MR. PRESIDENT: You keep claiming you want our good ideas: MEDICARE FOR ALL!!!

[ddeclue]

Why won't you LISTEN TO US ON THIS?

[dionysus]

1. you know there isn't even 50 votes in the senate for it.

there are too many bought off senators to get it out of committee.

it's not right, but that's how it is.

[ddeclue]

8. SO? Better to do the right thing and fail than to do the WRONG thing and STILL fail.

At least he can point fingers at the obstructionists so the voters can show them the door.

Also he hasn't really tried to twist any arms whatsoever - Obama's all carrot and NO stick.

He needs to fly into some of these Blue Dog Senators hometowns and hold open auditions for their job and primary their asses. After he does it to a few of them, the rest will get the point. Give them the Johnson Treatment.

[FiveGoodMen]

2. He can't possibly be serious when he asks for good ideas.

He's not dumb enough to miss the point that Medicare for All is a good idea.

He knows it.

He's against it.

He's not working for us.

[Echo In Light]

Precisely. As would be the case with *any* US president

[FiveGoodMen]

17. That doesn't give us much to work with.

[Echo In Light]

21. Actually it's precisely what Americans need to realize and act on/against

[ProSense]

3. Here, let Bernie Sanders explain it

video


Then go out and get your Senator to support it.

[Cleita]

4. Maybe we will have to take it to the courts.

As my signature bumper sticker suggests, everyone who has FICA deducted from their paychecks of which part of it goes to Medicare, should be able to opt into the Medicare plan for an additional couple of percentage points in their deduction. I don't think that it's that hard to comprehend and there was a movement many years ago to do just that.

[FLDCVADem]

11. A couple of extra percentage points isn't going to do it

If Medicare is offered to all, there will have to be premiums, just as there are now for people that choose to use Medicare.

[Cleita]

12. I have to buy a medi-gap policy that keeps varying in cost and coverage

from a private insurance. I would gladly give that money to Medicare to get full and consistent coverage and some oversight on premium raises from Congress like with traditional Medicare. I read that complete coverage, and that means eliminating the private sector altogether where coverage is truly single payer would take only a couple of percentage points, providing that the drain that is happening on Medicare because of Medicare Advantage programs and Medicare Part D that is entirely in the private sector, would have to be eliminated. Those two latter privatizations of Medicare are what is draining the system. I believe we need a CBO rating on this and for some reason both Congress and the White House don't want it done. I think they are afraid of the huge savings that would emerge if such a rating was done. I don't think people would mind paying reasonable premiums if they got comprehensive and quality health coverage in exchange just like the Canadians and frankly every other first word developed country in the world gets.

[FLDCVADem]

13. Unless Medicare is changed you would still need the supplemental

Medicare doesn't cover 100%, does it?

Sorry, but I don't see how it's possible to cover everyone without having premiums from everyone.

[Cleita]

15. HR 676 that was introduced in the House back years ago and I believe the

Senate version is S703 delineates how it can be done in detail and cover 100% as well as dental and vision. They are still on line somewhere if you want to read them and are still sitting in Congress in committees somewhere. Congress refuses to let the CBO rate them because they are afraid they would come in so far below in cost that they will lose all their big insurance and PhRMA donations.

[FLDCVADem]

16. Yes, I'd have to go back and see how the funding is done

Although I oppose single payer as outlined in HR676, I'm all for allowing anyone of any age that CHOOSES Medicare to opt-in with premiums.

[Cleita]

18. That's the way it would be. We all pay premiums not only for Medicare but

the medigap as well when we are over 65. I would assume that the only people who wouldn't pay would be children and those who are on public assistance, handicapped and so on, but there should be allowances for them as well.

[Pirate Smile]

5. Can it pass Congress?

[stray cat]

6. PEACE ON EARTH and WEALTH BEYOND MEASURE

Its a good idea too and about as likely to get done.

[Cleita]

7. This has been the problem with the whole issue, a defeatist attitude.

Real health care reform, not the corporate shit sandwich we are being handed, has seemed like an impossible dream also to the other countries in the past who are enjoying it today. We can't give up. If we can't get it through Congress, then maybe at a state level like the Canadians did. The fact is if Congress won't then we need to regroup and think of another way to do it.

[berni_mccoy]

9. HEY DDECLUE! Get Your Senators To Support It!

It doesn't matter how good an idea it is if your own senators won't support it. Call them up and convince them that they won't get your vote unless they do.

[ddeclue]

10. Well I can't do anything more to get Bill Nelson's attention

but I AM working for Kendrick Meek's Senate campaign and when he said he was running I asked him if he supported HR676 and he said he did so I think he's already on my side. I also worked to get Alan Grayson elected in Congress and HE's on our side. Hopefully Grayson will run against Nelson in 2012 for the other Senate seat. Not much more I can do. Hope about YOU?

[Cleita]

14. Maybe the next time he appears in public you should have a moon in.

Paint M-E-D-I-C-A-R-E F-O-R A-L-L on your butts and drop your pants when he's in view. That should get his attention. :rofl:

I am kidding, but I would love to do it to all those Blue Dog Obstructionists not to mention the insurance industry whores are bribed and bought off on the right.

[ddeclue]

22. No..how about I just TALK to him.. he knows me, I know his son and daughter too.

and I know several of his staff.

[Cleita]

23. Then start talking.

You said you couldn't do anymore to get his attention, but apparently you can. You are in a better position than most of us to point out the error of his ways to him. For myself, if he were my senator I would put my money and efforts into finding a progressive to be primaried against him and then work very hard to make sure he was elected against any Republican running against him after he beats Ben Nelson in the primary. Let him know you are disgusted enough with him to do it.

[ddeclue]

24. The point is that I ALREADY HAVE. He's not gonna listen.

I'm hoping Grayson will run against him in 2012. Nelson doesn't have to worry about it before then so he's not particularly worried.

[berni_mccoy]

19. Thanks for your efforts.

I've personally met with my reps and discussed the importance of HCR. I went to DC and lobbied for research and HCR for a week in the summer.

I support Rep. Hodes to replace Gregg in the Senate. Gregg is against HCR of any kind.

[Overseas]

20. K&R. //nt