Live Blog: Countdown to a Health Care Christmas
By Al Giordano
I should have my head examined. It's a beautiful Saturday morning somewhere in a country called América. I could be out at the musical instruments flea market flirting with jazz pianists. Or catching the early showing of Avatar at the cinema. Or finally getting to the mercado that has the ten-year-old aged parmesan that needs replenishing in the kitchen. Or heading to the beach for the holidaze.
But the US Senate is now deliberating in the final push for a Health Care law, and I'm here in the bunker monitoring C-Span 2 online.
Revealing is that for all the teeth gnashing and poutrage that we heard this week in certain corners of the blogosphere, the newfound conversion of some Netrootsers into Tea Baggers, the predictable insistences that the sky is falling, and rake stepping abounding all around, not one of these usual suspects is live blogging the Senate deliberations this morning! And so it falls upon me, your servant, once again to fill the void.
Here is what is happening in the Senate: All the amendments to the health care reform bill have been rolled into one mega-amendment sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. Here is the text of the amendment. Reid asked to have the reading waved. Republicans objected. And so now Senate clerks are taking turns reading the text aloud. That has gone on for more than an hour already.
It is also revealing that all the demands by those now known as aspiring "bill killers" did not convince a single Democratic Senator to join in the GOP filibuster of health care reform. Even the run they made at socialist independent Senator Bernie Saunders, egging him on to do it, has now been tagged, with the rest of the squawking, as EPIC FAIL. We've seen this movie before.
Meanwhile, bill proponents have out-organized the opponents, and the bill killer fever has already peaked and ebbed.
I asked, the other day, What Would Teddy Do? His widow, Victoria Reggie Kennedy, chose to answer the question yesterday in a Washington Post op ed column:
"He's not here to urge us not to let this chance slip through our fingers. So I humbly ask his colleagues to finish the work of his life, the work of generations, to allow the vote to go forward and to pass health-care reform now. As Ted always said, when it's finally done, the people will wonder what took so long."
Oh, snap! Some bill killers who had carelessly invoked Teddy's name now stand officially corrected.
And Andy Stern, the leader of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), the union that has perhaps done the most ground-level training and door-to-door organizing to finally get health care passed in a Congress that has evaded it for six decades, officially corrected the Huffington Post's yellow headline that claimed he had become a bill killer. He went to the effort to pen a column of his own: Don't Kill the Bill. Fix It.
And so yesterday, momentum turned back in favor of the bill.
The last Democratic hold out, Senator Ben Nelson of Nebraska, was summoned yesterday to Reid's office and emerged saying he will vote for the bill, making him the all important sixtieth vote needed to stop the promised GOP filibuster.
Since Nelson was seeking to use the bill to impose more restrictions on the right to safe and legal abortion, the question immediately was whether he had succeeded. But pro-choice Senators Chuck Schumer of New York and Barbara Boxer of California, also in on that closed-door session, emerged smiling.
The only reference to abortion so far in the amendment being read aloud was a clause respecting the rights of individual states to either restrict or to fund abortion. In other words, Nelson won a fig leaf that allows him to somewhat save face even if it has anti-abortion groups outraged. This means the infamous Stupak Amendment will not be in the Senate version, and almost certainly won't survive conference committee.
Chris Frates at Politico - one of the only other journalists who seems to be at work on this historic Saturday morning - has more details:
One of the biggest hurdles to passing a health reform bill was satisfying Democratic Sen. Ben Nelson's demand that restrictions on the federal funding of abortion be tightened. And in the manager's amendment Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid threaded the needle on the issue and won Nelson's support for the bill.
To that end, Reid included a provision that allows states to prohibit abortion coverage in the insurance exchanges the bill creates. It's basically a state opt-out, which largely allows Democrats to sidestep the tricky issue by dumping it on the states.
The amendment also requires that health plans that provide abortion services segregrate the premiums from any federal money so that federal funds don't pay for abortion services. Similar proposals have come under fire from pro-life groups who call the maneuver a shell game. They argue that because the insurance plans offered through the exchange are eligible for federal subsidies, taxpayer money is still paying for the coverage of abortion.
And while it still might not satisfy pro-life groups, the important point for Democrats today is that it wins Nelson's vote, which they need to pass a bill.
Okay, we're at sixty votes, then, right?
Not so fast. There's still the possibility that Senator Joe Lieberman will bolt at five minutes to midnight, because, well, he's a dick.
But when watching this administration work over Congress, one should pay careful attention to those matters that it keeps quiet about. It is entirely possible that it has had an ace up its sleeve all along, but successfully kept the media focus on antics by Lieberman and Nelson to obscure that trump card.
