Why does no one wish to talk about Obama's health care plans?

[Stinky The Clown]

Over the past few days, I have asked for someone to tell me what it is. The best answer was a series of links to his campaign plank and a very non-specific document on whitehouse.gov. And that was also the best answer I got to this specific question in several attempts at asking.

I will also say that if one googles "Healthcare Plan Obama" you find links to the campaign website and links to various and sundry dot orgs and dot coms, not *one* of which is an official government site. I actually trust none of them to have actual, unspun information.

Would you?

I expect the real goal of most of us here is some form of single payer health care. I know I have seen it discussed here before. I know I have participated in those discussions. There was some anger and some real enthusiasm in those discussions. But mostly, there were lots of good ideas.

I point that out to demonstrate that DU is hardly without a very deep understanding of the issues around American healthcare policy and ways to move toward a much improved system. We can argue about the efficacy of jumping straight to universal single payer (my own goal .... just to be clear) or the benefits of/need to move in more measured ways

Those are all good conversations.

But why no discussion of Obama's health care plans?

Sniffing about it and posting a few links that don't actually answer the question while rolling one's eyes (not a reference to the post I cited above) and copping the "Here, dippo. Are you blind?" attitude is not helpful. And yet, that's sorta the best we seem to get.

Obama's critics like to cite facts and figures to uphold their positions. Surely they have them all, with all the links needed to build some case or another for some arcane failing of our new president and are perfectly happy to share freely.

Yet they appear to have been all but silent when the topic is healthcare.

Obama's supporters like to cite facts and figures to uphold their positions. Surely they have them all, with all the links needed to build some case or another for some arcane inherent greatness of our new president and are perfectly happy to share freely.

They, too, have remained pretty much absent from any discussion of Obama's healthcare plans.






Look ...... I'm not trying to pick a fight. I said I am in favor of moving right now to single payer - the "JUST DO IT" plan. But I am also a realist and would willingly be party to supporting some interim steps to get there.

It is impossible for me to support Obama - and easy for me to fall into wanting to criticize him - because I DO NOT KNOW what he is proposing for healthcare.

But I CAN tell you what I am beginning to fear more each day ..... and that is that it will be little different from what he have now. Just the same patchwork quilt, but with fancier stitching to hold it together and more padding to make it seem more comfortable.


How can I think otherwise?

NO ONE is talking about it.

[babylonsister]

1. Because it's not sussed out yet? He had a forum. That's it.

No one knows what the end product will be. Patience, grasshopper.

[Lasher]

4. No, he's right. It's more than that.

I'll just speak for myself. I have a keen interest in single payer universal health care. But my enthusiasm has been dampened by the fear that Obama seems to be going down the same path Hillary did, with universal health insurance in the form of individual mandate. That would be worse than doing nothing at all.

Not saying for sure that's what he's up to but it looked that way to me early on.

[babylonsister]

8. The Clintons did everything behind closed doors.

For better or for worse, that will not happen this time. But nothing has happened yet, other than Obama's honest attempt to get this done while he can, despite all the push-back he's getting and the price tag to get it off the ground.

I bet he doesn't even know what the final product will look like; I give him props for knowing how important it is and trying to do something about it.

[biopowertoday]

10. But the initial planning was done behind closed doors and that

is the one the WH is trotting out.

[babylonsister]

13. Says who, you? Ha! The 'plan' isn't known yet. If it is, please

provide links on how this will go down. I haven't read a thing, nor do I have a crystal ball to know who will be complaining about what, or what they might want to edit from the final bill.

So enlighten me.

[biopowertoday]

14. I said the initial planing and I have posted articles

on the issue.
So, you can enlighten yourself with a little research of your own.

Have a good day.

[Name removed]

17. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[biopowertoday]

29. I never said it was set in concrete. And

you do need to take your rose colored glasses off as I think you are coming across as very unenlightened.

But that is what happened when you wear those rose colored glasses.

