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DEAR MR. PRESIDENT
Linked to groups: Healthcare Advisors' Blog
Dear Mr. President,
Having dedicated ourselves for the last two years to getting you elected and working to help you enact comprehensive health care reform, I am writing to you today to share what I believe your most ardent supporters would like to see in the health care legislation we all hope you will sign this year.
First and foremost, it is time to cut the Republicans loose. The only thing that will be gained from continuing to try to work with them and adopt their amendments and so called "compromises" is an increasingly watered-down bill. In fact, I would urge you not to sign a watered-down bill.
The Republican strategy seems to be two-fold:
-First, they will try to kill reform. Stall it as long as possible. Over the recess, without a bill we can all take pride in, the Republicans and health insurance industry will launch their media onslaught and scare the heck out of the American People. Their hope is that with more time, reform will go down to defeat.
-Second, they want to weaken the bill to such a degree that, even if it passes, it provides no real protections, doesn't reduce costs or save any money, and leaves millions with no insurance or lousy insurance, and serves only to strengthen the for-profit insurance market.
Both of these scenarios spell disaster for the American people, for your Presidency, and for the strength of the Democratic Party.
Americans wants real health care reform and they want it now!
What they mean by that, is a single payer plan is not feasible, but:
-A STRONG PUBLIC PLAN option into which every single American can enroll if they CHOOSE with comprehensive benefits that are the same for EVERYONE (none of this bronze, silver and gold level benefits). We were created equally and we should be treated equally;
-LIMITS ON OUT-OF-POCKET COSTS so that NO ONE in America ever goes bankrupt from medical care again (no one should have to spend more than 10% of their family's income on medical care);
-SERIOUS REGULATION of the health insurance industry (no more pre-existing condition exclusions or limitations, no pricing premiums based on health status or age, gender or any other individual characteristic, no canceling policies, guaranteed issue and renewal, requiring that they spend 90% of premium on medical care, and finally requiring that all individual/family private insurance be sold through the Exchange);
-REAL SUBSIDIES for those who cannot afford coverage up to at least 350% of FPL; and
-PAYMENT reform for physicians and hospitals that fairly compensates them for the care they deliver REGARDLESS of the patient they are treating.
Here is what we don't want:
-We DO NOT WANT any more coddling of Republicans. Cut them out. They don't play fair. They weaken the bills with their amendments and still don't vote for the bills.
-We DO NOT WANT the bill to make the for-profit insurance industry stronger and more powerful. We want for-profit insurers to have to COMPETE with the public plan option, which we know, through the experience of Medicare, will be more efficient and equitable.
We want the PURPOSE of the bill to ensure that ALL Americans have comprehensive coverage that is affordable, provides them with access to the effective care they need when they need it, controls costs, and promotes their health. Period.
We are in the fourth quarter of this game, Mr President. We are so grateful that you have put yourself into the game, even though it is the last quarter and the minutes are ticking down. What will you do, Mr. President? So many people are counting on you. So many of us have put our faith and trust in you. So many of us having been waiting a lifetime for a President who will take back the soul of this country and be concerned for the welfare of its people. We believe you are the one.
Will you weave down the court and dunk it? Will you go for the three pointer and assure a win? We have seen you do it before. Will you pass the ball to another member of your team who is in the right position to make a basket before the buzzer rings? Or will you lose control and lose the game?
We know that you need our support now more than ever. And I have never seen so many people working so hard for the good of the country. But we need you to be strong, clear, and tough. We need you to lead us to victory and finally grant the American people the same rights that people all over the world enjoy - access to high quality, comprehensive affordable health care that can never be taken away.
Thank you, Mr. President.
Finally, I ask all DFA members and all Americans to call your two Senators and your one Congressional representative, every single day if necessary this week, and tell them what we don't want (a watered-down bill) and tell them what we do want: the choice of a robust public plan that protects the American people, regulates the insurance industry, controls costs, and fairly compensates providers.
These two articles in the Sunday NY Times and Washington Post are worth a read:
New York Times
Washington Post
Get busy progressives. The clock is ticking down. The game is almost over. As our President reminds us, again and again, the time is NOW.
I am an American Mr. President and I do not want your health care reform. I do not want your politicians deciding my health care. Lets get reform with insurance companies and find more funding for city hospitals. Say No to goverment control....it does not work. Look at Medicare it's basically bankrupt. Ugh so frustrating! Wake UP!