I'm of course speaking of the Republican Senator from Maine, Olympia Snowe:
Republican Sen. Olympia Snowe rated a full two hours of President Barack Obama's time the day before he left for climate talks in Copenhagen this week - more than any of her colleagues can claim - as Democrats try to persuade her to vote for their health care overhaul.
She spoke Friday with Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, D-Mont., as she does nearly every day. Top White House staffers visit the senator in her office...
October was when Snowe kept all of Washington guessing before voting in favor of the health overhaul bill in the Senate Finance Committee, becoming the first - and only - Republican senator to do so. "When history calls, history calls," Snowe said at the time.
Democrats remember how close Snowe kept her cards to the vest before casting that vote, and how she also complained then that the process was going too fast. The bill now before the Senate is not too far removed from what Snowe supported in committee, so some think that if she voted "yes" then, she could do it again...
And so the stars seem to be lining up for a Christmas Eve passage of the big Health Care foot in the door. Sixty votes to shut down a filibuster seem, today, entirely reachable, and even 61 seem very possible.
And the snow that engulfs the US Capitol this morning is as white as Ted Kennedy's hair...
Update 11:21 ET: They're still reading the amendment aloud on the Senate floor. Meanwhile, DKos blogger Liberal Jon has read the manager's amendment and spells out what the changes are, mostly good from a progressive standpoint. He also finds some interesting amendments that seem added to please, say, a Senator from Maine. Interesting, no?
Update 3:15 p.m. ET: A statement by President Obama:
It now appears that the American people will have the vote they deserve on genuine reform that offers security to those who have health insurance and affordable options to those for do not. And so I want to thank Senator Harry Reid and every senator who’s been working around the clock to make this happen.
There’s still much work left to be done, but not a lot of time left to do it. But today is a major step forward for the American people. After a nearly century long struggle we are on the cusp of making health care reform a reality in the United States of America.
As with any legislation, compromise is part of the process. But I'm pleased that recently added amendments have made this landmark bill even stronger. Between the time the bill passes and the time when the insurance exchange gets up and running there will now be penalties for insurance companies that arbitrarily jack up rates on consumers. And while insurance companies will be prevented from denying coverage on the basis of pre-existing conditions once the exchange is open, in the meantime there will be a high risk pool where people with pre-existing conditions can purchase affordable coverage.
And a recent amendment has made these protections even stronger. Insurance companies will now be prohibited from denying coverage to children immediately after this bill passes. There’s also explicit language in this bill that will protect a patient’s choice of doctor. And small businesses will get additional assistance as well.
These protections are in addition to the ones we’ve been talking about for some time. No longer will insurance companies be able to drop your coverage if you become sick and no longer will you have to pay unlimited amounts out of your own pocket for treatments that you need.
Under this bill families will save on their premiums; businesses that will see their costs rise if we don’t act will save money now and in the future. This bill with strengthen Medicare and extend the life of the program. Because it’s paid for and gets rid of waste and inefficiency in our health care system this will be the largest deficit reduction plan in over a decade. In fact, we just learned from the Congressional Budget Office that this bill will reduce our deficit by $132 billion over the first decade of the program, and more than one trillion dollars in the decade after that.
Finally, this reform will make coverage affordable for over 30 million Americans who don’t have it -- over 30 million Americans.
As I said before, these are not small changes. These are big changes. They’re fundamental reforms. They will save money. They will save lives. And I look forward to working with the Senate and the House to finish the work that remains so that we can make this reform a reality for the American people.
4 p.m. ET: The reading of the 383-page amendment is now complete, and actual debate is beginning. Senator Dick Durbin (D-Illinois) up first...
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Thanks Al!
Submitted December 19, 2009 - 9:51 am by Melissa (not verified)We are on the verge of historic healthcare legislation being passed.
thanks for the report, Al
Submitted December 19, 2009 - 10:04 am by BR (not verified)For the past year or two, my morning habit has been to read news online - usually at TPM, Daily Kos, and then many other blogs (here, Balloon Juice, 538, Sullivan, ...).
When the latest outrage over the senate bill started a week or so ago, I couldn't take it any more - I stopped reading. Finally yesterday I took a peek to see whether sanity had emerged yet by reading your post and Balloon Juice. Sounds like sanity has yet to emerge at the usual places, so I won't be reading them for some time longer. I'll be sticking with The Field and Balloon Juice.