[csziggy]

2. From what I understand President Obama has not set forth a specific plan just guidelines

In The Audacity of Hope, Obama talked about the folly of introducing a detailed plan. If the various parties involved each have a portion they have helped develop, they have a vested interest in getting the final bill passed. If they are presented with a detailed plan, such as the one the Clintons introduced that just gives everyone ammunition to fight it.

Of course, NOT have a detailed plan allows the Repubs to invent lies to try to turn people against it. But maybe when they are caught with those lies, they will be easier to counter.

Whatever we end up can't be much worse than what many have now - no health care at all.

[blindpig]

3. Umm, because they suck?

Anything short of single payer is unacceptable.

[cali]

5. Anything that improves healthcare for more Americans, is

a move in the right direction. Yes, universal single payer is preferable, but it's not on the horizon.

[blindpig]

16. And why is it not on the horizon?

Could it be that this administration, like all of the rest, is so deep in the pockets of the insurance/health care beast that the outcome could not be otherwise?

[cali]

20. There are many entwined reasons

one is that the there isn't the political will to take on big insurance. That doesn't mean that Obama is in the pockets of the insurance company. Fear of failure and fear of political fallout is another reason. Not saying those are good reasons, but it's hardly the simplistic answer you prefer.

[blindpig]

25. Please review campaign contributions. n/t

[Donnachaidh]

61. nonsense -- the American PUBLIC has the political will to take on big insurance

So basically the politicians are too COWARDLY to say NO to their money contributors?

It's VERY simplistic -- tale a look at the questions being posted for The Nation to ask Obama. The questions being posted about healthcare run almost 100% for SINGLE PAYER HEALTHCARE.

http://www.communitycounts.com/forum/?id=obama

It's one of the top reasons WHY people voted for him.

[Name removed]

9. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[dem629]

6. There is no plan.

Only speeches, as far as we know.

This is one of the major reasons I voted for him and I'll be very disappointed if we get a year into his presidency and there's not even a proposal.

[L0oniX]

7. Is "single payer" even on the table?

Sadly ...no it isn't even though Obama used to advocate for it. This is one issue he has changed on from his state senate days. I seriously doubt that anything will done that will put the rich sociopath health insurance industry CEO's out of business. The last I knew was that Obama was campaigning on delivering to us the same health care plan all of our rich house members get. Maybe I will be able to afford that ....yea right!

[biopowertoday]

11. You are right.

Gibbs said it was off the table. damm.

[Lasher]

18. Got a link to that?

Not being snarky, just want to read about it.

Edit: Never mind, I found a transcript of a March 5 White House press briefing. Guess it's legit.

http://www.correntewire.com/robert_gibbs_tells_helen_thomas_why_obama_against_single_payer_health_care

Edit: Yes, it's genuine. Here is the transcript at the White House website:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Briefing-by-WH-Press-Secretary-Gibbs-3-5-09/

[Hugin]

24. Could this be what they're talking about?

"Q Why is the President against single-payer?

MR. GIBBS: The President doesn't believe that's the best way to achieve the goal of cutting costs and increasing access."

http://www.correntewire.com/robert_gibbs_tells_helen_thomas_why_obama_against_single_payer_health_care

[Lasher]

27. Yes, it must be.

I was discourage earlier on when I saw that single payer advocates had to raise hell just to get a couple of them invited to the forum. This statement by Gibbs must have come after that.

I don't know if anything is technically off the table already but I don't know how we could realistically expect to see single payer after that response.

[biopowertoday]

26. Thanks for finding it. I was

beyond disappointed when Gibbs said this the day after the first WH Summit meeting. I am involved with a few groups trying to get single payer on the table but it is an uphill battled at this point.

I firmly belief all options need to be on the table and single payer should NOT be omitted at the starting gate.

[Lasher]

28. What groups have you been working with?

I might want to pitch in.

[biopowertoday]

42. I got involved

a few months ago through my local nurses pac who have been working with this group:

Mainly I have worked the phones for days on end. But it was worth it when single payer got invited to the Summit table (the day before the WH summit after they had been ignored and left out for weeks). But the joy was short lived when Gibbs came out the very next next day and said single payer was off the table. but we push on--it is the only way to be heard.

http://www.healthcare-now.org/2009/02/action-alert-today-is-a-national-call-in-day/



I posted this --and few other posts about this group and the call for action also: (most of my posts sank quickly sorry to say).

