All Those Who Stand with Sen. Sanders, Sen. Warren and Sen. Harris on Medicare For All

[berni_mccoy]

Check-in!

I stand with these and other Senators in the coming healthcare fight. A fight is indeed looming as McCain hints at supporting a repeal and replace plan to convert Obamacare subsidies into state block grants.

Given the incredible leadership shown by Sen. Schumer and Speaker Pelosi on working to get Trump to agree to raising the debt ceiling I believe something could be done here to get Trump to agree to Bernie's plan. Trump wants a win on this and he's shown he will work with Democrats to do it.

This is our best hope at achieving Universal Healthcare and joining all the other industrialized nations in respecting Healthcare as a right.

[StevieM]

1. It's one thing to support single payer, but do you really think it is realistic to believe that

Donald Trump can be persuaded to sign it?

I think that is a bit of a stretch.

[Poiuyt]

9. Maybe, maybe not

Before he became a politician, he did support it. Of course, now he has to pander to his base.

[PatrickforO]

25. Well, he told them the replacement for the ACA would be

Beautiful.

[ihaveaquestion]

64. Sure - it's a "WIN" for him.

He's just shown that he has absolutely no loyalty to the repugs. He can tell his base that he accomplished repeal and replace without the ineffective repug party. He'll prove he is the 'great deal maker' by making a super, duper deal with the dems and he got everyone better healthcare to boot.

[LiberalLovinLug]

66. I've said it before...Trump could easily win in 2020 if he went this direction

So shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

He is obviously not ideologically opposed to it. (Just if he would "win" by proposing it). As there were times when he was asked about it like in this Letterman interview:

If he worked with Sanders and Warren and other Democrats to craft a bill that would ultimately, maybe over a stretched out period of time, bring about universal single payer...and, once its clear that polls were showing the move was popular, he may be able to get enough purple state R reps for the votes, or if he waited until after 2018, he may even have enough Dems to do it without the GOP, while Ryan and Mitch screamed in the background. Because his block of voters will blindly take his word over anyone in the GOP right now.

Now personally, it would be a gag me with a spoon moment, as he would not deserve one more day tarnishing that office for a host of other reasons, but if he actually did this he might just be able to complete a redemption arch by 2020. At least enough to win again. (Russian probe aside).

[IronLionZion]

68. He doesn't read what he signs

so it's worth trying. It's good to get our Democrats on record supporting it.

[Honeycombe8]

84. They'd have to get some Repubs to vote for it, first. That's the biggest hurdle.

I don't think there's a chance in hell of that happening.

But you certainly don't get, if you don't ask.

[Warren DeMontague]

87. Apparently Senators Sanders, Warren, and Harris do!

[StevieM]

94. I seriously doubt any of those senators actually believes that Donald Trump will embrace

a single payer health care system. There is a big difference between supporting it yourself and honestly believing that a Republican President will go ahead and sign it into law.

[Warren DeMontague]

96. I'm just wondering why there is this criticism of these Senators for standing up for something most

of us agree is a good idea, and long overdue?


It strikes me as downright odd.

[StevieM]

105. I don't know if you are referring to my post, or speaking generally, but if you re-read my post

Last edited Fri Sep 8, 2017, 10:27 PM - Edit history (1)

you'll see that I didn't say anything about the merits of single payer. I just said that I didn't think it was realistic to expect Donald Trump to support it.

I think that some people have concerns that single payer would involve a difficult transition. And others might be worried about polling that shows the American people don't yet support it. That isn't quite the same thing as criticizing the senators who support it. Then again, I haven't read this whole thread or every thread on the topic.

In the end, the transition to single payer may happen in multiple steps, rather that with one big bill. Obamacare was a first step. So was s-chip back in the 90s, for the matter. The next step may be an expanded employer mandate, perhaps with a payroll tax to finance coverage, so that higher salaried positions pay more into the system while lower salaried position can be easier to insure. And a public option could also be introduced, along with lowering the age of joining Medicare to 55. Speaking of which, single payer might not involve Medicare for all, it might involve separate programs for working people and for seniors.

