If We're Going To Name The Health Care Bill After Senator Kennedy, Then USE Sen. Kennedy's BILL!

[berni_mccoy]

It was called Medicare For All. He introduced this particular bill back in 2007 (see http://kennedy.senate.gov/newsroom/press_release.cfm?id=B30A5C7B-35AC-4CC9-8192-1B1E50FC8356 )

And what's even better, is that this bill could easily qualify for Reconciliation, as it requires modifications to Medicare.

Furthermore, it's what we should be doing. The Republicans are not going to work with Americans on bringing healthcare to all. They are going to, in their own words, "destroy Obama with this issue. It will be his Waterloo". I think that if the Dems haven't heard this by now, they never will. So let me make it very clear for them: Democrats, the Republicans only seek to destroy you.

It's time to live up to the dream that Kennedy saw for us. It's time to heal the sick in this country.

If you are going to name a health care bill after Sen. Kennedy, it better be a damn good bill. It better be Medicare For All.

[tosh]

1. 10,000 recs!!!

:fistbump:

[calimary]

65. Close to it! Thom Hartmann referenced this, by name, on his radio show!

Heartily endorsed by him, and by me!

:patriot: :thumbsup: :applause: :woohoo: :headbang: :yourock: :kick: :toast:

[stray cat]

2. Link to discussion of Kennedy's bill he was working on - it involved expanding Medicare

and regulating insurance companies and allowing a clearing house to help people choose between competing insurance companies.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x6395148

[defendandprotect]

70. thank you --

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. Sounds like a plan to me!

K&R

:fistbump:

[deminks]

4. I regret that I can but recommend this post only once.

:thumbsup:

[Oregone]

5. He started this before 2007. He introduced a single-payer bill in the early 70's

[berni_mccoy]

9. Yes, I've adjusted it to reflect this particular bill

I apologize for the misstatement.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

6. Good idea!

[CitizenPatriot]

7. rec

and please sign this and pass it on-- honoring teddy's last wish to have the gov appoint someone to his seat instead of waiting for special election.

http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/o/5649/t/4923/content.jsp?content_KEY=2762&tag=hk1_e1

[BattyDem]

8. K & R

:kick:

[Penguin31]

10. K&R!, n/t

[Eric J in MN]

11. How did you find that webpage? NT

NT

[berni_mccoy]

12. I googled Kennedy Medicare For All

[Eric J in MN]

26. Thanks for sharing the link with us. NT

NT

[Lugnut]

13. That works for me.

I have Medicare. Everybody should.

[redqueen]

14. YES!

:bounce:

[dreamnightwind]

15. I'm for this!

K & R from me...

[bobbolink]

16. Thanks! Terrific idea! It's too late now,, but this will be my phone call message tomorrow!

:applause:

[redqueen]

17. !

:kick:

[Sebastian Doyle]

18. The 2007 Medicare For All bill? Absolutely!

The more recent one that Dodd bastardized into something to defend his wife's income? Hell no.

[redqueen]

19. Yes, that one.

:)

[berni_mccoy]

21. Yes, that's the one I linked to.

[FourScore]

20. k/r

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

22. Yes, yes, 1000x yes! K & R!

[goclark]

23. People told me that "KennedyCARE" would be too political

That's the name I want to call it.

[redqueen]

24. As if Repugs and Conservadems refusing to conced a single solitary inch isn't political?

All they're doing is serving their corporate masters... THAT'S political.

As of today I *DEMAND* KennedyCARE! :bounce:

[goclark]

27. KennedyCARE is exactly what it is ~

To me, if the Democrats got off their seats and got down to business they would just push it through.

Can you imagine Rethugs not giving it a name --"Mission Accomplished" is but one example.

And what about Reaganomics

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reaganomics

[redqueen]

25. Kicking this again

yes, already.

:kick:

[Laelth]

28. That's much better than even HB 3200 (the most liberal bill under consideration).

I agree with you. We'd be better off pushing for Kennedy's plan.

:dem:

-Laelth

[bobbolink]

29. Can we all get together and propose this WIDELY? How 'bout starting with Air America

hosts.... then some of the blogs, etc.?

Anyone in on this?

Let's push this everywhere we can!

[scarletwoman]

30. Yes! Absolutely yes! Nothing less will do!

Medicare for All is the ONLY health care bill I will support.

