shake it.
the lobbyists are from stockholm.
________________
common sense matters as much as truth
Why is there this new need to repeat the word "jobs"? Why can't we just say "jobs" once and be done with it? Does saying it three times in a row make it more important or more demanding?
Say what you mean. Mean what you say. But don't say it mean.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8To-6VIJZRE
So repetition of a word is rewarded by sweating like a fu*king pig? Most likely followed by a heart attack? And the upside would be?
Say what you mean. Mean what you say. But don't say it mean.
... repeat a word enough times and you end up as a joke on YouTube.
A sweaty joke at that.
Say what you mean. Mean what you say. But don't say it mean.
It works! Now all I can think about are developers. This guy needs to be Pelosi's Life Coach.
Now I'm sweating profusely.
All I could think about was how that guy must smell after he does one of these things. It reminded me of bush when he was down in NOLA speaking and his light blue shirt was decorated with great spots of prespiration. Not attractive.
Say what you mean. Mean what you say. But don't say it mean.
Sprayed on by makeup artists no less. You get your sweat glands removed when you join the skull and bones. No more physical labor.
I would say they have to say jobs 3 times because it takes a lot to get it through the right wing heads. having said that it would take a whole lot more than 3 times to get anything through a right wingers head. Unless of course it is Palin or Bachmann saying it.
The Democrats believe that if they click their heels and say "jobs" three times that they will get re-elected.
"Anyone that makes less than $150K in this country, has no business voting Republican."
Progressives have been arguing for single-payer/public option and Compromise Nancy is already talking herself out of the fight AGAIN. You're telling me there's not 51 votes in favor of this? Or is it more that Rahm doesn't like it, and Joe & Hadassah don't like it, and the Snowe Queen doesn't like it, and the Blue Dogs and Obstructicans are standing on the curb complaining?
How would she like it if we all promised to support her and then voted Republican in the end?
How would you like the consequences? Not much I expect.
Hasa Diga Eebowai
If you're going to make promises, keep them. Pelosi came to C&L and pledged her support for a public option, then waffled.
If I wanted Republican tread marks all over my ass, I can get them by voting for Sarah Palin or a Blue Dog.
It seems to me that if the Democrats really wanted support from progressives, it begins with being true to their promises.
public option is still in the house bill.
She said some senators are calling her, urging her to take the opportunity to put in single payer and the public option. "I have to wonder, is there a market for these things?" she said, noting she didn't think the Senate had the votes for either.
59 to 41. FIFTY FUCKING NINE TO GODDAMN FORTY ONE.
The only reason that's not enough votes is because Spineless Harry won't put the smackdown on quislings like Lieberman and the Blue Dogs.
or expanded Medicare is because the fix was in many months ago when Rahm/Obama made backroom deals with the insurance/hospital lobbies, ensuring them there would be no government-run plan in exchange for their political support.
Of course, they always had a convenient cover - Baucus, Snowe, Liberman, et al - for why there could be no public option or expanded Medicare. Now, their excuse is they "don't think" the votes are there - when 50+ votes are almost certainly there, certainly if Obama so much as lifted a finger to fight for it. Also, after Brown's MA victory, Obama/Rahm were hoping to delay healthcare until the deadline for reconciliation passes in April, ensuring that pesky public option would be forever relegated to the dustbin of history, but after some backroom arm-twisting with the weak-kneed Pelosi, they got her to agree not to make a stand for the public option. Natch!! Can't do what 85% of your nominal constituents strongly support, if it means angering your real constituency, the corporations.
The only hope for a public option is if the progressives make a big, PUBLIC stinking fuss for it. I don't see any organizing going on, unfortunately. Perhaps because too many still place too much trust in Obama, who has been misleading them about his intentions all along (backroom deals are backroom for a reason).
Why the Public Option is Doomed To Fail, and What Can Be Done About It.
Who's Killing the Public Option? President Obama With a Rahm-Bow
Public Option Success Is Close - But White House Pushes for Snowe's Trigger Instead. Say What?
Obama Is Taking an Active Role in Talks on Health Care Plan
Something for the blue dawgs:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnGEGE2aF4M
Diabolus est Deus Inversus
If we really want to win the health care reform debate and at least offer a strong public option based on Medicare, then we need to frame the debate as vital to our national security.
Election 2012: Be Educated! Be Active! Vote!
www.phoenixjustice.com
you will be ignored unless you offer a corporatist solution.
________________
common sense matters as much as truth
I wonder if there are any provisions in the bill to prevent a hospital from charging $12,000 for four stitches? If the answer is no, reform is doomed. We can't afford free insurance if our share of costs is $3000 for minor procedures and 100% for needed pharmaceuticals.
The message that is NOT being sent by the Democrats is this.
The jobs situation did not happen overnite. America has been bleeding jobs for 30 years. The unions were destroyed, labor was destroyed, good high wage jobs were shipped overseas allll under guise of "less government, less regulation, more efficiency and growth". What we know as the Chicago School of Economics. Cries of free markets! Less regulation! have filled the air for 30 years, while USA! USA! USA! was chanted in the background and everyone wrapped themselves in the flag.
The middle class was sold a bill of goods by Ronald Reagan and his enablers...the "Reagan Democrats". What we know today as "Blue Dogs". He and the right wing corporatists handed middle america a red white and blue gun...and the middle class happily cheered as they blew their own brains out.