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x8191462



Also, I just got this email:
You can email the aol address below to be put on the email list if you want.

Best to you and glad to see you want to involved in some way:-)

mmmmmmmmmmmmmm


Two UFCW Locals Voice Support for HR 676

Two United Food & Commercial Workers (UFCW) local unions have joined the
growing list of labor organizations voicing support for HR 676, single
payer healthcare legislation introduced by Congressman John Conyers
(D-MI).

In South St. Paul, Minnesota, the Executive Board of UFCW Local 789
overwhelmingly endorsed HR 676 on March 10. The 7,000 member local
represents workers in retail, grocery, long term care and meat packing.

Bernie Hesse, Local 789 Director of Special Projects, spoke of the
endorsement: “Healthcare is a right not a privilege, and Medicare for all
is the right direction for us to follow. We call upon elected officials
to move legislation which will benefit all workers and strengthen our
economy. We stand ready to educate, agitate, and build power to pass
healthcare for all.”

In Tigard, Oregon, the Active Ballot Club (ABC) of UFCW Local 555 voted to
recommend to the UFCW International Union that it endorse HR 676. The
Active Ballot Club is the political arm of the 18,000 member UFCW Local.

In a letter to UFCW International President Joseph Hansen, UFCW Local 555
President Dan Clay wrote: “We would like to take this opportunity to
encourage you to review, and if possible, to endorse HR 676 on a national
level.” The letter continued: “Health care, as you are well aware, is on
the verge of bankrupting this country. In its current form, if allowed to
continue, it will decimate people’s lives and make annual budgets a
nightmare for anyone to allocate for.” In concluding his letter asking
for the International Union to endorse HR 676, President Clay said that HR
676 “…will also provide the best benefit to a system that is exhausted and
on the verge of collapse.” #30#


HR 676 would institute a single payer health care system by expanding a
greatly improved Medicare system to everyone residing in the U. S.

HR 676 would cover every person for all necessary medical care including
prescription drugs, hospital, surgical, outpatient services, primary and
preventive care, emergency services, dental, mental health, home health,
physical therapy, rehabilitation (including for substance abuse), vision
care, hearing services including hearing aids, chiropractic, durable
medical equipment, palliative care, and long term care.

HR 676 ends deductibles and co-payments. HR 676 would save hundreds of
billions annually by eliminating the high overhead and profits of the
private health insurance industry and HMOs.

In the current Congress, HR 676 has 66 co-sponsors in addition to Conyers..

HR 676 has been endorsed by 493 union organizations in 49 states including
121 Central Labor Councils and Area Labor Federations and 39 state
AFL-CIO's (KY, PA, CT, OH, DE, ND, WA, SC, WY, VT, FL, WI, WV, SD, NC, MO,
MN, ME, AR, MD-DC, TX, IA, AZ, TN, OR, GA, OK, KS, CO, IN, AL, CA, AK, MI,
MT, NE, NY, NV & MA).

For further information, a list of union endorsers, or a sample
endorsement resolution, contact:

Kay Tillow
All Unions Committee For Single Payer Health Care--HR 676
c/o Nurses Professional Organization (NPO)
1169 Eastern Parkway, Suite 2218
Louisville, KY 40217
[phone]


Email: [e-mail]
http://unionsforsinglepayerHR676.org
03/19/09


................

[Hugin]

31. I've long been committed to Health-care Reform.

In fact, it's one of my primary reasons for my interest in National Politics.

I wasn't aware until now Mr. Gibbs had made this statement. I shall have to reassess some of my positions based on this.

Of course, Universal Health-care is my goal and 'single payer' is already somewhat of a compromise on my position. Single payer is vastly superior to what currently passes for health care in the U.S. ... and now it's off the table?(!)

