FINALLY--somebody gets it. Below is today's e-mail from Jim Dean and Democracy for America, the grassroots group founded by his brother Howard in 2004. Candidate Obama said he didn't support a mandate, and Pres. Obama ought to veto any bill with a mandate that doesn't get serious about controlling costs. I keep coming to the same conclusion: get a bill that works, not a hollow (and short-lived) political victory. It's nice to see someone on my side. Here's my favorite part:
Without the choice of a public option, forcing Americans to buy health insurance isn't just bad policy, it's political disaster for Democrats -- a ticking time-bomb for years to come.
Way to go Jim. Now talk to your brother!
______
from DFA:
Loren -
I'll get straight to the point. If Democrats remove the choice of a public option, they can't force Americans to buy health insurance.
Here's the deal, Senate leaders are all over Washington claiming they finally have a healthcare reform bill they can pass, as long as they remove the public option. After all, they say, even without a public option, the bill still "covers 30 million more Americans." The problem is that's not really true.
What they are actually talking about is something called the "individual mandate." That's a section of the law that requires every single American buy health insurance or break the law and face penalties and fines. So, the bill doesn't actually "cover" 30 million more Americans -- instead it makes them criminals if they don't buy insurance from the same companies that got us into this mess.
A public option would have provided the competition needed to drive down costs and improve coverage. It would have kept insurance companies honest by providing an affordable alternative Americans can trust. That's why, without a public option, this bill is almost a trillion dollar taxpayer giveaway to insurance companies.
We must act fast. Both Democratic Majority Leader Harry Reid and Democratic Senators need to hear from you. Please stop whatever else you are doing and make the calls right now.
Senator Harry Reid
DC: (202) 224-3542
Carson City: (775) 882-7343
Las Vegas: (702) 388-5020
Reno: (775) 686-5750
Call your Democratic Senator too -- Senate Switchboard: (202) 224-3121
REPORT YOUR CALL AND TELL US HOW IT WENT
Without the choice of a public option, forcing Americans to buy health insurance isn't just bad policy, it's political disaster for Democrats -- a ticking time-bomb for years to come.
Does anyone think Republicans won't use this against Democrats in 2010?
What about in 2014 after the mandate goes into effect and the press reports all the horror stories of Americans forced to choose between paying their monthly health insurance bill to Aetna or paying rent?
The mandate is toxic and Democrats will own it. By the 2016 presidential election, is there any wonder how this will play out for Democrats?
CALL SENATOR HARRY REID NOW AT (202) 224-3542 THEN REPORT YOUR CALL HERE
The message is simple: No public option? No Mandate!
Thank you for everything you do,
-Jim
Jim Dean, Chair
Democracy for America
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Which way now on health care?
The health care debate (that's seems like too generous a term) has been tough to stomach. Now we seem to be left with no attractive options. E. J. Dionne argues one extreme: cut a deal asap.
MoveOn.org and others are still rallying their members to keep on the pressure to keep a strong public option alive in the Senate.
What's most galling is that Joe Lieberman and a couple others are able to derail what the public supports and what most senators support. With nearly 60 votes in the Senate, the Democrats should be able to do better. Howard Dean is out there fighting on, but it's getting harder and harder to believe that any final bill will involve have real cost controls if there's no real competition to private insurance.
We already spend far more than other countries and get worse results (based on the findings of Kaiser Family Foundation and many others). I'm for health care for all, but not for unregulated private insurance forced upon all. If Medicare expansion is on the table, perhaps Medicare reform and expansion down to age 55 could happen together. We could also pass the pre-existing condition reforms and some of the other insurance reforms. We should not accept a cynical compromise that will make insurance less affordable and therefore less available. (Then when it fails the conservatives can argue, See, it didn't work as promised.) And states must be allowed to experiment with other models, including single-payer.
I'm starting to wonder if Dems should let the Republicans vote down a reasonable proposal (with supporting votes from Lieberman and a handful of others) and then go to the voters in 2010 arguing that the party of NO means NO health care reform in spite of what the voters said in the 2008 election. In spite of all appearances, I think that's a fight Pres. Obama would like to have.
So, my question: what do you think the Dems should do now? Compromise and take what they can get in order to build momentum for the rest of Pres. Obama's agenda? Fight on, realizing that Republicans might be able to block progress indefinitely? Try to find a way around potential filibuster in the Senate?
Right now, I think taking a compromise bill that might lead to overall failure of the reforms would be a mistake. Fight for something that will work, not for something that has little chance of fixing the system (and that won't kick in for three or four years anyway).
MoveOn.org and others are still rallying their members to keep on the pressure to keep a strong public option alive in the Senate.
