Progressives and Mr. Leonhardt don't care if they destroy my family's access to health insurance, which we had until ACA came along and started imploding the market for individual health insurance. Trump may be a knucklehead, but "progressives" are definitely the enemy of the middle class.
Single-payer is the only course of action now or ever. Why not join all other Western countries and provide for all persons? Those who have an income would pay a Health Tax according to income -- very little government spending needed. Simple. These ultra-right senators who chimed in with their DEMAND, in effect, that any new bill cause a great many people to die for lack of medical care. A Fascist approach if there ever was one.
5
Let me get this straight. When Republicans did it to Obama, it was obstruction and therefore, immoral and repugnant. Yet, when Democrats do it to Trump, its resistance and a moral triumph. Am I close?
2
What is amazing is why do such large number of poor people vote against their own interest? Republicans have perfected the art of brainwashing.
5
Resistance is NOT futile. ( although republicans do seem like the Borg )
Their power ( at the moment ) is tenuous at best. The press really overuses the term; '' moderate '' when describing any republican, IF there is any chance for any one of them to be voted out ( especially in the coming midterms ), then they will waver in the press. That does not necessarily mean than they are not going to vote in lockstep\goosestep with their party, but the pressure is indeed getting to them. Keep it up.
Call ~ Email ~ March ~ Agitate ~ Vote
Their power ( at the moment ) is tenuous at best. The press really overuses the term; '' moderate '' when describing any republican, IF there is any chance for any one of them to be voted out ( especially in the coming midterms ), then they will waver in the press. That does not necessarily mean than they are not going to vote in lockstep\goosestep with their party, but the pressure is indeed getting to them. Keep it up.
Call ~ Email ~ March ~ Agitate ~ Vote
5
How dare they defy the fiat of the Kochs? In North Korea, they'd be dead already. We're getting close to that.
3
Wow...here we are and now the President says "Let if fail", "I am not going to own it, the Republicans won't own it". All theatrics really. Until our populace says we need and want Universal Coverage this will continue.
And when will we kick out the career politicians? Please lets get serious.
And when will we kick out the career politicians? Please lets get serious.
6
The cleverest thing Republicans could do now, re Health Care, is to take advantage of the current extreme divisiveness and suddenly take ownernship of the issue that has not been theirs since Eisenhower was president.
Democrats lacked the courage to aim for the most practical legiislation - Medicare for All - supposing they would need bipartisan support for anything they might get through. They gave in a little here, a little there, a lot in the middle, and we got a non-bipartisan bill that worked almost well in spite of all the sabotage.
Now it's time for Republicans to step up and own this subject, showing courage and fortitude. Democratic Senators and Represenstatives cannot back away from it, holding their noses while they vote for the bill that Republicans will win most of the credit for.
And so it goes (or, hopefully, will go) - Congresspesrons in both houses forced to find ways to agree, as our founding fathers intended. It's a long time since we've seen that! Hopefully, we really will have the opportunity to see it again!
Democrats lacked the courage to aim for the most practical legiislation - Medicare for All - supposing they would need bipartisan support for anything they might get through. They gave in a little here, a little there, a lot in the middle, and we got a non-bipartisan bill that worked almost well in spite of all the sabotage.
Now it's time for Republicans to step up and own this subject, showing courage and fortitude. Democratic Senators and Represenstatives cannot back away from it, holding their noses while they vote for the bill that Republicans will win most of the credit for.
And so it goes (or, hopefully, will go) - Congresspesrons in both houses forced to find ways to agree, as our founding fathers intended. It's a long time since we've seen that! Hopefully, we really will have the opportunity to see it again!
2
That's great that Moran contributed to rejecting the bill. However, my understanding was that he said it didn't go FAR ENOUGH as reason why he rejected it, not that it was too harsh.
2
Enough resistance. Enough partisanship. Enough name-calling. Get to work and fix what needs fixing. Democrat Senators, this is your chance to be statesmen. Your chance to do something good for the country and all voters. Co-operate, work with, whatever it takes. Lets see you man up and get something done.
2
Dont work with the GOP. Whatever that results in will be way worse than what the Dems can do when they sweep back into power in 2018.
Run on fixing the insurance markets in 2018. Run on getting a majority.
Let the GOP sink in their own swamp.
And while they are at it: Don Jnr and Kushner: Lock em up!
Run on fixing the insurance markets in 2018. Run on getting a majority.
Let the GOP sink in their own swamp.
And while they are at it: Don Jnr and Kushner: Lock em up!
9
We the people of the United States must become the change we want. We must drain the swamp and discard the mentally incompetent, ignorant and arrogant Trump presidency. We must reclaim our country and then make sure this can never happen again.
5
This seems to be an overstatement. It took only three Republicans to defeat the bill. There were four, and three of them said they just wanted the ACA repealed and that the bill did not go far enough. Seems to me that the defeat of the bill was less the product of resistance than of the schism within the Republican party between senators who simply want to repeal the ACA and not replace it, and senators who see themselves as politically vulnerable for doing that. That schism produced the magic number, three. It seems far fetched to attribute the result to resistance.
6
Resistance does not always work. Watch the republicans run roughshod over public opinion when they come to tax reform. In case of healthcare some women republicans may have shown some heart, but when it comes to taxes republicans are of one mind.
5
Where free markets prevail, "follow the money" illuminates human behavior more than anything else. When it comes to suffering or survival, the same rule quickly simplifies human choices to 'yes' or 'no.' More than anything else, the same rule explains the reactions of voters of all stripes as well as the bizarre contradictory assertions by the Freedom Caucus theologians. To test this hypothesis, try to pass an Amendment to the Constitution (1) prohibiting US representatives and Senators from benefiting in any way from any corporate entity for at least 15 years after they retire and (2) mandating that their own healthcare benefits do not exceed those 75% of working Americans.
5
As of today, there are at least four Republican Senators who are against the Bill. These Senators have varying arguments in voicing their opposition. The concerns come from their constituents.
It disturbs us all to see why the Senate Majority Leader, and other Republican Party Senators have not said anything about the Bill. How can they not have constituents who may be impacted in some form or the other from this Bill?
Mr. Trump's most recent statement is to see the ACA (Or Obamacare) just collapse, and expects the Democrats to come around. This is very irresponsible and insensitive, coming from our POTUS. Is this all he can do for the people? Mr. Trump, assured health care for all American people. Why is he changing his tone now?
More Senators should join the few Senators who are now in opposition to the Bill. At this stage, there should be a bipartisan approach, if the ACA has to be replaced. If there is going to be a revised Bill, it should include and cover to benefit all people.
Until the real health care needs of the people are met, the resistance should continue.
It disturbs us all to see why the Senate Majority Leader, and other Republican Party Senators have not said anything about the Bill. How can they not have constituents who may be impacted in some form or the other from this Bill?
Mr. Trump's most recent statement is to see the ACA (Or Obamacare) just collapse, and expects the Democrats to come around. This is very irresponsible and insensitive, coming from our POTUS. Is this all he can do for the people? Mr. Trump, assured health care for all American people. Why is he changing his tone now?
More Senators should join the few Senators who are now in opposition to the Bill. At this stage, there should be a bipartisan approach, if the ACA has to be replaced. If there is going to be a revised Bill, it should include and cover to benefit all people.
Until the real health care needs of the people are met, the resistance should continue.
6
I don't buy into the idea of good vs. evil, dark vs. light, certainly law is full of shades of grey.
Who knew law was so complicated? Pretty much any pro who ever passed the bar, or any of the rest of us who ever tried to read through one of those bills.
But in the end, there is a right & a wrong decision, there is a good & a bad policy, there is a 'right side of history' & a 'wrong side of history', there are a few lawmakers who are faithful representatives of the will & best interests of the people, and then there are the pack of the completely corrupt.
The clearly wrong-headed & corrupt have been on a stampede lately, but luckily this one law got some attention, so far. Some people made their voices heard, & some few actually heard them, if only a very, very few.
The slimmest possible edge of the Moral Majority appears to actually have morals.
Maybe Kansans have a thing or two to teach Kentuckians about electing senators, or maybe we need a new book: What's the Matter with Mitch.
Who knew law was so complicated? Pretty much any pro who ever passed the bar, or any of the rest of us who ever tried to read through one of those bills.
But in the end, there is a right & a wrong decision, there is a good & a bad policy, there is a 'right side of history' & a 'wrong side of history', there are a few lawmakers who are faithful representatives of the will & best interests of the people, and then there are the pack of the completely corrupt.
The clearly wrong-headed & corrupt have been on a stampede lately, but luckily this one law got some attention, so far. Some people made their voices heard, & some few actually heard them, if only a very, very few.
The slimmest possible edge of the Moral Majority appears to actually have morals.
Maybe Kansans have a thing or two to teach Kentuckians about electing senators, or maybe we need a new book: What's the Matter with Mitch.
12
The suggestion to approach difficult issues with an open mind is a good one. If I may tack on another: choose a hot-button issue about which you know relatively little, and refrain from forming or offering an opinion about it until you have learned enough to add something new to the conversation.
8
I co-teach an elective course for 6th-8th graders called "Let's Go Lobbying." Kids discuss and research issues they care about, learn how to prepare for a meeting with a policy maker, interview civic leaders and experts to shape their presentation, conduct surveys and interviews, and then politely but assertively meet with state reps, state senators, congressional staff, etc. They haven't changed any minds but they have made policy makers aware that young people can be a force to reckon with!
13
This is a most heartening article given the horrible malaise the Trump victory set upon us. The insulation of the GOP Congress from the people is the most dangerous thing to our democracy. McConnell and Ryan seem tone deaf to the actual will of the people. Instead, they hide behind closed doors to concoct their fleecing of wealth. They have no interest in health care, just cutting costs and lives. Continued vocal demonstrations and are the only way the people can overcome this Machiavellian government. This is an issue of life and death, not just wealth accumulation. They can't fool all of us all of the time on this one.
18
Sen. McConnell squandered all eight Obama years by obstructing the president at every turn first to make him a "one term president". After that strategy failed, he tried to damage Obama as much as possible by destroying his reputation.
Presidential reputations are based on enduring legacy. Lincoln is great today because he saved the Union, Roosevelt because he surmounted Hitler and the Great Depression. Inflicting upon Obama a modern form of the Roman punishment "Damnatio memoriae", Latin for "condemnation of memory", by sullying his legacy would erase him -- dishonor McConnell hoped would cement Republican hold on a dozen "red" states. Vilifying Obama by creating an alternate narrative that he was a weak egghead, ineffectual and, therefore, a failure would also foster the incipient racism in white populations. They would punish local Democratic candidates and the national Democratic Party for foisting a weak Negro law professor -- an intellectual, God forbid -- on them.
Unfortunately, an "Observer Effect" in physics posits that merely passively observing a phenomenon alters its state, structure and behavior. In this case McConnell wasn't passively observing, but actively forcing the Senate to bend to his will to produce certain outcomes, reducing it to a cudgel to beat Obama. That altered its nature and the Executive Branch as well in ways McConnell, a nearsighted spider ensconced in the center of his web, couldn't foresee.
He just got hoisted on his own petard.
Presidential reputations are based on enduring legacy. Lincoln is great today because he saved the Union, Roosevelt because he surmounted Hitler and the Great Depression. Inflicting upon Obama a modern form of the Roman punishment "Damnatio memoriae", Latin for "condemnation of memory", by sullying his legacy would erase him -- dishonor McConnell hoped would cement Republican hold on a dozen "red" states. Vilifying Obama by creating an alternate narrative that he was a weak egghead, ineffectual and, therefore, a failure would also foster the incipient racism in white populations. They would punish local Democratic candidates and the national Democratic Party for foisting a weak Negro law professor -- an intellectual, God forbid -- on them.
Unfortunately, an "Observer Effect" in physics posits that merely passively observing a phenomenon alters its state, structure and behavior. In this case McConnell wasn't passively observing, but actively forcing the Senate to bend to his will to produce certain outcomes, reducing it to a cudgel to beat Obama. That altered its nature and the Executive Branch as well in ways McConnell, a nearsighted spider ensconced in the center of his web, couldn't foresee.
He just got hoisted on his own petard.
10
With so much incompetence on both sides of the aisle, I wonder how these people get elected. It doesn't say much about the voters either. Is this what you call democracy?
3
It's simple math: 'lowest common denominator.'
1
If Kansans would stop voting for Republicans they wouldn't have to beg their representatives to represent them.
24
Resistance has become the fourth branch of our government and that is a good thing, no matter your viewpoint on how our country should be lead. A sizeable portion of the population must always be involved in engaging our representatives at all levels. That should also include thanking them and making suggestions to politicians who are trying to make the country a better place. If the citizens are not adding energy to the democratic process, it will surely fail.
15
Unfortunately, politicians trying to make the country a better, more livable place, are few and far between. In all of Congress there may 6 such people. That leaves 529 who are in ti for their own glory or that of the ultra-wealth and business.
7
Mr. Leonhardt you say, "I’m not suggesting that the Palco meeting was the main reason for Moran’s decision."
I'm saying that. I'm saying that the ONLY thing that will work to stop The Con Don and his Robber Baron buddies until we put Progressives and Democrats in charge of OUR Congress/Senate again is Serious Grassroots Resistance at all levels. Only working together can we preserve true democracy, with social and economic justice for all, at this dangerous time in America's politics.
Please keep writing articles about how RESISTANCE and GRASS ROOTS ACTION are winning.
I'm saying that. I'm saying that the ONLY thing that will work to stop The Con Don and his Robber Baron buddies until we put Progressives and Democrats in charge of OUR Congress/Senate again is Serious Grassroots Resistance at all levels. Only working together can we preserve true democracy, with social and economic justice for all, at this dangerous time in America's politics.
Please keep writing articles about how RESISTANCE and GRASS ROOTS ACTION are winning.
22
Keep up the insults. In your opinion that should work. What a civilized nation!!!
