Changes in health care debate after Congress' vacation?
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
As Congress gets back to work following a 40-day vacation (hope they're rested!) things in Washington don't look all that different than they did before their summer recess - especially when it comes to health care reform.
House Democrats are returning to the same set of problems they left behind 40 days ago:
Conservatives in the party are unsure about backing the so-called public option"... freshman lawmakers from suburban areas are worried about increasing taxes on wealthy constituents... and liberals are threatening to oppose the bill if it doesn't contain the public option.
Something's gotta give.
Polls suggest Americans remain just as divided as they were a month ago - a new Gallup Poll shows 39 percent of those surveyed say they would tell their member of Congress to vote against a health care bill this fall, while 37 percent want their member to vote for it.
Meanwhile - expect Congress to focus on health care mostly as to how it may or may not affect their chances of holding onto their jobs.
At the end of the day, politicians worry about their own political hides first and the public welfare whenever. Polls show that only about one-third of Americans approve of Congress.
And since the Democrats control both Congress and the White House, expect the voters to take out more of their displeasure on them during next fall's midterm elections.
Here’s my question to you: How has the health care debate changed during the 40 days Congress was on vacation?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Dar writes:
The Democrats need to stop infighting and get the job done. The Republicans are laughing all the way to the next election because we haven't passed this legislation and moved onto the next issue. President Obama, you got the votes and there was no scam. Step up, shut up the opposition, and make it happen. That's what I voted for YOU for.
Laura writes:
Village idiots showed up at town halls yelling out things they forgot to fact check first, while young middle class people were busy working and having to watch these crazy people on TV. My opinion has stayed the same: If I have to continue to pay 15% of my pre-tax income to Blue Cross Blue Shield for crappy health coverage and our government passes something that allows me to choose then goodbye, Blue Cross!
Anthony writes:
The insurance lobby has injected all it can to derail any real debate. Hyperbole has been used to paint anybody who favors the public option as a communist (a perfectly legitimate political opinion) rather than somebody who simply believes that health care should not be a commodity… Big insurance is winning.
Linda from Arizona writes:
It's only gotten nastier, and everyone is more entrenched. Obama is going to fail to persuade anyone in Congress. It's a waste of time and political capital. But wasting political capital is what Obama is best at. Stay tuned.
Kathy from Phoenix writes:
Jack, Maybe if we had 40 days to relax, like good ole Congress, we wouldn't need to worry about health care so much.
Jeff from Fort Smith, Arkansas writes:
Speaking of Michael Ware, he spent three days with my unit in Iraq in 2005. He is extremely passionate about what he reports. As a medic on a few patrols with him, I know he will do whatever it takes to tell the story.
@jackcafferty on Twitter
Echos of the past change remiinds me of a song repeated over and over but is always the same with absolutly no change in the tune.
The debate went from ugly and meanspirited, filled with flat out lies and falsehoods to a collective psychosis that often bordered on violent. People whom I have known for years are convinced that if the Democratic Health care plan passes then Obama will be able to personally pull the plug on them should they become sick. Sad to say, I almost with this were so. Some of these people need to go. They can take their hate and stupidity with them.
you are right...............something has to give............the GOP.....
or at least get out of the way.
I think a lot of the myths have been dispelled, but the extremist conservatives have already succeeded in doing their dirty work brainwashing their supporters by e-mail, radio and TV. I think the president needs to make specific references to real healthcare situations when he speaks tomorrow, and how those situations will be made better, and be very specific. He should also relate the Healthcare reform to the families of the government representatives and how they wouldn't want anything detrimental for their extended families.
The jig is up on the GOP. The Republicans have told bold face lies about what is in the various health bills and they are so not interested in health care reform. Now lining their pockets with cash from the Insurance Company lobby, they are up for that big time.
It's changed to the degree that it's no longer just the tea-baggers who are up in arms. Folks who don't trust the Insurance Companies, have gotten out and are insisting on a Public Option. In rallies, on-line and to our Congress-critters, we’ve made it clear that we’ve already compromised from Single Payer and that dropping the Public Option, makes the entire legislation a non starter. Nothing good can come of anything that doesn't force the Insurers to compete and Progressives are not going to roll over because of a few astro-turf lunatics, got ginned up by the insurance companies. The Blue Cross Dogs are in a bind, because normally Liberals are willing to listen to the other side and they can craft a corporate compromise—but not this time.