What is remarkable is how predictable the trends are - I almost want to create a Ross Perot style graph of their emotional state and stand up there (metaphorically) with a pointer and describe the ups and downs, with arrows pointing to each historical outrage session - the various doldrums of the campaign, the stimulus bill, etc.
@ BR
Submitted December 19, 2009 - 10:13 am by Al GiordanoBR - Love your Perot-style chart graph idea! It should also include a "won/lost" scorecard just to point out that these poutrage flu attacks have in almost every case failed at their stated goals.
At home and abroad
Submitted December 19, 2009 - 10:17 am by Lucidamente (not verified)It strikes me that the same dynamics of poutrage vs. real accomplishment, activism vs. organizing, have just played themselves out in Copenhagen as well.
Your blogging
Submitted December 19, 2009 - 10:29 am by RAnderson (not verified)Thanks Al.
For all you have done to bring some sanity to an insane people. I used to be really involved in commenting on FDL, but they started getting so radical during the 2008 Campaign I gave up commenting. I still read once in a while, but mostly wait for you to make your analysis. I also, used to listen to Ed Schultz until he went on MSNBC and started shouting like the rest on the lunatics. It's hard to find a really sound and impartial assessement of what is going on in DC. But, I feel bad for President Obama, he really ahsn't gotten a far shake since he took office. The right wing and some of the left have just been nuts and buying into all kinds of trash talk. Throughout this whole debate on Health Care I kept saying to myself, i'ts not over until it's over. I think the Media have been doing their very best to kill this bill and the Obama presidency. I voted for him and worked for him and I have not changed my mind about him and his policies. If anybody paid a fraction of attention to his campaign they would know he really is a centrist and he is trying to be president to all of the people, which he campaigned on .
I'm really hoping everybody steps back and give this President a chance. The congress is something else. I hope the next congress session some changes are made to the rules. But as long as the Republicans keep obrstructing the senate, I think we will have a good chance to get a few more Dems in the house and Senate.
thanks
Submitted December 19, 2009 - 10:59 am by valdivia (not verified)for keep the sanity. the minute you have someone like Hamsher or Taibbi argiung for a union with the teabaggers or to kill this so we can wait a few more years you know some people have lost their marbles.
You and Balloon Juice have kept me sane.
Maybe this is an appropriate picture for the bill-killers?
Submitted December 19, 2009 - 11:31 am by Elliot KaufmanOlympia Snowe
Submitted December 19, 2009 - 11:52 am by Allie Mann (not verified)Unfortunately, Olympia Snowe says she will oppose the health care bill compromise because it's being rushed.
By all accounts
Submitted December 19, 2009 - 12:56 pm by woody45 (not verified)By all accounts the WH has also been courting Susan Collins big time. She recently co-sponsored a package of HCR amendments with Ron Wyden.
Could she be Senator 62?
Thanks Al
Submitted December 19, 2009 - 1:27 pm by Catherine CainI've been doing the EXACT same as BR. Fortinately I was crazy busy at work this past week so I could easily avoid the blogger hell at HuffPo and DKos.
I mentioned over there that it was so interesting, after months of the freak show over the bailout of the banks (which Obama supported because of the necessity of averting financial devastation here and abroad),that there was not one front pager MENTION of the payback of those bailouts by most all banks in less than a year. I find it so disingenuous that the blogs don't acknowledge important HUGE news that they were wrong about. No one really knew what would happen and the front pagers at DKos are not financial experts and even the experts didn't know how it would all turn out so admitting that they were wrong shouldn't be that difficult. I bet Marcos posted at least 3 stories himself suggesting other options other than the bank bailout. But it seems that it's way too much for them to admit that Obama appeared to have made another smart decision.
Some of the amendments look very good
Submitted December 19, 2009 - 1:42 pm by DK (not verified)Al, thanks for your smart post yesterday and for blogging on a beautiful Saturday. Ezra Klein has the document that Harry Reid's office has sent out summarizing the amendments under discussion.
Ezra has put in bold type the changes he finds of special interest. The ones that strike me as especially good are the immediate elimination of pre-existing conditions for children and the elimination of annual caps on benefits.
Here's the document, including Ezra's highlighting:
Tougher Accountability Policies for Health Insurance Companies
• Stronger medical loss ratios. Health insurers will be required to spend more of their premium revenue on clinical services and quality activities, with less going to administrative costs and profit – or else pay rebates to policyholders. These more rigorous limits will continue even after the Exchanges begin in 2011, and apply to all plans, including grandfathered plans.
• Accountability for excessive rate increases. A health insurer’s participation in the Exchanges will depend on its performance. Insurers that jack up their premiums before the Exchanges begin will be excluded – a powerful incentive to keep premiums affordable.