When we had Progressives and Democrats in charge of our Congress/Senate before, I'm guessing you didn't like the resistance. I suggest you consider Mr. Leonhardt's sugestion "Resist the coarsening of Trump-era discourse... remind yourself that not every issue is straightforward. " It might help if you cut out the labels.
2
Not insults, facts, truth of who is what.
3
What is worrying is the number of senators supporting it. Despite knowing the harm the bill creates they still support it. That's worrying.
26
July 18, 2017
First resistance to Democrats, then in power division over the resistance and settling a replacement Health policy. Resistance is the easy part; but knowing an acceptable plan strategy to gain respect and approval continues to protracted and so Mr. D. Trump is rooting for political settlement yet hasn't given his endeavor to bring solution with substance and taking ownership other than believe in his dealing the deal and stacking the deck to gain just a win for his grand omniscience as a golden winning deal makers on earth and inclusive of Mother Nature and the Science of environmental dealing without the science of decades of studies and evidence to the health of Earth. Where is the mind of this Chief Executive and we are all responsible should we encourage his making greatness agendas and for the love of Putin and those Miss Universe girls that is the true meaning of dealing making loving times and that's not fake news......
jja Manhattan, N Y
First resistance to Democrats, then in power division over the resistance and settling a replacement Health policy. Resistance is the easy part; but knowing an acceptable plan strategy to gain respect and approval continues to protracted and so Mr. D. Trump is rooting for political settlement yet hasn't given his endeavor to bring solution with substance and taking ownership other than believe in his dealing the deal and stacking the deck to gain just a win for his grand omniscience as a golden winning deal makers on earth and inclusive of Mother Nature and the Science of environmental dealing without the science of decades of studies and evidence to the health of Earth. Where is the mind of this Chief Executive and we are all responsible should we encourage his making greatness agendas and for the love of Putin and those Miss Universe girls that is the true meaning of dealing making loving times and that's not fake news......
jja Manhattan, N Y
1
Resistance does work, but Moran from Kansas is not a good example. His opposition to the current bill was based on it not being a full "repeal and replace" of the ACA. He tweeted that anything other than that would lead to a "single-payer" plan. His constituents were concerned they would lose coverage, while the ACA and a single payer plan would guarantee coverage.
The GOP has had since 2010 to formulate a viable alternative to the ACA. Vote after vote after vote since 2010 failed to repeal it.
Why? The GOP is pretty much running on empty on most issues. Their agenda is, basically, a series of recycled stale bromides - shrink government, cut taxes, reduce regulation, and tie anything they don't like to either Obama or Clinton.
That's why they, as personified by Trump, have elevated gun ownership to some form of God-given right, scapegoat Muslims, immigrants and others, and appeal to the bigotry and fear of many among the GOP base voters. They have nothing else to offer.
The GOP has had since 2010 to formulate a viable alternative to the ACA. Vote after vote after vote since 2010 failed to repeal it.
Why? The GOP is pretty much running on empty on most issues. Their agenda is, basically, a series of recycled stale bromides - shrink government, cut taxes, reduce regulation, and tie anything they don't like to either Obama or Clinton.
That's why they, as personified by Trump, have elevated gun ownership to some form of God-given right, scapegoat Muslims, immigrants and others, and appeal to the bigotry and fear of many among the GOP base voters. They have nothing else to offer.
28
Don't think for a second that the Republicans will not pass some kind of legislation to amend and destroy Obamacare. Resistance worked this time, but beware what scheming disgusting plan trumpfool and puppetface McConnell have up their sleeves.
19
The price of liberty is eternal vigilance.
8
Why would anyone trust republicans;Mulvaney claimed meals on wheels doesn't work,as if he has ever been to a poor neighborhood or delivered anything to anyone in need;Pruitt is big oil and cutting regulations to help his bosses at big oil puts the earth and our future at risk, but Pruitt cares more for the big money big oil pays him;Dr. Price of HHS thinks this health bill was good when it is full of harm,where's his oath, first do no harm;Sessions is a long-time racist who always voted against the Voting Rights Act&has called The Voting Rights Act "a bother";Sessions can't possibly administer justice;Republicans passed a law years ago PREVENTING MEDICARE FROM NEGOTIATING DRUG PRICES WITH BIG PHARMA, GET IT, THE GOP DOESN'T WANT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE TO GET REDUCED DRUG PRICES;THE GOP RECENTLY PREVENTED LAW THAT WOULD ALLOW STATES TO SET UP RETIREMENT PLANS FOR WORKERS WHO DON'T HAVE ONE,INSTEAD OF HELPING THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, THE GOP WANTS ALL RETIREMENT PLANS TO COME FROM WALL STREET WITH TONS OF FEES; THE REPUBLICAN CONGRESS WHO CREATED THIS HEALTH BILL OF HATE GAVE THEMSELVES AN EXEMPTION FROM PRE-EXISTING FEES, NOT FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE FOR THEMSELVES,THEIR FAMILY, THEIR DC&HOME STATE STAFF SHOWING THEY ARE ARROGANT DOGS,MITCH MCCONNEL'S WIFE, SECTY OF TRANSPORTATION IS AN OBSTRUCTIONIST LIKE HER EVIL HUSBAND&DENIED CAL FEDERAL FUNDS FOR THEIR HIGH SPEED RAIL;SHE TOO IS OBLIGATED TO BIG OIL MONEY BECAUSE NO ONE ACTING IN AMERICA'S INTEREST WOULD NOT HELP RAIL
5
What is your evidence for this? The latest two defectors are not up for election for 6 years. I choose to believe that not all Republicans are scoundrels and these are a couple of the counter-examples to the current belief among the Democrats that all Republicans are evil heartless people.
3
To Eric,
Heller from Nev. is up for re-election in 2018. Adelson and Wynn have threstened to fund a GOP primary challenge against him for not going along. Dems have a shot of picking up his seat.
Let's see how it plays out.
Lets
Heller from Nev. is up for re-election in 2018. Adelson and Wynn have threstened to fund a GOP primary challenge against him for not going along. Dems have a shot of picking up his seat.
Let's see how it plays out.
Lets
10
I have had enough of the DNC hot air about their candidates having any shot. They keep running candidates who are a bad fit for the constituencies they would represent. The Montana and Georgia results bear this out. Right now any solicitation for Democratic candidates will not draw my support.
1
And your decision results in what? More voting for republicans who are determined to end democracy?
6
Resistance does work. The practice is an art form though. Much like anything in politics, you need to thread the needle. Writing a letter to Mike Lee was a surprisingly challenging task. How do you appeal to an ultra-conservative without undermining your own position? Hate mail feels great to write but you're not convincing anyone. I can't imagine Jerry Moran would change positions after getting pelted with rotten fruit at a town hall meeting. At the same time, you don't want to encourage Mike Lee and others to act for the wrong reasons. Like I said, the challenge was surprisingly difficult.
Fortunately for me, they really do teach this stuff in schools. Maybe I was just lucky but I literally had an anthropology professor teach responsible social activism. I don't know how the material found it's way into the syllabus. I think the course was on globalism and agriculture. All the same, one of our assignments was learning how to write a letter to someone in power. This dovetailed nicely with my friendship to an outspoken and organized leftist agitator. She was passionate but not particularly effective. The study was a good contrast in what works and what doesn't.
Here's my advice: Be polite. Identify yourself. Acknowledge your opponent's position. Refute the points where you disagree. Support your arguments with sources. Acknowledge your own weakness. Proof read your writing. Done.
Fortunately for me, they really do teach this stuff in schools. Maybe I was just lucky but I literally had an anthropology professor teach responsible social activism. I don't know how the material found it's way into the syllabus. I think the course was on globalism and agriculture. All the same, one of our assignments was learning how to write a letter to someone in power. This dovetailed nicely with my friendship to an outspoken and organized leftist agitator. She was passionate but not particularly effective. The study was a good contrast in what works and what doesn't.
Here's my advice: Be polite. Identify yourself. Acknowledge your opponent's position. Refute the points where you disagree. Support your arguments with sources. Acknowledge your own weakness. Proof read your writing. Done.
19
You might also consider calling their office. If nothing else, dealing with phone calls loads down the office, and communicates the size of the opposition.
I've had some very pleasant calls - even though I think my representatives are possessed of loathsome ideals. The staff, on the other hand are almost always young and idealistic - and if you try to be pleasant and courteous to them you might just be able to convince them that there are actually sane & nice people who disagree with their boss.
I've had some very pleasant calls - even though I think my representatives are possessed of loathsome ideals. The staff, on the other hand are almost always young and idealistic - and if you try to be pleasant and courteous to them you might just be able to convince them that there are actually sane & nice people who disagree with their boss.
5
A non-profit alternative to the for-profit insurers would go a long way toward the actual solution: single-payer, universal healthcare. The irrefutable fact of hideous executive compensation packages tied to shareholder value and the need for Wall Street banks to make a killing, by killing the poor, should send a clear message to all those Trump supporters. "You're next." Unless Trump's most steadfast base acknowledges the pain they will feel without universal healthcare, Trump will continue to woo them, at every makeshift rally, with lie upon lie. And therein is the biggest communications problem facing the Democrats: Trump is constantly in campaign mode, inciting anger among his base while promising them the moon.
I hope the Dems develop a comprehensive and cohesive communications program to counter-act the Trump Effect. Resisters are showing up at town hall meetings and the Republicans of the Congress are feeling the heat from their constituents, progressives and conservatives alike.
That's what it will take to take back both chambers of Congress.
I hope the Dems develop a comprehensive and cohesive communications program to counter-act the Trump Effect. Resisters are showing up at town hall meetings and the Republicans of the Congress are feeling the heat from their constituents, progressives and conservatives alike.
That's what it will take to take back both chambers of Congress.
8
Seven years ago the GOP spun a pack of lies to discredit the ACA. "It will bankrupt the government." "It will be a job killer." "It will reward laziness and unemployment among mostly non-white Americans." The GOP promised to repeal.
Now, seven years later, many conservative states and countless conservative voters are benefiting from the ACA and want to keep it. Despite the opposition of their constituents, the GOP claims the moral high ground by trying to "keep their promise." I am sick of it. The "promise" was built on a pack of lies.
Now, seven years later, many conservative states and countless conservative voters are benefiting from the ACA and want to keep it. Despite the opposition of their constituents, the GOP claims the moral high ground by trying to "keep their promise." I am sick of it. The "promise" was built on a pack of lies.
12
Mr. Leonhard, your choices of issues - immigration, abortion and education - are both admirable and even vital in today's culture but without spearheading, hard spearheading, our dis-United States' issues of greed and in-equality then I truly feel everything involving those from the most powerful positions of th federal government to our sick, homeless countrymen, then nothing can possibly change anything.
3
The terror that the thought of a single-payer, universal healthcare system throws into the wizened hearts of conservatives and libertarians, it's enough to send them to the nearest E.R.
Medicare is pretty close to such a system. It's not cheap; you pay into it all of your working life, and you pay for it after receiving it, plus you pay for "medi-gap" coverage to slobberingly rich insurance companies like Anthem.
But it beats having a skeletal Ted Cruz policy that simply takes your money and gives you nothing in return, no coverage, no pre-existing, no and no. That should be called fraud, but in GOP parlance is called freedom of choice. The ultimate freedom: to be on your own while sick and/or dying.
Medicare is pretty close to such a system. It's not cheap; you pay into it all of your working life, and you pay for it after receiving it, plus you pay for "medi-gap" coverage to slobberingly rich insurance companies like Anthem.
But it beats having a skeletal Ted Cruz policy that simply takes your money and gives you nothing in return, no coverage, no pre-existing, no and no. That should be called fraud, but in GOP parlance is called freedom of choice. The ultimate freedom: to be on your own while sick and/or dying.
14
As you've described, people 65 and older have EARNED Medicare through payments made over their decades of working. Why should anyone who hasn't paid into that system for 40 years get so much as a Band Aid?
1
Resistance surely played a part in the "collapse" of McConnell's evisceration of the ACA. It likely convinced some senators, who otherwise care nothing about non-wealthy people, to fear larger voter backlash than propaganda, voter suppression, and perhaps friends in Moscow could neutralize.
The real reason the bill "collapsed" is more telling. The bill served exclusively partisan aims unrelated to health care. It gutted Obama's signature achievement, and enriched the wealthy at the expense of everyone else. But its main purpose was to show donors Republicans could actually pass legislation that provides return on investment, and to give Ryan and McConnell a desperately-needed "win."
The bill's "collapse" revealed two embarrassing truths about the GOP. The first is their utter contempt for 99.9% of Americans, as shown by their willingness to sacrifice tens of millions of people to serve their wealthy constituency and to "win." One reason for the "collapse" was Koch-snorters who considered the sacrifice insufficient to satisfy their ideological litmus test.
The second truth is that Republicans only know how to destroy and obstruct, and are incapable of governing. But that will not prevent them from inflicting severe damage in their desperation to satisfy their donors and appease a "base" inflamed with relentless lies. Resistance must continue to prevent the Zombie "repeal and replace" bill from rising yet again to devour tens of millions of (non-wealthy) brains.
The real reason the bill "collapsed" is more telling. The bill served exclusively partisan aims unrelated to health care. It gutted Obama's signature achievement, and enriched the wealthy at the expense of everyone else. But its main purpose was to show donors Republicans could actually pass legislation that provides return on investment, and to give Ryan and McConnell a desperately-needed "win."
The bill's "collapse" revealed two embarrassing truths about the GOP. The first is their utter contempt for 99.9% of Americans, as shown by their willingness to sacrifice tens of millions of people to serve their wealthy constituency and to "win." One reason for the "collapse" was Koch-snorters who considered the sacrifice insufficient to satisfy their ideological litmus test.
The second truth is that Republicans only know how to destroy and obstruct, and are incapable of governing. But that will not prevent them from inflicting severe damage in their desperation to satisfy their donors and appease a "base" inflamed with relentless lies. Resistance must continue to prevent the Zombie "repeal and replace" bill from rising yet again to devour tens of millions of (non-wealthy) brains.
