Baucus Arrests Five More Doctors, Nurses, Activists

[davidswanson]

Dr. Margaret Flowers, who was arrested along with seven others at the first Senate Finance Committee hearing on healthcare, just phoned me from the second one. As Chairman Max Baucus called the hearing to order, about 20 members of the California Nurses Association (CNA) stood and turned their backs on the committee. Pasted on their backs were signs reading: "Nurses Say: Patients First," "Stop AHIP," (referring to health insurance lobbyists), "Pass Single Payer."

This was the second hearing at which, despite majority support for single-payer in polls, not a single advocate for single-payer was permitted to participate. The nurses were asked to leave and did so. But five people spoke up for single-payer and were arrested: Dr. Judy Desovich; DeAnn McEwen, a nurse from Longbeach Memorial Medical Center ICU; Sue Cannon, a nurse from UC-Irvine; Dr. Steven Fenichel from New York; and Jerry Call from Maine.

Flowers phoned me from the sidewalk at Constitution Avenue and First Street at 10:30 a.m. as the arrestees were being brought outside one by one and a crowd was cheering and chanting. About 10 nurses staged a brief sit-in on the sidewalk while we were on the phone. Numerous TV cameras and boom mics were present from Bill Moyer's Journal, CBS, and other networks.

Groups involved included CNA, Physicians for a National Health Program, Progressive Democrats of America, Gray Panthers, Public Citizen, and Code Pink. Seven of the "Baucus Eight" arrestees from the last hearing were present for this one.

I heard chants of "Lock Up Baucus!" and "Baucus Baucus You Can't Hide - We Can See Your Greedy Side!"

People were holding up posters and banners including a large one showing a healthcare provider with tape over their mouth and the words "Most Physicians Want a Single Payer National Health System."

Video and photos will be posted soon at http://afterdowningstreet.org/baucus

Dare we hope for media reports as good as was Ed Schultz's last time?

On Wednesday, May 13, Flowers and other leaders of the campaign for single-payer will be speaking at a rally at Upper Senate Park from noon to 2 p.m. (You can also catch a hearing on torture at 10 a.m. in Dirksen 226.) Then at 3 p.m. actor Mike Farrell will join Congressman Dennis Kucinich for a press conference on single-payer at 3 p.m. in Rayburn 2203. Find more about the week's events at http://pdamerica.org

I'll be there. Will you?

[valerief]

1. K&R

:kick:

[sasquuatch55]

85. K&R

[backscatter712]

2. AWESOME!!! Baucus has no clothes! n/t

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

75. the real Max Baucus, a contemptuous corporatist

snickering with the lobbyists who own him.

[snowdays]

3. They are brave souls -fighting for fairness--just to have single-payer on the

table like the other options.

[midnight]

21. I agree that these professionals are the brave ones.

They see how the insurance co. have cooked the books and prevent their jobs from working. These health care professionals are being blocked from giving tests and other supportive health care services because some insurance working says so.

[MrsBrady]

39. agreed n/t

[Echo In Light]

4. K&R

[imdjh]

5. Baucus contact info - for all the good it does

Office Locations
Billings
222 North 32nd Street
Suite 100
Billings, MT 59101
[phone]

Bozeman
Federal Building
32 East Babcock
Suite 114
Bozeman, MT 59715
[phone]

Butte
Silver Bow Center
125 West Granite
Suite 100
Butte, MT 59701
[phone]

Great Falls
113 3rd Street North
Great Falls, MT 59401
[phone]
[phone] (TDD)

Helena
Empire Block
30 West 14th Street
Suite 206
Helena, MT 59601
[phone]

Kalispell
8 Third Street East
Kalispell, MT 59901
[phone]


Missoula

218 E. Front St.
Suite B2 Missoula, MT 59802
[phone]


Washington D.C.
511 Hart Senate Office Bldg.
Washington, D.C. 20510
[phone](Office)
[phone] (Fax)

Please use the fax below for schedule requests

[phone] (Fax-Scheduling)


[phone] (from MT)
[phone] (TDD)

[imdjh]

7. A real person answers at the Missoula office

She also tries to blow you off by telling you to contact YOUR senator- I told her that MY senator wasn't the one leading the committee and shutting out single payer.