Jack, I'm afraid the needed reforms won't happen because these Congress members are afraid of confronting Big Pharma & the Health insurance companies for fear of losing their seats. The only ones who will keep losing are those shelling out more an more money for health coverage that is getting worse instead of better.
And the Beltway/Wall Street greed continues.........
Jack, you are beginning to scare me now, the freshman lawmakers are worried about raising taxes on the rich. The Representatives are worried they might loose their seat if they vote the wrong way. No wonder nothing gets done in Washington. And the people are wondering who on earth are the people the polls are quoting. ( It's sure no one I know.) Maybe they are taken in some back room also. They ought to be scared the freshman are never going to make it to be a senior. And the Representatives may final solved for us the way the people can start a third party, because there is no one you want to vote back in next term..
Oregon
Some Americans, by some perverse logic want insurance companies to profit from sick people. Do you not realize how disgusting this is? Why doesn't Obama make this very simple point? How dare those same American's criticize Canada's non-profit health systems.
Right-wing extremists have dominated the cable and air waves but the Democrats were voted in because majority of Americans wanted CHANGE. Republicans are for the status quo which has not been working and has gotten America into the worse recession since 1929. Republican Policies are old and stale which only work for the rich and companies who "outsource" our jobs, but lets not forget that Republicans put America into 2 wars and a 700 billion bailout for mortgage companies also.
Get the bill done or show how each Congress person voted so America can vote in the needed people to get Healthcare passed !!!
More of the same old crap. The Republicans had 20 years to put in health care since 1988 (Regean, H.W. Bush, and G. Bush, and wanted nothing to do with it. They are not for anything good for the middle/poor class people. All they can shout is tax cuts for the rich. They also like to lie, call people bad names and whine.
It will change to better is about time President Obama put his foot down.Republican's have become crying babies and at the end instead of gain support from the people they will even lose what ever they have left..
Accoding to them nothing that the President is doing is right,because they wish they were in power and could do all these things that Obama is doing
Shame on the Republicans.
The only change is that the loud got louder. I really don't think that the minds of our Congressmen have changed very much. Those who are heavily invested in the status quo will still be invested in it and those who are committed to changing it will still be committed to that goal. Follow the money to figure the results this fall.
Healthcare? What a dog and pony show on both sides of the issue. Maybe if they try hard enough they can make it a 3 ring circus.
The health care debate has not changed unless you consider the fact that today I read an article about fining the poor for not having health insurance..? What kind of bull is that that..? Nothing like kicking you when you are already down, but thats what our government has been all about..How disappointing when I had such high hopes.
Well Jack,
The ad agencies made more cash. Almost as good as a campaign but shorter.
The bought and paid for legislators have not had their orders from K Street changed so there is nothing new to report from there. Now the six lobbyists per legislator will descend on congress to remind them of their obligation to the health care insurance industry, the drug companies.
Same as for Truman, Clinton and now Obama. The actors change but the corporate orders do not but the price goes up.
Already today, Steny Hoyer has said he will go along without a public option. What has changed is the Congress heard the people!!
No more spending on anything!!!!!!!!
Jack–
I'm not sure the debate has changed, but it sure has gotten ugly with name-calling and threats of violence or terrorism if you will by the pro-life forces in this country. Americans need to really think about topics and know the facts before they start emailing rumors and out-right lies. America needs healthcare reform–that's for all of us regardless of our political feelings, economic status, or ethnic background.
It's only gotten nastier, and everyone is more entrenched. Obama is going to fail to persuade anyone in Congress. It's a waste of time and political capital. But wasting political capital is what Obama is best at. Stay tuned.
Ask the same question of any member of Congress and they will say, "What? Is that old thing still around? We all thought that whole discussion would have dried up and blown away by now."
Village idiots showed up at town halls yelling out things they forgot to fact check first, young middle class people were busy working and having to watch these crazy people on t.v. later. My opinion has stayed the same:
if i have to continue to pay 15% of my pre-tax income to blue cross blue shield for crapy health coverage and our government passes something that allows me to chose then GOOD BYE BLUE CROSS!
From what I've seen on the news, nothing has changed. Oh wait a minute. I just read that Senator Max Baucus pitched a proposal in which those who do not sign up for a medical plan would be fined. With the loss of jobs, and the rising costs of groceries, gas, etc., how does he expect families that are barley getting by to be able to pay for healthcare? And if they can't afford the healthcare, should it become mandatory, what makes Senator Baucus think they'd be able to pay the fine?