Obamacare did not involve a relentless push for one pre-written plan. It meandered through committees, and underwent revisions and amendments. Future health care reform will likely happen in the same way.

[Warren DeMontague]

109. This is how we get the conversation moving. Warren, Sanders, and Harris understand that, I think.

[Ken Burch]

126. That's not even the point.

Trump wouldn't sign anything that didn't screw over tens of millions of people.

We should back it for four reasons:

1) It mobilizes both our base and the independents we need to add to the votes of our base to win;

2) It's a workable goal the next time we elect a Democratic president;

3) Even if it doesn't pass, whatever support we build for it can be leveraged either to fix the ACA or to replace it with something better but short of single-payer.

4) It's simply the right thing to do.

[StevieM]

127. Actually, it is the point. The OP said that he felt we could get Trump to sign it.

I felt it was worth addressing why that wasn't realistic.

I think that if we do get to single payer it will happen in multiple steps. I am confident that some of those steps can be taken under the next Democratic president.

[Ken Burch]

130. OK. I agree that that's not realistic.

But is there any reason we shouldn't have it as our policy pitch anyway?

It's not as though we can only defend the ACA in the short term by not mentioning anything else as a long-term goal.

[StevieM]

131. Agreed. I just think we should also agree that Donald Trump is not looking to do anything

that will help better the lives of the American people.

The sad truth is that that will have to wait until January 20, 2021 to do anything good.

[Trust Buster]

2. Just political posturing. They don't have the numbers in Congress.

[JCanete]

12. Its only political posturing if they forget about it when it actually becomes possible. Posturing

and promoting is how you make it possible.

[AllyCat]

17. Hear, hear!

[Trust Buster]

33. I believed that thinking to be wrong in the primaries and wrong now. We agree to disagree.

[zentrum]

48. So they should do nothing?

It's how you mount the fight. If you lose, you do it again. You do it relentlessly. Eventually you build the momentum that gets it done.

You seem to recommend rolling over and doing nothing if we can't win this right away.

[Trust Buster]

58. They should organize on the grass roots level to turn out the vote in 2018 thereby creating the

Political power necessary to actually have a chance with such legislation. The right wing voted 60+ times in the House to repeal the ACA knowing it would never reach the president's desk. This smells of that same political posturing to me.

[BBG]

72. Perhaps Political Posturing is Proper

Goddamn it. If they can do it 60+ times for bullshit posturing then our Dems can do it 60+ times for helpful posturing. Seems like we don't even try instead of going down fighting for what we believe and know to be the best way forward.

[zentrum]

75. The other big difference

....is that the majority of the country supports this legislation.

What the Repugs were doing never had that kind of support.

And it's not just posturing. It's the start of an actual fight and allows the country to see what the Repugs are opposing.

[zentrum]

76. You seem unaware

.....that Bernie has announced he's going to run the fight for Medicare for All as if it's a nationwide campaign.

It's wonderful that he's doing both---opposing on the floor and building the roots.

No idea why you think such a good fight and good cause is empty. Do you have any idea how close the Repugs came a few weeks ago to taking away the ACA? Do you know that Trump just defunded the sign-up process on the government website, so over time it will have less members and in fact implode?

We have a damn fight on our hands and every approach is needed.

[Trust Buster]

77. Republicans will not agree with Medicare for all and they run the show.

Kind of hard to swallow the argument that the majority of the country wants this just to give Republicans all the reigns of power. I am a pragmatist.

[BBG]

78. Gerrymander your Pragmatism

This is not a republican majority country. And the only reason they hold a majority in representative government is thru gerrymandering, deception and dog whistling racist propaganda.

[still_one]

102. Really? Then why did Feingold and every Democrat running for Senate in 2016 in those critical swing

states, lose the establishment, incumbent, republican, and most of those Democrats were quite progressive

[zentrum]

90. The majority of the country

...voted for her by 3M.

Read up on polls asking about Medicare for All.

Sorry, but I don't see pragmatism here at all. I see rolling over when it's time to fight.

[JonLP24]

82. Yes but they have to do their job as Senators

This is one of the ways by doing so. 95% of what goes doesn't become law anyways.