• Immediate ban on preexisting condition exclusions for children. Health insurers will be immediately prohibited from excluding coverage of preexisting conditions for children.
• Patient protections. Health insurers will have to abide by a set of patient protections that, for example, protect choice of doctors and ensure access to emergency care.
• Ensuring access to needed care. The use of annual limits on benefits will be tightly restricted to ensure access to needed care immediately, and will be prohibited completely beginning in 2014.
• Guaranteed opportunity to appeal coverage denials. All health insurers will be required to implement an internal appeals process for coverage denials, and states will ensure the availability of an external appeals process that is independent and holds insurance companies accountable.
Stronger Policies to Make Health Care Affordable
• Innovation. Medicare will be able to test new models and, if successful, implement them via a stronger Innovation Center, Independent Payment Advisory Board, and other authorities.
• Transparency. New requirements will ensure that insurers and health care providers report on their performance, empowering patients to make the best possible decisions.
• Small businesses. A package of improvements include starting the health insurance tax credit in 2010, expanding eligibility for the credit, and improving the buying power of small businesses.
More Health Insurance Choices
• Multistate option. Health insurance carriers will offer plans under the supervision of the Office of Personnel Management, the same entity that oversees health plans for Members of Congress. At least one plan must be nonprofit, and the plans will be available nationwide. This will promote competition and choice.
• Free choice vouchers. Workers who qualify for an affordability exemption to the individual responsibility policy but do not qualify for tax credits can take their employer contribution and join an exchange plan.
Improved Access to Quality Health Care for Seniors, Children, and Vulnerable Populations
• Quality of care in Medicare. Seniors will benefit when additional health care providers are reimbursed by Medicare for the quality of care they deliver, not the quantity of services they provide.
• Children’s health. Support will be extended for the Children’s Health Insurance Program and the adoption tax credit. Foster care children aging out of Medicaid will be able to retain its comprehensive coverage.
• Community Health Centers. A substantial investment in Community Health Centers will provide funding to expand access to health care in communities where it is most needed.
• Rural and underserved communities. Access will be expanded through funding for rural health care providers and training programs for physician and other types of health care providers.
• Vulnerable populations. A range of new programs will tackle diseases such as cancer, diabetes and children’s congenital heart disease, will improve the Indian Health System and will provide support for pregnant teens and victims of domestic violence.
Identifying Alternatives to Litigation
• Testing new models. States will be eligible for grants to test alternatives to civil tort litigation that emphasize patient safety, disclosure of health care errors, and early resolution of disputes, with a provision for patients to opt-out of these alternatives at any time. Alternatives will be evaluated to determine their effectiveness.
Here's the summary document Reid's office is sending around on the changes in the manager's amendments. I've bolded the bits I think are important.
Tougher Accountability Policies for Health Insurance Companies
• Stronger medical loss ratios. Health insurers will be required to spend more of their premium revenue on clinical services and quality activities, with less going to administrative costs and profit – or else pay rebates to policyholders. These more rigorous limits will continue even after the Exchanges begin in 2011, and apply to all plans, including grandfathered plans.
• Accountability for excessive rate increases. A health insurer’s participation in the Exchanges will depend on its performance. Insurers that jack up their premiums before the Exchanges begin will be excluded – a powerful incentive to keep premiums affordable.
• Immediate ban on preexisting condition exclusions for children. Health insurers will be immediately prohibited from excluding coverage of preexisting conditions for children.
• Patient protections. Health insurers will have to abide by a set of patient protections that, for example, protect choice of doctors and ensure access to emergency care.
• Ensuring access to needed care. The use of annual limits on benefits will be tightly restricted to ensure access to needed care immediately, and will be prohibited completely beginning in 2014.
• Guaranteed opportunity to appeal coverage denials. All health insurers will be required to implement an internal appeals process for coverage denials, and states will ensure the availability of an external appeals process that is independent and holds insurance companies accountable.
Stronger Policies to Make Health Care Affordable
• Innovation. Medicare will be able to test new models and, if successful, implement them via a stronger Innovation Center, Independent Payment Advisory Board, and other authorities.
• Transparency. New requirements will ensure that insurers and health care providers report on their performance, empowering patients to make the best possible decisions.
• Small businesses. A package of improvements include starting the health insurance tax credit in 2010, expanding eligibility for the credit, and improving the buying power of small businesses.
More Health Insurance Choices
• Multistate option. Health insurance carriers will offer plans under the supervision of the Office of Personnel Management, the same entity that oversees health plans for Members of Congress. At least one plan must be nonprofit, and the plans will be available nationwide. This will promote competition and choice.