"Anyone that makes less than $150K in this country, has no business voting Republican."
"and the middle class happily cheered as they blew their own brains out." <----Not covered under the new plan. Suicide is a pre-existing condition.
And as far as the chambermaid is concerned. She TALKS a good game. Let's see her actually ACCOMPLISH something.
"Anyone that makes less than $150K in this country, has no business voting Republican."
Pelosi has gotten more accomplished than Reid has. She's a much better cat herdsman and she even has more cats to herd.
Say what you mean. Mean what you say. But don't say it mean.
Dammit, must resist set up....can't
Never hire a dog to herd cats.
Like what? Unemployment benefits extended. oooh...there's a tough political challenge.
"Anyone that makes less than $150K in this country, has no business voting Republican."
Nancy Pelosi is a FRAUD. She's the weakest Speaker of the House in a hundred years AND she's helped undermine Roe v. Wade.
Her ascension to Speaker of the House has set women's rights and upward mobility back 50 years.
"Anyone that makes less than $150K in this country, has no business voting Republican."
Oh, you're just in one of your grouchy moods today. I'm not going to argue with you. Remember I have known you via these inter-tube wires for a long time now. Just about six years or so. I know you get on edge sometimes so I'll just hand you a Coke and a smile. :)
Say what you mean. Mean what you say. But don't say it mean.
Shoulda just told him he was was on this today
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DJzH5vbL6s
Diabolus est Deus Inversus
This is my GOOD mood!! ;o)
"Anyone that makes less than $150K in this country, has no business voting Republican."
..maybe she has gotten more done than Reid but she took impeachment off the table denying American citizens of the "checks and balances" provided by the Constitution for the Legislative branch to keep a check on the Executive. She failed America. If I could vote for her, I wouldn't vote for her.
Mickey: "It was an epiphany. Do you know what an epipany is?"
Keoni: "NOT NOW MICKEY!"
"She said some senators are calling her, urging her to take the opportunity to put in single payer and the public option. "I have to wonder, is there a market for these things?" she said, noting she didn't think the Senate had the votes for either."
Can we, just for once, have some legislation without worrying about "the market"?
Was there a market for emancipation? I think the market people were not much in favor of it...
How about if you just DO THE RIGHT THING for a change?
..Americans in favor of the Public Option and good percentage for Single Payer, why wouldn't she go in this direction? Oh yeah, the republican'ts scared everyone from the evil socialistic health care reform. Time to take control of the issue democratic party, doncha' think?
Mickey: "It was an epiphany. Do you know what an epipany is?"
Keoni: "NOT NOW MICKEY!"
for a public option is what she should have said if she were being honest. The only reason she is not including a public option, when there are almost certainly 50+ votes in the Senate, is because Obama/Rahm insisted that it not be included. Remember not too long ago when she insisted that the House wouldn't pass a bill without a public option? Then the WH took her to the woodshed. Now, when the floodgates are open to the public option w/reconciliation, suddenly she is not even going to try??? Obama/Rahm sat down and had a talk with her, obviously.
THe only thing Rahm is concerned about is winning elections and maxing on campaign cash; he thinks the best route is a distracted and ignorant electorate who place too much trust in authority figures who have a nice smile, and gobs of big money pouring into the Democratic campaign coffers from the Pharma/Insurance/Hospital lobbies.
Jane Hamsher - List of 51 Senate Democrats Who Support a Public Option: What’s Stopping Them Now?
Ms Hamsher has done her homework.
Democracy is too important to be entrusted to politicians.
Rise Up!
Protest!
Ending anti-trust protection for insurance companies would at least be something, since it would mean they no longer have a captive market (which shouldn't be permitted anyway) -- but that by itself is nowhere nearly enough to produce significant health care reform. In any event, talk is cheap and actions speak much louder than words.
Never trust anyone who insists that patriotism requires you to blindfold yourself with the flag.
If Republicans were filibustering her right to botox, THEN you'd see a fight!
Nancy Pelosi is exactly right when she states "If you want to leave your job and become a writer or an entrepreneur without worrying about your health insurance, you can do that." This is a HUGE drag on our economy. If you want to see who is bought and paid for by the Health Insurance Companies watch for those who vote against the measure. There is absolutely no reason for the Health Insurance Companies to keep this exemption. One of the backhand consequences of the Republican health care idea of "across state lines" involves only states and as a result the insurance companies are allowed to keep their exemption status.
Three health care policies that government can do right now to boost the economy, especially the job market:
1. Repeal Anti-Trust exemption
2. Drop medicare age to 55 (companies aren't hiring 55+ because of health care costs. This also makes Medicare cheaper on a per person basis.)
3. Increase Medicaid to 400% of poverty (this allows lower income families more flexibility)
What a revelation!!!!!!
Initially, she and the rest of the idiots were saying we need a public option to compete with health insurance companies, when in fact, they could not compete with each other because they had legalized, local monopolies.
The very first reform should have been to get rid of this idiotic law and allow true competition, but that's going to piss of the insurance lobby.
The second thing is to get a handle on frivolous lawsuits with some meaningful TORT reform, but that will mean pissing off the lawyer lobby.
Then, if that doesn't work, try something a little larger.
It sure is hard to make meaningful laws that will actually benefit the citizens of this country when your agenda is bought and paid for by lobbyists, isn't it?
Such a rough life. Better jump on your tax payer funded jet and mix up some more top shelf drinks.
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