The Compromise That Killed Health Insurance Reform

doc, i know you believed and hoped (0.00 / 0)

for this to be a meaningful bill, and i have always wished it were to be, but from the beginning, i have had little hope that we would turn the ship around in one quick jerk.

too many democrats feed at the same tough as the gopers, but i do believe this is the 'nose under the tent' i think if i dont end up dying of some health related isse between now and my 55th birthday, i will live to see this grow into a pretty good healthcare plan, give it 20 yrs, maybe sooner. i am glad they seem to have a bill, i think it will also shore up our election day position.

so i am no less optimistic than i have ever been since i realized in 2004 that dennis kucinich would never be president.

i will continue to write letters and send emails and whatever else i think might help, but i do not noe have i ever expected the hcr to benefit me personally, at least not for another decade.

remember rational progressives are about as fringe in america as teabaggers.

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by: UplandPoet @ Wed Dec 09, 2009 at 11:42:17 AM UTC

Not belief....but hope... (0.00 / 0)

....and it's the "hope" that is so personally destructive.
Back in February, when Tom Daschle couldn't write a check, I said that was the death of health care reform. I knew that for two reasons: first, he could have shepherded the legislation, and second, that the Obama administration was too green to be able to have properly salvaged the nomination through early vetting or cutting a deal early in the confirmation process. I knew that the best we'd get would be crap.

Still, I worked. I worked because despite believing ALL my life that "hope is for suckers" and it's only hard work that paid off, I did the little that I could to inform and spur people to action.

The thing that has broken me is that for years, virtually for my whole life, I believed in the Democratic Party I KNEW. The one I grew up with. I watched the selling out of the 80's and 90's -- that striving for a buck. It wasn't just politicians, it was close to everyone.

And then came 2008 -- a renewed sense of optimism. A rolling back of the corruption and the institutionalized dealmaking.  An actual shot at a return to values (not fake ones, but the ones that said this is a government OF the people, BY the people and FOR the people.

I've gone through the past 9 months with an intellectual sense that it wouldn't work, but days of hope that good and right would triumph.

I've always disdained the people who viewed elections as contests with no import other than 'who won' - like a sports game. It doesn't matter which team wins -- it doesn't change anyone's life - it's just a preference with no impact.

And I hate that they were right and I was wrong about something so very important.

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by: DocJess @ Wed Dec 09, 2009 at 16:48:33 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

doc, remember, in politics, every loss is a victory (0.00 / 0)

goldwater gave us reagan, and probably dukakis gave us clinton and even kerry gave us obama, for what that will be worth. but remember, if mccain had won, with a majority GOP congress, we would have gotten health care reform, only it would have consisted of tort reform and allowing cross border policy writing.

this will someday be a victory, think of the failures that have brought us civil rights, social security and medicare, among other things

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by: UplandPoet @ Wed Dec 09, 2009 at 17:07:22 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Kerry -> Obama (4.00 / 1)

Kerry really did gave us Obama, as he was the one who chose Obama for the 2004 convention keynote. Kerry has a signed picture from Obama of the inauguration, which says, "Without you, I wouldn't be here".

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by: Matt @ Wed Dec 09, 2009 at 18:24:54 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

yep, but that isnt what i meant:) (0.00 / 0)

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by: UplandPoet @ Wed Dec 09, 2009 at 19:11:40 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

My first reaction (0.00 / 0)

My first reaction is disappointment.

I feel like some conservatives would like us all to have to get insurance from one unregulated private monopoly, and that some progressives would like us all to have to get insurance from the government. While if I have to hold my nose and pick one, I'd choose the second, I'm not fond of either.

I'd like to see actual competition and choice, which is the kind of thing Republicans are supposed to espouse, but have had zero interest in when it comes to health care.

So for me, the camel's nose under the tent would be to remove the antitrust exemption, and then create a public option that only some tiny number of people are actually eligible for. From there, the number of people eligible can be pushed up over time.

But this compromise seems more like it's pushing toward an eventual system where some people have to get insurance from one big private insurer, and some have to get insurance from the government. That's not competition; that's just a left vs. right political turf war. Even if, as UP hopes, the tide continues to push the government side so that it encompasses more and more people, that doesn't do anything toward forcing public and private to compete over a single set of people. Without that, I'm afraid that inefficiency, fraud, gouging, and politics (like Stupak) will continue to run rampant in the two systems (private and public, but not for the same people).

