Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
"Sorry, not this time. It wasn't Perfect"
Understanding that I see a clear path for a "Public Option" as a stand alone bill using Reconciliation. The current Senate Bill or what ever comes out of conference will never have a Public Option. We struggled and kept the pressure up to the very end. We fought the good fight.
But it's best at this point to grasp all that is good in this bill and get it passed.
I wouldn't want to stand in front of a Mother with a sick child who can't get insurance and say " sorry, not this time It wasn't perfect."
But it's best at this point to grasp all that is good in this bill and get it passed.
I wouldn't want to stand in front of a Mother with a sick child who can't get insurance and say " sorry, not this time It wasn't perfect."
Sunday, December 20, 2009
FREE ABORTIONS
If all the money being raised and spent fighting the issue of Tax-Payer funded abortion was donated to Planned Parenthood. They could probably offer free abortion services.
Oh and another thing on abortion,
What the Anti-Abortion people are attempting to do is ration abortion services by cost. If your a low income woman who must rely on subsidies on the Exchanges for your health care coverage. You won't get coverage for abortion services.
The woman across the street doesn't qualify for subsidies, she has to pay for her coverage out of her own pocket. The policy she picked offers coverage for abortions. (Ya-Hoo! $15 co-pay.)
Our low income woman has another neighbor next door who works at the factory down by the rail road tracks. She is a Union worker and her employer provides a generous insurance plan that also covers abortion.
If all three of our neighbors got pregnant only one would not be able to get an abortion because she can't afford it and that is cost directed rationing.
Oh and another thing on abortion,
What the Anti-Abortion people are attempting to do is ration abortion services by cost. If your a low income woman who must rely on subsidies on the Exchanges for your health care coverage. You won't get coverage for abortion services.
The woman across the street doesn't qualify for subsidies, she has to pay for her coverage out of her own pocket. The policy she picked offers coverage for abortions. (Ya-Hoo! $15 co-pay.)
Our low income woman has another neighbor next door who works at the factory down by the rail road tracks. She is a Union worker and her employer provides a generous insurance plan that also covers abortion.
If all three of our neighbors got pregnant only one would not be able to get an abortion because she can't afford it and that is cost directed rationing.
Friday, December 18, 2009
7 STEPS TO A PUBLIC OPTION!
Ok, I'm a nobody. Just sitting out here putin' down some thoughts, posting some interesting things. ( Check out the dolphins with the bubbles on the sidebar. It's friggin awesome. If only they had gotten hands.) and making kinda fun political graphics. ( Also on the sidebar) OK, enough self-promotion.
I know I just said this a couple day ago but I don't hear anyone talking about this as an option. Maybe if I shout, someone will hear Me.
1. PASS THE SENATE BILL WITHOUT A PUBLIC OPTION OR MEDICARE BUY IN.
2. GO TO CONFERENCE AND MERGE THEM WITHOUT A PUBLIC OPTION OR MEDICARE BUY IN.
3. PASS THE BILL OUT OF BOTH HOUSES AND SEND TO THE PRESIDENT.
Now this next step is just my choice for the final step.
4. PASS A BILL OUT OF THE HOUSE MAKING MEDICARE A BUY IN OPTION ON THE EXCHANGES. USING LANGUAGE FOR RECONCILIATION.
5. SEND THE BILL TO THE SENATE FOR A SIMPLE MAJORITY VOTE.
6. PASS IT.
7. SEND IT TO THE PRESIDENT.
I know some people will say that Medicare as an option on the exchange will drive private insurance out of business. Well if they can't compete then so be it. At least thier demise will be gradual and displaced worker can be more easily absorbed into the new Paradigm.
I know I just said this a couple day ago but I don't hear anyone talking about this as an option. Maybe if I shout, someone will hear Me.
1. PASS THE SENATE BILL WITHOUT A PUBLIC OPTION OR MEDICARE BUY IN.
2. GO TO CONFERENCE AND MERGE THEM WITHOUT A PUBLIC OPTION OR MEDICARE BUY IN.
3. PASS THE BILL OUT OF BOTH HOUSES AND SEND TO THE PRESIDENT.
Now this next step is just my choice for the final step.