[zentrum]

91. The idea, the cause

.....images of Kamal and the rest now are getting more and more attention. That counts. That matters. That educates people and gives face and name recognition later, in the elections, when we really need those votes from people who aren't deeply political like DU readers.

[countryjake]

95. Get out much? MFA is exactly how we are now organizing...

"on the the grass roots level" to not only turn out the Democratic vote for 2018, but for this year's local elections, too.

Do you even have any idea how exciting the prospect of getting out from under the oppressive thumb of medical insurance companies is to the average American?

[IronLionZion]

69. It's good to have the bill and the votes ready for when we do

when that opportunity comes we won't have time to bicker

[Trust Buster]

110. I support Democrats just fine. Pointing out that we don't have the political power in Congress

To achieve Medicare for all in the foreseeable future is not ripping Dems. It is merely pointing out a political reality. Spare me the "why are you accusing" routine.

[Trust Buster]

112. Not at all. I advocate improving living conditions in ways that are actually politically attainable.

With that in mind, the Republicans have raised the white flag on repealing the ACA. They lose the opportunity to use a 51 vote reconciliation at the end of the month. Therefore, more and more Republicans are warming up to the idea of fixing the ACA. That, in my mind, is the more realistic opportunity to improve the healthcare situation for the American people.

[Warren DeMontague]

113. Its time to have a serious conversation about single payer.

Warren and Harris are hardly political neophytes or far-out idealists. If they are pushing it it may be more politically tenable than you think. (I dont mean in terms of passing the current congress, but in terms of public support and by extension promoting change in 2018)

[Trust Buster]

114. And I believe their time and energy could yield attainable results if they work on fixing the ACA.

[LanternWaste]

140. Many people believe that a statement of intent is merely posturing

Many people believe that a statement of intent or a declaration of belief is merely posturing predicated on nothing other than Cool & Trendy Skepticism.

While still others are under the misguided belief that the only reason to entertain a bill is in hopes of its immediate passage.

I file both sentiments in the "A Sucker Born Every Minute" file.

[tymorial]

3. I support universal coverage but I need to know more about the transition plan

Commercials have higher reimbursement rates and still operate under fee for service. I understand moving beyond ffs but unless the payer increases above Medicare I do not see how many healthcare providers maintain the same level of staffing and service offering. Affordable pharmaceuticals is a whole other issue that has to be addressed. This country needs regulation and price controls. Universal coverage helps to address that problem but there could be some suffering unless the transition is handled effectively. There is also the matter of those individuals who previously recieved their insurance through their employer. Under the new system they will have their tax burden increase without guaranteed increase in income. If businesses will also experience tax liability increase does anyone really believe that the insurance benefit they paid for their employees will be automatically transitioned to payroll?

Sorry, I know this sounds like criticism against single payer and/or universal coverage. I do believe it must happen and we MUST free ourselves from the insurance industry. There are just practical matters that I believe must be considered and as a healthcare provider I have questions. .

Tl;dr
I need to do more research and education on how this proposal will be implemented. No flame or attack on the proposal in general.

[AllyCat]

16. It's easy. They make less (non) profit.

There should be no profit on the illness and misery of others. My "nonprofit" facility made $58M last year. Insurance companies need to stop gouging and should not get a cut of healthcare dollars for NO VALUE ADDED to the system. Prescription drug companies can offer heir products at the same price as other countries.

[mvd]

22. Hi. Those are legit concerns. I think there are a couple options

- Go gradually by reducing Medicare buy in to 55, 50, etc.

- Retraining programs for those temporarily unemployed, and also finding jobs for them in the new governmental administration

We have smart people supporting it, so I feel in good hands.

Trump will not sign it unless he goes completely rogue. He'a been all about himself but also wants to protect corporate America. The groundwork can be laid, though.

[Glorfindel]

4. Yes, it's long overdue.

The lack of universal healthcare is the everlasting shame of the USA.