:eyes:

[scarletwoman]

39. It doesn't have to be "off the table" if we organize and INSIST on it. (nt)

[biopowertoday]

43. Right, I am doing what I can through this organization....

link here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x8191462

[scarletwoman]

49. Yes, I saw that thread when you posted it, and signed up. Thanks. (nt)

[biopowertoday]

50. SWEET........and thanks for your posts:-)

[NV Whino]

12. That's because he doesn't have a "plan."

And even the vaguest hint of a "plan" still includes the insurance companies, which, in my opinion, negates the "plan."

[global1]

15. I'm With You - We Should Be Talking About Healthcare More On DU........

Here are three attempts by me to get some discourse going on this. I too believe that Single Payer is the way to go. You'll see that when I post healthcare related issues on DU - we get a lot of responses and ideas.

I approached two of the threads I started from the standpoint of the Healthcare Insurance companies - whom I think are the root to all the problems we have in healthcare. Check out the three links I've provided to give you some additional insight as to how some of us feel on this board. We really should keep this going and try and come up with some recommendations to put into the Obama healthcare task force.

Single Payer National Health Care
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x4507724


Isn't The Root Of Most Of Our Healthcare Problems - The HealthCare Insurers?
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x5193682

Perhaps All The Healthcare Insurance Companies Should Be Asked To Defend Why They Are Important To The System
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x5203713

[Stinky The Clown]

22. Heh ... I see my name in one of those links

You and I are pretty much in agreement across the board.

Are you hopeful?

[global1]

36. We Need To Keep This Discourse Going - We Need To Keep The Pressure On.....

the insurance companies and the money they bring to the table to keep things the same - is against us. I'm hoping that the business community will get behind a plan to relieve the burden on their rising costs to keep their employees insured. In my mind the question is - what do we do with the insurance companies if we do wind up with a single payer system. Seems to me that they need to have some role in the process. They can't just disappear overnight. I've never investigated and now I will take some time - to see what role if any - insurance companies - play in other countries that have a single payer, universal system. I'm sure that they are still viable - but to what extent I don't know.

Am I hopeful? Hmmmm..... I'd like to think I am - but if we don't kick the volume up on why it needs to go this way - we'll just get some plan that is half-assed, more of the same in a slightly different package - and we'll be told we won a great victory. It will be named the "Senator Kennedy Healthcare Salvation Act" - and we'll just swallow that as progress. (Note: check out my comments on Senator Kennedy in one of those links I posted in my previous response in this thread - as I have my doubts that he is on our side.)

[xchrom]

19. no plan yet -- we know he likes the massachusets health care solution --

hasn't really broached single payer or medicare for all.

that's about all we know for sure.

[bvar22]

64. The Massachusets health care solution ....

...is a REPUBLICAN Health Insurance scam (RomneyCare).

I prefer a Democratic Plan...HR-676.

[mike_c]

21. I think there is a certain amount of disappointed head burying on health care reform....

Obama's "plan" is nothing like what the nation needs. It is not really much of a plan at this point-- as you noted, it's not much more than a vague set of goals without many specifics about how to achieve them. Worst of all, it appears to severely downplay the best solution, i.e. single payer universal health care in some form, as provided to citizens of most other industrialized "first world" nations, in favor of maintaining the profits and influence of the private insurance industry, big pharma, etc.

There's not much to like about it, IMO, and that causes some cognitive disconnect for lots of folks who want to support Obama no matter what. So they simply don't want to talk about health care reform any longer.

[Stinky The Clown]

34. mike ......

.... I *so* agree with you.

How can it not be plain to this administration that BigIns and BigPharma and BigMed are the **problem** and not the solution? Yet they appear to be sitting at the table and we're not.

[biopowertoday]

63. The Pres set out a vague

blueprint -like he did with the first Stimulus plan and told congress to fill in the details. But we already know that The Kennedy/Mass plan is in the works. Now the single payer has been invited to the roundtables around the country but it is already decided and only has the appearance of input (or listening). UNLESS the public pushes back and pushes back HARD.

If you can't get to the rallies, do what you can with this group.

http://www.healthcare-now.org/2009/03/were-organizing-rallies-at-the-presidential-health-forums/

[LWolf]

23. I can't speak for anyone else,

but I'm not really interested in his health care plan because he doesn't have one.

