| So the healthcare summit went forward pretty much as expected. But I'm glad to see that we're finally wrapping up this process.
We're focused (or at least were yesterday) on "bipartisanship" at this phase (were we ever not???). I think that Democrats have bent over backwards to meet the Republican requests but it is worth asking what they want now. Here is the list of requests from the RNC website:
- We ask that President Obama and Congressional Democrats join with Republican leaders to start over on health insurance reform.
- We ask that they help craft sensible reforms designed to lower costs and expand access without violating individual rights or the integrity of the market.
- We ask that they enact medical liability reform and put an end to frivolous lawsuits that drive up the cost of medicine.
- We ask that they allow individuals and small businesses to pool together to purchase high-quality affordable health care coverage.
- We ask that they allow Americans to shop for health care coverage from coast to coast and purchase insurance policies across state lines.
- We ask that they create new incentives to save for current and future health care needs by allowing people to use their health savings accounts funds to pay premiums for high deductible health plans.
- We ask that they guarantee individuals with pre-existing conditions or past illnesses access to affordable coverage through the expansion of state-based, high-risk pools, and reinsurance programs.
- We reject any attempt by the federal government to force any American to purchase an unwanted insurance plan.
- We reject any attempt to implement a government-run insurance program.
- We reject individual mandates, rationing, and special deals for any state.
- We reject a separate set of rules for government and private sector health insurance purchases.
- We oppose any plan that betrays our senior citizens by cutting Medicare coverage, or that allocates taxpayer funds to pay for abortion.
- We reject any proposal that authorizes a government takeover of any portion of our health care system.
- We ask that Congress and the President above all pledge to ensure the constitutionality of any health insurance reform legislation considered by the federal government.
- We implore the President and his allies to listen to the will of the American people and start over on health insurance reform.
It is time for us to follow the Republicans requests in order to get healthcare done. |
| I've long advocated that the best way to move forward is to clarify our thinking about healthcare and simplify the plan.
We should implement a system that is consistent with those requests. I think it is clear what system can do that: not the "public option", not a "Medicare buy-in option", not co-ops, not the current plan.
Yes. The answer is clear: it is "Medicare for all".
Let's look and see:
- We ask that President Obama and Congressional Democrats join with Republican leaders to start over on health insurance reform.
Yup. Medicare for all would be a start over since it has never really been discussed.
- We ask that they help craft sensible reforms designed to lower costs and expand access without violating individual rights or the integrity of the market.
Yup. Will lower costs and expand access. No individual rights will be violated-- only, maybe, the collective rights of insurance companies to make obscene profits. I don't think there is any integrity in the market today.
- We ask that they enact medical liability reform and put an end to frivolous lawsuits that drive up the cost of medicine.
I'll give you this one-- Medicare for all doesn't address it. But, on the other hand, studies show that lawsuits occur when patients feel out of contact and dissatisfied with their doctors. Medicare has a higher satisfaction rating than private insurance. So, perhaps, Medicare for all will help decrease the number of lawsuits.
- We ask that they allow individuals and small businesses to pool together to purchase high-quality affordable health care coverage.
Medicare is kind of the ultimate pool, isn't it?
- We ask that they allow Americans to shop for health care coverage from coast to coast and purchase insurance policies across state lines.
Medicare is coast to coast.
- We ask that they create new incentives to save for current and future health care needs by allowing people to use their health savings accounts funds to pay premiums for high deductible health plans.
Won't need to under Medicare. That's part of the beauty of the system!!!
- We ask that they guarantee individuals with pre-existing conditions or past illnesses access to affordable coverage through the expansion of state-based, high-risk pools, and reinsurance programs.
Affordable coverage guaranteed-- no need to create additional programs. Aren't Republicans supposed to be against creating additional programs?
- We reject any attempt by the federal government to force any American to purchase an unwanted insurance plan.
Well, it isn't a new force-- it's an expansion of a current system. I'm wiggling a little here, I know.
- We reject any attempt to implement a government-run insurance program.
No implementation of a government run program-- just an expansion of a current one. Which, I'll remind you, has higher satisfaction rates than private insurance.
- We reject individual mandates, rationing, and special deals for any state.
No special deals here. Aren't Republicans the proponents of rationing? Guys? What's up with that?
- We reject a separate set of rules for government and private sector health insurance purchases.
Same rules. Medicare for all.
- We oppose any plan that betrays our senior citizens by cutting Medicare coverage, or that allocates taxpayer funds to pay for abortion.
This expands Medicare so I think it's the opposite of a betrayal.
- We reject any proposal that authorizes a government takeover of any portion of our health care system.
Well, I think we define "takeover" differently. I guess Medicare for all would "takeover" the insurance "portion of our health care system". But I'm failing to see how that is a problem.
- We ask that Congress and the President above all pledge to ensure the constitutionality of any health insurance reform legislation considered by the federal government.
Medicare has already passed the constitutionality test.
- We implore the President and his allies to listen to the will of the American people and start over on health insurance reform.
Didn't we cover the whole "start over thing" before?
Plus, as Medicare is a tax related issue, it lends itself perfectly to reconsiliation. |
