For those that think Lieberman is the only culprit, I present to you Evan Bayh

[IndianaGreen]

During the summer break, Evan Bayh refused to hold any public meetings. Instead, he held one meeting at the Rotary Club and one had to pay admission. Bayh's wife Susan sits on the board of WellPoint, a large health insurer. The Bayhs have made millions out of the stocks they own in health insurance and Big Pharma.

How many of our representatives in Congress represent the corporations over the people's interests?
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Evan Bayh's reply to e-mail about health care reform (opposes Single Payer)

"As the debate unfolds, I support fiscally sound reform built on our current health care system that aims to provide Americans with affordable health care."

-- Senator Bayh

Talk about careful wording, this is a complete non-statement other than to ensure that he doesn't have to do anything. I remind our readers that Bayh is in the pocket of corporations like Lilly, Wellpoint, and Anthem.

Office of Senator Evan Bayh
[phone]
Russell 131
Washington, D.C. 20510

Dear (REDACTED):

Thank you for contacting me regarding health care reform. I appreciate hearing your thoughts and understand your concerns.

The rising cost of health care and the growing number of uninsured Americans has highlighted the critical need for health care reform. Many individuals and families are unable to receive vital health services under the structure of the current system. I receive letters from constituents on a wide range of health care issues, such as prescription drug affordability, tax credits for health care expenses, and coverage of college students. Please know that I am aware of these challenges and committed to improving access to affordable health care and addressing the needs of those who are uninsured.

Earlier this year, the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 was enacted to insure 11 million more children. The legislation included pediatric quality provisions from the Children's Health Care Quality Act (S. 225) that I introduced to address the urgent need to resolve quality care issues widespread in children's health care practices and make publicly available information on the quality of health care provided to children. I have fought successfully for the return of over $150 million in promised federal funds to Indiana to finance health insurance for lower-income Hoosier children. Most recently, I voted for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which was enacted on February 17, 2009. Aimed at creating or saving 3.5 million good-paying jobs nationwide through 2010, the economic recovery package also provides Indiana with an estimated $1.4 billion in additional targeted federal matching funds to prevent Medicaid eligibility cuts and to maintain services.

The economy is an important issue to Americans, and we cannot address the economy without talking about health care. A growing threat to our economy is the skyrocketing cost of health care. The U.S. system is the world's costliest; the country spends some $2.4 trillion a year on health care. An estimated 46 million people are uninsured, and many others lack adequate insurance. Businesses also find themselves in a challenging position to continue to provide health care insurance for their employees. Our priority should be to fix the system as we know it, to ensure that there is access to good, quality health care for Americans.

While we are in the early stages of the debate on health care reform, there are many questions regarding the role of the private and public sector. Due to increasing co-pays, deductibles, and out-of-pocket costs, many are calling for insurance regulation. Advances in health information technology are also being discussed, as electronic medical records could significantly reduce administrative costs. However, there are serious privacy and security concerns. Accountability measures such as patient notifications and patient control of personal health information must be explored in order to ensure adequate privacy protections.

As the debate unfolds, I support fiscally sound reform built on our current health care system that aims to provide Americans with affordable health care. Rest assured that I will keep your concerns in mind as the debate continues. I will continue to do my best to achieve solvent, bipartisan solutions that provide high-quality, affordable healthcare to as many Americans as possible.

Again, thank you for contacting me. I hope the information I have provided has been helpful. My website, http://bayh.senate.gov, can provide additional details about my work in the Senate, including legislation and state projects. You can also sign up for occasional email updates. I value your input and hope you will continue to keep me informed of the issues that matter to you.

Office of Senator Evan Bayh
[phone]
Russell 131
Washington, D.C. 20510

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=151x7123

[polichick]

1. It's really creepy to think that the prez considered Bayh and Biden...

...to be a coin's toss apart when considered for veep (as per Plouffe's book).

[Unvanguard]

5. It's politics: he wanted a moderate Democrat on the ticket.

The VP doesn't really have any power unless the president wants to give it to him (absent the president's death or incapacitation.)

[polichick]

6. Bayh's wife's connections should have disqualified him. nt

[VMI Dem]

2. Lack of leadership from the head of the party.

Simple as that.

[GrantDem]

3. This is the same non-reply Bayh has been sending all year.

As much as the debate and bills have changed his response letter has not.

[Unvanguard]

4. True, the conservative Democrats bear some responsibility, too.

But they at least seemed willing to work honestly within the compromise framework the leadership reached. Lieberman deliberately sabotaged the whole thing.