9
Amazing that one or two Dems didn't peel off to help the GOP -- as has too often happened in the past. Maybe Dems in perilous positions have finally figured out that caving does not save your seat -- ala Mary Landrieu. Or those Dems understand that the GOP approach will devastate their home states, especially rural areas.
6
The GOP plans keep failing because they are objectively terrible. They are written to placate other politicians and wealthy contributors, with zero regard for Americans' finances or, you know...health. It's time for single payer. Make preventative and catastrophic care mandatory/available to all. Have non-profit insurers sell it. Then, let them and the for-profit companies sell supplemental plans to fill in the gaps. It's by no means perfect, but it's an improvement.
I'm sure he's not smart or competent enough to see it, but if Trump wanted to pull this off, he could finally get the ego-stroke he so desperately craves.
I'm sure he's not smart or competent enough to see it, but if Trump wanted to pull this off, he could finally get the ego-stroke he so desperately craves.
2
Throw Moran out anyway along with the rest of the Republican Criminal organization in 2018, 2020, 2022. Like any Republican "defector" he is only doing it to save his own skin. And of course he's on board with the rest of the Republican agenda to reduce Americans to serfdom on behalf of the Koch Brothers and the rest of their corporate/plutocrat owners. We don't want the Republican Party to moderate, we don't want the Republican Party to modify, we don't want the Republican Party to change, we want the Republican party behind bars, where they all belong.
7
Another possible take away from all this is the need to amend the process itself. Perhaps it's time to require these "representatives of the people" to actually interact directly with the public on a regular basis. And I'm not talking about campaign rallies. Make our representatives in congress get in the same room with the people who stand to lose the meager life saving benefits that are debated in congress like just so many abstract dollars and cents.
I'd also suggest it's time to expand our system to more than just these two ossified dinosaurs.
I'd also suggest it's time to expand our system to more than just these two ossified dinosaurs.
11
The Trump/Pence approach to governing reminds me of the film "Passion of the Christ."
In the film, Mel Gibson reduces the entire message of the Gospels into an orgy of cruelty, violence and horror inflicted upon Jesus.
Under the Trump/Pence Administration, nearly every policy choice or legislative initiative seems designed to inflict an orgy of cruelty and revenge upon those Americans and immigrants deemed most "unworthy" by the Republican right-wing.
Verbal poison and violence has to suffice when nothing else can be done.
In the film, Mel Gibson reduces the entire message of the Gospels into an orgy of cruelty, violence and horror inflicted upon Jesus.
Under the Trump/Pence Administration, nearly every policy choice or legislative initiative seems designed to inflict an orgy of cruelty and revenge upon those Americans and immigrants deemed most "unworthy" by the Republican right-wing.
Verbal poison and violence has to suffice when nothing else can be done.
8
"The budget calls for a $621.5 billion national defense budget for 2018 and $511 billon for nondefense spending. It also calls for at least $203 billion in cuts over a decade in “mandatory” spending on programs such as Medicare and Social Security."
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/18/us/politics/republican-budget-battle-...®ion=top-news&WT.nav=top-news
The Resistance is just beginning.
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/18/us/politics/republican-budget-battle-...®ion=top-news&WT.nav=top-news
The Resistance is just beginning.
17
Citizen advocacy definitely impacted the failure of the mean GOP senate healthcare bill. Republican voters who've benefited from Obamacare and its Medicaid expansion stood up, showed up and spoke up. But that movement would not have happened without GOP and Dem (in red states) governors' decision to accept Obamacare's Medicaid expansion. Without those red state governors like Kasich and Sandoval and brave Senators like Susan Collins, Dean Heller, Lisa Murkowski and Shelley Capito, the GOP would be breaking out the champagne to celebrate the destruction of the ACA.
Now we must move forward. Republicans' internecine war rages on. Right wing GOP extremists are now pitting themselves against moderates in their own party to rip up Obamacare by root and branch no matter how many millions would lose their health care. These right wing extremists have no concern for the health of their constituents. Their sole mission is to stay in office to preserve their own power and glory. We the people must continue to organize and mobilize to stop them in their tracks.
Now we must move forward. Republicans' internecine war rages on. Right wing GOP extremists are now pitting themselves against moderates in their own party to rip up Obamacare by root and branch no matter how many millions would lose their health care. These right wing extremists have no concern for the health of their constituents. Their sole mission is to stay in office to preserve their own power and glory. We the people must continue to organize and mobilize to stop them in their tracks.
9
Yes, we should always question our beliefs and double check our assumptions. But that can also turn into a form of navel gazing. We need to continue to resist Trump and the Republicans. We cannot let Trump's behavior become normalized. Beyond this, though, we, i.e. the Democrats, must now start to formulate practical solutions to the problems our country faces. What specific fixes should be made to Obamacare? What should we do to make sure Russia cannot attack our election system again? How do we make it easier for American citizens to vote? What infrastructure improvements should we concentrate on? How do we improve lives and expectations in rural and small-town parts of our country? Let's see easily understood specifics on what we should do to make things better.
6
I wish I'd had the foresight to buy health insurance stock when the ACA went into effect. The health insurance industry has profited highly during the last 7 years. They clearly are NOT suffering under the current system.
Of course, they don't want us to know that. It's their job to make as much money as possible and one way to do that is to claim the industry is suffering and about to collapse. This way they can get subsidies, tax breaks, etc.
Since March 23, 2010 the S&P500 has risen 112%
United Health group up 439%
Cigna up 395%
Humana up 388%
Aetna up 345%
Anthem up 202%
The worst of them almost DOUBLED the return on the overall market. Share that with your friends who believe the ACA is the problem.
Of course, they don't want us to know that. It's their job to make as much money as possible and one way to do that is to claim the industry is suffering and about to collapse. This way they can get subsidies, tax breaks, etc.
Since March 23, 2010 the S&P500 has risen 112%
United Health group up 439%
Cigna up 395%
Humana up 388%
Aetna up 345%
Anthem up 202%
The worst of them almost DOUBLED the return on the overall market. Share that with your friends who believe the ACA is the problem.
13
Trump and his ilk are the last gasp of dominance by old, cold heartless white men. In ten years many will be dead and in hell.
11
Right. But the market-state continues to grow with more and more privatization. We the people will have more and more say on less and less as the oligarchs run the big show. Little League, here we come.
4
Resistance will only increase, as the assault on human decency and American democracy by the GOP and the super-wealthy continues. I have a suggestion for Republicans in Congress, and the voters who support them.
Read the article below, and heed its message.
"The Pitchforks Are Coming… For Us Plutocrats"
http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2014/06/the-pitchforks-are-coming...
"Revolutions, like bankruptcies, come gradually, and then suddenly. One day, somebody sets himself on fire, then thousands of people are in the streets, and before you know it, the country is burning."
Read the article below, and heed its message.
"The Pitchforks Are Coming… For Us Plutocrats"
http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2014/06/the-pitchforks-are-coming...
"Revolutions, like bankruptcies, come gradually, and then suddenly. One day, somebody sets himself on fire, then thousands of people are in the streets, and before you know it, the country is burning."
11
For the past twenty-five years, America has attempted to create a "for-profit" model of health care, AND of "for profit" health insurance as the only means of paying for it. Lead in the Senate by Dr. Frist, whose brother is the CEO(!) of what was once called the Hospital Corporation of America, these would-be fat cats were full of promises.
The Affordable Care Act (nee "Obamacare") was everything that the lobbyists wanted, and once again the promises poured out. Of "how good it was going to be" and all of that.
And what did we get? "EPIC FAIL!"
The present set of bills claim – quite falsely - to "repeal the ACA," but an actual reading of the texts (courtesy of the Librarians of Congress at http://thomas.loc.gov) reveals that such verbiage is simply not there. But what IS there, in both bills, is a gigantic public-money giveaway: billions of dollars, no strings attached, euphemistically called "premium support."
Ladies and Gentlemen, I submit that it is not "this or any health bill" that has FAILED us all. Rather, it is the fundamental concept of "for profit." I'm not willing for us to spend any more time with this failed plan, let alone to pour billions of dollars into it and with no strings!
It is time to demand – and, to receive – what the Canadians and the English have had all this time: HEALTH CARE, with no thought of profit, available to anyone and to everyone who is standing on American soil anywhere. Just walk in.
The Affordable Care Act (nee "Obamacare") was everything that the lobbyists wanted, and once again the promises poured out. Of "how good it was going to be" and all of that.
And what did we get? "EPIC FAIL!"
The present set of bills claim – quite falsely - to "repeal the ACA," but an actual reading of the texts (courtesy of the Librarians of Congress at http://thomas.loc.gov) reveals that such verbiage is simply not there. But what IS there, in both bills, is a gigantic public-money giveaway: billions of dollars, no strings attached, euphemistically called "premium support."
Ladies and Gentlemen, I submit that it is not "this or any health bill" that has FAILED us all. Rather, it is the fundamental concept of "for profit." I'm not willing for us to spend any more time with this failed plan, let alone to pour billions of dollars into it and with no strings!
It is time to demand – and, to receive – what the Canadians and the English have had all this time: HEALTH CARE, with no thought of profit, available to anyone and to everyone who is standing on American soil anywhere. Just walk in.
55
Mike,
I must disagree with you in the most elemental way. You state that a capitalistic healthcare system has been proven unworkable. But, we have never tried it so you can't maintain that it failed. My opinion that without a system based on capitalism, the system will fail as surely as all the others are doing. They are in a march either to suck more financial resources from the taxpayer to afford the care that's given or alternatively to restrict the opportunity for the public to avail themselves of healthcare. Either will eventually fail. Health Insurance does not grant access to health care. The death spiral for Obamacare is a result of rising costs and deductables that make accessing care unaffordable. People can get insurance, but paying the premiums becomes impossible as time goes on.
My suggestion is to require providers to publicly offer costs that for the same procedure on the same day in the same hospital or clinic are equivalent for any two people. The question of "What insurance plan do you have" would be unnecessary and providers would compete for business in creative ways. Users would decide who prevailed in therms of quality and price. That at least is a beginning that institutes a competitive environment among providers and the user's judgements of the relative quality of the providers would determine the success or failure of the providers.
I must disagree with you in the most elemental way. You state that a capitalistic healthcare system has been proven unworkable. But, we have never tried it so you can't maintain that it failed. My opinion that without a system based on capitalism, the system will fail as surely as all the others are doing. They are in a march either to suck more financial resources from the taxpayer to afford the care that's given or alternatively to restrict the opportunity for the public to avail themselves of healthcare. Either will eventually fail. Health Insurance does not grant access to health care. The death spiral for Obamacare is a result of rising costs and deductables that make accessing care unaffordable. People can get insurance, but paying the premiums becomes impossible as time goes on.
My suggestion is to require providers to publicly offer costs that for the same procedure on the same day in the same hospital or clinic are equivalent for any two people. The question of "What insurance plan do you have" would be unnecessary and providers would compete for business in creative ways. Users would decide who prevailed in therms of quality and price. That at least is a beginning that institutes a competitive environment among providers and the user's judgements of the relative quality of the providers would determine the success or failure of the providers.
2
"The English?" The ones whose NHS is financially bankrupting?
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/nov/22/nhs-financial-problems-e...
"The Canadians?" The ones with the long waiting lines, who slip over the border to the USA?
Repeating Socialist Sanders' horse apples endlessly will not change reality. Ever. Period.
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/nov/22/nhs-financial-problems-e...
"The Canadians?" The ones with the long waiting lines, who slip over the border to the USA?
Repeating Socialist Sanders' horse apples endlessly will not change reality. Ever. Period.
Watching the Republicans attempt to govern is like watching a monkey play with a hand grenade. Nothing diastrous may happen. Then again they might just figure out a way to pull the pin.
11
As a practicing physician in Mitch's state, I can not but feel good about the demise of this diabolic and heartless bill that the Republican leadership have come up with to replace the ACA. I have seen the ACA in the last three years help working Kentuckians receive the health care they deserve no thanks to their elected Senators. What kind of human beings will devise a plan to rob more than 300,000 citizens of Kentucky of their health insurance just to benefit few of their benefactor billionaires. The ACA may need small tinkering but not the way the Trumpcare bill was envisioned.
Now the same elected senators want to adopt the plan of the dirty old man in the White House, his billionaire cabinet and his barbarian friends occupying the White House and begin the repeal the ACA. And all of this just to benefit few of their billionaire friends again and dam be the millions who will end up loosing the health care they deserve.
It is time to clean house and get rid of those who represent the super wealthy and elect those who represent the working Americans. Let every decent American know that 2018 is the first opportunity for the majority of the American people to do so.
Now the same elected senators want to adopt the plan of the dirty old man in the White House, his billionaire cabinet and his barbarian friends occupying the White House and begin the repeal the ACA. And all of this just to benefit few of their billionaire friends again and dam be the millions who will end up loosing the health care they deserve.
It is time to clean house and get rid of those who represent the super wealthy and elect those who represent the working Americans. Let every decent American know that 2018 is the first opportunity for the majority of the American people to do so.
9
A fairly healthy woman who reads and votes, I have found the entire health debate demoralizing, demearning and damning: not one woman anywhere near the revered negotiating table where the men have kept all news of what's been writ by the Holy Men of the GOP in the Senate. Medical research offers a complete contradiction to the idea of limits on health care. For what has all the research been done if people cannot afford insurance? We address opiod "epidemics" while leaving women who bear children and offer certain medical issues particular to their gender besides the reproductive cycle. I've read of the amazig Kahneman and heard of Thaler, so will grapple w/their column, but regardless of that, we have reached a very low point in our country using just this so-called health care debate.
7
The failure of the Senate health care bill has little to do with resistance from supporters of the ACA and much to do with conservative intransigence.
Rand Paul and Mike Lee didn't oppose the bill because it was too mean but because it wasn't mean enough. Presumably they find the bill better than the ACA but if they cannot get 100% of what they want then they prefer nothing - 99% isn't good enough. Without this stubborness the bill might well have passed.