We are deeply concerned that the scare tactics of the Republicans have been treated civilly as "one side of the story." They are not another side to be treated carefully. They are carefully constructing wounding tactics to defeat serious proposals. Their tactics should be held up in real light and shown as the false constructions that they are. All experts are not equals, all personal statements are not of equal value. There are facts out there and they need to be presented forcefully. This country has good medicine, but it is not available to all and it needs to be available to all. We can sit back and say we don't know what is going on behind the scenes, why are the health care reform leaders being so timid? But my guess is there is only hardening of the sides behind the scenes. The recklessness of the "fears" of the opposition need to be called out for what they are, namely fear of change in the direction of the public good. This must be seen as a time of tremendous change and we must be clear if we want that change. Mr. President, many of us gave uncounted hours to help you reach that change.
I have a suggestion of something YOU might be able to do to garner media attention for the next 30 days to promote Health Care for All. Here goes........
SINGLE PAYER or Strong Public Option NOW.. Ask your fellow Representives & Senators to stage a Sit-In on Capitol Hill instead of going on recess. Have those that have signed onto Rep Conyers SINGLE PAYER amendment 676 AND/OR Sen Sen Sanders PLAN, go to the Floor of both the House and Senate and tell why SIngle Payer or a STRONG Public Option is the best solution. Have the American Public that support either/or both plans, sit in the gallery of the House and Senate...FILL up the seats! C-Span will carry both the House and senate if they are gaveling in every day..SO Gavel in 24/7 for the next 30 days!
Please read my idea on how to get MEDIA attention for the next 30 days.
I have a suggestion of something YOU might be able to do to garner media attention for the next 30 days to promote Health Care for All. Here goes........
SINGLE PAYER or Strong Public Option NOW.. Ask your fellow Representives & Senators to stage a Sit-In on Capitol Hill instead of going on recess. Have those that have signed onto Rep Conyers SINGLE PAYER amendment 676 AND/OR Sen Sen Sanders PLAN, go to the Floor of both the House and Senate and tell why SIngle Payer or a STRONG Public Option is the best solution. Have the American Public that support either/or both plans, sit in the gallery of the House and Senate...FILL up the seats! C-Span will carry both the House and senate if they are gaveling in every day..SO Gavel in 24/7 for the next 30 days!
I hope you really take my suggestion under consideration. The Republicans staged an event similar to this last year when the Hill was 'in the dark". The NEWS MEDIA were there to cover them when ever someone came out to speak. Get the Speaker behind this and,she can actually GAVEL IN. Doing this will mean that C-Span will cover Real Health Reform for a month.
Thank You for hearing me out.
Warmly,
Dawn Clabaugh
Dear Mr. President:
You said it would not be easy. That it would be a long road. That there would be many obstacles. We remember well the bitter cold of Iowa in January. The hope that our knock on the next front door would bring a welcome and a sign of support. We too traveled from east to west, from north to south, across the heartland of this nation. Many of us left our jobs, families, and communities to walk with you on this journey. It was simple words with profound ideals that moved us all to envision change that we could believe in; respect, empower and include. The mission was quite clear: Put government back in the hands of the American people.
"We've never paid more for health care or for college. It's harder to save and retire. And most of all, we've lost faith that our leaders can or will do anything about it."- Blueprint for Change, B.O.
Now the health industry lobbyists are spending a million dollars a day to protect their financial interests and prove us wrong. What can we tell our hardworking neighbors who lost their home due to medical bills? What can I tell my patients who cannot afford their medicines nor insurance to protect them should they fall ill. Who should we trust more to protect our health, Washington or Aetna, Blue Shield or Wellpoint? Yes, Mr. President this is a defining moment. We haven't let you down. Please don't let us down.
J. Andresen,MD
When I was a kid and my dog didn't listen to my father, it found a boot to the backside...hmmm. At the very least, I say we roll up a newspaper and commence to whoopin.
Grear Cartoon about the Blue Dog Demcrats. It isnt the Republicans at all that are stalling health care reform. Its the democrats. Obama doesnt need the republican votes. He should have enough democrats. But they are conerned further taxing businesses large and small in this fragile economy could send it over the edge.
The comon sense democrats are opposing a plan that they themselves have complained doenst control cost. Damn doesnt anyone listen to CNN?
- Maxine Waters: Rahm To Blame For Obstructionist Blue Dogs
By Susan Rowe on Jul 28, 2009 10:14 PM EDTOne of Congress's most liberal members, Rep. Maxine Waters, (D-Calif.), declared on Tuesday that the White House's problems getting Blue Dog Democrats to support its health care agenda were largely its own doing -- or more specifically, the doing of its chief of staff.
Waters said many of the self-proclaimed conservative Democrats, including those who have stalled legislation on the House Energy and Commerce, were initially recruited to run for office by Rahm Emanuel back when he was head of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.
