Two new national polls make it clear that Americans overwhelmingly support healthcare reform which offers multiple plan options. And that Americans want... demand... that one of those options be low-cost government-funded healthcare (aka, public plan or public option) similar to the Medicare system for citizens over 65.
And yet, Democrats, who will soon hold a filibuster-proof 60 Senate seats, fear they can't muster the votes to pass healthcare reform legislation? Said Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), "I think there's a lot of concern in the Democratic caucus."
Huh? Democrats won the White House. Democrats control both houses of Congress.
During the campaign, Barack Obama promised "a new national health plan to all Americans, including the self-employed and small businesses, to buy affordable health coverage that is similar to the plan available to members of Congress."
President Obama has made healthcare coverage for all Americans a top priority for his administration. And a bipartisan majority of the public want precisely this.
And yet, some Democrats in Congress balk? President Obama timidly stumbles and bumbles on the issue?
Uh... what? Liberal economist Paul Krugman explains this awful contradiction in his New York Times column today:
"The real risk is that health care reform will be undermined by 'centrist' Democratic senators who either prevent the passage of a bill or insist on watering down key elements of reform. I use scare quotes around 'centrist,' by the way, because if the center means the position held by most Americans, the self-proclaimed centrists are in fact way out in right field."What the balking Democrats seem most determined to do is to kill the public option, either by eliminating it or by carrying out a bait-and-switch, replacing a true public option with something meaningless. "
I just can't believe a handful of so-called Democrats could be that stupid. I keep thinking... maybe they don't really understand how government-funded healthcare really works. (They should read my frank new article, Pros & Cons of Government Healthcare.)
Or maybe they've been stupidly intimidated by Republican boogey-man Karl Rove's fear-mongering pontificating in the Wall Street Journal, "... the public option is just phony. It's a bait-and-switch tactic... Defeating the public option should be a top priority for the GOP this year."
I'm scratchng my head over this one. And I have to heartily agree with Nobel Prize recipient Paul Krugman when he concludes:
"Honestly, I don’t know what these Democrats are trying to achieve. Yes, some of the balking senators receive large campaign contributions from the medical-industrial complex — but who in politics doesn’t?"If I had to guess, I’d say that what’s really going on is that relatively conservative Democrats still cling to the old dream of becoming kingmakers, of recreating the bipartisan center that used to run America.
"But this fantasy can’t be allowed to stand in the way of giving America the health care reform it needs. This time, the alleged center must not hold. "
Yes! And YES WE CAN!
- Related Reading
- Profile of Economist Paul Krugman, Political Liberal
- Healthcare Plan Definitions
- Obama Campaign Promises: Health Care
- Obama's Speech Urging Universal Health Insurance
(Photo: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
Comments
There is a serious issue of cost control, no other country with Universal care (if that is what the plan is) are having issues with cost.
The mechanism in a free market system is absent from the current so called private health care as well as from this plan (again what little we know of it)
We really need to so something, but we do need to stand in truth not ideology.
No doubt the health care issue is a complicated one. In all of this debate I have not heard much on the issue of self reliance. This is an area where most Americans could use improvement. I’ve heard that many Americans would rather buy cigarettes, alcohol, and drugs than pay for health insurance. If this is indeed the case, then I do not want to work and pay taxes to take care of those who refuse to help themselves. If they refuse to take care of themselves why should I waste my hard earned money? With approximately 25% of the US population being obese this leads to heart complications and diabetes in that population. [A very expensive consequence] Right now I hear nothing in the way of incentives for taking better care of yourself. No American should be forced to pay for the poor health / life choices that another citizen makes. (No matter the good intentions) I’d be happier if this bill included such incentives. We need to fix the problems not just band-aid the symptoms. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Americans do abuse the medical system with frequent doctor visits for physical to psychological conditions. Conditions that exist, or assume to exist. Hypochondriacs to the most extreme. We’re pharmaceutical junkies seeking the aide for near every condition. Conditions most widely can be offset by proper diet, body and mind care. Obesity, depression, cholesterol fixes, erectyle remedies, ailment after ailment, & doctor visits compiled. In addition to our fixation on doctors visits, prescription junkies, doctors recommendations for simply too many follow up visits costing out of pocket money for the consumer and insurance company. Compile this with the non-taxpayers & illegal’s that pour into developed nations seeking the benefits goodies at the expense of the taxpayers. What an appalling mess.
