Why not call it what it is: Health Insurance Reform.

[Cerridwen]

If you don't like the phrase "Health Insurance Reform," take it up with the White House.

Republican Ideas Included in the President's Proposal

It’s clear that the American people want health insurance reform. They aren’t interested in Democratic ideas or Republican ideas. They’re interested in the best ideas to reduce costs, guarantee choices and ensure the highest quality care.

They’re interested in ideas that will put them back in control of their own health care.

Throughout the debate on health insurance reform, Republican concepts and proposals have been included in legislation. In fact, hundreds of Republican amendments were adopted during the committee mark-up process. As a result, both the Senate and the House passed key Republican proposals that are incorporated into the President’s Proposal.

If I wanted to be a real shit, I could have made a rather interesting title for this OP. How about, "President Obama works with r/w repubs on Health Insurance Reform."

Name me a l/w repub who's still alive and getting "press" coverage. As it is, all the repubs look r/w to me.

edit: typo in subject line

[Oregone]

1. Thats what Obama calls it quite a bit

Some people here twist the words around to sell it to the less gullible members (ironic, eh?). Sometimes they even use the lives of 30 million people as a political football they pretend to care about when that doesn't work.

[Cerridwen]

5. Yes, thank you.

Oh, and geez, you used the phrase "political football" at almost the same time I did.

Scary. LOL

[berni_mccoy]

2. There is no Health Care Reform without Reforming the Insurance Industry. You make it sound

like a bad word. Maybe this is why Obama has embraced it.

[Cerridwen]

4. berni, you make a lot of things sound like bad words.

I neither "hate" President Obama nor do I "love" President Obama.

I'm saying politicians are politicians regardless of what party initial follows their name. This crap about trying to make one appear bad because we can't come up with a more cogent argument for "our" guy makes my teeth itch and my stomach hurt.

We have a long history of both parties selling We, the People down the proverbial drain. I'm tired of it.

Reforming health insurance is no guarantee to reform health care and affordability or access to same. I've watched the "horse trading" going on and it makes me weep. There was an opportunity, and just as shrub did after 9/11, it was squandered. In the meantime, my uterus is once again being used for a political football; by my own fucking party, and corporations are given a seat at the table while representatives of the people are not.

It stinks! I'm tired of it!

Your party loyalty would be quite commendable if it weren't for the fact you're playing fast and furious with the truth of our party's history in order to score political points against some who've actually brought a message that might, just might, represent We, the People.

[berni_mccoy]

7. What words would those be dear Cerridwen?

The lives of my loved ones are at stake with this argument and for Kucinich to turn his back on passing legislation that would make the lives of 31 million more Americans better is a betrayal.

It's not about party loyalty at all for me. It's personal. And exactly what party history am I playing fast and furious with? You're just spouting words at this point.

[Cerridwen]

11. I'm not playing your game, berni.

You went right to what you thought I made reference. DU rules don't allow me to point to anything specific. You know that and that leaves me at a disadvantage. I expected nothing more from you.

Yours is not the only family effected nor is it personal only for you. It's really quite sad you can't, or you refuse, to see that.

[berni_mccoy]

LOL!

You can't even accept the fact that I already stated it was personal. And if you think I'm playing games, you are sorely mistaken. And do you think I believe it's just about me? I'm in the same boat as many millions more Americans who are barely able to access health care. And I mean barely. It won't be long where I can't and then I'd be in the same boat as the 31 million Americans this bill will help.

BTW, when was the last time you got off your butt and actually *met* with your lawmakers on the subject?

[Donnachaidh]

18. so no one out there is given a pass on being slimed, if it's perceived they are screwing with you?

There are a lot of people with personal stakes in this mess, yet it's all about YOU.

Typical American -- "Fuck you, I've got mine. And if you stand in the way of mine, I'll run your ass over."

Proud of that? Really? No one else is.

[LostInAnomie]

3. Any way you slice it, it wasn't going to reform actual care.

It was just going to reform how people have access to it. You're playing with words and acting like it's significant.

[Cerridwen]

8. As are many others.

You're right. "We" were given no option that would effect care. It's all been argued to obfuscate that fact.

And yeah, words are significant. If you don't think so; go talk to a lawyer about how they defend/prosecute based on the words used in their debate. Read how legislators have used words to deny or allow rights based on a single word.

Semantics is semantics until such time as a law is applied.

He (sic) who controls the language, controls the message (and the law).

[LostInAnomie]

12. Yeah, words are significant. Just not in this case.

No matter the plan, whether it be the current bill, public option, or single payer, it was not going to change the actual care we receive. All it was going to do was reform how we have access to said care and some of the laws regulating it.

Trying to throw around the "this isn't health CARE reform..." line is completely disingenuous. It's only purpose is to dishonestly switch out the "good word" (care) for the "bad word" (insurance) and then have people that aren't fond of thinking nod in agreement. It's childish gamesmanship.

[Cerridwen]

14. Well, I can't argue with "logic" like that. n/t

[LostInAnomie]

15. Apparently not.

[berni_mccoy]

9. +1. That's all there is to say.

[leftstreet]

10. He campaigned on words like 'universal' and 'health care'

Now...not so much

'Insurance reform' pfft

[Oregone]

16. That made me angry. Hillary and Johnny Smiles started it though

Obama seemed reluctant at first in the debates to use that language, as I recall.

[Donnachaidh]

19. yup -- then he got political alzheimer's and it suddenly became *insurance reform*

quickly followed by *I never campaigned for universal health care*

[Greyhound]

6. Apparently I missed a lot the last few days.

:kick: & R

[Cerridwen]

13. Not so much. Just the same recycled words frequently catapulted

to keep the message on target.

Thanks for the K & R.

[glitch]

17. I prefer Insurance Industry Bailout

since it doesn't appear Health Insurance is being reformed after all.

Health Care hasn't entered into it since single-payer was refused admittance.

[stillwaiting]

20. Me too! It definitely fits. nt

[inna]

21. Insurance Profits Protection Act

[hunter]

23. That's exactly it.

The industry is headed for a crash as bad as anything that happened in the banking industry.

Too big to fail? I don't think so. I say we kill this damned industry before it kills any more of us.

New businesses will flourish as we are all relieved of these chains that hobble us.

Single payer health care would reinvigorate our economy and reduce medical costs for everyone.

[glitch]

26. Unfortunately proving the success of "social programs" is the LAST thing neo-liberal/cons want.

And so they will continue to create convoluted "uniquely American" privatizing boondoggles in desperate attempts to avoid the obvious simple social solutions.

Another thing: people over 50 whose life savings have been decimated by the crimes of the financial and insurance sectors will more easily find employment with businesses that no longer have to take on their more expensive insurance. And that goes for them starting their own businesses as well.

[Greyhound]

24. ..

[Greyhound]

22. Not much reform for the millions of captive victims and a $70B signing bonus. n/t

[lonestarnot]

25. Not much.