Fill in the blank: If healthcare reform does not meet my minimum expectation, I will _______________

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

My minimum expectation is a government subsidized public plan option that guarantees coverage for all Americans if they so desire it without regard to: employment status, availability of COBRA or work related insurance, pre-existing conditions, age or gender status modeled very much along the lines of Medicare with a full drug benefit (with negotiated prices) with reasonable/fair compensation to providers and some way of mandating participation by providers.

My stance is already a compromise, because what I really want is universal single payer, but I don't see that happening in one fell swoop and see public option as the gateway to single payer as the end result)

So, I am wondering, what can I browbeat the Dems/Congress with to make them take my concerns seriously and pass real reform?

What action filled in that blank would get taken seriously? Does one exist? (I've already signed petitions, called, emailed, etc)

[eleny]

1. "minimum expectation"

that's so sad. :(

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

3. But my "minimum" is pretty large and does constitute real reform in my opinion

My minimum is pretty close to what was outlined in the campaign and it is a hell of a lot better than what we have now. What I won't accept is anything less.

[Oregone]

2. ..."move to Canada"

[Occam Bandage]

14. Good luck with that.

Canada's immigration laws are very harsh. Unless you're a doctor, engineer, nurse, scientist, lawyer, or some other in-demand professional, your chances of successfully immigrating are pretty low.

[Oregone]

16. No biggie...

I meet immigrants (like myself) on a daily basis on the streets on Victoria, from all over the world.

If you meet the points test for Skilled Worker Immigration, you are good. If you and your spouse has bachelor degrees, you are golden in most cases.

I took and passed this when the points required were in the 70s, and I was in my early 20s:

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/skilled/assess/index.asp

You can also do all the paperwork yourself.

[RaleighNCDUer]

18. Or, of course, if you have extraordinary resources that you bring with you -

like being able to live without working for ten years. I think they'd let you in then.

I buy those lottery tickets every week.

[Oregone]

21. Thats investor/entrepreneur class immigration

You gotta make a $400K investment in Canada or have $300K net worth and start a business (which is actually very reasonable).

[quiller4]

26. Not really. My niece immigrated several years ago.

Her spouse is a professional musician and composer. She is self-employed and designs web promotions for clients. They sold their home in Berkeley CA and bought a home in BC without any problems. The difficulty of securing medical coverage for a family when both were self-employed was a significant factor in their decision to move.

Education is a major factor. She has her BA. He has an MFA.

[Oregone]

27. Yep, thats the key right there

Two minor college degrees will get you in. I know its not what everyone has but that is all you need.

The US government and my school paid for mine. My wife got an athletic scholarship. We passed with just a BS between us, and had little resources aside from that (all four of our parents never graduated from college and we came from lower class backgrounds (even poverty level)).

Yes, I went from uncovered and self-employed to covered universally (unconditionally) after living there a few months.

I didn't come here just for the medical though.

[liberal N proud]

4. Pray that I don't ever get sick

[DrToast]

5. ...not be surprised.

[Birthmark]

6. "...not be surprised in the least."

I don't expect to see any meaningful health care reform that helps people.

[SIMPLYB1980]

7. Still support something that is better than nothing.

I can live with a public option for now.

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

9. You say you can live with a public option for now.

Well, me too - if it's a real public option and not just one designed to fail from the getgo.

But what if we don't get even that and it's just a minor rehash of the exisiting system? The insurers offered 1.5% decrease of the coming increases and now they say even that is too much and are walking away.

Is healthcare a major or minor issue for you?

[SIMPLYB1980]

11. Healthcare is relatively important to me, I just gave up on single payer

long ago when it was shown to be a loser in the primaries. I go with what I can get instead of being upset about some pipe dream that some seem to have cooked up in their heads that Obama was going to push single payer. Maybe in 4 years Obama will run on single payer if so I will support him.

[MADem]

8. Be displeased on behalf of those who don't have the coverage that I have. NT

[Vinca]

10. I'll go back to browsing Canadian real estate.

My husband is a Canadian American and we were ready to pack up and go if McCain won. Pity I would even consider it under an Obama administration. Let's hope for a public option at the very least.

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

12. Lots of good foresight on your part in marrying a Canadian American! nt

[jberryhill]

13. ...probably get sick and die

That will probably put a crimp in my ability to vote.

[lamp_shade]

15. Hold my breath until I pass out.

[HopeOverFear]

17. Throw a tantrum, blame Obama

[RoadRage]

19. Be no worse off then I am now..

Which is to say, I have health care insurance.. it just costs me $500 per month for my family of 4. I make enough to cover it.. but, I know many don't.

Personally I won't be affected - but others I know will be.

[redqueen]

20. Keep supporting the better option (Dems) and fight harder...

that fight, for me, is in the context of public opinion. We have to convince our friends and neighbors that this is in their best ineterest. The insurance monsters are going to try another Harry and Louise... it's on us to fight that propaganda.

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

22. Industry can withold soft money and campaign money

if lawmakers do not dance to their beat. I guess that goes without saying. In fact I think it HAS to go without saying or it would be illegal quid pro quo

Do American taxpayer/citizens have any similar cudgel or are they left simply with a threat of witholding future votes. Is that it? Do they pay attention to anything else? I would expect some to say polls, but they seem to make no difference. Polling shows support for single payer.

[billyoc]

23. "be glad it doesn't affect me personally."

[centristgrandpa]

24. HC 101

If healthcare reform does not meet my minimum expectation, I will (not be suprise)...

[Shrek]

25. Revise my expectation n/t

[TheKentuckian]

28. Keep a stiff upper lip.

This battle has been going on for the better part of a century.

[JimWis]

29. I will "continue to fight for health care reform as if it hasn't

happened yet. I will not recognize what they call reform, and continue to email, call, sign petitions, etc - to my representatives and my president and tell them we still need health reform."

[lonestarlib]

30. Has anyone heard about this Obama email about healthcare reform?

http://blogs.tnr.com/tnr/blogs/the_treatment/default.aspx