I had assumed conservative Republicans would only refuse to compromise with Obama but I now stand corrected. They won't even compromise with other Republicans.
So those of us in favor of the idea of expanding health coverage shouldn't feel too smug about ourselves. We just got lucky.
Rand Paul and Mike Lee didn't oppose the bill because it was too mean but because it wasn't mean enough. Presumably they find the bill better than the ACA but if they cannot get 100% of what they want then they prefer nothing - 99% isn't good enough. Without this stubborness the bill might well have passed.
I had assumed conservative Republicans would only refuse to compromise with Obama but I now stand corrected. They won't even compromise with other Republicans.
So those of us in favor of the idea of expanding health coverage shouldn't feel too smug about ourselves. We just got lucky.
13
That they don't compromise with other Republicans is not new - ask Boehner.
7
Mr. Lueke,
I agree. Certainly the Democratic Party did nothing to help. The leaders have perfected the art of behaving like vegetables.
It's probably better that way. If they had done anything it would have turned into one more un-forced error, another art they've perfected recently.
I agree. Certainly the Democratic Party did nothing to help. The leaders have perfected the art of behaving like vegetables.
It's probably better that way. If they had done anything it would have turned into one more un-forced error, another art they've perfected recently.
2
Good point. When Ron Paul was asked, years ago, what he would do if he found a man on the roadside, sick and without insurance, Paul looked dazed, then answered that personal responsibility should have dictated that the man had insurance.
2
Republicans better get busy squelching and discrediting participatory democracy; that's only worth advocating for in Iraq and Afghanistan and other places we spend trillions in our tax dollars to invade, decimate and occupy. Set that fake leader down in front of his twitter: he's an expert at discrediting American institutions.
4
So more than 90% of Republican Senators still wish to strip health insurance from their constituents. Why are we celebrating the victory of three hold-outs?
6
sorry David, the bill didn't fail because of the resistance. It failed because a few ultra-right Senators won't vote for it because it doesn't go far enough!!
7
It has been heartening to see the courage of the protestors and hear their voices. They are an authentic grassroots movement. Many are young, but there is great diversity - the old and the young, the sick and the well, clergy and lay people, working class and white collar professionals, white and black and brown.
Thank you all. You have accomplished a lot for your fellow citizens. This is what democracy looks like, not being held hostage to perpetual tax cuts for the extremely wealthy at the cost of human lives, suffering, and financial hardship.
I cannot understand how Republican politicians and Trump and their supporters had the absolute cruelty to try to pass this bill that was secretly drafted by a handful of people despite all the statistical evidence that the ACA is fine but just needs some improvement. Not one Republican ran on repealing and replacing Medicaid, yet almost $800 billion would be slashed. There was an inherent dishonesty about all of this. The hatred for ordinary Americans who would lose their health care is incomprehensible.
Thank you all. You have accomplished a lot for your fellow citizens. This is what democracy looks like, not being held hostage to perpetual tax cuts for the extremely wealthy at the cost of human lives, suffering, and financial hardship.
I cannot understand how Republican politicians and Trump and their supporters had the absolute cruelty to try to pass this bill that was secretly drafted by a handful of people despite all the statistical evidence that the ACA is fine but just needs some improvement. Not one Republican ran on repealing and replacing Medicaid, yet almost $800 billion would be slashed. There was an inherent dishonesty about all of this. The hatred for ordinary Americans who would lose their health care is incomprehensible.
67
Not really. The defeats for Trump have come largely from conventional political opposition: lawyers on immigration, senators on health care, and so forth. The people taking to the streets have accomplished little.
1
resistance probably contributed less to causality than a very divided gop caucus and a very weak, unpopular president; you have a handful of liberal senators and a few libertarian/conservative senators so finding common ground is difficult. oh and let's not forget they only have a 52-48 margin. not conducive to legislation.
3
The Republican health bill failed for one reason: it was no good and most American citizens didn't want their health care pirated away by tone deaf GOP senators. Even wavering lawmakers knew that their overhaul proposal was sheer lunacy. That's why they avoided town hall meetings so they wouldn't be held accountable by the people who voted for them. Ask Mitch McConnell when was the last time he held a town hall meeting.
6
Moran apparently feels that the Senate bill doesn't go far enough in stripping coverage away from Americans. He doesn't deserve praise for listening to the "resistance". Rather, he should be held accountable for his wish to destroy the ACA. This public servant will likely vote "yes" on the repeal and support efforts to erode current ACA coverage. Democrats need to shine a brilliant light of the Congress and the Administration efforts to make the ACA into their self fulfilling prophecy of "failure". These are the creeps throwing sand in the gears instead of fixing the problems.
11
Trump blames the Democrats for his healthcare bill's failure and that is just another one of his blatant lies. In the first place Americans despised the bill by a wide margin because it is selfish, punishing and discriminatory. In the second place the Democrats were not consulted about the bill as it was done in secrecy by
a Republican Party that continues to ignore the wishes of American voters.
a Republican Party that continues to ignore the wishes of American voters.
9
It doesn't help their cause when the Imbecile in Chief has no knowledge of health insurance, the industry or real concern for people's every day concerns.
Add his absence from passing the plan other than criticizing ObamaCare and some nonsensical tweets.
Add his absence from passing the plan other than criticizing ObamaCare and some nonsensical tweets.
7
We need to end the segregation by party that marks the orientation of incoming Congress people, something begun by Newt Gingrich. Those entering Congress need to understand how the institution functions by means of bipartisan cooperation and they need to know their colleagues not as enemies but as fellow
laborers in the vineyard.
I think your ideas are interesting and worth pursuing as changing one's mind is not about reversal but about educating oneself, broadening and deepening the understanding.
laborers in the vineyard.
I think your ideas are interesting and worth pursuing as changing one's mind is not about reversal but about educating oneself, broadening and deepening the understanding.
4
Health insurance is not "under threat." The ACA, which is arguably not insurance at all, is. People are falling for the false narrative that the Republicans somehow want to take away everyone's health insurance. What they are trying to do is replace an obscenely expensive scheme that had to be forced on people and which is already becoming prohibitively expensive for many people.
And what, pray tell are they 'replacing' it with? Is it something better? Is it cheaper with better levels of coverage? Which health insurance do you have Larry?
1
Great piece. It's not over yet. This morning Pence and, speaking for the President, has said they support McConnell's full repeal with no replacement. I'm guessing they will drag this into 2018 so they can create a false emergency and continue to blame Obama and or Hillary for whatever they can think of. Our best chance at improving our current system is a full repeal and replacement of the GOP in congress with decent human beings that care about their country.
9
"I’m not suggesting that the Palco meeting was the main reason for Moran’s decision. Yet he clearly felt political pressure to oppose the bill, and his recent meetings with constituents were a big part of that pressure."
Here's the problem. Liberals often deride the rich for having undue influence in our politics. Democracy means each person gets one vote. But tactics such as overwhelming a Senator with isolated scare stories belie this principle. The person who might lose their Medicaid is certainly warranted to express their views. But they should only get one vote.
See the results of an extensive poll conducted last year in KS by NPR and Harvard - "Views on the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also called Obamacare, are largely negative among adults in Kansas. About four in ten (39%) adults believe national health reform has hurt the people of their state,
while just over a quarter (26%) feels the law has helped residents of the Sunflower State."
http://www.rwjf.org/content/dam/farm/reports/surveys_and_polls/2016/rwjf...
Keep in mind that Kansas is also the place where Blue Cross of Kansas City just pulled out due to losses since 2014. This leaves 25 counties across the state without a single Obamacare insurer.
Obamacare is failing. And though it is popular in some deep blue states like CA, it is very unpopular in others. Don't such states have a right to their own choices in government without being inundated by a minority view ?
Here's the problem. Liberals often deride the rich for having undue influence in our politics. Democracy means each person gets one vote. But tactics such as overwhelming a Senator with isolated scare stories belie this principle. The person who might lose their Medicaid is certainly warranted to express their views. But they should only get one vote.
See the results of an extensive poll conducted last year in KS by NPR and Harvard - "Views on the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also called Obamacare, are largely negative among adults in Kansas. About four in ten (39%) adults believe national health reform has hurt the people of their state,
while just over a quarter (26%) feels the law has helped residents of the Sunflower State."
http://www.rwjf.org/content/dam/farm/reports/surveys_and_polls/2016/rwjf...
Keep in mind that Kansas is also the place where Blue Cross of Kansas City just pulled out due to losses since 2014. This leaves 25 counties across the state without a single Obamacare insurer.
Obamacare is failing. And though it is popular in some deep blue states like CA, it is very unpopular in others. Don't such states have a right to their own choices in government without being inundated by a minority view ?
1
1. You're citing a 17 month old survey to make a claim about today? Really?
2. You've expressed an opinion, "Obamacare is failing", without bothering to state clean facts (as opposed to cherry-picked factoids).
2. You've expressed an opinion, "Obamacare is failing", without bothering to state clean facts (as opposed to cherry-picked factoids).
5
Are you serious ? A year old extensive survey like the one I cited really is not that old or unreasonable. If you have more recent surveys specifically for KS, feel free to share.
Re Obamacare failing, I demonstrated (again speaking of KS which is the topic of this article) that a very germane fact -that the largest insurer of non-group policies in KS (Blue Cross of Kansas City) has decided very recently to pull out - leaving 25 counties in KS without Obamacare insurance due to mounting losses at the insurer since 2014. You may want to call this "cherry picked factoids" but that fact is pretty central to the people of KS.
Again, I fully concede that Obamacare is both working AND popular in certain deep blue states like CA. I also concede that overall approval numbers for Obamacare have climbed.
But I ask you to be equally honest. This article was about Kansas. And in that state and many other states, Obamacare is simply not working and is deeply unpopular.
We live in a country of 330 million people. People have very different viewpoints. Why is it so hard for liberals to accept that there will never be a healthcare policy that will satisfy liberals in Berekley and conservatives in Tulsa ? I respect the right of blue states to govern themselves as they see fit - even if many of those ideas are ones with which I vehemently disagree. But isn't this a two-way street ? Shouldn't conservative states likewise have the right to make their own choices also ?
Re Obamacare failing, I demonstrated (again speaking of KS which is the topic of this article) that a very germane fact -that the largest insurer of non-group policies in KS (Blue Cross of Kansas City) has decided very recently to pull out - leaving 25 counties in KS without Obamacare insurance due to mounting losses at the insurer since 2014. You may want to call this "cherry picked factoids" but that fact is pretty central to the people of KS.
Again, I fully concede that Obamacare is both working AND popular in certain deep blue states like CA. I also concede that overall approval numbers for Obamacare have climbed.
But I ask you to be equally honest. This article was about Kansas. And in that state and many other states, Obamacare is simply not working and is deeply unpopular.
We live in a country of 330 million people. People have very different viewpoints. Why is it so hard for liberals to accept that there will never be a healthcare policy that will satisfy liberals in Berekley and conservatives in Tulsa ? I respect the right of blue states to govern themselves as they see fit - even if many of those ideas are ones with which I vehemently disagree. But isn't this a two-way street ? Shouldn't conservative states likewise have the right to make their own choices also ?
So fix and improve the ACA, don't propose a nightmare in its place as the R's tried to do'
3
Why don't we just have employers and employees put 75% of the money they put into private healthcare into a publicly funded single payer system? Everyone would pay 25% less, reimbursements would be standardized, and supplemental health care could be around for those who want "gold star" treatment. (I pulled these numbers out of thin air. But looking at my Medicaid and FICA pulled out of my check, it's shocking that such a small amount of money guarantees me healthcare for life in my old age.) If it could be demonstrated that 100% of the population could be covered and 5/6 of the economy was going to save money in the process . . end of the argument.
9
I was elected to the Canadian Parliament between 30 and 40 years ago and was involved in redesigning most of Canada's social programmes and financial regulatory systems.
All were passed virtually unanimously after all party agreements with many valuable ideas coming from all parties.
Somehow, working across parties today is typified as next to "political treason". In large part, I view today's view is a result of the combination of gerrymandering and big money political action groups.
I despair that our democracies might not survive this myopic, and selfish, view of "public service".
All were passed virtually unanimously after all party agreements with many valuable ideas coming from all parties.
Somehow, working across parties today is typified as next to "political treason". In large part, I view today's view is a result of the combination of gerrymandering and big money political action groups.
I despair that our democracies might not survive this myopic, and selfish, view of "public service".
24
The root of every problem we have now can be traced to one factor: the purchasing of our political system by corporations and private wealthy actors. Yet the resistance of the public to this continuing corruption is plain as day - especially in recent cycles post-Citizens United. First, the election of Obama, with its hope of a new start. The rise of Occupy when nothing much was done about the banks. The gridlock in Congress, assisted by libertarian Kochs backing radical, uncompromising Tea Party candidates. The rejection of Hillary Clinton, because of the perception that the Clintons are part of our corruption problem - and that a majority of voters now see Democrats as the party of the wealthy. The huge public embrace on both sides of opposition figures Trump and Sanders. The election of lazy and unpopular Trump, and the perpetuation of Republican figures enacting a fiscal agenda that is again set by the wealthy at the expense of citizens. Oddly, all everyday voting Americans long to drain the swamp, but simultaneously are possessed by a strange passivity that this culture of corruption can never be changed - not to mention a blindness to its rise once their side takes over. My question is, if we are able to elect two change candidates in a row (Obama and Trump), and stop the wealthy libertarians in their tracks as they aim at our health care, why should we not be able to permanently change the role of money in our political culture?
16
You state we should try to change our minds.
When logic shows we can never have a medical health plan that involves private insurers, we must move to universal health care. This is obvious. Many of us have studied all aspects of policy using private insurers and it doesn't work and cant work.
This July's legislative discussion on health care has taught us all the truth and it is spreading. This summer will mark the beginning of universal health care in America and when democrats regain some power in the near future you will see it move rapidly to fruition. Health care cannot be profit oriented. The whole process of getting to that place will also show that "market god given capitalism" cannot work and should not be allowed to work in certain aspects of our life.