I beleive that it is an incredably stupid idea. I think that the government should hold that those who can NOT afford it, should qualify for it, but there are also those county hospitals that offer FREE treatment, therefore, the not need of insurance at all. Those who actually can pay and afford their health care, should be able to keep it. Think about it, if we have universal health care, how fair is it that the people who can make money, have to be forced onto a plan, when we already pay the government in loads of tax money when the poor and illegals don’t even have to pay taxes? I live in Arizona, so this is a huge topic with the immagrants from Mexico. I beleive that there should be certion acceptions for those who are unmarried, devorced, in college, teenagers, all of that. Maybe if you can afford your own health care, why shouldnt you be able to keep it? Why should we be told what doctor we have to go to? It is extremally annoying…
Literal blood money funds record US private insurance profits at the expense of the sick and dying. Yesterday, insurance industry whistleblowers Dr. Linda Peeno and Wendell Potter testified before Congress about the myriad devious ways the insurance industry maximizes profit at the expense of patients, including funding front groups to shape health care reform to their own ends. Their testimony should dispel any remaining illusions that the private insurance industry is providing any positive benefit to the American people.
http://www.pnhp.org/news/2009/september/testimony_of_wendell.php
joy cassel, what are you talking about, no other country with universal care is having issues with cost? simple research shows that Canada is having a terribly hard time with the cost of universal health care which has lead to eternally long waiting lists. 22 months for an MRI in Saskatchewan. also, they’ve gotten to the point of almost having to ration out their supplies each year to cover the whole year with an equal amount of supplies. do we want that to happen to US?
the government is too involved already. I’m 13 years old and know that! when we get government health care, our taxes will go up. I’m already living in an apartment, with 4 other people, and we barely manage our taxes. my mom and dad didn’t have enough to go to college and then this. we are a free country, we have the right to pursue happiness, not be garenteed it. this is just a way to take away from the rich and give to the lazy. you guys should realize that we shouldnt pay for others peoples mistakes. its there fault they dont have any money. some people dont on purpose, just so others would feel sorry for them and give them money. its not our fault they dont have any money, its theirs.
Today people are so selfish and inconsiderate it is sickening. I am ashame to live among such fools, who are so calous they would rather people suffer or worst die from the lack of proper health coverage. If this Great country can send million to care for those in other countries, than it is not their duty to take care of its own citizens. Frankly I think we should be the first on the list. I am a 51 year old woman that has paid taxes all my life, and have no health insurance can.t even afford to see a doctor on a regular basis. It is ashame the price on everything is over inflated except ones salary. I also think thier should be healthcare for all even if the taxes are a little higher, so what. Can you put a cost on a human life regradless to whom they may be or what. America has handicapped her people long enough give them healthcare because you have already given them death.
Well it is now mid March and the Dems have done exactly nothing, except scrap the public option, which was one of the most important parts for the american public. So you were right, and Obama has played catch me if you can and the centrists have played right into the Reps hands. I think a blind man could have seen this coming! Americans just can’t seem to pull their heads out of the sand enough to make the changes they are all going to need.
I think that this bill should be looked ober more before it is passed so that it doesnt cost the citizens anymore money then it already does and it helps us at the same time, i want this country to come back and come out of debt, but this is not goin to help it at all
I feel that as an African American, that the Healthcare plan is a great idea. There are alot of families who work and have to make decisions to whether do they pay their bills or go to the doctor. Many Americans can not afford insurance through there employer because of the rates and the pre-existing clause that insurance companies use so they don’t have to pay out any money. So why are families even getting insurance from their employers. Obama is ensuring that insurance companies do their part and if not they can be held accountable. I am very thankful for the plan as I am sure that millions of Americans feel the same way that I do. Doctors don’t like the ideas because now they are basically limited to what they are allowed to charge. The plan is also necessary for the ones who companies or own their own business can get the coverage that they need and deserve. I don’t understand how my fellow Americans can be upset over our brother and sisters getting healthcare benefits. We are quick to help other countries with their health but now it’s a problem because we have a President that gives a damn about the people in the United States. People need to realizse that we to are in need in our own country. LET’S TAKE CARE OF OUR OWN FIRST AND THEN WE WILL BE BETTER SUITED TO HELP OUT OTHER PEOPLE!!!!!!!!!!