• Free choice vouchers. Workers who qualify for an affordability exemption to the individual responsibility policy but do not qualify for tax credits can take their employer contribution and join an exchange plan.
Improved Access to Quality Health Care for Seniors, Children, and Vulnerable Populations
• Quality of care in Medicare. Seniors will benefit when additional health care providers are reimbursed by Medicare for the quality of care they deliver, not the quantity of services they provide.
• Children’s health. Support will be extended for the Children’s Health Insurance Program and the adoption tax credit. Foster care children aging out of Medicaid will be able to retain its comprehensive coverage.
• Community Health Centers. A substantial investment in Community Health Centers will provide funding to expand access to health care in communities where it is most needed.
• Rural and underserved communities. Access will be expanded through funding for rural health care providers and training programs for physician and other types of health care providers.
• Vulnerable populations. A range of new programs will tackle diseases such as cancer, diabetes and children’s congenital heart disease, will improve the Indian Health System and will provide support for pregnant teens and victims of domestic violence.
Identifying Alternatives to Litigation
• Testing new models. States will be eligible for grants to test alternatives to civil tort litigation that emphasize patient safety, disclosure of health care errors, and early resolution of disputes, with a provision for patients to opt-out of these alternatives at any time. Alternatives will be evaluated to determine their effectiveness.
The latest I've seen on Snowe's position...
Submitted December 19, 2009 - 2:02 pm by Travis (not verified)Still sticking to her guns about the process going to fast:
http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2009/12/snowe_clinches_deal_to...
A freakin' hysterical and pathetic excuse for something that's been discussed, had major bills introduced about, and debated on for more than a few decades...and which the current incarnation has been the biggest political battle on the landscape for 9 months.
And a battle that took just a couple months longer than Sen. Kennedy deserved.
Thanks Al.
Submitted December 19, 2009 - 2:06 pm by Rhoda (not verified)What most people fail to recognize is the huge step forward expanding coverage to uninsured people means and how this is the first step to real reform. MA did this with Romeny/Kennedy and they are starting to build real cost controls and reforms; and it's popular.
This is a huge success for the adminstration when it passes. And frankly, there are a lot of unemployed 20somethings who will be able to stay on their parents insurance thanks to this bill. That is huge. And folks will recongize that Democrats did that.
Frankly: In opposing all financial reforms, health care, and the stimulus the Republicans are facing a likely improving economy in 2010 and no positive agenda. And having less money and an intercine battle that NY 20 was a preview of. That is the untold story to date IMO. The Democrats have a tough row to hoe; but they seem to recongize the realities of the situation in a way Republicans IMO do not.
Great to see you covering the domestic front Al
Submitted December 19, 2009 - 2:06 pm by Anya (not verified)I know you were busy with important reporting but we missed your sane analysis. Awhile back you had a post in response to Naomi Klien which is applicaple today because the usual suspects you a addressed in that post (Hamasher, Sirota, Huffpo) are at it again.
Snowe
Submitted December 19, 2009 - 2:15 pm by momformerlyinMaine (not verified)I wouldn't pay any attention to what Sen. Snowe says publicly until she is in the process of casting her vote or has just cast her vote. I would be more interested in looking at the provisions inserted into the bill.
Al, Thanks so much for
Submitted December 19, 2009 - 2:57 pm by MK (not verified)Al,
Thanks so much for commenting on this issue. As an organizer, I rejoice in this day. It has taken a long time to get to the point of this type of health insurance reform. That is what it is -- health insurance reform. It will make a significant difference in the lives of millions and thousands of my own neighbors. It will save lives and I care a great deal about this as it is a matter of social justice to me.
So thanks as usual for your smart and strategic point of view. I have always known that I have little in common with certain (shall I say more affluent) progressives who play with the lives of those of us who are poor, of color, and marginalized as though we aren't people. We become a way for them to make ideological points and to win imaginary "street" cred. They should be ashamed but they won't be. They will hold on to their righteous indignation and be willing to screw 30 million of us in the process.
Al, I wanted to add that
Submitted December 19, 2009 - 3:56 pm by MK (not verified)Al,
I wanted to add that those of us who are long-time community organizers are probably happier today than others might be about the health bill. This is in part because we recognize the Alinsky motto about focusing on progress through wins (small and large).
Here in the LA Times is an article today about OBAMA that speaks to this very issue:
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/dcnow/2009/12/obamas-politics-of-hope-inform-healthcare-climate-change.html
thanks Al!
