I believe, without doubt, that President Obama will achieve healthcare reform, and with a Medicare-like government option available to all Americans to compete with coverage options offered by insurance corporations.
And although Congress continues to heatedly negotiate the budget-neutral details of paying for healthcare overhaul, there's no doubt that Democratic leadership and the White House will find a way. A large part of that way must be to rollback the egregious tax breaks repeatedly gifted by George Bush to U.S. millionaires and billionaires.
It just makes good common sense that the time is finally, absolutely right for:
- A number of healthcare delivery options, including a Medicare-like option to compete with Blue Cross/Blue Shield, United Healthcare, Kaiser, and the like.
- Available at a low cost to all citizens, and without pre-existing conditions
- Not cancelable if a person loses his/her job
- Paid for, in part, by rolling back the trillions in unpaid-for Bush tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans
Thanks to the President's quietly skillful leadership, for the first time ever, all health industry segments... the AMA, nurses, hospital executives, big pharma... have publicly (and smilingly!) bought into Obama's vision for desperately needed reform of U.S. healthcare delivery.
The status quo is simply not sustainable policy for several frightening economic reasons. Noted President Obama at his July 22, 2009 news conference :
"If somebody told you that there is a plan out there that is guaranteed to double your health-care costs over the next 10 years, that's guaranteed to result in more Americans losing their health care, and that is by far the biggest contributor to our federal deficit, I think most people would be opposed to that. Well, that's the status quo. That's what we have right now.."
Exactly!
Or as my Facebook friend Carlos Rangel sardonically commented:
"What's the rush? We have only been talking about how to do this for just over 50 years... Why don't we just let it go and have the innefficient existing and overpriced system finally bring the economy down to its knees?"After all, is that not what the vocal minority wants? Just illusory fix-it patches that postpone true reform and lines the pockets of lobbysts and insurance administrators. Now, that is the one thing that would really work."
Besides, Barack Obama really, really wants healthcare reform to happen.
Despite obstructionist-at-all-costs attitudes by some Congressional Republicans... despite the Republican party directive to "engage in every activity" to slow down health care reform... despite stubborn reluctance by some of what a Washington Post columnist calls the Can't Do Blue Dogs... despite the "gang of six centrist senators" drive to dilute serious reform down to an ineffectual level...despite racist attacks on Obama by conservative anti-healthcare wingnuts...
Despite all of this, Barack Obama will achieve meaningful reform of U.S. healthcare insurance for every single American... because he has decided that he really, really wants this to happen. He has decided to spend his considerable political capital on this urgent issue.
When Obama leads with his better angels of informed liberal instincts and principled determination, rather than with his darker, innate political caution and Chicago-style sleight-of-hand, Barack Obama gets what he wants. Always.
This I believe. President Barack Obama has my support and full faith on this issue. Mark my words: healthcare reform will happen.
- Essential Reading
- House Healthcare Bill - Key Provisions
- Government Healthcare Pros & Cons
- The Blue Dog Democrats, Fiscally Conservative House Members
- Obama Healthcare Push Renews Contagious Campaign Hopes
(Photo taken on July 22, 2009: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Comments
I so hope you’re right. I heard a story tonight on NPR that makes me think you are.
Apparently Big Pharma, one of the most powerful lobbies in Washington, is pushing the bill. With that kind of muscle how can it fail?
Why?
You don’t want to know. It’s because there is nothing in there about negotiating drug prices. Nothing at all. These guys are getting a blank check.
Who knows? Maybe our grandchildren can negotiate better prices. So much for competition in the marketplace. Uncle Sugar will be their biggest customer (Medicare + Medicaid + Public plan) and all they see is an endless, swelling, protected from negotiation revenue stream.
I hear the AMA is also on board but I don’t know yet what’s behind that surprise. I learned from Maggie Mahar’s book that when the Blues came into being in the Thirties they were fought tooth and nail by the AMA. Blue Cross, the first group plan for hospital expenses (not primary medical care) only got past the AMA objections in return for all hospitals being not-for-profit entities. The firt for-profit hospitals didn’t come into existence until the Sixties.
Blue Shield followed Blue Cross a few years later and once again was fought by the AMA. Once again, there was a trade-off. Doctors allowed Blue Shield in return for the understanding that their fees would not be subject to negotiation or price controls.
These two creations are the grandparents of today’s Medicare. Part A (hospital charges) is paid for by the payroll deduction for Medicare. And Part B (professional services) is paid partly by a “premium” deducted from the beneficiary’s Social Security income and supplemented, more or less, by out of pocket payments and/or a supplemental private insurance policy.
From the inception there has been nothing in the system to bring fees down. Why should there be without any clear constraints?
Whatever bought the AMA endorsement must be pretty impressive. After hearing the Pharma story, I don’t think I want to know.
And we wonder how we got here. Sheesh.
LEAD, FOLLOW, OR GET OUT OF THE WAY. (Thomas Paine)
We have the 37th worst quality of healthcare in the developed world. Conservative estimates are that over 120,000 of you dies each year in America from treatable illness that people in other developed countries don’t die from. Rich, middle class, and poor a like. Insured and uninsured. Men, women, children, and babies. This is what being 37th in quality of healthcare means.
