Democrats Agree on a Health Plan; Now Comes the Hard Part

[ProSense]

Democrats Agree on a Health Plan; Now Comes the Hard Part

By ROBERT PEAR
Published: March 31, 2009

WASHINGTON — Efforts to overhaul the health care system have moved ahead rapidly, with the insurance industry making several major concessions and the chairmen of five Congressional committees reaching a consensus on the main ingredients of legislation.

The chairmen, all Democrats, agree that everyone must carry insurance and that employers should be required to help pay for it. They also agree that the government should offer a public health insurance plan as an alternative to private insurance.

But members of Congress are just now turning to the most explosive issues, which could delay or derail the process.

They have yet to tackle the question of how to pay for coverage of the uninsured.

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“There’s too much happy talk,” said Senator John D. Rockefeller IV, Democrat of West Virginia. “It’s time to start thrashing out decisions on the tough issues.”

The White House, displaying a surprisingly light touch, has encouraged Democrats in Congress to make the hard decisions while the administration holds forums around the country to hear suggestions from ordinary citizens.

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[Sebastian Doyle]

1. We should immediately implement the plan that Hillary Clinton advocated in the primaries

Mandatory coverage under the benevolent administration of our friends in the insurance industry. What could be better than that? :)

[ShortnFiery]

2. Don't worry, whatever PLAN they come up with I'm sure that it will be "business friendly."

Thanks to the new Blue Dog Coalition of Democrats in our Senate.

[Sebastian Doyle]

4. And God Bless them.

Evan Bayh is a true American hero. And a damn fine golfer.

[ShortnFiery]

8. Yeah,

Evan Bayh is a WEALTHY horse's ass who couldn't give "a damn" about the working class ... I could care less about his golf game. Some of us don't have the money or time to smooze around the club house. :puke:

[mvd]

16. LOL - I get it now

April Fools' Joke?

[PA Democrat]

9. "Benevolent", "friends"and "insurance industry" in the same sentence?

I'm surprised your computer didn't explode typing those words.

[denem]

20. That IS the plan they have apparently adopted.

The fight for popular support begins NOW/

[global1]

3. You Mean To Tell Me That The Obama Healthcare Task Force Finished.......

their discussions and filed a final report to the Dems? Or were they just window dressing?

[ProSense]

6. That's the hard part, but at least they're starting here:

They also agree that the government should offer a public health insurance plan as an alternative to private insurance.

Dean's efforts should help to maintain that provision.

[DJ13]

5. Sounds like an effort to force the single payer supporters to back off

"Were in agreement".......no were not.

[Sebastian Doyle]

10. Well they should back off!

If we have socialized medicine in this country, my HCA stock will crash. :(

[bluestateguy]

7. Health care is a minefield

So many sideissues can derail the whole thing, such as:

Abortion

Illegal immigrants (to cover or not?)

Prescription Drugs

Limitations on malpractice suits?

Dental and/or vision?

Cosmetic surgery? If so, when is it covered?

Rationing?

And on and on. All these issues come up, and each one has the potential to poison the whole enterprise because there are stubborn people who won't compromise.

[ShortnFiery]

11. It wouldn't be IF Big Business did not have Ultimate Control over the USA's Government.

... we ALL know the foregoing OPEN SECRET will keep the money being filtered up to the rich, The Pentagon Contractors and Big Business. :(

p.s. The issues you are raising are called "wedge issues." It's what the rich and powerful hold up to keep us unwashed masses fighting each other ... thus they don't have to help us AT ALL. :(

[flaminbats]

12. actually that's the easy part!

Abortion..another argument for stem cell research

illegal immigrants..only covered if they pay taxes

Prescription Drugs, insulin shouldn't be $100 a bottle

Limitations on malpractice suits? hell no!!!

Dental and/or vision? hell yes!!

Cosmetic surgery? hell no!!

rationing? not any more!!

health care is the reason I am a Democrat, if Democrats don't support universal coverage..then why not vote Republican? :shrug:

[liskddksil]

13. I'm glad to hear public option which could lead us to single payer eventually

is in the agreement. We need to keep pressure on them to make sure it stays there. For those who have not sign Howard Dean's petition at http://www.standwithdrdean.com

[SpartanDem]

14. That'll be the

hard part keeping the weak willed types particularly in Senate from stripping it.

[avaistheone1]

17. It sounds pretty weak kneed already.

[liskddksil]

19. while not as good as single-payer

the insurance companies want no competive public-option, because they know people are going to choose the public plan, which could transform into a single-payer system in the future.

[eridani]

21. The public plan will be underfunded and totally suck, unless

--we keep on demanding single payer.

[avaistheone1]

22. I agree. We really need to turn up the heat

because the health industrial complex are accustomed to having their way.

[mvd]

15. Signed - thanks!

Dean has a strong public option in his plan.

[NancyG]

18. Damn. I wanted the option to buy into Medicare now.

$1075/mo for 2 is too much. It's been hard.

Article seems to say that option is not currently what they're considering. That Repubs say it would hurt the insurance companies, and the option for a gov't offering would only happen if ins co's don't lower costs in several years.

I know. Be patient. I've been (not) patient since I hoped Hillary's plan would pass.

[avaistheone1]

23. Wait until you hit age 55 your premiums almost double.

And the kicker is despite paying double the dollar among in premiums, what you have to pay out of pocket more than doubles. It's the health insurance industry's final chance to rape you before you are eligible for Medicare.

What a scam the heatlh insurance industry in this country has become!