What's most galling is that Joe Lieberman and a couple others are able to derail what the public supports and what most senators support. With nearly 60 votes in the Senate, the Democrats should be able to do better. Howard Dean is out there fighting on, but it's getting harder and harder to believe that any final bill will involve have real cost controls if there's no real competition to private insurance.
We already spend far more than other countries and get worse results (based on the findings of Kaiser Family Foundation and many others). I'm for health care for all, but not for unregulated private insurance forced upon all. If Medicare expansion is on the table, perhaps Medicare reform and expansion down to age 55 could happen together. We could also pass the pre-existing condition reforms and some of the other insurance reforms. We should not accept a cynical compromise that will make insurance less affordable and therefore less available. (Then when it fails the conservatives can argue, See, it didn't work as promised.) And states must be allowed to experiment with other models, including single-payer.
I'm starting to wonder if Dems should let the Republicans vote down a reasonable proposal (with supporting votes from Lieberman and a handful of others) and then go to the voters in 2010 arguing that the party of NO means NO health care reform in spite of what the voters said in the 2008 election. In spite of all appearances, I think that's a fight Pres. Obama would like to have.
So, my question: what do you think the Dems should do now? Compromise and take what they can get in order to build momentum for the rest of Pres. Obama's agenda? Fight on, realizing that Republicans might be able to block progress indefinitely? Try to find a way around potential filibuster in the Senate?
Right now, I think taking a compromise bill that might lead to overall failure of the reforms would be a mistake. Fight for something that will work, not for something that has little chance of fixing the system (and that won't kick in for three or four years anyway).
Sunday, November 8, 2009
House Bill passes--what next?
The House bill for Health Care reform passed on Saturday 220-215, so the bill had two more votes than it needed to pass. Congressman Carney voted yes on the Stupak amendment (which went further than the long-standing Hyde amendment in prohibiting federal coverage of abortion services) and voted YES on the final bill. As far as I know, he had never announced a position on the bill until he cast his vote. Several of the Blue Dog Democrats voted no on the final bill, but just enough Democrats stayed on board to pass the bill. One of the ironies was that the Republican yes votes on the Stupak amendment probably locked up the final votes need to pass the overall bill.
Congressman Carney has always said that he will vote the district, and I think his delay in taking a position reflects how hard it is to read the 10th district on this issue. I'm not thrilled about the individual mandate in the bill--I recall candidate Obama explaining why he didn't support that approach. Make it affordable and people will want to buy it. Don't force them to do it. Perhaps that part of the bill will change in the reconciliation process with the Senate--assuming the Senate actually passes a bill. It's time to get something done so we can all get to work figuring out how to create a better system. The Democrats should forge ahead in the Senate--force the opponents to filibuster if necessary. That's not a record of accomplishment the Republicans will be able to run on in 2010. The argument would be this: we stopped them from doing the things you elected them to do in 2008.
Congressman Carney has always said that he will vote the district, and I think his delay in taking a position reflects how hard it is to read the 10th district on this issue. I'm not thrilled about the individual mandate in the bill--I recall candidate Obama explaining why he didn't support that approach. Make it affordable and people will want to buy it. Don't force them to do it. Perhaps that part of the bill will change in the reconciliation process with the Senate--assuming the Senate actually passes a bill. It's time to get something done so we can all get to work figuring out how to create a better system. The Democrats should forge ahead in the Senate--force the opponents to filibuster if necessary. That's not a record of accomplishment the Republicans will be able to run on in 2010. The argument would be this: we stopped them from doing the things you elected them to do in 2008.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Action Alert: Help House Progressives Get 218 on Robust Public Option
(This is pretty much a direct quote of a post at DailyKos today, but as it applies to Carney, I wanted to get the word out. -JG)
Today (Friday, 10/23), the House Democratic Caucus will meet and determine what version of the public option goes into the House bill. Pelosi announced earlier today that there's probably the 218 for a good public option, but report are that they are only 12-15 votes away from the strongest version of the bill, the Medicare Plus 5 version that ties public option rates to Medicare reimbursement rates.
Having the strongest possible House bill going in to conference with the Senate is critical, and it's within reach. Chris Carney is one of the "leaning" Dems who are considering supporting the Medicare Plus 5 version according to Hill activists. Please call his office before 2:00 today and say that you support the "Medicare Plus 5" version of the public option.
Christopher Carney (PA-10): 202-225-3731, 570-585-9988, 570-327-1902
(I just called his D.C. office myself, and the woman who answered the phone knew exactly what I was talking about and thanked me for the call. It took about 1 minute, total, so please take a minute to call.)
Today (Friday, 10/23), the House Democratic Caucus will meet and determine what version of the public option goes into the House bill. Pelosi announced earlier today that there's probably the 218 for a good public option, but report are that they are only 12-15 votes away from the strongest version of the bill, the Medicare Plus 5 version that ties public option rates to Medicare reimbursement rates.