Submitted December 19, 2009 - 4:28 pm by Suzanne Holland (not verified)I know how busy you've been, but oh how I needed your sanity!
DKos, Huffington and so many others are filled with "screaming" indignation...impossible to read, so I stopped. Thank you for again restoring sanity!!!
@ MK; @ Al; @ All
Submitted December 19, 2009 - 4:28 pm by Lorie Cavin@ MK
Perfectly stated! I rejoice with you and other organizers as this process plays out. Pres. Obama is one of those folks, as well.
@ Al
Between my kid on the computer finishing up her semester and my two additional part-time jobs, I haven't been reading very much. I check The Field and OFA, but that's it. 4 AM insomnia brought me to your first article. There were 72 comments. I've been checking in through out the day. I appreciate your dedication to the story that is unfolding here in the US.
@ All
When Al turns his attention North, the need for Authentic Journalism here in the US is obvious by the number of comments.
May I make a suggestion? If you haven't given to The Fund for Authentic Journalism, will you? The 2010 Class begins in less than 2 months and we still have a way to go. These talented people need our support and we need their reporting.
Al, would you please consider some type of Organizing/Journalism School here in the US in the future? The Organizing the President Conference last April, was great.
In honor of the 2010 Class of Authentic Journalism, here's $50.
Happy Holidaze!
organizing the Senate
Submitted December 19, 2009 - 5:40 pm by Laura M. PoyneerI think that one of the things that Obama may have wanted to achieve with this process is to prove that Congress and especially the Senate is capable of addressing serious national problems in a meaningful way. That its members can come together and work through their differences to pass important legislation.
That means letting them take the lead, even letting them stumble and fall then pick themselves up and keep going. I suspect that Obama did a lot more behind the scenes than we know, especially in terms of putting steel in Harry Reid's spine, but the president's role should be on the sidelines cheering Congress on, not running the whole process himself.
Building a Congress that can actually act as a co-equal branch of goverment will bring benefits both for the rest of the legislative agenda (cap and trade, financial regulation, immigration reform, etc) and also further in the future, especially when there is a Republican president.
A lot of Democrats (including some in Congress) seem to act like small children who cause a mess then cry for Daddy to come fix everything for them (some foreign leaders seem to act the same). This kind of dysfunctional situation is bad for our democracy and bad for the cause of progressive change.
Hopefully, this process has been a step towards a more healthy relationship between the presidency and Congress.
Thank you!
Submitted December 19, 2009 - 6:00 pm by midwest65 (not verified)I have been a regular reader on dailykos for the last five years. But that website have literally gone insane over the last two weeks in their venom against President Obama. They call him crook, thug, the f word etc etc. How is that crowd any different than the tea baggers on the right in their irrational hatred for our President?
I recalled an old posting on dailykos by Al about perhaps a year ago. So, I thought I would try this website. What a difference! There is actually rational reality-based thinking here. I will try coming here going forward instead of dailykos.
Thanks for having me.
The Case for Incremental Reform
Submitted December 19, 2009 - 6:28 pm by Roy MartinAl, it's so good to have you back. I know health care reform isn't your main interest and, yes, you've been off doing some very important things. So I don't object to your relative absence. But I really enjoy your analysis of Washington politics when you are around.
Laura, you're right. There are a lot of progressives acting like children over not getting everything we would have liked. Posted this diary over at Kos, expressing many of the same sentiments Al and others have posted here.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/12/19/816906/-Lets-Say-Yes-and-Work-f...
Didn't expect it to necessarily go over well. Ah well.
What a relief!
Submitted December 19, 2009 - 7:00 pm by Fonsia (not verified)Al, what a relief that your site is here. I am one of those who has "purged" myself from DKos. I need a site with rational analysis. Actually I've been coming here ever since the Caroline Kennedy senate "campaign," but you've been focused on Latin America lately (understandibly), which is not my focus.
Midwest65, I agree completely. They have gone insane over at DKos. The other day a bunch of commenters there said that Bill Clinton was a Republican--after everything the Rethugs put him through. One of the paid FDL diarists spammed a recc'd thread about Vicki Kenned's op-ed, saying that she was under control of the White House. Disgusting.
I said that I was only taking a vacation from the place and perhaps that will turn out to be true, but right now that site just is not healthy. They sometimes go through spasms like this, but never have I seen it this bad. If they're going to turn into an anti-Obama site then I can't participate. Pity. I have enjoyed that site since the primaries.
Al, have you thought about perhaps expanding this site? We purged Kossacks need somewhere new to play!