[Plucketeer]

27. Listen to the talk here

Pie in the sky, Posturing, need to see the transition before giving it support. Good GOD! This sounds like soft talk from the Right! We're living in a country (The most marvelous one on the planet, we keep being told) where if a hospital realizes you don't have insurance, they can send you on your way!!! Hell, I recently lost two cousins to that kind of treatment!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WTF????????????????

Forgive me - I'd momentarily forgotten that the spark plug of Medicare for all is a dithering old maverick that can't seem to understand how having a (D) next to his name affords him super-powers and a leash to keep his crazy ideas under control.

[pangaia]

31. Yes it is. That and guns, and.....

[Demsrule86]

83. The ACA is what we need to work...and then start with a public option; this sort or posturing will

doom universal coverage for the foreseeable future...Just as Clinton care did...they will demonize it...the masses want the ACA fixed ...do it. If we lose the ACA thousands will die right now. And we have no way to advance single payer...focus on the reality of our situation.

[democratisphere]

5. I stand for reasonable, affordable Healthcare for all.

[riderinthestorm]

6. Yes. I do. I know its aspirational but it's a bold call for the future

I'm in.

[Weekend Warrior]

7. "This is our best hope at achieving Universal Healthcare"

[Arazi]

8. Yes, if not now, when? Time to stake out our position

[babylonsister]

10. ME wholeheartedly! nt

[dchill]

11. Why the hell not?

[MsLeopard]

13. Hell yes!

Long overdue!

[yuiyoshida]

14. I don't think Republicans want Americans to have decent health coverage...

All that money should be controlled by Republicans, to do what they wish, Like looting the system and telling Middle Class and Poor people, "Fuck off, you are on your own". They don't even want average people to have Medical Marijuana, because well gee, people just have too much fun with that. Make all of them suffer, and take every thing they got, and let them die in the Streets, that's the Republican way....Especially if they are not White Folks.

[AllyCat]

15. Aye!

[leftstreet]

18. DURec

[Delmette2.0]

19. I think that is our only option going forward.

This will be a battle royal, but we have to keep pushing.

[mudstump]

20. YES...should have happened already!

[Jakes Progress]

21. Tell you what. Name me

the Democrats who do not want universal healthcare.

I celebrate anyone who moves us in that direction, but don't make out like this is a radical idea.

[disillusioned73]

35. I'd post a video..

of a prominent Democrat that just last year said that it "will never, ever come to pass" but this site can't handle such truths..

[Nitram]

45. Believing it is not politically possible to pass universal health care is not the same as

being against universal health care. Is being an optimist a litmus test for Democrats?

[disillusioned73]

60. Theres that litmus word again..

I know it bothers folks that this is happening now.. but they'll get over it & benefit from it as well..

[Nitram]

79. You are a condescending fellow, aren't you.

If you ever get over that, I'm sure you (and we) will benefit greatly. Just thinking you are always right and never wrong just don;'t make it so, diss-illusion.

[Jakes Progress]

124. That comes from being so much smarter

and cooler and uncaring than everyone else.

We got a guy at my local bar that sounds like this. He spends a lot of evenings sitting alone with two or three seats between him and anyone else. Hmmmm.

[Nitram]

132. I think I've met him too. If anyone can actually "meet" someone like that.

[disillusioned73]

133. I am FOR single payer..

now I am the uncaring one??.. classic deflection, like I said you will all benefit from the great work that the Sanders/Harris/Warren wing of the party is now pushing for.. progress

& thank you, yes I am quite smart & also the coolest

[Jakes Progress]

137. Classical is right.

Here you deflect from the fact that you avoid any discussion of the topic. I asked you to tell me one Democrat who is against (look up the word if you need) universal health care.

You couldn't, so you posted up some bullshit and snarked.

You got caught so you tried the end-of-the-bar tactic of claiming your audience for doing the deflecting the you are doing.

So you can either give me that name, or just let it go. You goofed. I suspect that you won't. As you said, you think you are quite smart. But a smart person would cut their losses. (A good person would admit error and try to address the topic in an intellectually honest fashion.)

And if you a the coolest, why are you down at the end of the bar, by yourself?