As for nuclear option/reconciliation, I don't feel like the "stand down" option was ever really pursued: have all sides agree not to filibuster amendments. Right now, the left is threatening to filibuster some amendments, and the right others. We have Bernie Sanders placing a hold on Bernanke, and Joe Lieberman threatening to filibuster health care. Aren't there the potential for deals here? Not on what people are actually going to vote for, but with everything going back to 50 votes. Let opponents try to strip the public option, or the increased Medicare coverage, or whatever, with 51 votes winning. Let supporters try to strengthen a public option, with 50 + Biden winning. But too many people on all sides want to use that 60 to protect what they have, and the result is political compromise that lets everyone declare victory but doesn't do what's best for the country.

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by: SarahLawrence Scott @ Wed Dec 09, 2009 at 13:15:32 PM UTC

No longer a Democrat (0.00 / 0)

Assuming this health care 'compromise' is as I believe it will end up - probably, really, even worse, it will be the end of my being a card-carrying Democrat.  I have been a Dem for over 40 years and I now see that politicians who call themselves Democrats, can be just as much 'Republican' in their influence.  It is a good guess that such watered down and useless legislation will have the side-effect of losing support in the Democratic party, as most likely hoped for by the Repubs.  So be it.  

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by: Etucson @ Wed Dec 09, 2009 at 15:00:00 PM UTC

Etucson (0.00 / 0)

Um, actually you ARE the Democrat. It's the politicians who have forgotten what the party stands for. Or used to.

On the bright side of things -- you had asked for a follow-up on my Keurig. According to FedEx, my new one should be arriving later today. Courtesy of Keurig, which sent me a new one since they couldn't fix the old one. So while YOUR coffeemaker may well someday disappoint you, Keurig seems to stand behind their promises....  

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by: DocJess @ Wed Dec 09, 2009 at 16:50:42 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Thanks for the good news update (0.00 / 0)

It's nice to know that a company whose product I value stands behind their product.  

It is unfortunate, on the other hand, that the real 'change' that so many of us voted for last year has no 'real' chance of happening. The failure of health care reform will be a significant nail in the coffin of this once great country.  Very sad.

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by: Etucson @ Wed Dec 09, 2009 at 17:41:38 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

etucson (4.00 / 1)

while i share your disappointment over health care and other issues. i would dispute that this "once great nation" is headed to its grave. i see progress everywhere i turn, only you have to see the long arc. women, children, gays, immigrants, people of color are all making headway, if one takes a 100 or 200 yr view. we do have public schools, public highways, national safety standards national water and air standards, and so on, things that were radical and liberal a century or two ago. are we moving ina straight and steep line upwards? no. but overall, i see america getting to be a better place and hopefully it is slowly learning to be a better citizen of the world. i see a greater america coming, but it is these damn hiccups along the way....

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by: UplandPoet @ Wed Dec 09, 2009 at 18:16:44 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Howard Dean (0.00 / 0)

Howard Dean Backs Senate Medicare Compromise

WASHINGTON - A staunch supporter of a public option to expand health care says he's encouraged by a Senate compromise on the troublesome issue.

Former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean, a physician, said Wednesday he believes opening up Medicare to people 55 to 64 years old gives momentum to the quest for a health care overhaul, putting it "on the right track."

..... said: that Medicare already is "a single payer run by the government. This moves things forward." Dean called it "real reform. Whatever we call it is irrelevant." Dean said he hopes the final version of the legislation "involves expansion of care" in America.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/...
.

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by: Leah @ Wed Dec 09, 2009 at 22:02:35 PM UTC

Obama's remarks (0.00 / 0)

Obama backs compromise
POTUS lauds Senate health deal

In remarks announcing new support for community health clinics Wednesday, President Obama praised the health care compromise emerging in the U.S. Senate as a sign of "progress" on one of his administration's key domestic priorities.

"The Senate made critical progress last night with a creative new framework that I believe will help pave the way for final passage and a historic achievement on behalf of the American people," Obama said. "I support this effort, especially since it's aimed at increasing choice and competition and lowering cost."

"I want to thank all of you for sticking with it, for all those late nights," Obama said. "With so much at stake, this is well worth all of our efforts."

http://www.politico.com/politi...
.

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by: Leah @ Wed Dec 09, 2009 at 22:07:14 PM UTC

Perhaps I speak for most of U.S. when I say... (0.00 / 0)

Fuck you, Obama.

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by: Marx @ Thu Dec 10, 2009 at 00:38:07 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Perhaps I speak for the management of DemConWatch (0.00 / 0)

when I say, we don't take kindly to outright personal attacks like this. You disagree with him, fine, but keep the discussion civil.

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by: Matt @ Thu Dec 10, 2009 at 03:25:26 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Marx (0.00 / 0)

I am pretty sure you do not speak for most Americans. As much as I despised W, I would have never used such language.