4. PASS A BILL OUT OF THE HOUSE MAKING MEDICARE A BUY IN OPTION ON THE EXCHANGES. USING LANGUAGE FOR RECONCILIATION.
5. SEND THE BILL TO THE SENATE FOR A SIMPLE MAJORITY VOTE.
6. PASS IT.
7. SEND IT TO THE PRESIDENT.
I know some people will say that Medicare as an option on the exchange will drive private insurance out of business. Well if they can't compete then so be it. At least thier demise will be gradual and displaced worker can be more easily absorbed into the new Paradigm.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Is Lieberman pulling a "Tauzin"?
Maybe what's motivating Joe Lieberman is the promise of a Job when he retires from the Senate?
For those who don't know former congressman Billy Tauzin sheparded the Medicare Part D program, with it no negotiation on drug prices. Then left to run PHARMA for for big bucks
For those who don't know former congressman Billy Tauzin sheparded the Medicare Part D program, with it no negotiation on drug prices. Then left to run PHARMA for for big bucks
Expanding Medicaid.
There are a couple of things the Congress will have to deal with when it comes to expanding Medicaid to people with higher incomes.
One is the limits on savings which include retirement. Some one on Medicaid can not have more then $2500 in savings. To qualify for Medicaid a person or family would need to spend down any savings or retirement plans like 401K or IRA.
Second is Medicaid's ablitity to recoup any funds spent of services from the person's estate.
I haven't heard much talk about either of thiese issues.
One is the limits on savings which include retirement. Some one on Medicaid can not have more then $2500 in savings. To qualify for Medicaid a person or family would need to spend down any savings or retirement plans like 401K or IRA.
Second is Medicaid's ablitity to recoup any funds spent of services from the person's estate.
I haven't heard much talk about either of thiese issues.
One Two Punch
OK, here we go another way to get the strongest possible "Public Option" or "Medicare By-in".
Pass the Health Care Reform Bill with out a Public Option or Buy-in. Pass it in the House with out either option, also. President sign and we have Health Insurance Reform.
When the Congress returns next year start start the legislative process for Public or Medicare Option, maybe both, including language for reconciliation. Punch it through the House, Punch it through the Senate and on to the President. Now We Have Health Care Reform.
Pass the Health Care Reform Bill with out a Public Option or Buy-in. Pass it in the House with out either option, also. President sign and we have Health Insurance Reform.
When the Congress returns next year start start the legislative process for Public or Medicare Option, maybe both, including language for reconciliation. Punch it through the House, Punch it through the Senate and on to the President. Now We Have Health Care Reform.
Tuesday, December 08, 2009
56 Newspapers in 45 Countries Publish One Editorial on Global Warming
Huffington Post:
"Today 56 newspapers in 45 countries take the unprecedented step of speaking with one voice through a common editorial. We do so because humanity faces a profound emergency.
Unless we combine to take decisive action, climate change will ravage our planet, and with it our prosperity and security. The dangers have been becoming apparent for a generation. Now the facts have started to speak: 11 of the past 14 years have been the warmest on record, the Arctic ice-cap is melting and last year's inflamed oil and food prices provide a foretaste of future havoc. In scientific journals the question is no longer whether humans are to blame, but how little time we have got left to limit the damage. Yet so far the world's response has been feeble and half-hearted."
"Today 56 newspapers in 45 countries take the unprecedented step of speaking with one voice through a common editorial. We do so because humanity faces a profound emergency.
Unless we combine to take decisive action, climate change will ravage our planet, and with it our prosperity and security. The dangers have been becoming apparent for a generation. Now the facts have started to speak: 11 of the past 14 years have been the warmest on record, the Arctic ice-cap is melting and last year's inflamed oil and food prices provide a foretaste of future havoc. In scientific journals the question is no longer whether humans are to blame, but how little time we have got left to limit the damage. Yet so far the world's response has been feeble and half-hearted."
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