(Now. If you would like to just say, there are no Democrats who are against universal health care, we can discuss opinions about how best to achieve that goal. I would happily participate in that discussion. I think you would learn a lot.)

[disillusioned73]

138. Here ya go..

post away.. it could use some fresh ideas & support from single payer advocates like yourself

[link:https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=forum&id=1033|

[Jakes Progress]

139. A little duck and side-step?

I guess that is one way to avoid actually admitting that you can't find a Democrat who doesn't support universal healthcare. Not even a reference to some vast and dark DU conspiracy to keep the "truth" from being told. (Why the sinister attack on DU in your original post?)

I've been to that forum. Some informed opinions. A lot of those who don't really understand how complex the idea of "single payer" is. And a lot of bomb throwers who have swallowed the propaganda memes about Democrats.

I avoid sub fora. I don't really have time to holler down a rain barrel any smaller than the GD forum. But keep at it. There is a lot to learn.

[PatrickforO]

23. I'm with them!

We should all have health care. It is a much better use of our tax dollars than wasting it on more and more money to the military, NSA and other stuff that really doesn't do us any good at all.

And the debt? Cheney said it is meaningless, and of these Republicans who claim to so love the Constitution, none of them seem to have read section 8 of Article I where it says, "To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreign Coin..."

If we do what Lincoln did and begin coining our own money instead of allowing the bankers who control the Fed to do it for us, we would be much better off, because that, more than anything, would pull the fangs of Wall Street.

[Ligyron]

89. The banking system is very poorly understood.

That sure benefits somebody, wonder who?

[DinahMoeHum]

24. Fuck yeah.

n/t

[leftofcool]

26. It sounds good, Bernie, but...........

I am on Medicare and it is not what it is cracked up to be. Single Payer non profit is good but Medicare for all is not what you think it will be. They tell you they pay 80% but that is not quite the case and you can ask anyone 65 and over how it really works. The premiums will be higher than they are now. The lowest premium you will pay is 134.00 per month per person in your family. Add that up for a mom and dad and 4 kids living on a salary of 35k per year. Single payer would be better and less costly.

[not fooled]

106. Don't forget

the pukes have been chipping away at Medicare for decades, trying to weaken it and show it doesn't work so that they can privatize it. Get some sane people in charge and reverse the puke damage and it will work the way it's intended.

[CloudsInMyCoffee]

28. Here here!!!!

[Rhiannon12866]

29. K&R! Present!

[mvd]

30. K&R

[comradebillyboy]

32. It's a slogan, not a plan at the moment.

When I see an explanation of how it will work and what it will cost I'll make my own judgment.

[disillusioned73]

34. Huge K&R,,

I cheer Democrats who act like Democrats!!

[Nitram]

46. I suppose, diillusioned, "acting like a Democrat" means agreeing with you on every policy position?

[disillusioned73]

57. No..

Universal healthcare - call it single payer, call it medicare for all
Pro worker & middle class - suports labor & unions
Anti-War - I can't believe this one needs to be listed, but it does..
Pro Enviroment - including DAPL & Flint
Pro social justice - including womens right, minority rights

not sure if I left out any out (probably did).. simple beliefs like that

[Nitram]

80. So you have some miraculous power to know exactly what the perfect Democratic should always believe?

You've got a lot to learn about politics, communication, and reality.

[disillusioned73]

134. You've gotta learn..

to grow a spine & fight for what you believe in.. some of us have had it with half measures and kneeling before the corporate dollar..

[LongTomH]

36. K&R

[CousinIT]

37. ** raises hand ** n/t

[dottie66]

38. I personally love my Medicare plan.

It's a good idea to give younger folks the opportunity to try it too.

[Nitram]

47. Yes, and expanding Medicare is a far easier transition than repealing Obamacare and passing

a brand new single-payer universal health care plan. I think both sides on this question have valid points of view, and would rather those on one side did not suggest that those on the other are not "real Democrats."

[chaking53]

39. social issues are nice

social issues are nice but economics are what wins elections- a program that promises good paying jobs is what the democrats need!