What happened to "...by the people and for the people"?
It just keeps getting dumber and dumber....The Republicans have "High-Jacked the healthcare debate in the 40 days Congress was on vacation with lies.... and what is so dumb .... people fell for it.... We have a huge problem with ignorance in this country.....It is so embarrassing.......President Obama made a huge mistake in treating Congress like grow-ups... they are all nothing more than self-serving hypocrits......
I'd say it's a real mess and people better be thinking about how much more they are going to be paying for health insurance without reform. We need to think about millions of people being out of work and that number is increasing and will continue to increase. We need to think about the suffering and dying of people who can't afford medical treatment or medicines. For those that are perfectly satisfied, I'm all too sure they won't be satisfied before too long. Congress needs to do the right thing but I doubt they will.
Jack! The real issue is not healthcare! The Republicans are determine to fail this President at all cost, no matter what good idea the President brought to the table for American People, they will always manipulate the President good thoughts for deceit.
They use Public Media for falsehood and to mislead good percentage of American Public. The truth shall prevail sometimes, someday.
Atlanta, GA
Jack, I for one hope the public opinion is included in the final bill just want to see how congress will get lobbyists money out of it, being a federal program,,.
Jack, the only thing that changed over the last 40 days is that the media has given the lunatic fringe more coverage and credibility than rational debate. Conservatives and corporations have done an excellent job of stirring up the honey pot of fear among those who are most vulnerable. I also want to know on what planet they spend most of their time.
it hasnt changed health care but it has changed society we are going back to a very ugly moment in our time, when we see people with nazi signs and obama joker pictures i am scared at what are country is turning into
Congress has grown up, they have embraced compromise and are now engaged in polite civil discourse. They are all working for the people who elected them and standing up to the lobbyists who have tried to divide this country. Sorry, this was a dream I had. Reality brings us back to the same lies, distortions, and name calling that we had when they left.
Mountain Home ID
Jack, It reminds me a little of the tribe of Isreal wandering the dessert. As a Nation we're as lost about this as we were forty days ago. I think we've been going in circles and going no where.
Jack, Maybe if we had 40 days to relax like good ole congress we wouldn't need to worry about health care either. What a joke our congress is!!!
It hasn't changed Jack. Those in Congress who are wrapped up with the HMO's ....will continue to try to hijack the President's wonderful vision for all Americans. It is beyond the pale how these men and women can sleep at night. I guess you could say " they sleep wealthy".
Kate.
It hasn’t changed, mainly because we Americans that elect these people only buy $160,000.00 (or whatever their salary is) in influence and the lobbyist buy millions of dollars worth in re-election funds. Until there is a grass roots campaign, because Congress won’t change the rules themselves, to eliminate lobbyists of all kinds and make public financing the only option, we Americans are invisible. They would have to listen to us or get voted out. We don’t need term limits, only equal and honest representation. If someone is representing us properly, keep them there, if not, vote them out.
Jack, little has changed. If anything, it's dumbed down over the summer. Comedian/commentator Bill Maher once said that Americans are too stupid to be governed. I'm inclined to believe him.
Jeanne
California
The only thing that has changed is that Congress proved to the World that they are not doing the job they are elected to do...Corporations are still controlling their 'paid for' mouthpieces and the media is still pushing the salacious!
Conrad is dealing with the crisis in Dakota with the exposure of BCBS and their slide toward a Conrad supported Co-op! The Baucus gang makes no sense and passes the buck to States and the people that need insurance but certainly have no time to organize such a monumental effort..Congress last week eliminated the Medicare 'trigger-so that won't work with congress against the people!
The issue is cost controls and competition–not one of the senates 'ideas do any of that!
Term limits and wipe out the obstructionists on both sides of the aisle in 2010!
I ran out of room earlier. Wanted to say that if the people opposing reform of health insurance, (which benefits EVERY American, esp.the public option), had even an ounce of sense, theyd know that theyre shooting themselves in the feet, cutting off their noses to spite their faces...which cliches have I left out? Anyway, you get the idea. Theyre protesting against their own best interests, & are too ignorant to realize it. Fortunately, theyre in the minority, supporting losers. The majority shall prevail.