When logic shows we can never have a medical health plan that involves private insurers, we must move to universal health care. This is obvious. Many of us have studied all aspects of policy using private insurers and it doesn't work and cant work.
This July's legislative discussion on health care has taught us all the truth and it is spreading. This summer will mark the beginning of universal health care in America and when democrats regain some power in the near future you will see it move rapidly to fruition. Health care cannot be profit oriented. The whole process of getting to that place will also show that "market god given capitalism" cannot work and should not be allowed to work in certain aspects of our life.
18
You are so right. Plus, what private insurers are going to work with the government in a revised Republican plan, now that it has demonstrated that it can be such an unreliable business partner?
4
Do you mean "private insurers", or do you mean "private, for-profit insurers"? I believe Germany has a system of private non-profit insurers that works reasonably well. Heavily regulated insurers that compete against each other (rather than against their own customers) might work.
6
You are so right. Excellent studies haveshown that the reason the US spends twice as much on health care as other developed countries is because of the enormous 'administrative costs' of competing systems - Americans get less care and worse results for much more money than people in other developed countries. The private insurers and other private health care companies spend billions on false advertising to denigrate universal health care systems
2
No elected Republican official, to the best of my knowledge, tried to defend the bill on its ACTUAL merits. They used falsified data, Republican talking points, slogans, and hyperventilation over Obamacare's "failure" to advance their cause, but no one ever supplied an objective itemization of who would benefit or how.
What should surprise us, then, is not the death of this ill advised legislation with such scant public support, but its longevity.
What should surprise us, then, is not the death of this ill advised legislation with such scant public support, but its longevity.
13
.
Well, this is great. The Republican Party now has control of the House, the Senate and the Presidency (and SCOTUS). That's ALL the levers of Government! Heck, with that kind of power, the sky's the limit.
In addition, as they've been against Obamacare since even before it was proposed (8 & 1/2 years ago now): Plenty of time to craft their own (& better) plan that they could simply pop into legislation as soon as their Republican candidate won the Electoral College.
But, apparently, even with all these advantages for enacting a replacement to the hated ACA, they had too much of a good thing ... and all they could come up with was NADA.
Just goes to show that - given enough rope - anyone can strangle themselves.
Well, this is great. The Republican Party now has control of the House, the Senate and the Presidency (and SCOTUS). That's ALL the levers of Government! Heck, with that kind of power, the sky's the limit.
In addition, as they've been against Obamacare since even before it was proposed (8 & 1/2 years ago now): Plenty of time to craft their own (& better) plan that they could simply pop into legislation as soon as their Republican candidate won the Electoral College.
But, apparently, even with all these advantages for enacting a replacement to the hated ACA, they had too much of a good thing ... and all they could come up with was NADA.
Just goes to show that - given enough rope - anyone can strangle themselves.
27
There were a number of factors, of course, that led to the downfall of the bill. As the NYT has written, governors were a big part of the equation, and for good reason. The proposed legislation took a huge, messy problem and dumped it in the lap of the states, without providing sufficient funding for states to tackle the issue. The Republicans ought to encourage governors to come up with some proposals that might actually help improve on the ACA, and then give them the money to implement them. Oh, but that's far too likely to actually yield some positive results, so it will never happen.
6
This is probably same people who was at Trump rallies, voted for Trump and was saying Obamacare is bad.
2
This is very well intentioned advice. However, I find it hard to believe than anyone of the far right is going to make an effort to see both sides of an issue. If only one side adopts such a strategy, capitulation is the result.
I have read the suggested essay by Lauren Enriquez supporting the anti-abortion campaign. Enriquez employs phrases like, "pedaling death" and "bought with the blood of our preborn children." This is not discourse.
Many, perhaps most anti-abortionists are middle class whites who intend to impose their beliefs on people who do not share their financial or racial entitlement, and who also support gun rights and aggressive military engagements, which to me is the ultimate hypocrisy. I simply do not buy that a pre-born life is of more value than an existing life, but that is the message they deliver.
Enriquez also states that her organization helps pregnant women navigate difficult pregnancies, like assisting them in applying for Medicaid. Medicaid? The same Medicaid that is now under attack as too generous to the poor and sick?
After years of hyperbolical propaganda, painting women who seek abortion as soulless, self-obsessed Lolita's the tide has turned against abortion. But the tide turned toward Hitler under similar propaganda campaigns. Enriquez offers no answers, only condemnation and platitudes. There is no meaningful discourse, such as practical means to reduce abortion rates, with someone like this. Only capitulation.
I have read the suggested essay by Lauren Enriquez supporting the anti-abortion campaign. Enriquez employs phrases like, "pedaling death" and "bought with the blood of our preborn children." This is not discourse.
Many, perhaps most anti-abortionists are middle class whites who intend to impose their beliefs on people who do not share their financial or racial entitlement, and who also support gun rights and aggressive military engagements, which to me is the ultimate hypocrisy. I simply do not buy that a pre-born life is of more value than an existing life, but that is the message they deliver.
Enriquez also states that her organization helps pregnant women navigate difficult pregnancies, like assisting them in applying for Medicaid. Medicaid? The same Medicaid that is now under attack as too generous to the poor and sick?
After years of hyperbolical propaganda, painting women who seek abortion as soulless, self-obsessed Lolita's the tide has turned against abortion. But the tide turned toward Hitler under similar propaganda campaigns. Enriquez offers no answers, only condemnation and platitudes. There is no meaningful discourse, such as practical means to reduce abortion rates, with someone like this. Only capitulation.
7
Obamacare needed to get some issues squared away, not repeal and replace. Republicans became obsessed it needed destroyed to get some tax cuts for the well-heeled.
Increasing the number of uninsured is not an improvement.
The bill was a papered Grim Reaper. Writing it in secret? Big mistake.
Perhaps Mr. Trump should go fishing instead of golfing.
He's already floundering.
Increasing the number of uninsured is not an improvement.
The bill was a papered Grim Reaper. Writing it in secret? Big mistake.
Perhaps Mr. Trump should go fishing instead of golfing.
He's already floundering.
4
Resistance works and must be vigorously sustained.
The collapse of Mitch McConnell's deviously advanced healthcare bill evidences that Republicans are masters of obstructionism. When they run out of Democratic policies to obstruct, they obstruct their own.
The GOP is a very loosely sutured Frankensteinian Monster. Now, with its recently implanted Trumpish brain, the Monster is thoughtlessly ripping out its own sutures. Will this Monster disintegrate into mismatched organs and members?
How much longer can this Monster be propped up by gerrymandering, by voter suppression, by pushing divisive hot-button social issues, by its appeal to the worst instincts of working class white voting blocks--and, of course, by the funds of the brothers Koch and their billionaire Libertarian friends? Will the tensions between the Republican Party's establishment and its pseudo-populist, Libertarian and even alt-right factions defy effective resolution?
Unfortunately the Democrats confront this Monster, not with pitchforks and torches, but solely with their own just-short-of-terminal ineptitude. Pointing out that the Monster is indeed monstrous will not, in and of itself, win elections.
Resisters, grab your pitchforks and torches, corner and dispatch this shambling Monster!
The collapse of Mitch McConnell's deviously advanced healthcare bill evidences that Republicans are masters of obstructionism. When they run out of Democratic policies to obstruct, they obstruct their own.
The GOP is a very loosely sutured Frankensteinian Monster. Now, with its recently implanted Trumpish brain, the Monster is thoughtlessly ripping out its own sutures. Will this Monster disintegrate into mismatched organs and members?
How much longer can this Monster be propped up by gerrymandering, by voter suppression, by pushing divisive hot-button social issues, by its appeal to the worst instincts of working class white voting blocks--and, of course, by the funds of the brothers Koch and their billionaire Libertarian friends? Will the tensions between the Republican Party's establishment and its pseudo-populist, Libertarian and even alt-right factions defy effective resolution?
Unfortunately the Democrats confront this Monster, not with pitchforks and torches, but solely with their own just-short-of-terminal ineptitude. Pointing out that the Monster is indeed monstrous will not, in and of itself, win elections.
Resisters, grab your pitchforks and torches, corner and dispatch this shambling Monster!
2
This is what all Americans need for health care: the right to see a doctor whenever and wherever they need to without having to worry about deductibles, co-pays, monthly premiums, out of network costs, lost or denied claims, fragmented care, and junk insurance. Our representatives in DC have this but won't share it with us. They can have serious illnesses requiring months long courses of treatment, take time off and still have insurance and job. We should be able to do the same. In fact, if our politicians in DC aren't willing to extend to us the same level of care that they get to us when we need it we should enact laws in all 50 states that deny them what they won't allow us.
Other countries view health care as a right. Other countries spend less and get better results. In other countries people aren't forced to choose between medicine, food, and shelter. In other countries doctors and patients don't fight with "health insurance" companies to get claims paid. Everyone pays for health care with their taxes and they get it when and where they need it. Americans need health care too. What we don't need is the arrogance and willful stupidity of our politicians who believe that some of us don't deserve health care or that for profit is better.
Other countries view health care as a right. Other countries spend less and get better results. In other countries people aren't forced to choose between medicine, food, and shelter. In other countries doctors and patients don't fight with "health insurance" companies to get claims paid. Everyone pays for health care with their taxes and they get it when and where they need it. Americans need health care too. What we don't need is the arrogance and willful stupidity of our politicians who believe that some of us don't deserve health care or that for profit is better.
10
The Republican Party looks like a wounded animal right now and is therefore all the more dangerous. Let's all feel relief, for a moment, but redouble vigilance on behalf of the lesser-advantaged and poor. This fight is not over and by no means won.
11
As the saying goes -- You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink.
Mitch McConnell, who is from Kentucky, should know something about horses and apply it to the senate Republicans he's been leading for seven years, failing to make them vote for something they don't want.
Mitch McConnell, who is from Kentucky, should know something about horses and apply it to the senate Republicans he's been leading for seven years, failing to make them vote for something they don't want.
Keep it up! Our Democratic Party representatives didn't do this, WE did it. And WE need different leadership, a solid platform, and detailed plans to accomplish our goals, in the process of making this a "great country" for EVERY American, and all those who WANT to be Americans. Keep up the good work, Resistors!
10
The Republicans had six full years to work with Democrats to solve problems with the Affordable Care Act. They blew it -- big-league.
4
Our political system is designed to facilitate obstruction -- deliberately, as a bullwark against any strongman's or ruling clique's tyranny. But the republic's designers failed to anticipate either the rise of large partisan groups that we now call "political parties" nor a partisan duopoly that pundit, novelist and essayist Gore Vidal called "the two wings of the Property Party", a formulation that makes the United States just another one-party state. President Vladimir Putin of Russia, also it's richest man because he is Russia's president, agrees.
Private equity firms own most of the healthcare system in the United States. Steven Brill, in his book "America's Bitter Pill", provided numerous examples of it and the price inflation that results, usually through price fixing and outright collusion between corporations that exercise oligopolic control in local or regional markets. An ambulance service owned by a private equity firm buys the exclusive right to serve a city. It charges $1500 for a ride that costs it $225 to deliver. Or, a medical equipment manufacturer sells its products at a higher "per-widget" percent markup than Apple Corporation does, Apple the most profitable company in consumer electronics.
The private equity firms that dominate the medical service sector contribute heavily to political parties to protect those profits -- hiding those enormous donations behind the Citizens' United ruling; one reason why Congress fails to attack the actual problem.
Private equity firms own most of the healthcare system in the United States. Steven Brill, in his book "America's Bitter Pill", provided numerous examples of it and the price inflation that results, usually through price fixing and outright collusion between corporations that exercise oligopolic control in local or regional markets. An ambulance service owned by a private equity firm buys the exclusive right to serve a city. It charges $1500 for a ride that costs it $225 to deliver. Or, a medical equipment manufacturer sells its products at a higher "per-widget" percent markup than Apple Corporation does, Apple the most profitable company in consumer electronics.
The private equity firms that dominate the medical service sector contribute heavily to political parties to protect those profits -- hiding those enormous donations behind the Citizens' United ruling; one reason why Congress fails to attack the actual problem.
8
Back in January, I too, in an effort to cope, picked three issues (the environment, health care and Trump's ethics). Without the limited focus, I would have been overwhelmed with the blizzard of progressive emails that swamp my inbox every day, and I would feel ineffective. Now, I can delete with impunity, because I know I can, and do, have impact on my three.
6
David, Lynhardt: the bill failed because several Republicans refuse to vote for it because it isn't cruel and harsh enough. They don't want any Government Health Care plan covering anyone except themselves. Take your Pollyanna glasses off.
19
Resistance has nothing to do with the failure to pass a new heath care bill. You could say unison works. Dems have it Republicans don't.
2
For once in a blue moon
1
McConnell and Ryan were among the small group of people who might have short-circuited Trump's bid for the presidency. And still could. (The others are Melania, Ivanka and Jared.)
All of them were fully aware from the start that he was a danger to the country and completely unfit to be president.
Instead of acting as patriots, they decided to serve party interests and their own personal interests.
The failure of the Republican health plan should serve as signal to them that a time of reckoning for Trump’s helpmates is fast approaching.
I like it when stinkers begin getting what they deserve.
All of them were fully aware from the start that he was a danger to the country and completely unfit to be president.
Instead of acting as patriots, they decided to serve party interests and their own personal interests.
The failure of the Republican health plan should serve as signal to them that a time of reckoning for Trump’s helpmates is fast approaching.
I like it when stinkers begin getting what they deserve.
10
I suspect this bill is dead for now only because very powerful groups like the American Hospital Association and the American Medical Association opposed it. I don't think these senators, even Susan Collins, cared that much about the people who would suffer as a result. Susan Collins maybe cared a little bit, but only because Maine is very rural and quite poor outside of Portland and a few other cities.
1
Resistance only worked with Susan Collins. The others were either digging in deeper, or on the fence. So the lesson is that republicans need to be in the minority so we can have a decent country again.