[AtheistCrusader]

41. Going to be lots of jobs in Florida.

On top of re-building, we should be building Civil Defense shelters in that region, something like we did when cold war related monies flowed fast and loose.

Turns out in the end that the Soviets didn't want to dance, but apparently Mother Nature does.

[AtheistCrusader]

40. Hell to the yes.

[ms liberty]

42. K&R. n/t

[haveahart]

43. I stand with them but it just not that simple. Some changes will have to be made to Medicare and

some may not like the changes that will be necessary.

[Lazy Daisy]

44. OH YEAH!

Count me in.

[Hun Joro]

49. Yes!

[Demsrule86]

50. Unrealistic and risks the ACA...so I do not support this bill it has no chance

of passing, and we should be improving the ACA.

[leftofcool]

74. I agree

[RobertDevereaux]

51. Supporting this to the max! n/t

[Greybnk48]

52. I'm in, and have been since Teddy Kennedy

tried to pass this in the 70's!

[samnsara]

54. thats an issue we all need to stand with no matter whos face is on it

[ancianita]

55. I protested for single payer in front of the WH back in 2007. So yeah. Again. And again.

[tosh]

56. Hell yeah!

[floWteiuQ]

59. Here here...

Agreed!

[DBoon]

61. yes

Checking in

[GoneOffShore]

62. Absolutely. Time to push and push and push for Universal Healthcare.

[area51]

63. Damn right.

Some people on this thread have questions on single-payer, perhaps they can be answered here.

Medicare as it is now needs to be expanded. If we can afford multiple wars of choice, we can afford this.

[FairWinds]

65. Here is Senator Warren's rationale for supporting . .

Medicare for All - https://elizabethwarren.com/blog/medicare-for-all

I do not think it has been posted here yet.

She should run !!

[sinkingfeeling]

67. I'm for it.

[dragonlady]

70. It's about time (past time, really) n/t

[Moral Compass]

71. Trump would sign it if they could get it to his desk

The man has no identifiable ideology. He believes in money, sex, and power. He is also addicted to winning.

If somehow this could get through the legislative meat grinder I'm confident he'd sign it.

I think in that little lizard brain of his he has started to realize that the Republican agenda is a loser with the country. He hates losing.

Look at the deal he struck with Pelosi and Schumer. He knew the other path was a long drawn out slog through the mud and that, in the end, he'd have to force Ryan and McConnell to capitulate to the Democrats.

I think the timing on this is good.

[klook]

73. Yes - it's time we joined other industrialized nations.

Keep pushing, and one day we will break down this wall. If we only shoot for the clouds, we won't get to the moon.

[ehrnst]

81. How about Universal Health Care in whatever form we can get it?

Most of the developed world uses multi-payer systems to get there, and Medicare isn't really single payer, for the same reason.

[Honeycombe8]

85. Did they sponsor a Medicare for all bill? nt

[Warren DeMontague]

86. I STAND WITH SENATOR SANDERS, SENATOR HARRIS, AND SENATOR WARREN!

It's time.

[Lil Missy]

92. I stand with Medicare for all. I don't have to follow anyone to do that.

[arthritisR_US]

93. This isn't a novel idea, a good one even back in the early 90's.

[democrank]

97. Standing for Medicare for All

It's time

[H2O Man]

98. Recommended.

I do.

[Mr. Evil]

99. You can definitely count me in!

[workinclasszero]

100. It's the only way average Americans will be able to have health care

Lets do it dems!

[ucrdem]

101. Medicare is an insurance program, complete with premiums, deductables, and co-pays.

And it's far from free. In any case if this is a back-handed swipe at the ACA, which is how appears to me, you can save your breath because the "repeal and replace" dog is dead:

http://www.politico.com/story/2017/09/07/obamacare-repeal-republicans-defeat-242443

[still_one]

103. It sure isn't free, and a comprehensive supplemental, dental, and drug plan can cost 350 dollars or

more a month/per person, and thought that would still be considered reasonable by today's prices, it's still a lot of money for a lot of folks. Yes, a Medicare Advantage plan would provide more reasonable costs, I suspect a good number of folks don't really understand Medicare and the costs associated with it.

