Medicare You Can Buy-Into Bill and Minnesota

[Eric J in MN]

So far, Keith Ellison is the only MN cosponsor of Alan Grayson's "H.R.4789
Title: To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for an option for any citizen or permanent resident of the United States to buy into Medicare."

link

If you live in a Congressional district with a different Democratic Congressperson, then please ask him or her to cosponsor.

My Congressperson is Erik Paulson (R), and there is no hope there.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. Ellison is my rep. Bravo, Keith!

[becxx]

8. Keith is super! Minnesota's best rep!

I just love Keith Ellison too. He votes right on the wars, social issues, economic issues, etc. He is the only rep from Minnesota who actually represents the people instead of corporate executives.

I feel sorry for the poor guy, though. I like him so much that when I see him, I have to hurry over and hug him and kiss him. I would think that the poor guy must get a little tired of so many folks doing this. He manages to take it all in stride though. I even know a right wing, crusty retired Marine officer who can't help but like Ellison. I've heard him describe Ellison almost as his best pal. Ellison has a great way of connecting with others just as Paul Wellstone did.

[geardaddy]

2. What the hell is wrong with Betty

and Tim?

:grr:

[mascarax]

4. Good question - why can't Betty step up on this one?

I'm not surprised about Walz -- although he definitely should too -- but he has more Repub opposition gunning for him so he tries to play it safer. But is Betty a big target? My impression is she's in a "safe" seat. Seems like she's been moving to the right in the last 4 years...maybe not a lot, but noticeable (to me).

[dflprincess]

3. Paulsen is my rep as well

and he is, indeed, hopeless. I was on one of his phone "town halls" a couple weeks ago and asked why we couldn't have a single payer system. Of course, once your question is asked, they cut you off so you can only listen, not ask follow up and the lies the SOB told were outrageous. To hear him talk you'd swear our roads are overcrowded because of all the Canadians who are clogging them rushing down here for treatment especially for, according to him, melanoma because the waiting lists in Canada are so long for treatment for that.

But, what can you expect from a guy who likes to piously say he wants his kids to have the same opportunities he did. He has daughters, no sons, he voted against the equal pay act - go figure.

One reason I decided to support Maureen Hackett in the CD3 race is, when I asked her if she would support a single payer AKA Medicare for All system her answer was an unhesitant "yes" - no waffling around about "if it was feasible" or "we could work toward it" just "Yes".

[mascarax]

5. Glad Hackett is for single payer...

Did you talk to Meffert about it? (Not sure if you meant he was the "waffling...feasible" response.)

[dflprincess]

7. He says he's for it but he gives a more Obama like answer

so there was some hemming and hawing and more of "it can't be done right away" kind of thing.

[Denver Dave]

6. Thanks for Minnesota thread on HR 4789

Thanks for the Minnesota thread on HR 4789 - The Public Option Act. I've put together an information page at www.WeWantMedicare.org with links to material and the petition. The internet is abuzz about the Medicare We Can Buy Into Act, but it is amazing how many people haven't heard about it yet.

If we are all going to be "mandated" to purchase health insurance, only seems fair that there be an option to purchase Medicare at cost.

Keep up the good work in Minnesota - anxious to hear how the Governors race goes. If anyone is interested in helping with the Minnesota section of HCTalk, please let me know:
http://hctalk.com/viewforum.php?f=31