Comments on: Bingaman “Supports a Strong Public Option”

By: NMRon

NMRon — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 00:54:26 +0000

I’ve been emailing Bingaman every week since February on this issue. I hope this means he’s been listening to his constituents, not health care lobbyists.

By: Canton

Canton — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 23:48:48 +0000

I’m wondering if we can throw the private insurance programs “into the briar patch”, e.g. force ALL private insurance providers to (for starters) cease discriminating against the people who need them, force them to reduce administrative overhead to a level comparable with Medicare / Medicaid, etc.

In short, if the “alternative” to a public option is to force private insurers to act in the public interest, then the private insurers might begin to view the “public option” as the lesser of two evils.

For that matter, I’m still amazed that we allow private companies to discriminate against classes of people in the first place.

By: TheLurkingMod

TheLurkingMod — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 22:36:27 +0000

Nomi Prins is upstairs at the Mothership!
Obama’s Financial Overhaul — More Like a Tune-Up

By: ralphbon

ralphbon — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 22:32:19 +0000

Truly strong, truly robust, truly “reform” is already off the table:

NPR, June 16:

Interviewer: Can you say flat out it’s just never going to be single-payer health insurance, and we’re going to try to write it, if we can, so that it won’t ever be?

Secretary Sebelius: Oh I think that’s very much the case, and, again, if you want anybody to convince people of that, talk to the single-payer proponents who are furious that the single-payer idea is not part of the discussion.

Sixty percent of physicians, a comparable percentage of Americans at large, have just been Sista Souljah’d by the Obama administration.

By: solai

solai — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 22:28:57 +0000

Jane,
The point you made earlier today was excellent (that if Obama wants a public option, the blue dogs will go along). I was at work so couldn’t comment but this is so true. There will be no excuse for Obama to push a mediocre plan on the pretense that he can’t get the votes. This is a deal breaker for me. If we don’t get a real change in our healthcare, I will lose all faith in Obama and the dems. It’s time to see just who’s side they’re on.

By: Kassandra

Kassandra — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 22:21:31 +0000

I tried to call, but the line was busy. I got a call from some people asking me to call him, so I did, but wound up having to send an email. It was pretty serious.
I’m glad so many are calling. I hope it works this time.

I fought Bush against 5 years, (I was taking care of other business the previous 3!)now here we are, fighting a sweet-talking Democrat. It’s getting old and so am I!

By: Twain

Twain — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 21:58:24 +0000

What position has Baccus taken today? He needs to be with us.

By: Ann in AZ

Ann in AZ — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 21:55:13 +0000

Great post, Jane. Sure hope Dems all come to understand that healthcare “reform” without a public option is just a toothless replica of any real “reform” and is essentially a deal breaker for their constituents.

By: hackworth1

hackworth1 — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 21:53:59 +0000

“Does he support one that is available everywhere from day one?” I asked.

“Yes,” she said.

This is a question that should not need to be asked, but one that does indeed need to be asked.
The way Jude McCartin speaks for Bingaman is like deciphering a riddle. Typical, but ridiculous.

By: ART45

ART45 — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 21:53:00 +0000

Jane,

You deserve kudos, IMO, for attempting to work within the system.

Suggest you work without.