Having the strongest possible House bill going in to conference with the Senate is critical, and it's within reach. Chris Carney is one of the "leaning" Dems who are considering supporting the Medicare Plus 5 version according to Hill activists. Please call his office before 2:00 today and say that you support the "Medicare Plus 5" version of the public option.
Christopher Carney (PA-10): 202-225-3731, 570-585-9988, 570-327-1902
(I just called his D.C. office myself, and the woman who answered the phone knew exactly what I was talking about and thanked me for the call. It took about 1 minute, total, so please take a minute to call.)
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Fake Grass Roots and Energy Policy
Click on the title to read more revelations about the fake grass roots letters sent to Congressman Carney. I was most struck by this passage:
Bonner billed Hawthorn for $43,500 but has not been paid; the coal group told Hawthorn not to pay the bill, according to a letter from Hawthorn. A document from the coal group indicates it paid Hawthorn about $7 million last year for grass-roots lobbying services and about $3 million through the first six months of this year.
Hawthorn is described as the "primary grass-roots lobbying contractor" for this coal industry group. Perhaps these industry people need a bit of help understanding what grass roots means. If you have to pay $7 million per year for it, I'm pretty sure it's not grass roots.
Bonner billed Hawthorn for $43,500 but has not been paid; the coal group told Hawthorn not to pay the bill, according to a letter from Hawthorn. A document from the coal group indicates it paid Hawthorn about $7 million last year for grass-roots lobbying services and about $3 million through the first six months of this year.
Hawthorn is described as the "primary grass-roots lobbying contractor" for this coal industry group. Perhaps these industry people need a bit of help understanding what grass roots means. If you have to pay $7 million per year for it, I'm pretty sure it's not grass roots.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Good video explaining Public Option
This is a nice short video from master explainer, Robert Reich (Clinton Labor Secretary and Economist).
Friday, October 2, 2009
Issues and Eggs TOMORROW
Issues & Eggs (SATURDAY)
Saturday, Oct 3, 9-11am
White Deer Twp Fire Company
366 Cemetery St, New Columbia
In place of our regular meetup this month, CSCC will be sponsoring a special event TOMORROW--a breakfast forum titled "Issues & Eggs: A Frank Conversation About Healthcare in America" at the White Deer Township Fire Company in New Columbia. For $5, get an all-you-can-eat breakfast hosted by the fire company, and talk to neighbors of all different political views about why you (and they) support or oppose various aspects of the healthcare reform proposals. We have advertised this event widely, not just among CSCC and Democrats, but to outside organizations as well.
The format of this event will begin with casual discussion over breakfast, then some brief remarks by CSCC (e.g., Steve & Jove) leading into an open, moderated, interactive discussion where participants will be invited to share their perspectives and ask back-and-forth questions of each other. This is not meant to be an overly "formal" program--everyone is welcome, even if you can only stay for part of the time.
Directions: The White Deer Fire Company is located at 366 Cemetery Street in New Columbia. Traveling north on Rt. 15, take the New Columbia Exit, turn left at the end of the ramp, then make an immediate right. Turn left on Cemetery St, and the fire hall is ahead on the left. All proceeds ($$) directly benefit the White Deer Fire Company. But we have financially guaranteed them a minimum number of attendees, so you will be indirectly supporting CSCC by attending. So please come, bring a friend, and spread the word!
For more information, you can download our full press release here.
Saturday, Oct 3, 9-11am
White Deer Twp Fire Company
366 Cemetery St, New Columbia
In place of our regular meetup this month, CSCC will be sponsoring a special event TOMORROW--a breakfast forum titled "Issues & Eggs: A Frank Conversation About Healthcare in America" at the White Deer Township Fire Company in New Columbia. For $5, get an all-you-can-eat breakfast hosted by the fire company, and talk to neighbors of all different political views about why you (and they) support or oppose various aspects of the healthcare reform proposals. We have advertised this event widely, not just among CSCC and Democrats, but to outside organizations as well.
The format of this event will begin with casual discussion over breakfast, then some brief remarks by CSCC (e.g., Steve & Jove) leading into an open, moderated, interactive discussion where participants will be invited to share their perspectives and ask back-and-forth questions of each other. This is not meant to be an overly "formal" program--everyone is welcome, even if you can only stay for part of the time.
Directions: The White Deer Fire Company is located at 366 Cemetery Street in New Columbia. Traveling north on Rt. 15, take the New Columbia Exit, turn left at the end of the ramp, then make an immediate right. Turn left on Cemetery St, and the fire hall is ahead on the left. All proceeds ($$) directly benefit the White Deer Fire Company. But we have financially guaranteed them a minimum number of attendees, so you will be indirectly supporting CSCC by attending. So please come, bring a friend, and spread the word!
For more information, you can download our full press release here.
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