The health care debate is beyond changed, Jack. The bats are flying early this Halloween. The birthers and tea baggers are crossing the country in their Weirdsmobile, the fanatic fringe is praying for Obama to die, and the Communist hunters are out in the graveyard trying to dig up Joe McCarthy. Now that’s what I call scary.
I believe you have your facts mixed up, congress doesnt even work 40 days a year. The debate has only gotten more brutal, angry and uncivilized.
Jack, it seems to have only entrenched those politicians that were already against it. The only way to get movement on this issue, and get it done right, is to strip away Congresses own health care coverage and tell them that they can have it back when we are all covered. Also, tell them they have to take the same coverage as the least of us.
How has it changed Jack? The insurance lobby has injected all it can to derail any real debate. Hyperbole has been used to paint anybody who favours the public option as a communist (A perfectly legitimate political opinion) rather than somebody who simply believes that health care should not be a be commodity. In the end, we have a debate that is looking more centered around continuing a health care system that treats health care as a commodity that only the private sector should cater to. We have underlying assumptions (Which are false) about how ineffective public healthcare is in other industrialised nations. Big Insurance is winning.
if nothg else perhaps the administration has seen and learned the extent to which the republicans are willing to use underhanded, dishonest, disrespectful tactics to attack them so maybe now the president can take the bull by horns and move the whole thing regardless of what the republicans do and say. let his work out kinks with the blue dogs and forget about the party of NO– bunch of sore loosers is what the republicans are.
I am appalled by the scare tactics that have been used to scare our seniors and others. If he were still alive my father would be frightened to death with all of the misinformation that is out there. He believed what he heard on TV.
I'm seeing it over and over again and I just cannot stomach it any longer. If you don't want healthcare reform, OK but don't try to scare people who are just not smart enough or are too worried to understand that it is all just propaganda.
The debate should be an honest one and when I see people taunting one another calling them communists or starting fights with them just because they want to revamp healthcare, I am amazed. Healthcare should be a right and not a priviledge...and this is from someone who has always had health insurance but who knows many who are not so fortunate.
all the negativity the republicans spewed was the best recruiting tool the democrats had i th fried up our group their ready to go
I'm furious that a bunch of radical right people have scared off congress from an effective plan. I cannot figure out how Congress could abandon health care. They won, at least partly, because of the promise. I for one will not bother voting for a democrat that cowers out of this issue.
Kathy
Waco, TX
Jack,
It has been heartbreaking for me to watch what has happened to the health care debate before and during the 40 day congressional break. The "rabid dog " approach taken by those trying to destroy this new President, at all costs, has totally distorted not only what is being proposed but the image of our democracy world wide. I sincerely hope everyone tunes in to President Obama's speech to Congress and listens with an open mind instead of listeninig through the filter of fear being promoted by the Insurance industry shells in our country.
Bob
Souith Carolina
Pam holt, foley al. What"s changed is that the healthcare reform has shown us just exactly how in the past republication would go to any lengths th get their way, has continued thru today, by pitting the American citizens against each other. It is absolutely disgusting, at the lengths they will go thru. I think that they only pray that they can continue to delay this healthcare reform so that they can continue to spew their false rhetoric. my hope is that the American public will remember the past and not rcontinue to allow them to control the future.....
How sad that something as important as Health Care Reform has come to this. The needs, wants of the people of this country has
been ignored for the sake of politics, pandering and campaign funding.
What has gotten worse is the voters disgust, disappointment
and anger over the actions of politicians.
Will they ever represent us as they were elected to do?
Jack,
It's not a debate, it's a grudge match.
Jack, I think the answer is simple...and it's a sad one. The nutcases have shouted down the wisest among us. The anti-Health Care Reform pawns are keeping insurance companies in power. By "in power" I am referring to modern death panels by way of dropping coverage for the very ill, or "preexisting conditions", or rates that are simply too high.
The Democrats have failed the country so far by playing defense instead of crushing these so-called "Tea Baggers" or others who fear-monger and keep people in the grip of one of the worst medical systems in the industrialized world. All in the name of civility.
Civility never freed a slave, gave a woman the right to vote, or gave a poor person affordable or even free health care. We should be ashamed.
It hasn't changed but it has brought out the nasty, ugly and violence in Republicans that love war. It has showed me that we are rapidly becoming a Third World Nation of arrogant Americans.
