Props to Harry Reid-he came in with a public option, under budget,

[babylonsister]

and with a lot of support. It's far from a done deal, but Harry Reid didn't let us down this time, and for that I'm grateful to him.

[terip64]

1. I wish I could recommend this twice. n/t

[stray cat]

2. so far so good.....

[Dennis Donovan]

3. I agree, but I happened to notice Senator Franken directly behind him during the presser...

...I wondered if Al had an electric prodding device.:D

[annabanana]

8. !LOL! . . .. n/t

[KeepItReal]

25. Great Sig Pic!

"Carol Brown" by FOTC ROCKS!!

[Dennis Donovan]

26. One of my faves!

"Who organized all my ex-girlfriends into a choir, and got them to siiiiing?":rofl:

[redqueen]

40. LOL

"I thought I told you to shut u-u-up..."

Great stuff. :)

[karynnj]

28. It sure didn't sound like it - the credit is to Reid, Dodd, Baucus and their staff

and many other Senators who lobbied for some of the changes. I see the smilie face, but this really is a case where credit should go where it is due - and Franken is a very junior Senator. (though likely the one with the best sense of humor)

[redqueen]

38. Hahahahahahaha

thank you so much for that laugh... I really needed it! :D

[rocktivity]

4. Is the abortion stuff still there?

The no pre-existing conditions? And what's with this opt-out stuff? Shouldn't that be left to the patient rather than the states?


rocktivity

[stray cat]

6. It should - but won't be - its now the best bill possible and not a perfect bill

[medeak]

16. abortion info here

http://big.assets.huffingtonpost.com/abortionlanguage.pdf

[babylonsister]

18. From John Kerry wrt the abortion provisions...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=433x7013

Details of Senate HCR Bill Emerge, Reconciliation on the Table (updated w/link to full text of bill)

snip//

Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.), who supports abortion rights, said Reid's new provisions would preserve the Hyde amendment while enabling people to buy insurance plans with abortion coverage on the exchange.

"We're basically going to keep current law, which is what we ought to do," Kerry said after the Democratic caucus meeting.

[karynnj]

29. Here is a nice link to a chart with very concise descriptions of what

teh House and Senate have in their bills. http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/11/19/us/politics/1119-plan-comparison.html?hp#tab=15 (It seriously has more easy to find answers than anything else I've seen - they did a great job.)

[cannabis_flower]

34. Here's something that could be trouble for some..

5 percent tax on elective cosmetic medical procedures. The tax would be paid by patients, but collected by doctors and clinics and forwarded to the government.

My sister was born with portwine birth marks and hemotomas on her mouth and they ate away her lips and the doctors have been able to reconstruct her lips with plastic surgery. My mother had to fight with the insurance companies to get it covered because they tried to say it was cosmetic surgery. Will someone like my mother now have to fight with the government over whether they have to pay this 5% tax?

[SoFlaJet]

5. rec'd Sis...

of course this bill could cure cancer and also have a Swine Flu vaccine attached to it and the republicans would still vote no-scumbags that they are and all.

[BunkerHill24]

7. My dear baylonsister....

let us not get out off vocal yapp, and out about whilst we have do nothin' to shout on about...that we have not heard yet about positive inclusions on public Option!

[David Zephyr]

9. You know, I'm going to get off my high horse and congratulate Harry, too.

I want a single payer system like the ones I lived under as a boy in Argentina, Peru and the UK.

But that's just not going to happen. We can barely get 60 votes (if we even can with Traitor Joe Lieberman on deck), but I think this moves the ball a long way forward. It does begin to get the government into the mix and that's a good thing.

So, I'm joining with babylonsister and giving props to Harry, too.

[JimWis]

10. K&R - I understand the bill is to be posted on line tonight. Or at

least that is what someone said in the press conference.

[babylonsister]

13. I heard it will also, which makes a mockery of the rethug

who wants the bill read 'in its entirety' on the Senate floor. They're stalling, or else they're too lazy to read it and want to hear it.

[medeak]

11. thank you for not bashing Harry!

FINALLY DU says something nice!

[polichick]

12. There seems to be a lot of optimism among Dems on TV tonite - kudos to Harry. nt

[Ruby the Liberal]

14. So far, so good!

Keeping my fingers crossed for a good outcome.

[AllentownJake]

15. Is there a link to a summary of the bill and the differences between the house

I know I'm a jackal, just want to familiarize myself with the talking points for the next 4 weeks.

[babylonsister]

17. Sure there is...check this out...

Details of Senate HCR Bill Emerge, Reconciliation on the Table (updated w/link to full text of bill)

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=433x7013


Get your talking points down pat now, ya hear?!

[AllentownJake]

19. I already have my talking points

Seriously,

Like to see what the differences were and whether it is positive or negative in comparison to the house bill.

[babylonsister]

20. I hear you, often. nt

[karynnj]

31. Here is the best one I've seen from the NYT

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/11/19/us/politics/1119-plan-comparison.html?hp#tab=15

They really did a nice job producing something this clear and easy to use. (I would bet that there are things you might want more detail on, but here at least the basics are spelled out.)

[Bobbie Jo]

21. K&R

[spanone]

22. k&r

:hi:

:popcorn:

[Bobbie Jo]

23. Kick

:kick:

[Zomby Woof]

24. Senator Harkin was pretty effusive with his optimism

I hope Harkin is right that they have the votes - although I am in no way convinced Lieberman will not be an obstacle.

[no limit]

27. Yup. Big K&R. I still have a hard time believing they will get 60

but big props to him for not selling out.

[sufrommich]

30. Agree and k&r.

[bigtree]

32. yep, nearly the same one as in committee . . . new name: “Community Health Insurance Option.”

Good to see him stand up to Baucus.

Still have problems with the opt-out provision. Hope we can make it tougher for states to reject the provision.

[DU GrovelBot]

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[leveymg]

35. But, about 120 days late and without a robust Public Option. Thanks, Harry.

Props to you.

[havocmom]

36. and throws consumers under the bus with opt out

So, now insurance coverage for needy will be up to which party is in power at any given time in the state one lives in? Is that what opt out really does? I am still confused and none to happy.

And how does opt out create real price competition for the average consumer?

Harry is too tired. For his health, he should step down.

[TomCADem]

37. K & R!

[madfloridian]

39. Opt out sounds like legislatures could do it with public input?

That would be tragic for Florida.

[The Magistrate]

41. Not Until It Passes, Ma'am....

The man has earned the reputation he has, and will have it till he earns a better one.