Ben Nelson: Govt. Health Care Works Better, Therefore I Must Oppose It

[Cowpunk]

Congressional Quarterly(subscription only) reports:

Sen. Ben Nelson said Thursday that he will oppose the creation of a government-run health insurance plan as part of a health care overhaul, contrary to the position held by many of his fellow Democrats.

Nelson, D-Neb., said he may try to assemble a coalition of like-minded centrists opposed to the creation of a public plan, as a counterweight to Democrats pushing for it. He said he does not believe a majority of the Senate supports the idea.

…

But Nelson sides with opponents, who say a government-run plan would undermine the nation’s existing system of employer-sponsored health insurance.

Republicans, insurers and business groups say private insurers could not compete with a government-run plan, which presumably wouldn’t have to spend money on activities such as marketing or developing networks of participating physicians and hospitals. Eventually, opponents say, most consumers would join the public plan, either because its prices are lower or because their employers stop offering insurance.

“At the end of the day, the public plan wins the game,” Nelson said. He called the inclusion of a public plan in legislation a “deal-breaker” for him.

Unfuckingbelieveable. God forbid the American people should get what they want, no, what they desparately need-affordable health care. Who cares if healthcare costs are killing small businesses and the competitiveness of American companies on the world market. Insurance companies(some of his biggest backers) might take a hit, and we can't have that.

This healthcare issue is very personal to me, as I'm sure it is to many of you. I've been putting off a visit to the doctor for months now because I'm pretty sure I'll need surgery to correct my nasal problem and I can't afford my insurance deductible. It's not a debilitating problem, so I wait for a better day to come.

For years I've been warning my fellow Nebraskans that Nelson only cares about one thing-the reelection of Ben Nelson. I've had it with this self-serving swine of a Senator. Fuck him and the BCBS cash he rode in on!

Tip o' the hat to HuffPo and The NOW Blog.

[bluestateguy]

1. So what

So we roll right over him in the reconcilliation process. We only need 50 votes (plus Biden).

So let 10 DLCers have their little temper tantrum, while we roll right over them.

[The Magistrate]

2. Exactly, Sir: What Is Amazing Is That He Is Willing To State His Absurd Objection Openly

The public would prefer the government plan because it would give less costly, more reliable, and wider coverage than any private insurance. So, as a bought and paid for whore of the insurance industry, he must oppose what the people want with might and main.

Any adequate reform of health care in this country must involve breaking the health insurance companies, since they are the chief problem with our system of health care. Unless they are put on a course to extinction, the problems they inflict cannot be remedied.

[snappyturtle]

3. Here's a link to help do what you're proposing:

www.1payer.net


"Join us in making Medicare For All a reality. Sign up to receive important information and alerts. Help spread the word about Medicare For All -- full health care access with free choice of doctor, no deductibles, no premiums, no co pays and no insurance company red tape. Help drive insurance company money-changers out of the temple of medicine."

Watch for the Mike Ferrel teevee ads promoting single payer health care. At the link you can sent a free fax to senators, Rep. Pelosi the WH, et. al.

[hadrons]

4. 'wouldn’t have to spend money on activities such as marketing or developing networks' ....

well the bastards aren't going to spend money on the medicial care of their clients

[ima_sinnic]

5. unfortunately this DINOsaur isn't up for reelection until 2012

I will contribute heavily to his primary opponent.

[Cowpunk]

6. Don't be surprised if there isn't one.

Around here we have a nickname for the Nebraska Democratic Party: The BNM (Ben Nelson Machine). Our state party is an utter disgrace, and the Douglas County(Omaha)Democratic Party has been carrying their water for some time. The BNM just had a change of leadership, so hopefully things will get better soon. Can't get much worse.