While the debate hasn't changed and having seen the ugly side of this nation in the 50's and 60's, it has show me another ugly side of my own country today.
We have NOT had debate based on FACTS yet(NOT the August distortions and lies). President Obama & the Dems are busy captiualting to far-right-wing nuts & Corporations. NO public option WITH individual mandates means higher premiums, less heath care & another gift for Big Business–NOT A REFORM. NOT any "change" I can believe in.
The Health Care Debate drastically deteriorated during the 40 day recess mainly due to millions of dollars spent by Heath Insurance companies to spread lies and disinformation to protect their unconscionable profits. This was aided by the spewers of hate on talk radio using lies about insurance reform to bludgeon the President because they want him, and all of us who support him, to fail.
In the last 40 days, those against reform have effectively taken control of the argument. Call it the Big Lie or scare tactics, doubt has effectively been sown in those who would benefit from the change they oppose.
Insane statements, including death panels, have effectively caused the public to grasp the status quo. They cannot imagine that people would go on television and blithely spread propaganda. So their opinions are subtly shifted.
This is not as much a victory for the for the healthcare complex as it is an abject failure for the president. His inability to convey a vision of change has been disappointing, as has been his lack of strength.
What could have been an historical Obama legacy seems to be transforming to another, type of legacy. What a shame that such potential is being wasted.
Jack, I'm a democrat – and I've gotten to the point that I don't even want to hear a republican speak – much less vote! They are always against Obama no matter what he says. And, I am for health care.
Olympia, Washington
Jack,
I think that Congress and i emphasize the Republicans have taken a longer vacation they have been on vacation for the last 8years and just about 9 months of this year and administration as well. Nothing has changed in the healthcare debate everything is the same the democrats are on there corner and the republicans on there corner and no budge. Both parties need to set apart their egos and get to work. Since they are the employees of the american people they need to get back to work and EARN THE VACATION they just had. Just like in the workforce you dont earn vacation until you have passed your probatory time and performed well. CONGRESS HAS NOT PERFORMED WELL LATELY. In my view the should all be fired!
If health care reform is destroyed, then those responsible are becoming our countries most dangerous, domestic terrorists.
After all the uproar the Republicans made about President Obama's speech to students. They are promoting division in the parties and are modeling total disrespect for the leader of our country. I think Republicans should worry about their credibility as a human being. They certainly have no credibility as leaders.These people need to vote for the health care that will work for the people. I doubt any one of them would like to have the health care I have...and mine is not as bad as some people.
The only "change" in the health care debate is showing how many Americans are stupid enough to believe that reform will bring them death panels and killing grandma. Those idiots deserve higher premiums and losing their insurance if they lose their jobs. But what about those of us who want meaningful reform with a public option? All we can do is vote against Republican naysayers and cowardly Democrats in the pockets of insurance company lobbyists - and hope a third party emerges after next year's election with the guts to do what it promised.
Golden, Colorado
It never was cordial and the lies of the “No” Party has only grown in audacity and at times violence. It is a shame that ignorance runs so rampantly in our society. It’s a greater shame that certain members of the “No” Party and FOX News insist on telling and re-telling these blatant lies. I mean really, death squads for the elderly. And giving credence to idiots, frothing at the mouth with, “Don’t take away my right to choose with a public health system, and you better not touch my Medicare.” Science and logic have nearly been all but defeated by the Republicans. I very much hope that their constituency votes “NO” and kicks the buggers out. At least I can dream about a more perfect world.
Jack, nothing has changed. The democratic leadership in both houses are failing the president and the american people. They don't need the repubicans and can't get the support of their own party. After all the years of wanting the power to do the things that needed to be done they can't handle it. I hope that the the voters remember this during the primary elections and make the needed corrections. Jack from Nice Ca.
One of the things that got lost in the screaming about made-up crap about death panels and socialism/communism/facism is the fact that if we don't reform health insurance now, costs will double in the next ten years. What got lost in the debate is that 16% of our population doesn't have health insurance and we already subsidize their costs - but in a way that is ineffective and expensive. How did the debate change? Well it got turned over to a screaming ill-informed mob of folks stirred up by the likes of Glen Beck, Rush Limbaugh and Sarah Palin. It's like trying to discuss a serious issue in and insane asylum. The real difference is that we will get a bill where a public option is triggered if the insurance companies don't get it together. I have no problem with that.