First of all, I think most Americans aren't sure what the congress is doing on health care, most Americans are pretty much OK with their health care and don't want it to change, except maybe if they could get the premiums for the same thing down, or if they could prevent being dumped for having a claim, or prevented from getting another policy if they change jobs, due to pre existing conditions.

I have been without insurance for over a decade, and yes, it is kinda scary, i would love to see a single payer, but it ain't gonna happen, i would love to see a robust public opition, but it ain't likely either, so Obama is taking the pigs ear that the blue dogs and the GOPers are giving him, and saying, "well, it isn't a silk purse, but maybe we can use it anyway."

maybe not what most of us wanna hear, but it hardly justifies storming into this Democratic forum, and saying something vulgar to the Democratic President of the United States.

Maybe you could calm down a bit, and try to use civil discourse to express your displeasure. If you have a mature, reasonable and rational point, you might actually reach someone who can do something about it. But 'FU' doesnt really leave you or anyone else much room to work.

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by: UplandPoet @ Thu Dec 10, 2009 at 14:46:00 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

FU explained (0.00 / 0)

If you're interested, you can read my rationale for saying this here.

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by: Marx @ Fri Dec 11, 2009 at 00:17:23 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

i read your remarks, i am an uninsured white guy, with health problems (4.00 / 1)

but i would never in a hundred years call myself malcolm, or any black man's equal as far as suffering oppression or as far as being disenfranchised. if you dont like the health care bill, you can organize, you can vote. you will not be met with water canon and police dogs, nor will you feel the terror of mounted police charging you are your children while swinging batons. you can assemble and vote, something a black man could not do without great risk in the early 1960s.

we may be sold out, we may not be, that is yet to be seen. this is the time to write your congressman, this is the time to write letters to the editor, and in the next election cycle, this is time to work for progressive candidates and donate money, if you have any, and i bet you do. i may be wrong, but i bet you spend a dollar a day on something you like but dont NEED, a soda, a coffee, a paper, an ebook, a mp3 song, a movie download or maybe you waste 5 bucks, you do drive thru, or you get a double latte, or you GO to a movie, or whatever. if you care enough to risk arrest, the first step is to work within the system. get you neighbors and friends to vote, to volunteer, to believe in your position and support your candidates. if every progressive in america gave a dollar each day and donated an hour per week to pushing progressive agendas and progressive candidates, dennis kucinnich would be president and barney frank would be the most conservative member of congress. dont talk of civil disobedience, until you have tried civil engagement. if doc jess wants to throw up her hands and cuss, at least i know she has done what i am talking about and more. and you know what, she will be back there in 2010 and 2012, because she knows that is the only way things change. being vulgar and pretending to be a black man in chains because you havent been able to get health insurance gets you no where.

look, i may literally die because of a bad bill, and hundreds of thousands of other may too, but if we all care, we can still change the details, and we can change them again in 2010 if we dont get what we believe is the bare minimum for a just and fair society.

sorry if i am getting a bit personal, i dont know you from adam, but i have known too many like you. this country is made and improved by an active citizenry, not the disgusted grumbler sand cussers.

i believe in america, i believe in the human race, i believe we are getting better, and i believe we will get better quicker if people get involved in their govt. if your servants arent doing what you want them to do, you arent a very good master. remember, except when we forfiet our rightful position, politicians are OUR SERVANTS, they work for us, so go manage your employees!

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by: UplandPoet @ Fri Dec 11, 2009 at 01:23:27 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Victim, go for it. (0.00 / 0)

What the frig.  I have not been on for a while due to a car accident, Aunt is blind BUT I FOUGHT IT AND AND SURGERY IS BEING DONE ON THE December 17TH thank you very much.  VA.  They wanted to wait 2 months BUT I AM NOT A VICTIM.  Nor is she at 75.
There always has to be a beginning and it does not mean that IT CANNOT BE CHANGED.  AMMENDED.
One always has to get their foot in the door.
Reid needs to put his behind on the line and so does the President.  BUT if there is no beginning we are screwed.
You are simply insulting.
No matter what it will never be perfect, BUT THEY WILL HAVE TO FIX IT IF IT DOESN'T WORK.  BUT IT WILL BE THEIR TO FIX.

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by: jean @ Fri Dec 11, 2009 at 01:58:56 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Lieberman opposes Medicare at 55 (0.00 / 0)

No surprise there.

Time to strip his Dem Chairmanship.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITI...

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by: BoredJunkie @ Mon Dec 14, 2009 at 14:05:16 PM UTC