Thanks for posting this!
sw

[Eric J in MN]

31. K & R (NT)

NT

[FourScore]

32. kick

[snot]

33. K&R'd; AND is anyone actively bringing this to the attn of our law-makers?

[Mnemosyne]

34. Hear, hear! KnR! n/t

[rosesaylavee]

35. Yes!

[DeeDeeNY]

36. K & R

[pleah]

37. K&R

[BREMPRO]

38. I'd love this, but Kennedy believed in vision and compromise.

His method of operation was one step at a time. He would set out the vision "health care for all" and then was able to persuade his colleagues on the other side of the isle to take a step toward that goal. Then he would move on to the next step. That was why he has been one of the most successful legislators of our country's history. I think we can all learn from his example. Given the current political and economic climate, I believe if we can get a public option this year that would be wonderful tribute to Senator Kennedy.

[redqueen]

39. That was in the 60's. We've been waiting over 4 decades.

80% support a public option... it is now time to push for more, and better.

[BREMPRO]

47. what was in the 60's? and you should read the full AARP report

that 80% figure is out of context of the report- there are very strong divides among the respondents on what reform means, and how to pay for it. http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x4034269#4034563

I'm not sure what you mean about the 60's? Kennedy has been an effective legislator because he's been a passionate fighter for the people yes, but ALSO being willing and able to compromise with opponents "here is what we can get now, and we will take that and move on to the next fight" That has been his method of operation as a legislator for almost 50 years.

[berni_mccoy]

40. Oh really? So flipping the mass law back to allow an interim appointee... that was vision

and compromise? Kennedy believed in fighting for the people. The people have been denied theirs for far too long. Kennedy knew that. That's why he wants the MA law changed to get someone to take his place: so they can push this through the Senate.

[BREMPRO]

49. your comment has to do with the MA law which is not what i was addressing

Of course he was a fighter for the people. His appeal to MA governor and legislators was because he wanted to make sure that MA had two voices in this critical time in the senate before a special election is completed. That's a very different issue than the much more complex and wide ranging issue of national health care reform. My point was that his unprecedented success as a legislator was his ability to passionately and persistently fight for the people AND find consensus and compromise with what he could get, and move on to the next fight the next day.

[berni_mccoy]

50. Wow, totally over your head. Sorry you don't get it. Kennedy wanted Health Care Passed

And it's clear his last wishes were that it be done at all costs, compromise aside. You can't compromise when the other side WON'T and has stated their only purpose is to block it.

[BREMPRO]

53. OK, i get your point now.

Do you have a link to a quote or interview where he says this? Was he talking about a "public option" or "medicare for all"? It is clear that the Republicans are being obstructionists, but they do reflect real divisions among americans (check out the recent AARP poll http://images.dailykos.com/images/user/6685/Topline_Rep... ) on how to get health care reform, what reform means, and how to pay for it given our deficit forecast. I recall that Kennedy has ALWAYs said each time health care has come up a similar thing-That the time for compromise is over. But that was his public leveraging position, behind the scenes he worked out compromise with what he could get and move on to fight another day. Given he was no longer able to fight and facing his mortality, the quote takes on more weight, and despite the real divisions in this country and legislators, i hope his memory inspires the Senate to act to at the very least enact health reform that includes a public option that extends health care to all Americans.

[Kermitt Gribble]

54. "but they do reflect real divisions among americans"

Divisions caused by the massive mis-information campaign of the insurance companies.

[BREMPRO]

57. yes the problem with democracy... requires informed citizens.

a world without Faux news, that's my dream. Barring that, a channel that's only mission is to show by show debunk the misinformation they peddle.

To your point. I agree that a lot of the division is caused by misinformation, but not all. Some of it is caused by deep set ideological divisions that existed in this country long before insurance industry lobbyists and fox news. Think of the division between Hamilton's federalism and Jefferson's libertarian views. There are still real ideological divisions in this country, and you could argue that we on the left are also cherry picking information and misinformed too. The lead story on DU this AM that 80% approve of a public option- is a positive sliver that belies the division in the full report. So who is misinformed? I'm just trying to suggest we reflect the truth as closely as we can and find a solution to the health care issue that is politically feasible. Kennedy was the ultimate pragmatist. http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1918824,00.html?xid=rss-topstories

[Kermitt Gribble]

64. No more compromises.

A Medicare for all system is the right thing to do - period. A vast majority of the people opposed to it are misinformed - the rest are libertarians who wish they were living in the 1800's. Sorry, there is no such thing as 'politically feasible' with republicans who have admitted they want any meaningful reform to fail.

The latest imbecile obstructionist you're willing to compromise with: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x6403530

edited to add link.

[berni_mccoy]

63. Hey, I apologize for my comments. I was out of line.

There are plenty of quotes online of Grassley and others saying they haven't been actually negotiating and other Reps. and Senators saying much worse.

Based on Kennedy's last actions to overturn the law, it says that the really wanted to pass this, even if it meant going without bipartisanship.