Jack, precious little has been done by politicians and the media to enlighten the conversation during this time. America is being dumbed down in the front, and the deals going on behind closed doors, led by republicans and democrats alike, are doing tremendous damage to the country.
Most Americans want the public options, a strong public option. The poll you cited in this question makes it sound like Americans are against reform. We're not. Let's make this clear: We are against bad reform – the kind that comes out of our good-for-nothing congress.
The right wing fringe controlled the messaging thanks in large part to the media. Oh wait, nothing has changed after all. When between 55-77% of the public wants health care reform and all we hear are lunatics screeching, there's something wrong with this picture.
Tucson, AZ – Most of the debate and most of the noise about health care completely miss the point – maybe, nobody we have heard from actually understands how health care actually works and how to fix it.
I find it convincing that the French, the Swiss, and the Belgians have much better health care for much less money, with a mixed public and private insurance system that is halfway between laissez faire and government control. At the last data point, France was number one in outcomes, without National Health, for 40% less money per person than us.
Objectively, this is the answer to our actual health care problems. Objectively, no other proposals offers any real change – not Federal mandates, not co-ops, not promises from industry, nada. There is no way to get the results the people say they want without opening the Congressional health plan to everyone, no limits, no exclusions, with premiums based on ability to pay, emphasis on prevention, living will coverage, and Federal money to cover those too poor to buy for themselves. Counterintuitively, covering everyone this way will actually cost less than what we do now with 47 million people outside the system looking in.
My question is – are the American people and their representatives smart enough to adopt a program that has already been proven to work, and ignore the fact-free and illogical vocal opposition from one third of the country?
The quote from Laura Bush on President Obama I hope stops some of the Republican rhetoric. Maybe then some constructive work will be done. Shame on the Parents who do not show respect for the office of the President, their children could possible turn against them for their bad behaviour. I hope this vote will bring some dignity back to our leaders.
Oregon
I have a prediction for any Democrat who is willing to compromise on the public option portion in health care reform. You will lose your seat in the Congress or the Senate. You will be vigorously campaigned against in your primaries, and not a one of you will run unopposed. If you are not for the public option, you have either been in Washington too long to be any use to the people, or you are in the HMOs pockets. So, do what you have to do, but in the end, there will be a price for compromising.
No matter what Congress does about healthcare, nothing will change and the problems will only get worse.
Unthinkable that Amerricans don't really want health care reform, or is it just the politicians? well if you ask me i feel that it really depends on your stature in society and to the greatest most are afraid of a black man changing something of this magnitude. I think above all republicans need to get their heads out but they will see that in the recession more Americans are totally insurance less and cannot afford medical treatment and maintain there homes.
When you leave an employer, they tell you to do C.O.B.R.A., however i have fould out personally that it is not affordable or econmical. When i worked for a dealership, my weekly premium was 19.00 with COBRA it would be $145.00 per week. Now you tell me we dont need reforms?? that was just for a single man not if i were to add my children since i am not married would be $245.00 per week. How is this economical??? Prehaps the special interest and republicans can enlighten me on the costs here. I remember when i could pay $125 per month and cover a whole family what happen to those days huh??
they need to go back to working on how they are going to provide health insurance to american people.
President O,
We want the P. O.,
Please make it SO!!!
Yes, I think more people have been educated about the problems people are facing with our current system. I think the high drama and lies of the extreme right concerning President Obama's motives for wanting to do something about health care have been put to rest. I think we understand that something has to be done.
I just hope that we can come up with a plan that addresses the health care issues and gives every American basic health care coverage. Whether it is a Public Health Care plan or a Co-op. We elect and pay our Representatives to figure out which would best serve the people.
I really want the president to keep public health care on the table. Because people like myself that is working a pretty much dead end job for just enough to money to keep up with bills has no room for paying anything for health care. At this current time I'm sick and can't go the doctor to get checked out. My doctor is the pharmacist advice at the local Walgreens. So public health care is what I need.
It's changed in such that the Blue Dog Democrats(aka, Repulicans in Sheep's Clothing) seem to be getting there way!
we have had 40 days of media coverage emphasizing the chaos created by the opposition forces to the proposed healthcare legislation. we've had their noise shoved at us ad infinitum. I viewed cspan telecast of rep.
gerald connolly intelligently answering every question posed. this civil town meeting was never covered by the dominant media.