I know that many of you are angry and frustrated that REPUBLICANS! In congress are dragging their feet and trying to block TRUE healthcare reform. What republicans want is just a taxpayer bailout of the DISGRACEFUL GREED DRIVEN PRIVATE FOR PROFIT health insurance industry, and the DISGRACEFUL GREED DRIVEN PRIVATE FOR PROFIT healthcare industry. An insurance bailout is all you really get without a robust government-run public option available on day one.
These industries have been slaughtering you and your loved ones like cattle for decades for profit. Including members of congress and their families. These REPUBLICANS are FOOLS!
Republicans and their traitorous allies have been trying to make it look like it’s President Obama’s fault for the delays, and foot dragging. But I think you all know better than that. President Obama inherited one of the worst government catastrophes in American history from these REPUBLICANS! And President Obama has done a brilliant job of turning things around, and working his heart out for all of us.
But Republicans think you are just a bunch of stupid, idiot, cash cows with short memories. Just like they did under the Bush administration when they helped Bush and Cheney rape America and the rest of the World.
But you don’t have to put up with that. And this is what you can do. The Republicans below will be up for reelection on November 2, 2010. Just a little over 13 months from now. And many of you will be able to vote early. So pick some names and tell their voters that their representatives (by name) are obstructing TRUE healthcare reform. And are sellouts to the insurance and medical lobbyist.
Ask them to contact their representatives and tell them that they are going to work to throw them out of office on November 2, 2010, if not before by impeachment, or recall elections. Doing this will give you something more to do to make things better in America. And it will help you feel better too.
There are many resources on the internet that can help you find people to call and contact. For example, many social networking sites can be searched by state, city, or University. Be inventive and creative. I can think of many ways to do this. But be nice. These are your neighbors. And most will want to help.
I know there are a few democrats that have been trying to obstruct TRUE healthcare reform too. But the main problem is the Bush Republicans. Removing them is the best thing tactically to do. On the other hand. If you can easily replace a democrat obstructionist with a supportive democrat, DO IT!
You have been AMAZING!!! my people. Don’t loose heart. You knew it wasn’t going to be easy saving the World.
God Bless You
jacksmith — Working Class
Republican Senators up for re-election in 2010.
* Richard Shelby of Alabama
* Lisa Murkowski of Alaska
* John McCain of Arizona
* Mel Martinez of Florida
* Johnny Isakson of Georgia
* Mike Crapo of Idaho
* Chuck Grassley of Iowa
* Sam Brownback of Kansas
* Jim Bunning of Kentucky
* David Vitter of Louisiana
* Kit Bond of Missouri
* Judd Gregg of New Hampshire
* Richard Burr of North Carolina
* George Voinovich of Ohio
* Tom Coburn of Oklahoma
* Jim DeMint of South Carolina
* John Thune of South Dakota
* Kay Bailey Hutchison of Texas
* Bob Bennett of Utah
Thank You! Mr. Smith, I don’t express my-self at times as eloquently as you did. However, I am a working class nurse.I make too much money to accept government subsisides, but don’t make enough to afford to be ill.I really hope the healthcare reform bill pass both houses. Because so many live are depending on it, and not a watered down bill from the republicans talking points.I live in Atlanta Ga., and I will certainly put out the word, and lobby against sitting senator Johnny Isakson. I also feel that opposition is good for any great democracy, but unfortunately I don’t recall much opposition in the past eight years.democrats need to get on the ball, and do the work hard-working american people sent you to do.
NH u wouldn’t know a communist if one hit you in the head
God Blesss America and our President barack Obama , he is trying give the best for American People .Thas why we voted for him , please don t be confused about politics that just trying to confuse american people
we are the best {not perfect} country in the world ,the most powerfull the firts economy
if we spend millions on wars , why not to do it for a merican people
Health care is priority and most be done
thanks Mr president Obama !
We do not need socialism in this country. All we need is capitalism and free enterprize.
Private insurance companies must be forced to offer coverage for anyone who applies regardless of existing or pre-existing condition, being a smoker, dangerous occupation, or whatever.
Premiums should be adjusted for each individual application. If the individual cannot afford any or all of the premium, then there are ambulances and Emergency Rooms to provide free care subsidized by taxpayer money, but care should be nothing but basic and NO elective surgery.
Our consitution does not provide for healthcare coverage. I do not want my tax money taken from me at the point of gun to spread the wealth or to support those who can’t support themselves.
I will gladly donate to worth causes and charities to the best of my ability, but based on MY decisions, not by anyone else. I earned my money and I want complete control over it, and I will willingly pay taxes for the things covered by our original consitution, not by a bunch of progressives who want to spread the wealth and institute socialism and Marxism.
LET CAPITALISIM AND FREE ENTERPRIZE WORK! THAT IS WHAT MADE AMERICA GREAT. SOCIALISM AND PROGRESSIVISM AND MARXISM WILL DESTROY THE REAL AMERICA AND DESTROY AMERICAN INCENTIVE AND THE AMERICAN DREAM.
Furthermore, anyone on welfare must NOT be allowed to vote, since all they will do is vote for the politician who promises them more welfare for their vote.
NO healthcare coverage for illegal immigrants.
AND, we need to change our laws to stop granting automatic citizenship to babies born by illegal immigrant mothers while on U.S. soil.
I’m sick and tired of seeing this country turned into a giant termite mound or anthill, like some Marxist society. Socialism and Marxism never has and never will work.
CAPTIALISM IS THE WORST SYSTEM IN THE WORLD, EXCEPT FOR ANY OTHER SYSTEM! (Churchill)