He has plans for health *insurance*, and for keeping private, for-profit health insurance companies in place, profiting off of our ills, and holding their place as the gatekeepers to our care.

I don't support that plan, I won't be supporting that plan in this lifetime, and, as I'm happy to point out any time I DO comment, there is a much better plan already on the table. It just isn't our savior Obama's plan, it doesn't play well with insiders, and it doesn't really have a chance in an Obama administration.

Which is one of the many reasons I didn't want Obama to be the democrat that won the WH in '08.

[scarletwoman]

30. Maybe because the current WH discussions are taking place behind closed doors?

Have you seen madfloridian's thread on this: Who is working on the health care plans...mostly behind closed doors.

From the NYT article quoted in madf's post:

The 20 people who regularly attend the meetings on Capitol Hill include lobbyists for AARP, Aetna, the A.F.L.-C.I.O., the American Cancer Society, the American Medical Association, America’s Health Insurance Plans, the Business Roundtable, Easter Seals, the National Federation of Independent Business, the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, and the United States Chamber of Commerce.

It's looking like Obama's health care plan will be change that the insurance companies can believe in.

sw

[Stinky The Clown]

32. Yes, I saw that thread ..... and skimmed it ......

..... mostly because it was all from the perspective on who walks up to a back window, wipes off the grime, and tries to peer into the foggy darkness inside.

That fact pisses me off. But it doesn't say anything about a 'plan' other than speculation.

All that said, it strengthens the notion (dread?) that whatever comes of it will not be what we are hoping for.

[scarletwoman]

37. I agree, it's nothing concrete -- it's not the "plan" itself.

But looking at who's in on the planning of the "plan" kinda hints at what kind of "plan" will be forthcoming.

I've never been under the impression that Obama was the least bit interested in single payer health care anyway, seems to me he was ruling that out even during the campaign.

I'm not going to "hope" he changes his mind. It's really up to us raise a big noisy fuss about it NOW and unrelentingly, there's no reason to wait for him to unveil his "plan". We TELL him what we want NOW. Don't give him any cover.

sw

[mike_c]

33. interesting that insurance lobbyists are regular attendees...

...while the meetings are "closed door" to the rest of us. Now who do you suppose will be the real beneficiaries of any "plan" that emerges from those meetings? The insurance companies and the for-profit health industry, or the people who need affordable and effective health care?

We have the votes, they have the money and corporate influence. Get ready for a stinging lesson in American political reality, kids. The "people" and their needs are resources to mine for corporate profit.

[scarletwoman]

38. What are we waiting for? We should be hammering him NOW.

I mean, too fucking bad for all those men in suits sitting around their conference tables. It's time to rouse the rabble, not sit around passively waiting to see what kind of crumbs they decide to throw us.

sw

[biopowertoday]

45. Yes, that was a good journal entry.

[cunning stunt]

35. He talked about it during the campaign: he doesn't want a single payer system

He also doesn't want it mandatory for everyone to pay into the system. Hillary believed that we all must participate in order to bring costs down. What I fear is that if we don't radically shift to a single payer system, we will not be doing much to stop the insurance ripoffs and overpriced medical charges, which are at the heart of the problem with our current system.

[global1]

40. To All Those Of You That Posted In This Thread - Please K & R.......

the original poster asked the question - Why Does No One Wish To Talk About Obama's Health Care Plans?

We started a discourse here - let's get it recommended so others on DU will see it and contribute. I'm disappointed that many of you see that a single-payer system is dead. If we don't keep the pressure on this administration - than I guess it is.

There are more of us American's than there are Big Ins & Big Pharma. I know they have the bucks to lobby for there continued existence - but we have the power in numbers to influence how things will finally flesh out.

If we throw in the towel now - they've won. Let's at least put up a fight.