Here a very good post at Daily Kos
Submitted December 19, 2009 - 7:46 pm by Orlando SánchezThe Public Option Distraction (Or, Why This Bill Should Pass)
Orlando. You beat me to it.
Submitted December 19, 2009 - 8:11 pm by Agoram MuthukumaranAnd of course, some "regulars" used the same old talking points to trash it and Obama and everyone else who are for the bill.
I greatly enjoyed that well written and well presented diary.
amk
Thanks, and a question
Submitted December 19, 2009 - 8:29 pm by Corina (not verified)Hi,
thanks so much for the rational and sane info you provide, Al. I agree with others here that lately DKos has become extremely toxic.
I have one question and was wondering if anyone might be able to answer it: one of the House bill's fourteen provisions to take effect immediately requires health plans to allow young people through age 26 to remain on their parents’ insurance policy. Does the Senate bill include anything comparable?
Super duper secret undercover video
Submitted December 19, 2009 - 8:44 pm by bonkers (not verified)Al,
Thought I'd share some undercover video I recorded at the last Netroots Nation:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upYcnMbBl9E
Now on to the really important part...anyone know of any single-payer movements out there that we can rally around to take this to the next phase?
I organized some public forums and even some door-to-door groups centered around single-payer during the Dem primaries in 1992, and then of course watched our momentum die as the Clinton Dems didn't get anything done (I still question whether Bill Clinton wanted anything done though, but doesn't really matter...we're here now). Killed the movement for over a decade, and I've been thrilled to watch it grow rapidly again over the last few years, especially this last year.
Right now, we're miles ahead in terms of public education and enthusiasm for single-payer than we were then. I know of PNHP and use their site for info, but haven't followed enough to know if they understand movement politics.
Looks like Obama and some Democrats are going to get our foot in the door, so this could be one of the best opportunities we'll have in our lifetimes to bring single-payer to the USA. It'll be crucial we take lessons learned from Al, Obama and others on how to organize most effectively, so I'm looking to re-engage on this issue and make it happen. I'd be happy to hear about the experience of others here and see which group(s) might be the best to hook up with and create the tidal wave of single-payer support we'll need to make it happen.
Great work Al
Submitted December 19, 2009 - 8:48 pm by snowbird42 (not verified)Thanks for the sanity. I cant go to Kos anymore, its so full of hate of our President
I'd like to add Booman( http://www.boomantribune.com/) and Bob Cesca( http://www.bobcesca.com/) to the list of sane thoughtful blogs
@bonkers. Perfect!
Submitted December 19, 2009 - 8:52 pm by Catherine CainLOL. don't know how you found that!
I have been reading the Kos diary by liberalpragmatist
Submitted December 19, 2009 - 9:02 pm by snowbird42 (not verified)and quoted Al. Not much interest
Was part of the sad diary by Black Water Dog last night and have also looked for sanity.
Historic snowstorm...
Submitted December 19, 2009 - 9:03 pm by Tribunus Plebis (not verified)In an odd way, I think the blizzard today in Washington may have slowed down the frenzy in the Senate a bit. The city is silent, because traffic has vanished. More snow has fallen in Washington in the last 24 hours than in the past few years combined. It's so rare when this big a snowstorm happens in Washington, that the local broadcast media report nothing else.
So the Senate is not only physically isolated tonight, it's somewhat media-isolated (except for Al watching on C-SPAN). They have no choice but to work, instead of brood, shout or posture. And the snow has shut down shopping this weekend, taking the commerce out of Christmas for a couple of days.
Suddenly if briefly it's not 2009, with an overstimulated, raucous right-wing having hijacked the Republican Party and a Democratic Party divided between bitter progressives and narcissistic centrists, it feels like 1949 or 1959 in Washington this weekend -- when most Senators actually talked rationally about legislation, listened to the president, and bargained with legendary leaders like Lyndon Johnson.
Let's hope the snow whirling around the old-fashioned lamp posts outside the Capitol reawakens a slight sense of history among some of these Senators, which would be fitting...
@ Corina
Submitted December 19, 2009 - 9:55 pm by Kris JohnsonAs someone who just turned 23 (and whose parents resided in the state of Illinois, who just recently passed a provision requiring insurance companies to do this very same thing), I can share a personal tale about this particular thing and why I'm not too impressed by this provision.
My mother's insurance was fantastic - it was a Blue Cross HMO, provided me access when I went to school out of state, no deductible, low copay, decent cost ($175/mo for me). When I turned twenty-three, the age at which I previously would have been kicked off the plan, I was allowed to stay on, but my mom was told she would now have to pay $750/mo for me rather than $175. I had had no recent diagnoses to change the cost or anything, in fact I have no chronic illnesses and rarely even go to the doctor (probably once a year). The cost was just the insurance company's way of saying, I suppose, that they didn't like the new law saying they had to cover more people at this discounted rate, I'm not sure.