[lib_wit_it]

48. No, he said recently that the time for incremental steps has passed. Anyone have the exact quote?

[Bluenorthwest]

41. Whole hearted agreement from me

[Iggo]

42. DAMN STRAIGHT! (n/t)

[AzDar]

43. Ayup.

:thumbsup:

[Overseas]

44. K&R. I agree. Yes please. //eom

[Historic NY]

45. That would make sense since he knew he had to fix previous screwups...

made and missteps taken.

[lonestarnot]

46. K & R

[harmonicon]

51. yes, you said - I don't know what to add (nt)

[grahamhgreen]

52. Yes! Medicare for All! Not mandatory private health insurance (what HR3200 may wind up being).

Medicare for All will achieve universal coverage, and address many of our healthcare system’s greatest challenges by providing:

universal coverage within 5 years through a three-stage phase-in;
benefits equivalent to those every Senator and Congressman gets through their publicly subsidized insurance plan;
choice of enrollment in Medicare or private plans through a plan similar to the one available to federal employees;
fair financing through a payroll tax that will sharply reduce average employer health care expenses; and
incentives to improve quality and bring information technology to medical care.

[Kermitt Gribble]

55. KennedyCare NOW! K & R!

[Uncle Joe]

56. Excellent post, berni_mccoy.

I totally agree.:thumbsup:

[Chorophyll]

58. YES. K&R. nt

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

59. Hartmann referencing this post now.

[Cleita]

61. You beat me to it. LOL! n/t

[bobbolink]

80. Congratulations, Bernie! It was fun hearing this on Hartmann!

Now, to spread the word to other shows!

[Cleita]

60. Hey, Thom Hartmann is commenting on your post right now even

though he got your name wrong. (Called you Brian). Says DU is one of his favorite websites. :loveya: Thom.

[valerief]

62. Yessir, MediCARE, not MediCOUP, which is what Big Insurance has done to America. nt

[tosh]

69. ...

:fistbump:

[liberal N proud]

66. Yes!

[AuntPatsy]

67. simplicity at it's finest.....but though our countryman by large may appear simple they much rather

go with dramatic grandstanding....

[defendandprotect]

68. Medicare for All, Everyone in, No one Out --

[lordhelmet]

71. Shouldn't "reform" imply

that the legislation will make the health care system in this country BETTER, not worse?

Medicare is a program that is essentially broke. It's been bleeding red ink for a long time, is rife with fraud and abuse, and leads to a poor level of care for those using that system. It's also a bureaucratic nightmare for health care providers.

If we truly want "reform" of our health care system, here is where I suggest we start.

1. Tort reform. The threat of litigation hits each and every level of health care delivery and the impact is multiplicative. It's not the 1-2% cost that the trial lawyer lobby claims; it's more like 30-40% by the time you realize that nothing that is involved in health care is immune. I find it ironic that those who advocate the European socialist style medical coverage are unaware of the associated process for dealing with malpractice claims in this country. You can't transplant a palm tree from Florida to Alaska and expect it to thrive.

2. Reduce and eliminate many of not most government mandates. The cost of government mandates drive up costs and confuse the consumer. Give the consumers more choices, not less. Competition is hurt when companies can't afford to even enter a market due to massive government intervention which results in monopolies or cartels and associated high costs.

3. Eliminate "free" coverage for all. Part of the problem is that emergency rooms are filled with people suffering from trivial afflictions because their coverage is essentially "free". If they had some skin in the game, via a non trivial co-pay or the requirement for community service to pay for that visit, that would weed out the chronic hypochondriacs who abuse the system.

In most cases, 80% of a problem is due to 20% of the factors. We don't need a 1,300 page piece of arcane legislation to attack the most pressing problems. Progress is achieved when one focuses on the key issues, resolves them, measures the improvement, and then repeats that process. It's madness to totally turn the system upside down to solve an issue that is due to a handful of dominant variables.

That is how we should progress.

[berni_mccoy]

72. You didn't read the Bill, did you? Enjoy your (I'm guessing brief) stay.

[Quantess]

73. He's been tombstoned.

There are so many poorly thought out arguments in his post, I don't have the time to address all of them.

[Odin2005]

74. K&R. Healthcare is a FUNDAMENTAL HUMAN RIGHT, not a commodity!

Let's do it for Ted, dammit!

[tclambert]

75. Yeah, Kennedycare!

Medicare for all sounds good. Call it Kennedycare so the RWer's have to grit their teeth every time they say it.

[bananas]

76. k&r nt

[jwirr]

77. Absolutely.

[orleans]

78. crap -- too late to recommend

Error: you can only recommend threads which were started in the past 24 hours

recommending in spirit

[moonbatmax]

79. Well, crap! Too late to recommend!

I guess this is just a kick, then?

[Historic NY]

81. its never to late to pile on...we need all of you.