5
Others as well - Murkowski, etc.
Collins is just the one who came out with a strong stance on it. Others are playing the usual game of not being the one to push the whole deal over the edge. And well should they - we're going to need those moderate Republicans to counterbalance or even oust Trump.
Collins is just the one who came out with a strong stance on it. Others are playing the usual game of not being the one to push the whole deal over the edge. And well should they - we're going to need those moderate Republicans to counterbalance or even oust Trump.
2
Glaringly absent in t.v. and radio coverage is that soundbite from Trump
promising, and I paraphrase, health care for everybody that will be better and cheaper. That should be drummed into Americans' heads to highlight yet another false promise from candidate Trump for their votes. It is refreshing to learn that there are GOP members of Congress who actually listen to their
constituents and vote accordingly.
promising, and I paraphrase, health care for everybody that will be better and cheaper. That should be drummed into Americans' heads to highlight yet another false promise from candidate Trump for their votes. It is refreshing to learn that there are GOP members of Congress who actually listen to their
constituents and vote accordingly.
5
Surely the Palco meeting was not the only thing on Senator Moran's mind. He is a reasonable man and he has been hearing for many, many months from rural hospitals and other institutions and advocates about what the medical radicalism of the Republican Party would do to small towns and medical culture all across Kansas. Moreover, Kansans are sick to death of Sam Brownback's radicalism and don't want to see it replicated in Congress. The whole national Republican Party would be well advised to heed this simple lesson because it comes from the depths of ordinary people in the heartland who are sick and tired of radicalism of all kinds. Finally, there is a small and beautiful little clinic in Plainville, KS, where the highway signs proudly proclaim it as Senator Moran's boyhood home. As my wife and I drove past on our way home from Nebraska last week, I thought to myself that Jerry Moran is too decent a human being to destroy that little clinic. That's what's at stake, all across rural America today and tomorrow. And I repeat: the Republican Party had better wake up or it is facing a terrible fate when the whole American people wake up.
11
He has seemed like a decent man who did the right thing for the right reasons. To me, Sen. Collins also seems like this. I am grateful to them. What is troubling is that so many other Republican senators (including my own) were willing to vote in favor of a bill that would harm and even kill many of their own constituents as well as causing rural and urban hospitals to close.
3
The strategic culling of waste people is commonly accepted as witty banter among the Republican mainstream; within their own circles, of course, otherwise it's coded as conservatism and dressed up as freedom, a form of political correctness that has served them well in the media. High time to expose.
Is it not possible for the NYT and other respectable media to declare this administration a fraud, once and for all?
The President has always been such and he has simply joined the GOP in cobbling together a formula based on half baked opinion, bold faced lies and hatred, pandering to the worst among us, of which there are enough to permit gerrymandering an election success with help from a hostile foreign power.
The sooner this fraudulent situation is declared the standing position of all reputable commentators, the sooner we can stop given them a platform for their lies. They have no respect for the presidency, our democracy, our children or their future. They deserve none in return.
Is it not possible for the NYT and other respectable media to declare this administration a fraud, once and for all?
The President has always been such and he has simply joined the GOP in cobbling together a formula based on half baked opinion, bold faced lies and hatred, pandering to the worst among us, of which there are enough to permit gerrymandering an election success with help from a hostile foreign power.
The sooner this fraudulent situation is declared the standing position of all reputable commentators, the sooner we can stop given them a platform for their lies. They have no respect for the presidency, our democracy, our children or their future. They deserve none in return.
4
Remember when the GOP tried to undo Ethics in Congress?
Resistance worked! And that never happened.
Same thing here. Not happening! But even better, healthcare as a human right and pleas for universal healthcare as a consequence have come to the fore.
It is time for a Resistance SURGE. A Tsunami demanding that Congress act for the "General Welfare" as voiced in the Constitution itself. Yes, the Constitution actually enshrines our General Welfare. And welfare includes heathcare. And General includes ALL.
If Trump truly wants acclamation, from Press to Voters, let him demand Universal Healthcare. Let him ask Dems to write the Bill and R's to vote for it. He won't. Sad!
So the Resistance Drumbeat will only increase. Because We the People have tasted some Victories. And we demand more WINNING!
The GOP cannibalizing of taxes from healthcare and other services (to feed the already wealthy) has got to stop! The General Purse is for General Welfare.
The GOP set out to deprive citizens of needed services - by slight of hand, in dark of night. But Social Media and citizen outrage are proving stronger than sociopathic politicians, dancing as fast as they can to the lure of donations and the bidding of those who give them.
These are one of those "times that try men's souls" - times when it becomes clear where hearts' treasures lie. Mammon or Compassion? Golden calves or Ethics? Religious hypocrisy or Honest Generosity?
We get one life. Make yours matter!
Resistance worked! And that never happened.
Same thing here. Not happening! But even better, healthcare as a human right and pleas for universal healthcare as a consequence have come to the fore.
It is time for a Resistance SURGE. A Tsunami demanding that Congress act for the "General Welfare" as voiced in the Constitution itself. Yes, the Constitution actually enshrines our General Welfare. And welfare includes heathcare. And General includes ALL.
If Trump truly wants acclamation, from Press to Voters, let him demand Universal Healthcare. Let him ask Dems to write the Bill and R's to vote for it. He won't. Sad!
So the Resistance Drumbeat will only increase. Because We the People have tasted some Victories. And we demand more WINNING!
The GOP cannibalizing of taxes from healthcare and other services (to feed the already wealthy) has got to stop! The General Purse is for General Welfare.
The GOP set out to deprive citizens of needed services - by slight of hand, in dark of night. But Social Media and citizen outrage are proving stronger than sociopathic politicians, dancing as fast as they can to the lure of donations and the bidding of those who give them.
These are one of those "times that try men's souls" - times when it becomes clear where hearts' treasures lie. Mammon or Compassion? Golden calves or Ethics? Religious hypocrisy or Honest Generosity?
We get one life. Make yours matter!
5
We should all be thankful that Senator Moran got an earful that contributed to his decision and that the most recent Republican plan has gone nowhere. We can be thankful, too, to President Obama, who did the country a great favor by implanting healthcare in the national psyche and making it a demand that will never go away--something the Republicans would never have done on their own but now must address. But, the problem of affordability looms large and will continue to do so until a way to curb ever-increasing medical costs emerges. At best this would require sincere effort, careful thought, and resistance to powerful professional and business interests by politicians of all stripes--not very likely at least in the near future. A measure of chaos seems easily predictable but may yield to a desirable settlement of affordable care for all. It's important to keep a long view as the process, however chaotic, moves forward.
1
A novel thought: take insurance companies out of the mix entirely. I'd like to change Shakespeare's familiar quote from King Henry the VI "The first thing we do is kill all the lawyers" to "First thing we do is kill all the insurance companies".
Additionally, why should our elected politicians get fine coverage for healthcare why the rest of us have to suffer? This system reminds me of the famous quote by Marie Antoinette "Let them eat cake".
Additionally, why should our elected politicians get fine coverage for healthcare why the rest of us have to suffer? This system reminds me of the famous quote by Marie Antoinette "Let them eat cake".
4
Mitch McConnell, Paul Ryan, and Donald Duck Trump are sending the same message about obstructing their constituents demands for comprehensive, affordable health care, "Congress to constituents, Drop Dead!"
Come the next election, their constituents' message to Congress will be, "Constituents to Congress, Drop Dead!"
Come the next election, their constituents' message to Congress will be, "Constituents to Congress, Drop Dead!"
3
What total nonsense is this article. Resistance shmesistance. What happened here is an example of the cliche: all politics is local. It has nothing to do with resistance.
I.e., every one of the elected republican won a lot of points by savaging the ACA the last time they got elected. They were loud and clear: they would deep six it with everything (many said they would do it on day one). And their constituencies were giddy with excitement.
No republican (and no person) should have to hear from august bodies such as AARP, and American Cancer Society to figure out that throwing 22 million people under the bus would be unpopular among those 22 million people.
Republicans were sure that their constituents would: (a) assume that Obamacare unfairly helped blacks, Hispanics, browns, illegals, Muslims - the people that they want to hurt, and (b) quietly bear the pain of losing healthcare, just as long as they were assured that a legacy of a black president would be destroyed. The latter was a fair assumption; republicans have won because half of America is willing to vote against their best interests.
What happened here was this: some people were concerned that voting to repeal and replace would cost them their seat. If that is what you are calling resistance - fine. There was no change of heart. These fine people will try again, and find someone else to hurt.
Kalidan
I.e., every one of the elected republican won a lot of points by savaging the ACA the last time they got elected. They were loud and clear: they would deep six it with everything (many said they would do it on day one). And their constituencies were giddy with excitement.
No republican (and no person) should have to hear from august bodies such as AARP, and American Cancer Society to figure out that throwing 22 million people under the bus would be unpopular among those 22 million people.
Republicans were sure that their constituents would: (a) assume that Obamacare unfairly helped blacks, Hispanics, browns, illegals, Muslims - the people that they want to hurt, and (b) quietly bear the pain of losing healthcare, just as long as they were assured that a legacy of a black president would be destroyed. The latter was a fair assumption; republicans have won because half of America is willing to vote against their best interests.
What happened here was this: some people were concerned that voting to repeal and replace would cost them their seat. If that is what you are calling resistance - fine. There was no change of heart. These fine people will try again, and find someone else to hurt.
Kalidan
4
It is extremely pathetic when Americans have to fight tooth and nail for basic healthcare in the richest country in the world. It’s pathetic and upsetting that there were only four GOP holdouts on a bill designed to cripple, kill and destroy the lives of million. What is even more pathetic and alarming is the remaining 48 who chose to support the party instead of the American people they swore to serve.
The real celebration begins when we have a functional government working for the people…..if we ever get there.
The real celebration begins when we have a functional government working for the people…..if we ever get there.
12
So we dodged a bullet and we're feeling pretty good about that?...Really?
Republicans threatened to take health care away from over 20 million and dilute care for millions more condemning them to sickness, morbidity and premature death. This murderous legislative proposal failed only because of a handful of Senate Republican dissidents. Yes, millions of Americans literally escaped a bullet. But it was a close thing.
Next up a GoP effort to repeal Obamacare followed by budget and tax reform proposals that would savage the economy and destroy the lives and livelihoods of tens of millions. And Trump still has 36% approval rating and can count on a frightening near plurality block of radical right wing GoP legislators.
The Trump administration abetted by Republicans are dragging Americans kicking and screaming into a NRA type legislative firing range. And we're the targets. What country is this? --A country by the rich, of the rich, for the rich....
Republicans threatened to take health care away from over 20 million and dilute care for millions more condemning them to sickness, morbidity and premature death. This murderous legislative proposal failed only because of a handful of Senate Republican dissidents. Yes, millions of Americans literally escaped a bullet. But it was a close thing.
Next up a GoP effort to repeal Obamacare followed by budget and tax reform proposals that would savage the economy and destroy the lives and livelihoods of tens of millions. And Trump still has 36% approval rating and can count on a frightening near plurality block of radical right wing GoP legislators.
The Trump administration abetted by Republicans are dragging Americans kicking and screaming into a NRA type legislative firing range. And we're the targets. What country is this? --A country by the rich, of the rich, for the rich....
10
The screamers on the right and left have long since lost any connection to the issues and policies they scream about. That leaves the vast majority in the center wading through a virtual waist high flood of information sludge. Facts are almost nonexistent in the barrage of accusation and counter accusation.
If you decide to nourish your soul on any issues please be very careful about your sources. Take time to dig down and be ready for facts that you find unpleasant.
Going for truth, including truth that we find difficult and distasteful, is the only way to solve real problems.
If you decide to nourish your soul on any issues please be very careful about your sources. Take time to dig down and be ready for facts that you find unpleasant.
Going for truth, including truth that we find difficult and distasteful, is the only way to solve real problems.
3
I applaud Senator Moran for doing his job and meeting his constituents face-to-face in a town hall. He didn't do one of those nationwide phone calls, or talk to them through a locked door. He met them face-to-face, unlike most of those cowardly GOP Congresspersons. Second, he actually listened to them and is trying to find a solution to this nightmare. My congressman, Raul Grijalva of AZ, a Democrat, met with the Tea Party at town halls during their rise. He said it wasn't fun but that was his job. If the GOP can't meet with their constituents, they need to resign.
9
Too bad the Republican Health Care bill now before the Senate will not be passed. I was waiting for the American voting public to finally see what the Republicans meant by "Repeal and Replace". While I am not a Democrat, I certainly think that the current Republican Congress is just as egotistical as Donald J. Trump. All they care about is their own self-interests and whatever it takes to get re-elected. The best message would have been to throw all of them out and replace this Congress with representatives who really care about what is best for the country. Now we will see more lies and bait and switch tactics from the same guys who devised the two Republican bills.
3
Many commenters here continue to view the health care issue in a vacuum. That is, they believe that most Americans consider the Republicans' "health care bill" on its merits, and compare it to what is offered under the Affordable Care Act to arrive at their views.
While Democratic voters and perhaps some Independents do just that, Republican voters do not. And therein lies the problem. They are a minority with disproportionate power over the majority of us, because of gerrymandering, the Electoral College and our system of government that allows two senators from both states with fewer than one million people and states with nearly forty million people.
And Republican voters are increasingly older and white. Many of them already have Social Security and Medicare benefits, and doubt they'll lose either. They have no concern about younger Americans who will definitely have it much harder than they have had. They see their power diminishing in an America that they view as solely their own. To them, supporting Trump and the Republican Congress is the only way they can hold onto the power they've had since the founding of this nation.
Thus, Republican voters would rather have deny their own families health care than to grant this right to all Americans, if it means that their leaders continue to control this country. They would rather literally see themselves suffer than to relinquish this power. Sadly, we in the majority will also continue to suffer because of them.
While Democratic voters and perhaps some Independents do just that, Republican voters do not. And therein lies the problem. They are a minority with disproportionate power over the majority of us, because of gerrymandering, the Electoral College and our system of government that allows two senators from both states with fewer than one million people and states with nearly forty million people.