[ZX86]

104. The ACA doesn't need fixing. It needs replacing.

The ACA is like that little donut spare tire for your car. You get a flat tire on your car and it's a God send. It will get you through a tough time but it is no substitute for the real thing. The ACA has served it's purpose but it's time for it to go. We need single payer Medicare for All. American citizens deserve nothing less.

And please stop "concern trolling" over cost. We already pay nearly double what the rest of the world pays for health care. The cruel reality is that we're already paying for universal single payer health care. We're just not getting it.

[ucrdem]

107. If the ACA goes the alternative for many will be death.

That's the real thing replacement.

[ZX86]

108. Millions upon millions of Americans are without health care right now under the ACA.

That's the real thing happening today. Unnecessary sickness and death. Universal single payer health care will stop that.

[ucrdem]

115. It might if it existed but it doesn't. What's on the table is "skinny repeal"

meaning hasta luego ACA and nothing to replace it. That's the alternative.

[ZX86]

116. And therefore what?

Republicans determine the policy goals of Democrats? I don't care what Republicans put on the table. Democrats need to support universal single payer health care for all Americans. Everyday. All day. Rain or shine. Come hell or high water. Democrats don't need to ask Republicans permission to support Democratic initiatives.

[ucrdem]

117. Therefore joining in the call to replace the ACA endangers people's lives.

And before you protest that you're doing no such thing, take a look at your first post in this thread, where you state in your title that ACA needs replacing. I understand that that's not your intention, and that you hope for something better, but there's nothing better on offer, only worse. So my strong feeling is that complaining about the ACA gives aid and comfort to the GOP effort to destroy it.

[ZX86]

118. So Republicans decide the Democratic agenda?

We are not in control of our own destiny? We have to check in with the Republicans first? We have to wait for Republicans to offer us something and if what they offer is worse we just have to accept it? Republican crumbs is the best we can ever hope for?

[ucrdem]

119. No, but ripeness is all, and until there's a D in the oval office again

the best we can hope for is to maintain the gains we've already made, and the ACA is nothing to sneeze at, and not lose them -- which the GOP is all too eager to help us do.

[ZX86]

120. And by "the best we can hope for is to maintain the gains we've already made"

you mean the Republican health care program formerly known as Romneycare? That's what Democrats are reduced to? Fighting tooth and nail for the health care plan born in the right wing Hertiage Foundation think tank? The plan that's a give away to the insurance industry with no cost controls that still leaves millions upon millions of Americans without health care?

This Democrat is not satisfied with Republican crumbs.

[ucrdem]

121. Yes, and for all that, it's achieving its purpose of making health care more affordable.

It's also enjoyed a surprising surge in popularity in just the last few months. Of course there's room for improvement, but improving the ACA is not going to happen until we elect a Dem congress or president. Killing it is what the current govt wants to do and keeping it alive is what we need to be fighting for.

[ZX86]

122. More affordable health care when millions upon millions have nothing is a failure.

The rest of the world has universal health care as a right. Fighting for a failing health care system isn't going win congress or the white house. It didn't work last time. It's not going to work next time.

[ucrdem]

123. It's not a failure to the people it helps.

And more than half the country now approves of it. As for next time, the electorate will be more informed and able to make better choices. We were ill served by detractors who took advantage of people's unfamiliarity with the program and ran it into the ground at every opportunity instead of singing its praises. Hopefully we won't get fooled again.

[ehrnst]

135. Indeed. (nt)

[krispos42]

125. Yup!

[Willie Pep]

128. I am with you and with Sen. Sanders, Sen. Warren and Sen. Harris on Medicare For All.

I don't think we can persuade President Trump but I do think it is a good idea to keep pressing him on the issue and to keep Medicare for All out there in the public consciousness. It is important for the Democrats to be seen to stand for something popular and even if we don't get Medicare For All passed and have to settle for a compromise it moves the general political culture to the left which is a good thing overall.

[blueinredohio]

129. I have good employer insurance (and i'm even retired) but I'm all for Medicare for all

[LWolf]

136. Here.

I was with Conyers years ago; I'm still here.