Comments on: The Pillars of a Robust Public Option

By: GaryLee

GaryLee — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 01:50:28 +0000

Your health is not a commodity.
Your health is not a profit center.
Single payer now.

By: OregonRick

OregonRick — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 00:10:05 +0000

I like it!

By: john in sacramento

john in sacramento — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 23:58:45 +0000

You might like these numbers I threw together

By: lambertstrether

lambertstrether — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 23:50:24 +0000

Got any links on that, Dr A? It’s interesting.

By: BlueCrow

BlueCrow — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 23:49:43 +0000

Yes! On items 1-4 and Yes! to number 5: single payor ready.

By: lambertstrether

lambertstrether — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 23:49:33 +0000

John:

Agreed, though it would be nice to see the post updated, if we’re doing this on the fly…

I don’t know how to craft the language, but I think 5A should also include the ability of states to band together into regional associations for single payer — like VT and ME, say.

By: Dr A

Dr A — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 23:48:30 +0000

Jane,
I agree with all of these pillars as necessary for adequate health care in America save one.

I disagree with the knee jerk reaction and disinformation campaign HCAN has against coops.

Historically speaking, the first Universal Health Care system in the world was in Germany and it was achieved by uniting a series of smaller health care groups like coops. These coops are now regulated by the federal government and provide health care that is some of the best in the world according to WHO. It appears that the more local the control of your health care the more responsive it is to your needs and the more likely you are to be happy with it. These coop do indeed negotiate with pharmaceutical companies in large blocks, driving down the costs of their health care. They also provide a place for collective lobbing of their government on health issues.

Has it occurred to you that our government is not under public control and that is the main reason that we can not get a health care bill passed? Having your option under Congressional control could actually play against your needs. Congress could be paid off by the industry to make the public option work so poorly that it is abandoned by the majority of people.

By: john in sacramento

john in sacramento — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 23:28:59 +0000

5A)

No prohibitions against individual states implementing their own single payer legislation (e.g. SB 810)

By: selise

selise — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 23:06:27 +0000

even if we have slightly different ideas about what we’re asking for, i think we can all still use the fdl whipping tool to get phone numbers and share info (there’s a spot for “more detail”).

By: STTPinOhio

STTPinOhio — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 22:53:34 +0000

2013 is not what i think of as “day one”. that’s a long time to wait. lots of sickness and financial disaster. what’s up with that?

More bullshit.

When Hank Paulson’s net worth was in grave danger last fall, he didn’t have to wait 4 years; he wrote a 3 page letter requesting 700 billion dollars, screamed “the (financial) sky is falling”, and it was done.

We the people should get the same “express” service when it comes to something even more important — our lives.