And Republican voters are increasingly older and white. Many of them already have Social Security and Medicare benefits, and doubt they'll lose either. They have no concern about younger Americans who will definitely have it much harder than they have had. They see their power diminishing in an America that they view as solely their own. To them, supporting Trump and the Republican Congress is the only way they can hold onto the power they've had since the founding of this nation.
Thus, Republican voters would rather have deny their own families health care than to grant this right to all Americans, if it means that their leaders continue to control this country. They would rather literally see themselves suffer than to relinquish this power. Sadly, we in the majority will also continue to suffer because of them.
9
Wouldn't it be wonderful to hope the repubs are beginning to show some spine for their constituents
3
Not happening. Several of them came out against the bill because it wasn't mean enough.
The only resistance should be against Obamacare. To tax hard-working people who happen to invest in order to subsidize able-bodied people on Medicaid is immoral. Repeal and then craft a healthcare bill which caps Medicaid and puts back personal responsibility into the healthcare equation. No longer should hard-working taxpayers be forced to subsidize the healthcare of freeloaders.
1
Well sure, nobody wants to subsidize people that are truly trying to game Medicaid, but the notion that there are hordes of these people or vast sums to be recovered is a myth. Fraud by medical providers is a far greater issue and with the benefits of an up to date computer tracking system, far easier to detect and prosecute. Start with the big money and leave the small issues until later.
7
Mr. Smith, many of the able-bodied people on Medicaid do work full-time at minimum wage jobs that provide no healthcare benefits. They are not freeloaders.
7
You are aware that those "freeloaders" include about 60 to 70% of the elderly in nursing homes? About 40% or so of all children in the country? About 1/3 of all disabled? Half of child births and infant care? Interesting that you think they should all be put to work in the fields or factories.
8
This isn't the end of it. The GOP is determined to make the ACA fail whether it's by seeing to it that premiums are so high we can't afford them, subsidies or not, or by destabilizing the markets to achieve the same goal. The truly evil thing in all of this is that they get the best care in America courtesy of our tax dollars. We pay their salaries. We've paid for their offices, all the privileges they get as elected federal officials, and they pay us back by doing nothing or undoing things that are meant to help us.
Scalise, McCain, McConnell, Ryan, Pence, Price, Sessions, Paul, and the rest of the gang are in no danger of losing their jobs, going bankrupt, or being unable to afford medical care they need when they need it. Two of them are receiving care for serious conditions without having to worry about checking their wallets to see if they can afford it. Others have received assistance in the past and now want to cut the programs that helped them. Our politicians in DC cannot be trusted to work on our behalf, not when the industries they are supposed to regulate have them in their back pockets as BFFs.
Despite the fact that other industrialized nations have excellent and universal access health care systems our politicians continue to claim that America can't do it. That's a lie. American politicians don't want to do it. They prefer what we have now because it pays off for them.
Scalise, McCain, McConnell, Ryan, Pence, Price, Sessions, Paul, and the rest of the gang are in no danger of losing their jobs, going bankrupt, or being unable to afford medical care they need when they need it. Two of them are receiving care for serious conditions without having to worry about checking their wallets to see if they can afford it. Others have received assistance in the past and now want to cut the programs that helped them. Our politicians in DC cannot be trusted to work on our behalf, not when the industries they are supposed to regulate have them in their back pockets as BFFs.
Despite the fact that other industrialized nations have excellent and universal access health care systems our politicians continue to claim that America can't do it. That's a lie. American politicians don't want to do it. They prefer what we have now because it pays off for them.
44
Don't forget, these guys are heavily invested (literally) in health care stocks and for profit hospitals. So why on earth would they want single payer universal health care. Where's the profit in that?
2
There has been more variety of opinion and diversity among Republicans than Democrats for a generation now. No wonder they can't agree on anything.
We have Senators who can never even get one additional Senator to agree with their different view but then can't stand the thought of going along with the rest of the party. What a shock, to learn that the things Democrat leaders on the Hill have an advantage over their GOP peers.
Eventually the red states will realize that their libertarian or conservative champions will have to be called back home and replaced with experienced political people who can at least help get things passed in the Senate where the people can actually see results.
When new leaders are chosen there is an additional burst of energy prodding the Congress to get things done.
We have Senators who can never even get one additional Senator to agree with their different view but then can't stand the thought of going along with the rest of the party. What a shock, to learn that the things Democrat leaders on the Hill have an advantage over their GOP peers.
Eventually the red states will realize that their libertarian or conservative champions will have to be called back home and replaced with experienced political people who can at least help get things passed in the Senate where the people can actually see results.
When new leaders are chosen there is an additional burst of energy prodding the Congress to get things done.
4
Or, perhaps McConnell has preferred repeal-without-replace all along.
3
Need to wait for Senate vote on "repeal only" option to conclude that resistance worked. It's always worthwhile, but this vote will be a test of whether the moderate/responsible government wing of the Republican Party still exists and can be appealed to.
9
We can breathe only a very temporary sigh of relief. Keep in mind that there are Republicans who opposed the bill because IT DID NOT GO FAR ENOUGH. This was also true of the potentially catastrophic House bill. The future of health care is in real trouble in this country. The Republican Party pays no attention to how this is done in other industrialized countries, and has no sense of decency and obligation toward those who really NEED health care assistance. These bills are being written by people who are in no danger of losing their own health insurance, and are bought and paid for by campaign donors who have much to gain by scuttling any kind of government-assisted health insurance. (We also need to keep in mind that all of this is a smokescreen for lowering taxes on people who do NOT NEED lower taxes. And don't even get me started on the racist undercurrent of the entire movement to repeal anything associated with Obama.) Unfortunately, moving to a more fair, rational, and less expensive system means gutting the health care insurance industry. I don't see that happening any time soon. And alongside all of this, health care costs keep going up for no good reason. It is illogical that health care costs in this country are so much higher than in other technological countries, and yet we rank significantly far down the list in terms of the EFFECTIVENESS of our health care system. This is in striking contradiction to the old adage that "you get what you pay for."
17
The only difference between our current system and a "single payer" system is that in the former the insurance companies are huge corporations working to make a profit, while in the latter the government *is* the insurance company. People pay premiums under either system and care is provided, which is paid for by the insurance provider. So, in short, nothing changes, except who you write the check to.
The real problem with single payer is that the government is then on the hook for paying the outrageous costs of health care. As those costs rise, the government will be responsible for paying those bills. So, unless the government itself charges the same outrageous premiums that we deride private insurers for, how will it pay to provide health care for anybody, let alone for all?
The system that we have now as a result of the ACA is broken beyond repair. The only responsible thing the government can do now is repeal the ACA and let the marketplace shake things out. Removing restrictions like cross-border buying of insurance could actually have a positive impact on the cost of insurance and it's regulating things like that that are the proper province of government.
Government needs to get out of the health insurance business, except for the poorest and least able to care for themselves. Government should also ensure that the insurance companies aren't profiting from our misery. Government should be an impartial referee, then we can create a system that's fair for everybody.
The real problem with single payer is that the government is then on the hook for paying the outrageous costs of health care. As those costs rise, the government will be responsible for paying those bills. So, unless the government itself charges the same outrageous premiums that we deride private insurers for, how will it pay to provide health care for anybody, let alone for all?
The system that we have now as a result of the ACA is broken beyond repair. The only responsible thing the government can do now is repeal the ACA and let the marketplace shake things out. Removing restrictions like cross-border buying of insurance could actually have a positive impact on the cost of insurance and it's regulating things like that that are the proper province of government.
Government needs to get out of the health insurance business, except for the poorest and least able to care for themselves. Government should also ensure that the insurance companies aren't profiting from our misery. Government should be an impartial referee, then we can create a system that's fair for everybody.
2
Health care will never be fair for everybody until we have single-payer health care. This could take the form of Medicare for everyone. As for now, thank God for Obama and Obamacare. There was the President with a heart!
20
To Elfego,
As long as we have employer provided health insurance we have government involvement... it's called tax deductions! If you don't eliminate the tax break for employers providing insurance we limit the ability of the "free market" to shakeout the industry. Employers use benefits to attract and retain employees but we the taxpayers foot the bill.
As long as we have employer provided health insurance we have government involvement... it's called tax deductions! If you don't eliminate the tax break for employers providing insurance we limit the ability of the "free market" to shakeout the industry. Employers use benefits to attract and retain employees but we the taxpayers foot the bill.
6
Getting rid of the for profit motive in health care will bring costs down. US health care is three times as expensive as health care anywhere else in the world. The insurance layering costs a lot.
10
As a Kansas citizen I have always felt Moran was a lightweight and a follow the party line Republican. Whatever his motivation thank goodness he listened to his constituents. Now he needs to understand that repealing the ACA would also harm many. I hope he continues to choose country over party and does the right thing for those he represents.
16
One of the great truths: no matter how offensive or indefensible a giveaway, once the giveaway begins, it’s almost impossible to revoke it. Those who benefit will ALWAYS be more vocal about keeping their giveaways than will the people who pay the bills.
The left treats every giveaway as sacrosanct and as a baseline for future giveaways. It follows the Brezhnev Doctrine on taxes and spending: once a level is set, it may NEVER be cut, because that would be “cruel” and a “giveaway to the rich”.
Vis a vis the ACA, it will apparently be impossible to kill, but the GOP shouldn’t throw it a lifeline. Enforce the law which prohibits carrier subsidies and let it die a natural death, with the inevitable collapse of the exchanges.
The left treats every giveaway as sacrosanct and as a baseline for future giveaways. It follows the Brezhnev Doctrine on taxes and spending: once a level is set, it may NEVER be cut, because that would be “cruel” and a “giveaway to the rich”.
Vis a vis the ACA, it will apparently be impossible to kill, but the GOP shouldn’t throw it a lifeline. Enforce the law which prohibits carrier subsidies and let it die a natural death, with the inevitable collapse of the exchanges.
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Michael--Rich people don't pay for anything. That's, ostensibly, why they are rich. Look at tRump, as a good example. He NEVER pays, taxes or anything else. But, you just keep on deluding yourself.
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That's a helpful approach. NOT.
6
Medicare for all is the answer. Far less expensive and everyone benefits.
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"...remind yourself that not every issue is straightforward. Look for an issue that you find difficult and nuanced."
I've tried to do that with health care (for example). I found that there are many universal systems worldwide, no two exactly alike, and, whatever their respective nuances, they are highly favored by the electorate. Among the differences is the relative proportion of government and "free market" involvement (cf. UK and Switzerland). Hence, most systems are a hybrid. There are no essentially free market types of the sort advocated by the American right. Current successful systems fall into two broad categories, single payer and government regulated "multi"-payer.
This subject is hardly straight forward, and it surely is complicated. But it can be approached on the basis of what seems to work, free from the dictates of ideology, and by honest examination of all viable options. I stand ready to accept a free-market system if and when it can be shown to be viable. So far, such demonstration is lacking.
There, I've nourished my political soul.
I've tried to do that with health care (for example). I found that there are many universal systems worldwide, no two exactly alike, and, whatever their respective nuances, they are highly favored by the electorate. Among the differences is the relative proportion of government and "free market" involvement (cf. UK and Switzerland). Hence, most systems are a hybrid. There are no essentially free market types of the sort advocated by the American right. Current successful systems fall into two broad categories, single payer and government regulated "multi"-payer.
This subject is hardly straight forward, and it surely is complicated. But it can be approached on the basis of what seems to work, free from the dictates of ideology, and by honest examination of all viable options. I stand ready to accept a free-market system if and when it can be shown to be viable. So far, such demonstration is lacking.
There, I've nourished my political soul.
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What we are doing now with health care is certain to bankrupt the country sooner or later. It is already our biggest spending issue. Medicare averages a loss of a quarter million per couple. Multiply that by 77 million for a sense of where we are headed.
StanC, I am for single payer, but I read an article about 4 years ago that compared healthcare systems around the world, and there was one, I think Norway?, that still had the business community involved. Healthcare was removed from employers responsibility and put out solely in the market, however, the employees were given corresponding raises to enable them to afford the healthcare on their own, and everyone is thriving. I don't believe the free market will fix this unless wages are addressed. But the GOP will never stand for that.
Anyone that's ever been seriously ill knows the costs are growing at an unreasonable pace. We also know that market based solutions work in many parts of our economy, but there is no market solution that works in health care. Sick people aren't in any position to shop for services for a host of reasons.
1
Thank you for this moment to reconsider my despair.
The health care reform debate has me exhausted and frightened.
I am 59 and have always purchased my insurance on the individual non-group market. My household has not benefited from any subsidies. My premiums have continued to escalate in an unsustainable fiscally ruinous way. Yet I know to throw out ACA is not the answer.
My long work days, my fears, my aging and tired body want to run and hide.
Thank you for this moment of contemplation to renew my spirit to argue for what is right for the common good of this country.
The health care reform debate has me exhausted and frightened.
I am 59 and have always purchased my insurance on the individual non-group market. My household has not benefited from any subsidies. My premiums have continued to escalate in an unsustainable fiscally ruinous way. Yet I know to throw out ACA is not the answer.
My long work days, my fears, my aging and tired body want to run and hide.
Thank you for this moment of contemplation to renew my spirit to argue for what is right for the common good of this country.
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Excellent piece. I appreciate the link to Kahneman et al.
A Kahneman reading recommendation! Always welcome - thank you.
States are wise who invest in Medicaid for their poor.
Healthier poor people can work, go to school, and avoid crime and addiction,
Medicaid dollars are spent in-state, usually employing health providers, such as nurses, or care givers. These are jobs that keep the money in the state, and that cannot be outsourced or automated.
Finally, Medicaid dollars spent by a State are matched 1 to 1 with Federal dollars --and the ACA Medicaid expansion is ALL federal dollars. This is like free money for the State's economy.