[scarletwoman]

41. Done. The time to fight for single payer is NOW. We don't need to wait to see what he comes up,

we need to INSIST on what WE want. That's what the insurance lobbyists are doing, after all. THEY'RE not waiting to see what his plan is, they are actively working to shape it.

sw

[redqueen]

44. I don't know.

But yeah... the recent insult of seeing Conyers and Fein shut out of the Health Care Summit isn't exactly encouraging.

I was far more hopeful last year... when news like this came out:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=389&topic_id=4468918

Not giving up though... I'm still writing to editors and friends and family and encouraging people to get involved.

Because obviously, that's the only way we're going to get this... no good thing ever came from the top. We always have to force them, always. That's how it works. Remember FDR's words: "I agree with you, I want to do it, now make me do it."

[empyreanisles]

46. Just chill out and wait for the plan to come out.

One thing I have learned about Obama. He and his people take the time to work out all the details and get thing right. THEN, they release something. Not a moment before either.

Personally, I think you are trying to start yet another anti-Obama thread.

[scarletwoman]

52. Why? Why should we wait? The insurance lobbyists aren't waiting, they're at the table right now,

negotiating for what THEY want. Why shouldn't we be giving voice to what WE want?

It's called citizens petitioning their government, it's part of the Constitution.

We helped elect Obama, we can damn well let him know that catering to Big Insurance and Big Pharma ain't going to fly with us.

sw

[Stinky The Clown]

58. Personally, I don't care what you think

Check it out. I have asked this question to silence for days.

And you think whatever it is, it will be right when they release it???? Right for who?

[biopowertoday]

68. Personally, I think

are wrong (IMHO)

[lib_wit_it]

47. What do you think of the goals of

http://www.healthcareforamericanow.org/ ?

[biopowertoday]

54. No, I am not

in agreement with their (Kennedy-WH inspired language) of incremental change
i am (paraphasing the OP) afraid it will be more of the same.


Here is my solution to the care problem---.




http://www.healthcare-now.org/

[lib_wit_it]

55. Great!Thanks for that link.

[Stinky The Clown]

59. I like the list of supporters

Who ya run with tells who ya are.

[biopowertoday]

62. that is the truth.

[Cleita]

48. He's going down the primrose path on health care, caving into the health

insurance and PhRMA lobby. He won't give the single payer people a chance to be heard except for a little, very little tokenism. I'm hoping Congress will step up to the plate and pass HR676 and I'm hoping he won't veto it if it does pass.

[biopowertoday]

69. Congress needs a LOUD public outcry to even consider single payer.

[rhett o rick]

51. When we are done "bailing out" the wall street fat cats, we won't be able to afford

a pot to piss in, let alone health care. We will be New China.

[1776Forever]

53. Link for the Campaign Proposal Obama laid out - And Urban Institute Evaluation of it

http://www.barackobama.com/issues/healthcare/

And Urban Institute evaluation:

http://www.urban.org/publications/411754.html

[Stinky The Clown]

60. See, that's what I mentioned in the OP

It is the campaign.

[lib_wit_it]

56. Single-Payer PR poll here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=5302814&mesg_id=5302814

To share link to Healthcare NOW! http://www.healthcare-now.org/

Please share with your personal contacts. :)

[scarletwoman]

57. kick to keep the conversation going... (nt)

[bvar22]

65. I'm a supporter of the Democratic HealthCare Plan...HR-676

Simply remove the age restrictions from MediCare.
If people choose to keep their private Health Insurance Plans, well, that is their choice.


Out of 38 Industrialized nations, the US is the ONLY one that doen not have a National HealthCare Plan.

Single Payer is NOT "too hard" for America.
Why should we be forced to settle for less?

If the Obama Plan does NOT include a Public Non-Profit HealthCre option.....I'm outta here, and will be working for a 3rd Party.

[FLDCVADem]

66. I would support single payer

i.e., single payer funded by taxes with the option of keeping private insurance if the person desires to do so. I don't favor a single payer plan where anything covered under single payer can't be provided outside of single payer if the patient chooses to pay out of pocket or via private insurance.

[bvar22]

73. By all means....

Let the For Profit Health Insurance Corps compete with the Non Profit Public System.

