Comments on: Baucus, Snowe, Enzi “Bipartisan” Deal Close in Finance Committee

By: nrafter530

nrafter530 — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 20:50:42 +0000

Who’s the Beatified One? Russ?

By: Tangerine

Tangerine — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 20:36:40 +0000

Yellowdog, Saint Russ is collecting e-mail addresses for a money push. He bugs me. I’m still waiting for any help from the Beatified One on health care. But he’s too busy bashing Obama about whatever the hell he is miffed about on any particular day. Sign your own freaking petition, Russ.

By: PublicTakeover

PublicTakeover — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 19:39:01 +0000

Paying for the public option is a no-brainer

http://assets.ourfuture.org/do.....xation.pdf

http://www.cbpp.org/cms/index......38;id=2874

By: DeanOR

DeanOR — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 18:37:57 +0000

My letter to my Rep:
Earl, I appreciate your efforts in the health care debate very much. At this point, I want to urge you to commit to rejecting any health reform bill that does not include a public plan. I believe the public plan is essential, but it is in trouble in the Senate. Let’s force the hand of the Senate by letting them know that the House insists on a public plan and will not vote for any bill that does not include it and will not accept any poor substitutes for it. I’m sure your constituents will support you in that position. I don’t think many Senators will want to be seen as defeating health care because of their opposition to one component of it, especially when some are already embarrassed by the money flowing to them from insurance companies. Thank you

By: TomThumb

TomThumb — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 18:22:47 +0000

I am in NY and just got petitioned by the Working Families Party to convey my unhappiness that these representatives oppose the surtax form of funding HR 3200, and are siding with the wealthy against the bill:

Nita Lowey (18th-Rock./ West.)
Dan Maffei (25th-Central NY)
Eric Massa (29th-Western NY)
Mike McMahon (13th-S.I.)
Scott Murphy (20th-Cap. Region

When I called my Rep, Scott Murphy’s office to challenge this decision, I was told that he, Mr. Murphy had never committed himself to Hr 3200. His phone number in DC is 202-225-5614.

By: maggiesboy

maggiesboy — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 17:59:46 +0000

There is no “quality” when it comes to health care. You either have health care or you don’t. It all should be of the same quality. It’s not like going to a mechanic who might cheat by fixing your muffler with some coat hangers and coke cans. If a doctor or nurse or technician is not giving their best all the time they need to look for other work.

Value is the right argument.

If you have a pinched nerve in your back and your doctor says surgery, that’s not value because you have only a 5% chance of getting it fixed.

Americans equate Quality with Quantity not remembering the first tenet of medicine is Do No Harm.

Aravosis had it right in his recent post about it doesn’t matter what kind of care you have now, if you get really sick you’re screwed. The site seems to be down right now but here’s the link in hopes it will soon be back up.

By: maggiesboy

maggiesboy — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 17:46:23 +0000

Baucus, Snowe, Enzi’s bipartisan plan

Bipartisan
In
Name
Only

By: PublicTakeover

PublicTakeover — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 17:41:36 +0000

http://www.charlierose.com/view/interview/10496

Denis Cortese (Mayo Clinic CEO) on Charlie Rose last night had some serious and constructive criticism of Obama’s healthcare plan.

He talked about how delivery model is broken, not just cost controls.

He said that it won’t do any good to insure everybody if the actual care we’re paying for is of low value. He said the reform had to be two-track: coverage and delivery value.

If the Dems could sell their proposal as an attempt to improve QUALITY instead of just provide accessibility and affordability, the opposition would cave.

The problem is that the Blue Dogs and the GOP are the ones talking about QUALITY, not the Dems who are talking about “covering everybody” and mandatory buying.

There have to be prominent & specific selling points for INCREASING VALUE to deprive the obstructionists of political cover.

By: Phoenix Woman

Phoenix Woman — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 17:34:55 +0000

Coming from a Senator, that’s good. Keep the pressure on!

By: yellowdog jim

yellowdog jim — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 17:28:55 +0000

Why has Russ Feingold sent me this this morning?
Is Sen. Feingold late to this game?
Subject: The Pressure is Working

Yellowdog -

I’ve got great news. Recently, the Senate HELP Committee passed the Affordable Health Choice Act which includes giving everyone in America the choice of a strong public option.

The pressure is working! We would be nowhere on this important legislation without your continued hard work and dedication putting the pressure on your elected officials through phone calls, petition deliveries, and local actions.

Now, I’ve teamed up with Democracy for America to thank Senator Kennedy and his colleagues on the HELP Committee for their commitment to real reform. Help me send a clear message to my colleagues that when Senate Democrats stand up and lead, Americans won’t forget. Will you join me today?

THANK SENATE DEMOCRATS ON THE H.E.L.P. COMMITTEE
FOR THEIR HEALTHCARE LEADERSHIP

Twelve colleagues put this bill together under the leadership of Senator Kennedy with help from Senator Dodd. Here’s the whole list so we all know who they are:

Edward Kennedy (MA) - Christopher Dodd (CT)
Tom Harkin (IA) - Barbara A. Mikulski (MD)
Jeff Bingaman (NM) - Patty Murray (WA)
Jack Reed (RI) - Bernard Sanders (VT)
Sherrod Brown (OH) - Robert P. Casey, Jr. (PA)
Kay Hagan (NC) - Jeff Merkley (OR)

I’m not interested in passing a bill in name only, and neither are my Democratic colleagues on the HELP Committee. Every American deserves the right to quality healthcare and allowing Americans to choose a strong public healthcare option will help ensure that for all of us.

This fight for real reform is far from over. Please add your name to our thank you and remind Senate Democrats that when we stand with the American people, the American people will stand up for us.

JOIN ME — ADD YOUR NAME NOW

Insurance industry executives and special interests shouldn’t rule the debate, and they shouldn’t rule decisions about the kind of health care your family needs. The Affordable Health Choice Act is the first step towards giving families a choice, and making sure that all Americans are covered.

So keep the pressure up. We need to hear from you. All of us in Congress need to hear from all of you. There is too much at stake to sit at home hoping for change. It’s up to each of us to work together to make change happen.

Thank you, Yellowdog, for all of your hard work.

Sincerely,

-Russ

Russ Feingold
United States Senator

(my bold)

It sounds good. (?)
Is it good?