Before Congress went on their 40 day vacation I was hopeful , now I'm just pissed . We elected a President to make changes for the BETTER and a Congress to to supportt that effort. These elected public servants are a disgrace to Democracy. If they were seriously trying to solve the Health Care problems in this country, the first idea they should open for discussion is the reason elected officials in Washington are entitled to Health Care for life. If the Constritution guarantees all men and women are equal, why don't they have the same access to health care insurance? Sure is smacks of socialism but what in the heck are Medicare and Medicaid, not to mention bailing out bankrupt business and all the entitlements that other private business stand in line with their hands out waiting for their cut of the pie.
I'm on disability now from AT&T. Three years ago I was making $150,000 a year as a Global Account Manager for Cingular, then I had to go on disability shortly before AT&T took over. I had paid for the best health coverage available and also always paid for supplemental disability insurance. I've been on disability and under mediacal treatment since then. You'd think with my career path, income and savings, and my commitment to always get the most and best insurance I could I should be in great shape, right? I'm now completely broke, I have no retirement savings left, can't pay for my kids college, and my copay on just ONE of my prescriptions has gone from $150 to $1254 for a one-month supply during the last year alone, so I can't even afford the prescription I need to stay alive.
I don't care how good your job is, how secure it is, how great your insurance is, or how much you have in savings and retirement accounts, YOU ARE NOT COVERED. The contractors your company works with (i.e., United Healthcare for Medical Ins., Hewett for Benefits Mgmt., Sedgewick for Disability Mgmt., CVS for drug benefits, etc.) will pull every trick in the book to reduce/deny coverage. Their systems are set up to force you to monitor a constant barrage of paperwork and forms, and if you miss any required responce notices, they will permanently drop you from benefits/coverage, and you're screwed, forever. The process is split between multiple parties with very little communication between them, and it's made to be extremely convoluted and unforgiving to give them the maximum opportunities to deny the coverage you worked for and paid for throughout your career life. You've been lied to - a lot - and if you ever need the benefits you've worked for and paid into you're entire life - well, God help you, cause the insurance industry sure as hell won't.
Absolutely not! The liberals are completely unwilling to give on the pubic option, saying without it there is no true reform. Conservatives, aloing with the rest of the America public know, that a public option will not increase competition and control costs like the president has promised it will.
Prsident Obama made huge mistake in not having a plan of his own. He has also painted himself into a corner from which he will most likely not escape without a considerable amount of paint on his shoes.
It hasn't. People are still nuts and I'm not just talking about the general public.
This would be moot if the 15 or so 'blue dog' democrats would get on the stick and understand that they're playing right into the hands of the Republican Party by not voting for a bill with the public option.
But then again they might know that because some people still aren't comfortable with President Obama as President and may include members of his own party.
The Republicans are using the healthcare debate as a weapon of mass destruction.
I hope the Democrats convince Obama to dance with the people who brought him to the party. STOP trying to be nice to people who hate you. If you are going to go down, go down working for the people who elected you. Health care reform, troops out of Iraq and change the dont ask dont tell policy. I could live with that.
The debate has not changed .The great senator kennedy pass on.
In his honor of what he stood for their should be a health care bill passed and named after him.
All americans need health care just not the few.
Kevin Riv. CA.
We can't seem to get our current members of Congress to work together because of all the money and meddling by all the lobbyists - and it's becoming clearly hopeless that anything good is going to happen as long as the current group - whether Democrat or Republican - remains in office. So, going forward, we should all vote against ALL INCUMBENTS - regardless of party affiliation. It may take an election or two to really get their attention, but I think this just might do it.
I think a lot of myths have been resolved. But this will continue to be a on going thing. People just don't like(fear) change and President Obama represents the biggest change this country counld have imaged.
come on jack. we can all see how the debate has changed...its now 41 days older than it was when they left it on their desk 40 days ago!
Anthony Warren
Texas City, TX
Is there anyone who could tell President Obama that election campaign was over on Nov. 4, 2008. He is president now and is expected to make speech(es) like a president . His speech in Cincinetti tells that he is on a health reform campaign now. These campaign like speeches do not behove of a president of the United States.
not too long ago if you didnt support the war you were a terrorist..now if you support the president you are a cominist..there just isnt any winning with the republicans if you dont do it their way.