"The chickens have come home to roost," declared the California Democrat. "On the one hand, [the Blue Dogs] don't want to spend money but, on the other hand, they want to spend money when they think it benefits them or their districts, and so they have a powerful bloc. They're holding it up and that is as clear as can be."
In terms of a possible remedy, Waters noted that the White House's bargaining chips were limited, in part because Emanuel had given these members the green light to buck the party on select issues.
<font face="verdana,geneva" size="3" style="font-size: small;">"Don't forget," she said, "[Rahm] recruited most of them, as when he was over in the Congress in the leadership. Rahm Emanuel recruited more conservative members and based on some of the information I'm getting, they told them that they could vote the way they wanted to vote, that they would not interfere with what was considered their philosophy about some of these things."... read more
</font>
Right now the fate of health care reform seems to rest in the hands of relatively conservative Democrats — mainly members of the Blue Dog Coalition, created in 1995. And you might be tempted to say that President Obama needs to give those Democrats what they want.
But he can’t — because the Blue Dogs aren’t making sense.
Is it time for Mr. Obabma to come right out and say that a robust public option is non-negotiable? Is it time for Mr. Obama to expose the hold out senators ties to the lobbiests?Is it time to expose the game of congress?
Because that is all that this is. A game for the private insurers. I read a quick headline that exposed United Healthcare's profit for the 2nd quarter of 2009. Over 500 million dollars profit. It nearly doubled the profit from the first quarter. That estimates to 1.5 billion dollars in profit for 2009. One company, one year. Why is that not part of the conversation. Why is their contributions (to who and how much) part of the national conversation.
Why, when more than 70% of the country wants a public option, is that the first part that is cut. Say it with me now. 1.5 billion in profit--one company, one year.
I believe it is time for Mr. Obama to come out and make this part of the conversation. I and everyone I can get to listen are calling the senators...and its doing nothing.
Mr. Obama, if you read this...now is the time to take action. Please do not allow "reform" to pass that is not "reform." Lead here please. Take the reigns and real in the lobbiests.
Peace.
Thanks for the timely letter to the President; In the heat of debate, ignorance is not strength.
Health Care Realities, by Paul Krugman
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/31/opinion/31krugman.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
At a recent town hall meeting, a man stood up and told Representative Bob Inglis to “keep your government hands off my Medicare.” The congressman, a Republican from South Carolina, tried to explain that Medicare is already a government program — but the voter, Mr. Inglis said, “wasn’t having any of it.”
The Medicare 8
Eight retired Seniors were arrested yesterday (Thursday July 30) for refusing to leave Dianne Feinstein's West Los Angeles Office. They demanded to speak to the Senator about expanding Medicare to all and preserving the "state option." [allows states to enact single-payer] Among the eight were Lenny Potash and Michelle Krug of AFSCME's retiree chapter.
The occasion was the 44th anniversary of the signing of the Medicare legislation. About forty activists celebrated the occasion and offered their support for the eight.
The adminsitration wanted to avoid the pitfalls of the Clinton healthcare reform initiative.
Well, they shouldn't have labeled it Health Care Reform.
It should be called Insurance Reform. Or Reimbursement Reform.
There wouldn't be as much for opponents to use scare tactics with. There'd be a lot less baggage
- Waxman to Weiner: Pelosi Will Allow Single-Payer Full House Vote!
By Susan Rowe on Aug 1, 2009 12:37 AM EDTHouse Energy & Commerce Committee: Weiner(D-NY)/Welch (D-VT) amendment to get Single-Payer on agenda again.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0fA2DfwFn4
I think that there should be another vote like the politician from New York who called the Republicans bluff. Vote to end Medicare!!!!!! It 'is' government run insurance. Also, take all the Senators, Congressmen and Congresswomen and the House insurance off them too!!! After all, if government run insurance is so bad......I say call them on the carpet. We are their employers.
Why doesn't the media report on how Aetna stock rose by 12%? Why doesn't the media report on the Billions of profits the insurnce companies made in just one quarter?
I worked for a HMO...the goal is to make money, not cover people.
I think a good strategy would be to get someone who has worked in a HMO claims department. They will tell people the game the companies run. You pay into insurance, then when you need it, they reject your claims.
When are we going to catch up with the rest of the world. I believe we rank near the 50th country for healthy population.