This is why the Red GOP states are so mad. They missed out on a really good deal, because they were so biased against their own poor and elderly and disabled people . Plus, the ACA was elegantly funded by a minor bump in a tax rate that was already too low -- the capital gains tax, only on the top few percent of the population who have over $250,000 in income and have capital gains income instead of wage income.
Healthier poor people can work, go to school, and avoid crime and addiction,
Medicaid dollars are spent in-state, usually employing health providers, such as nurses, or care givers. These are jobs that keep the money in the state, and that cannot be outsourced or automated.
Finally, Medicaid dollars spent by a State are matched 1 to 1 with Federal dollars --and the ACA Medicaid expansion is ALL federal dollars. This is like free money for the State's economy.
This is why the Red GOP states are so mad. They missed out on a really good deal, because they were so biased against their own poor and elderly and disabled people . Plus, the ACA was elegantly funded by a minor bump in a tax rate that was already too low -- the capital gains tax, only on the top few percent of the population who have over $250,000 in income and have capital gains income instead of wage income.
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There is scant evidence that the current Medicaid regime produces "...healthier people [who can] work....". Check out op-ed by Keating and Beall in today's WSJ for some facts.
Wichita ... Home of the Koch Empire! Primary dark-money donor to campaigns of state legislators across the country -- assuring optimal gerrymandering for every Congressional District to get ultra-conservative Representatives in the House; principal donor of dark-money for taking out moderate Republicans at the primary level.
How about grappling with how to increase wages? Depressed wages despite high employment levels - wages which don't keep up with productivity gains - are a problem. (Inequality correlates with many different issues.) Since everyone would like to earn more, it's also likely to be a subject of widespread electoral appeal. Though important, immigration and abortion directly affect only a subset of the population, namely immigrants and pregnant women. Those are worthwhile groups to consider, but I suspect most voters see those as minority interests of no direct relevance to them. Democrats need an agenda with broad appeal that has the potential to attract independents and even conservatives.
5
The president who "cares" about American jobs has just authorized 15,000 more H-2B visas for cooks, landscape workers, cleaners, seafood processors, and other low skill service and production jobs to be taken by foreign workers who are willing to put up with miserable working conditions, low wages, no benefits, and lousy housing.
If the GOP REALLY believed in a market system, these hotels (read Trump brand which applies annually for more than 500 of these visas in Florida alone), restaurants, landscape services, food processors would have to improve salaries and conditions to attract American citizens to these jobs.
The GOP is talking out of both sides when they allow these visas and then complain about Medicaid for the poor, elderly, and disabled. For those receiving Medicaid, 85% actually have jobs if they are able-bodied. What they need is help moving into better jobs and support during the transition.
We need to look at who is on Medicaid, think about relocating the able-bodied, and their families, to take available jobs, and we need to provide housing assistance, child care, and training so they can be integrated into their new home. Such programs could be coordinated through county health care services and community colleges nationwide.
If the GOP REALLY believed in a market system, these hotels (read Trump brand which applies annually for more than 500 of these visas in Florida alone), restaurants, landscape services, food processors would have to improve salaries and conditions to attract American citizens to these jobs.
The GOP is talking out of both sides when they allow these visas and then complain about Medicaid for the poor, elderly, and disabled. For those receiving Medicaid, 85% actually have jobs if they are able-bodied. What they need is help moving into better jobs and support during the transition.
We need to look at who is on Medicaid, think about relocating the able-bodied, and their families, to take available jobs, and we need to provide housing assistance, child care, and training so they can be integrated into their new home. Such programs could be coordinated through county health care services and community colleges nationwide.
26
Where are those available living wage jobs?
A recent poll found that most respondents said that Democrats only oppose Trump, instead of having a positive message. Pundits have been criticizing Democrats, like this finding is a negative thing.
I say that I am glad that Democrats oppose Trump, because every single day he attacks our country and tries to hurt our citizens in every way possible. The Republican Party has made it perfectly clear that they have no interest in supporting the "common good." The Democratic Party is our only protector--and the public recognizes this.
I say that I am glad that Democrats oppose Trump, because every single day he attacks our country and tries to hurt our citizens in every way possible. The Republican Party has made it perfectly clear that they have no interest in supporting the "common good." The Democratic Party is our only protector--and the public recognizes this.
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Except I don't think that the public does indeed recognize that the Democratic party is it's protector. Frankly, even as a democrat I'm not sure of this anymore. The Dems moved too far away from center and that's not a good thing.
Let's not declare victory. We are not done with healthcare. Many problems still exist. It must be made to work for the people, and that means working on the root cause of its dysfunction: It's too expensive. We must bring the cost of healthcare under control by controlling the cost of drug prices, doctors visits, and routine procedures. We have to simplify a system that obfuscates the true cost of services. We have to promote healthier lifestyles, with lifestyle counseiling and preventative services widely available. We must expand treatment for opioid and other addictions. I want hear more about the bills that have been drawn up to address these issues. We need to pressure our representative to help bring these bills to the floor. A fool's errand? Maybe, but we need to get the dialog going.
12
Precisely. Representatives of both parties need to engage to create a compromise that supports the health care of all citizens and is workable in the states. Someone needs to repeat the mantra Medicare/Medicaid for all until both parties finally take a serious look at a single payer system (like that in France or Canada) or a hybrid single payer system (like that in the Netherlands).
In spite of GOP carping, these systems actually do work very well for the countries in which they operate, and the citizens in these nations are healthier than are our citizens. It is time to get out heads out of the clouds and grasp reality about health care. Democracies can, and do, deliver quality health care to ALL citizens.
In spite of GOP carping, these systems actually do work very well for the countries in which they operate, and the citizens in these nations are healthier than are our citizens. It is time to get out heads out of the clouds and grasp reality about health care. Democracies can, and do, deliver quality health care to ALL citizens.
9
Not only do those other systems work better and cover everyone, they cost much less than the US model.
2
How did the tweet-happy POTUS help the GOP when he insulted the entire Congress by saying most politicians would have joined a meeting with Russians to get opposition research on political opponents. It's obvious he's the only one who can't tell the difference between politics and treason.
47
I will be surprised if they can come up with enough votes for a repeal. Just as I will be surprised they can come up with a plan, even bipartisan, to fix the ACA going forward.
It looks like we will get to see the full death-spiral of the ACA play out.
It looks like we will get to see the full death-spiral of the ACA play out.
2
Yes, the ACA cost death spiral will likely play out. With liberals in full denial, and for those not in denial, each side of the aisle blaming the other.
Mean time, the people actually paying the bills (such as early retirees) are seeing their health insurance costs skyrocket, their coverage choices shrink, and a hapless Capitol Hill do little but wring their hands and blame someone, anyone else.
So for responsible people, HOW is this not much worse than the system we had before with lots of choices and escalating costs?
For heaven's sake, if we want to go to a socialized system, let's just DO it already, and have a reliable, comprehensive, understandable system like "Medicare for All" and be done with it. Of course the tough part will be figuring out who is going to PAY for it, and raising the needed revenue -- again, generally epic failure for both sides of the aisle, given we're at $20 trillion federal debt and counting. (And democrats only suddenly "care" about that when a liberal isn't the POTUS. Funny how that works. As if the federal debt didn't escalate $9 trillion under Mr. Obama's 8 years in office).
Mean time, the people actually paying the bills (such as early retirees) are seeing their health insurance costs skyrocket, their coverage choices shrink, and a hapless Capitol Hill do little but wring their hands and blame someone, anyone else.
So for responsible people, HOW is this not much worse than the system we had before with lots of choices and escalating costs?
For heaven's sake, if we want to go to a socialized system, let's just DO it already, and have a reliable, comprehensive, understandable system like "Medicare for All" and be done with it. Of course the tough part will be figuring out who is going to PAY for it, and raising the needed revenue -- again, generally epic failure for both sides of the aisle, given we're at $20 trillion federal debt and counting. (And democrats only suddenly "care" about that when a liberal isn't the POTUS. Funny how that works. As if the federal debt didn't escalate $9 trillion under Mr. Obama's 8 years in office).
2
State governors will be the key to preventing this and pushing for a bipartisan solution. States will be forced to absorb the consequences of any insurance "death spiral" and states are already facing budget pressures to keep public hospitals and public schools operating. Someone, somewhere is going to have to face the fact that shared costs are easier to absorb than massive local costs.
5
@RHG, well at least Democrats don't fret about budget deficits while simultaneously calling for endless debt-ballooning tax cuts like the GOP constantly does.
3
In July of 2017, the American people held the nation's second Tea Party. We refused to allow an inhumane regime take "Life, liberty and pursuit of happiness" away from us. We protected our own health and wellness from than a gaggle of self centered politicians who wanted to threaten our lives.
Like those who participated in the Boston Tea party of 1773, we stood up against unfair taxation. We refused to allow the rich to become richer at our expense. Like our forefathers, we stood our ground.
And yes, thank God, we persisted. I hope and pray the GOP leadership realizes we're just getting warmed up.
Like those who participated in the Boston Tea party of 1773, we stood up against unfair taxation. We refused to allow the rich to become richer at our expense. Like our forefathers, we stood our ground.
And yes, thank God, we persisted. I hope and pray the GOP leadership realizes we're just getting warmed up.
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This is precisely the reason why Kobach and that "voter integrity" commission are coming after your voting rights. The GOP knows the people can control this country and they are terrified.
6
Don't waste your time hoping and praying. Find a way to show, demonstrate your
beliefs and goals. The people who eventually brought an end to the Viet Nam War
never stopped being visible. People visible is the only course of action that can change the course of our country.
beliefs and goals. The people who eventually brought an end to the Viet Nam War
never stopped being visible. People visible is the only course of action that can change the course of our country.
1
Yeah the Boston Tea Party was such a high point in the American resistance to the British. 1) The Tea party members were disguised to avoid arrest and prosecution. 2) They invaded a private vessel in Boston Harbor. 3) They held the crew at gun point. 4) They threw the cargo of tea in the harbor, destroying privately owned property. 5) And finally they were demonstrating against a tax imposed on tea by the British Government to help pay the cost of stationing British soldiers in America who were thereto protect the colonists from indian attacks.
It was not an event to be memorialized as the brave colonists opposing an unfair tax. No wonder that the extremist right wing group took "The Tea Party" as their name.
It was not an event to be memorialized as the brave colonists opposing an unfair tax. No wonder that the extremist right wing group took "The Tea Party" as their name.
1
Celebrate the failure of this monstrous bill, but stay very alert. The GOP is not finished and they will be quite happy to cut taxes on the ultra-rich and decimate medicare and SSI. While we're at, keep mocking Trump for his gross ineptitude.
61
Resistance or not, Sen. Moran, per his statement, said his "goal remains what it has been for a long time: to repeal and replace it."
Further, he added, in typical conservative fashion that a single-payer system would be a problem. He said, "if we leave the federal government in control of everyday healthcare decisions, it is more likely that our healthcare system will devolve into a single-payer system, which would require a massive federal spending increase."
Other countries with single-payer system, such as Canada, have lower healthcare costs than the US.
Single-payer system will also help businesses in that they won't have to subsidize healthcare costs and they won't have to incur the costs of administering health care benefit programs.
Further, he added, in typical conservative fashion that a single-payer system would be a problem. He said, "if we leave the federal government in control of everyday healthcare decisions, it is more likely that our healthcare system will devolve into a single-payer system, which would require a massive federal spending increase."
Other countries with single-payer system, such as Canada, have lower healthcare costs than the US.
Single-payer system will also help businesses in that they won't have to subsidize healthcare costs and they won't have to incur the costs of administering health care benefit programs.
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Ah, but a moral truth of the universe applies here: actions speak louder than words. What was he supposed to say? "I've seen the light and am switching my party affiliation to Warriors Against Trump?" Saying he's for repeal and replace is just about as meaningful at this point as saying he'd like to end world hunger and bring about world peace.
3
That all sounds good, but then you get into actual MATH when you consider paying for things. Why did such a system fail so rapidly in Vermont recently if it will work well in the US?
It's one thing to say "single payer", wave your hands, and ASSUME that it will be cheaper. It's quite another to implement it, actually fund it, and have Capitol Hill stand up to voters' wrath when they run into real world constraints they're not used to.
(Medicare works, but it is NOT cheap).
It's one thing to say "single payer", wave your hands, and ASSUME that it will be cheaper. It's quite another to implement it, actually fund it, and have Capitol Hill stand up to voters' wrath when they run into real world constraints they're not used to.
(Medicare works, but it is NOT cheap).
1
Medicare is cheaper than for profit health care. US for profit health care is the most expensive in the world.
8
The people of Kansas have watched GOP ideologues gut their state in the name of some kind of "conservative experiment".
A few of the braver politicians there have learned to serve the people's needs rather than serve the gang mentality that the Republicans have developed over the years where no individual can step out -unpunished anyway- and serve their individual communities.
Moran seems to be able to listen to the people. Good for him. Courage counts.
A few of the braver politicians there have learned to serve the people's needs rather than serve the gang mentality that the Republicans have developed over the years where no individual can step out -unpunished anyway- and serve their individual communities.
Moran seems to be able to listen to the people. Good for him. Courage counts.
22
I have to admit that my opinion of Sen. Moran has risen with his real world response to his constituents. He always seemed like a doctrinaire Republican, but this time he listened. I wish Roy Blunt would do the same for those of us in Missouri, but he's been bought and paid for by too many deep-pocketed industries and Koch outfits.
16
A great suggestion. Thank you!
1
Dear David Leonhard, I think you should add abortion, or rather women's reproductive rights , to the list of issues that we don't need to talk about. In our present patriarchal culture, men decide what is allowed to go on in women's bodies. The women themselves do not. By restricting contraception coverage, right-wing politicians and judges have tipped their collective hands: no baby was ever harmed by not having been conceived . Duh.It is all about men controlling women's bodies. Not the woman's father or son, mind you, as in olden days, but rather politicians and judges, who don't know the woman or her situation. If this doesn't strike you as wrong, I suggest you do some reading and re-thinking. At least try thinking outside the box, as you have urged your readers to do.
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