Now, I had to switch to a plan here where I live in South Carolina which costs $250 a month, the cheapest I could find on my own. It also covers neither birth control nor pregnancy, and this was true of EVERY plan I attempted to buy in this state (South Carolina has no mandate that these things be covered). There were some that would eventually cover pregnancy, if I paid an extra $50 per year for three entire years before I got pregnant, but it cost even more per month than this plan does, and had a higher deductible. Frankly, I'm not convinced that even if there was a law that people had to be covered until 26 under a parent's plan, that the insurance companies wouldn't subtly (or not so subtly) dissuade such practices.
I should also mention, while I'm ranting about said issue, that even my mom's great insurance wouldn't give me a primary care physician in this county. Normally, when I moved to a new state, BCBS just assigned me to the state-specific BCBS that was there and I got whatever doctors were under the policy there, but here, for whatever reason, the BCBS of SC said I was ineligible, and my only coverage was through the emergency room which I thankfully only had to use once in the past year before turning 23 and getting my own plan. In fact, it was the insurance company themselves who told me "well, I guess you'll just have to go to the ER after even the urgent care said I couldn't use my out of state insurance there", and then proceeded to refuse to pay it after telling me verbally over the phone on three occasions that they would. Thankfully, they eventually did but I can only imagine the corruption over much more expensive bills than mine.
someone mentioning Al's blog makes Top Comments on DKos
Submitted December 19, 2009 - 10:44 pm by Catherine Cainyesterday/this morning.
:)
http://www.dailykos.com/comments/2009/12/18/23153/580/20#c20
Here's what I'm worried about.
Submitted December 20, 2009 - 12:21 am by BruinKid (not verified)Bart Stupak is now working with Republicans, threatening to kill the Senate version because it's not regressive enough when it comes to women. So while you say Boxer and Schumer were OK with the Senate compromise, there's the danger that Stupak (he of C Street & The Family) won't let that happen, and enough pro-life Democrats in the House may stab us in the back.
What then?
@ Kris
Submitted December 20, 2009 - 12:23 am by Corina (not verified)Kris,
so sorry to hear about all the trouble the insurance company gave you. I do hope future regulations will curb at least some of those practices.
I'm almost embarrassed to say that we're insured through Tricare (retired military). 460$ a year for the whole family. But my daughter's turning 23 next year, is still in college, and has some health issues that would make it pretty tough for her to find insurance. I'm not even sure if Tricare would extend coverage under the new provisions, I'm just hoping.
OK, just after I write that,
Submitted December 20, 2009 - 12:33 am by BruinKid (not verified)OK, just after I write that, I read this on Balloon Juice that Stupak may be slowly walking it back, and throwing his staffer under the bus for the e-mail exchange.
No way Stupak Stands In The Way
Submitted December 20, 2009 - 9:47 am by Daryl (not verified)This is a Christmas present to the President and they are not going to let Stupak spoil the party.
Senator Sheldon Whitehouse gave an amazing speech today.
Submitted December 20, 2009 - 3:47 pm by Ladyhawke (not verified)I have watched the speech three times. It is really amazing. Senator Whitehouse basically says that once healthcare reform bill is passed "the lying time will be over". The speech is a total knockout punch. He exposes the Republican obstructionism like no one else has done. His speech starts around the 107.5 mark. He speaks right after Max Baucus.
http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/ID/217151&start=0&end=37795
@Ladyhawke
Submitted December 20, 2009 - 4:44 pm by Catherine CainThanks for posting that speech by Sen. Whitehouse. It was excellent and you could tell he was so passionate about what he was saying - not just another speech on the floor of the Senate. This is the type of thing that I wish HuffPo and the Front Pagers on DKos would do more of. Instead their few videos (posted by Jed) are usually of righwing nuts on tv (really, do we need to keep seeing that?!) or they will toss in Obama's Saturday radio/video broadcast with an introduction to it like forcing broccoli on a kid. "Really, you won't think it's good but I need to have you eat it" And forget trying to find something like this on CNN or MSNBC.
As big as the internet is, it's amazing that higher quality political websites don't exist. We're still needing to rely on good ole' CSpan.
Awesome
Submitted December 20, 2009 - 6:45 pm by aleth (not verified)Just saying very interesting and intelligent critique/analysis and the comments are just so intelligent and mind expanding.
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