I understand that this forum seems to be made up of very left wingers. I am here to tell you to say no to Obamas health care reform. Obama is a socialist. This is his agenda. Can you please ask yourselves why he wants to pass this "bill" so quickly? Hmm It's not right, there are obviously many, many problems with it. Why not work out the bumps in a reasonable, productive, open minded way before voting on it. This is so people don't get tp the whole truth of the matter. Obama tells half truths. A wolf in sheeps clothing. just wait untill you get sick and the doctor tells you that he can't order a second round of testing because it is to expensive. Or, you have to wait 8 months before you can see a specialist. I have seen this and if you help to get this into practice believe me you will to. Reform..fine but not this way. If you want ideas just ask me I have plenty Mr. President I assure you. JUST SAY NO
you people are full on shit dont you all know what going on? god help you all,
http://www.infowars.com/whats-really-in-obamas-health-care-reform-bill-a-plain-english-translation/
Any writer who uses the free republic to cite facts has no credibility. Freepers, Brithers, and Tea Baggers are all one in the same.
Page 22: Mandates audits of all employers that self-insure!
• Page 29: Admission: your health care will be rationed!
• Page 30: A government committee will decide what treatments and benefits you get (and, unlike an insurer, there will be no appeals process)
• Page 42: The “Health Choices Commissioner” will decide health benefits for you. You will have no choice. None.
• Page 50: All non-US citizens, illegal or not, will be provided with free healthcare services.
• Page 58: Every person will be issued a National ID Healthcard.
• Page 59: The federal government will have direct, real-time access to all individual bank accounts for electronic funds transfer.
• Page 65: Taxpayers will subsidize all union retiree and community organizer health plans (example: SEIU, UAW and ACORN)
• Page 72: All private healthcare plans must conform to government rules to participate in a Healthcare Exchange.
• Page 84: All private healthcare plans must participate in the Healthcare Exchange (i.e., total government control of private plans)
• Page 91: Government mandates linguistic infrastructure for services; translation: illegal aliens
.
Page 91: Government mandates linguistic infrastructure for services; translation: illegal aliens
• Page 95: The Government will pay ACORN and Americorps to sign up individuals for Government-run Health Care plan.
• Page 102: Those eligible for Medicaid will be automatically enrolled: you have no choice in the matter.
• Page 124: No company can sue the government for price-fixing. No “judicial review” is permitted against the government monopoly. Put simply, private insurers will be crushed.
• Page 127: The AMA sold doctors out: the government will set wages.
susan stop drinking the the jim jone kol- aid!!!are you a pay blogger?
- Shut up Dan - she is not paid and she does more work for democracy in an hour
By Love White Castles on Aug 3, 2009 10:54 AM EDTthan you probably do in a decade. Stop accusing good people of bad things please.
No, I'm a progressive grassroots volunteer.
there no left or right you guy are in disney land wake up before its to late!!please read get off of the tv
http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/search_simple?source=mybobar
Click here to help get President Obama's health care legislation passed.
This is very important for every citizen of america health care is directly related to nation intergration, power and production of every thing
in the many ways obma has given good reformed the health care project and few of them are new
thanks
mean while you have time then can visit it http://www.thefilmwall.com
thanks
Sebelius and ...yes...Obama have lately been floating the Co-op health plan. This is such a terrible idea. This morning on MTP, Rachel Maddow called out Dick Armey on his true motivation on health care (While David Gregory was twiddling his thumbs). A portion of that was Dick declaring that the Co-op plan was dead on arrival. In other words, switching from the Public option to an ineffective but supposedly acceptible Co-op plan will do nothing to assuage the Right wing opposition. Please everyone write Whitehouse.gov to tell Obama to display the backbone we all know he has.
SO ready for this battle. Went to bed wrangling with Sebelius comment.. Woke up to this headline... Former Gov. Dean calls public option indispensable
Can ALWAYS count on you.
Kimmy cash
Dr Dean on Stephanie Miller- Air america- tomorrow! Lets go Doc!!
I am feeling helpless. I don't want to lower myself to the embarrassing tactics of the groups opposing help care reform but yet I feel as though the squeakiest wheel is getting heard.
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Videos of some of the 64 House Healthcare Heroes standing strong for a public health insurance option
Congressman Emanuel Cleaver
Congressman Lloyd Dogget
Congressman Keith Ellison
Congressman Bob Filner
Congressman Phil Hare
Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey
Congresswoman Maxine Waters
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By Enku K on Jul 27, 2009 10:32 AM EDTYes, Mr President, On 4 November 2008, we did not vote for bipartisanship.
Yes, Mr President, we respectfully ask you to lead us to victory. People all over the United States are counting on you.
Yes, Mr President, the richest country in the world, the United States of America stands number 33 in life expectancy and we must not leave millions or our fellow citizens without access to quality, comprehensive and affordable health care.
Yes, Mr President, we hope, we believe in change and YES WE CAN!
Enku K