Give Americans the CHOICE.

[biopowertoday]

67. Hundreds Turn Out To Support Single Payer Healthcare At "Stacked Deck" Forum

http://www.laborradio.org/node/10721


Hundreds Turn Out To Support Single Payer Healthcare At "Stacked Deck" Forum - 03/18/09
By Doug Cunningham

Hundreds of people turned out in favor of single payer national health care at the Vermont regional healthcare reform forum Tuesday. Traven Leyshon is on the Executive Board of the Vermont AFL-CIO. He says these forums are packed with insurance and business reps.

: “Well, it was clearly a stacked deck. We had several hundred single payer supporters there and we had people saying that the administration must act on the principle that healthcare is a human right. not a commodity. That was clearly the overwhelming sentiment. But entrance into this was by invitation only. And it was stacked in favor of big corporations, the insurance companies and the Chamber of Commerce."

Posted 03/17/2009 - 5:57pm | 136 reads

……………



****This the organizing group that is doing most of the “heavy lifting” related to getting single payer representation on the table:

http://www.healthcare-now.org/2009/03/were-organizing-rallies-at-the-presidential-health-forums/


Browse > Home / HCN News / We’re Organizing Rallies at the Presidential Health Forums
We’re Organizing Rallies at the Presidential Health Forums
March 11, 2009 by Healthcare-NOW!

As many of you have heard, the Obama Health Care Task Force is hosting 5 Regional forums on healthcare in Michigan, California, Iowa, North Carolina, and Vermont.

Healthcare-NOW! currently has logistics on two (Vermont and Michigan) of the five demonstrations. On short notice, peaceful demonstrations are being mobilized outside the entrance of the events. If/when you know details about the other meetings, please send details as soon as possible to Healthcare-NOW! at [e-mail] or call 1-800-453-1305.

The forums are expected to be highly message-controlled, so it is important to show the support of single-payer at these events. Our main message and purpose of these demonstrations are:
1. To demonstrate the overwhelming support for single-payer as a popular movement, and not a fringe interest.

2. To make sure that single-payer is given fair standing with other reform options in every congressional committee with jurisdiction over healthcare reform and any health reform activities sponsored by the Obama Administration.

It should be noted that single-payer advocates have been invited to attend these forums. However, given that the majority of physicians and Americans prefer national health insurance, we believe it is imperative that single-payer is given equal time for discussion and analysis. So far, this has not been the case.

If you live in any of these areas, you can submit a question and ask to attend at www.healthreform.gov. Go, submit a question, and ask for an invite.
This is the information we have so far:
……….snip……….


Des Moines, Iowa - March 23rd

Forum starts at 10:00 am at the Polk County Convention Complex (5th Ave. and Grand Ave., downtown Des Moines)
PNHP has a physician, Dr. Ron Lind, who will speak at a 9:00 am press conference and rally outside.
Geri Jenkins of California Nurses Association and Dr. Lind and Dr Niles of Physicians for a National Health Program have been invited into the forum. We are looking forward to an energetic rally outside he forum.

Contact Bill Gallagher, CNA for more details [e-mail].
Greensboro, North Carolina - March 31st
……….more………

[area51]

70. Kick. (n/t)

[BlooInBloo]

71. Personally, I was hoping to save this piece of Obama's Great Betrayal for last.

[scarletwoman]

72. Kick for a cool thread... (nt)

[eridani]

74. Real "realists" never begin their negotiations with the wussiest possible compromise

The opposition with attack any proposal, so why not ask for the best to begin with? It is pointless to even pretend that the opposition is iterested in solutions.

In 1993 conservative pundit Irving Kristol advised the GOP that the Clinton proposal "should not be amended; it should be erased," because "it will revive the reputation of the party that spends and regulates, the Democrats, as the generous protector of middle-class interests.“

In 2008, the Cato Institute has stated that “blocking Obama's health plan is key to the GOP's survival. If Obama succeeds in passing health care, then people who might have been conservatives will like it, and will be more likely to vote for the people who passed it.“

[scarletwoman]

75. Exactly! Great post! (nt)