Reply #79: Reread what you've posted . . .

[defendandprotect]

AMY GOODMAN: Congressman Kucinich, President Obama says that the Senate bill does include single-payer language. He was talking about a provision by Senator Bernie Sanders which would allow states to use federal money to set up a single-payer system years down the road. What do you think of that?


REP. DENNIS KUCINICH: Well, it provides for a waiver; it doesn’t grant the waiver. And it takes effect 2017. But by then, we’ll already have a system in place that will be very difficult to move out of. And it doesn’t cure the attack that insurance companies can make on state plans using the Employee—the ERISA Act. And so, my amendment that was passed in committee would have protected states from illegal challenge by insurance companies. The Sanders amendment doesn’t do that, so you still have the problem that, no matter what reforms are enacted, can be knocked out. I mean, I talked to the President personally about this. I’ve met with the President three times on this bill. The White House knows my position.

Then, you inject . . .

His provision simply offers a waiver and no other support for states. And here is the reason Pelosi likely pulled it:

The "his" being discussed is Bernie Sanders, not Kucinich . . .

Or did Pelosi also "pull" Sander's provision???

And, Kucinich makes quite clear here that the Sander's amendment provides no "safeguard" against

the insurance companies continuing to use ERISA for harassment lawsuits.

And, as others here are pointing out sets a huge bump in the road with the date of 2017!


Clear up that part of your post and I'll read the rest of it --