Her response was "only five members of congress would vote for single payer" to which I said, "It is irrelevant what the members of Congress want, 60% of Americans want single payer, and these congressmen will lose their seats if we don't get it. They are accepting money from the health care industry, and that's prostitution."

"I'll pass along your concerns."

Yeah right. Ring this smug drone's phone off the hook people. Call the Missoula office.

[davidswanson]

16. fax baucus

your insurance bills

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

71. also join the Voting Block

A voting bloc is a group of people who vote together in support of a specific issue or common concern.

Joining a voting bloc greatly strengthens your vote and your ability to influence government policy on a specific issue.
It also gives you the ability to stand up for an issue that you care about without having to donate your time or money.


http://www.votingbloc.org/Health_Bloc.php

LETS ALL JOIN THE SINGLE PAYER ACTIVISM MOVEMENT!

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

76. Also book mark Prosperity Agenda US

They've got action alerts and also a blog that is updated daily regarding single payer and
other issues.

http://www.prosperityagenda.us/

[otohara]

11. They Either Hang Up on Me or Tell

me to call my senator.

Staffers getting awfully testy and rude @ Baucus offices.

[aquart]

68. Don't mind giving them a bad day. They've earned it.

[spartan61]

20. I called Baucus' office in D.C. and finally got through after an hour.

I'm hoping the busy phone line was because others were calling in support of Single Payer too. When my call was finally answered, I said I was not a constituient of Senator Baucus but was a citizen of the USA who will be affected and I wanted to know why there are no advocates for SPH at the table. I also said I would hope that he looks at the growing list of Americans who suppport SPH and would encourage him to be a supporter too.

[snowdays]

22. They picked up the phone, then disconnnected me. Now it is

and has been ringing.........for several minutes. Wash Hart office building.
i will keep you updated

[snowdays]

23. They are not answering. The phone operater asked me

hang up or redial.

[imdjh]

25. Helena mailbox is full -

[snowdays]

48. good job Montana--ians.

[imdjh]

26. DC answers

[snowdays]

49. i tried several times today and it keeps ringing and ring........

[imdjh]

55. Billings isn't answering either. nt

[imdjh]

56. Floridians Call Bill Nelson and demand Single Payer

Washington, D.C.
United States Senate
716 Senate Hart Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Orlando
Landmark Two
225 East Robinson Street, Ste 410
Orlando, Florida 32801
Phone: [phone]
Toll Free in Florida: 1-888-671-4091
Fax: [phone]

Miami-Dade
2925 Salzedo Street
Coral Gables, FL 33134
Phone: [phone] Telephone
Fax: [phone]

Tampa
Sam Gibbons Federal Court House
801 N. Florida Ave., 4th Floor
Tampa, Florida 33602
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

West Palm Beach
500 Australian Avenue Suite 125
West Palm Beach, Florida 33401
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Tallahassee
US Court House Annex
111 North Adams Street
Tallahassee, Florida 32301
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Jacksonville
1301 Riverplace Blvd, Suite 2218
Jacksonville, Florida 32207
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Broward
3416 South University Drive
Davie, FL 33328
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Fort Myers
Justice Center Annex Building
2000 Main Street, Suite 801
Fort Myers, FL 33901
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

[imdjh]

57. Tampa answers live

[aquart]

65. Senate? Congress? Which?

[Bluzmann57]

6. Thanks for the report

No, I won't be there because I live in Iowa and cannot afford to just drop everything to fly to D.C. and participate. But I have contacted Senator Grassley's (ranking member of finance committee) office a few times and explained that we need single payer health insurance. And I will also confess, my reason is somewhat selfish; I'm tired of paying through the nose for health insurance. The money would look good in my pocket instead of lining the insurance companies pockets.

[destes]

42. "The money would look good in my pocket instead of lining..........

.........the insurance companies pockets."

That's certainly a legitimate sentiment but it's important to be realistic. In all likelihood the money now rendered unto the Caesar of health insurance will be about equal to the "tax" increases required to fund single payer.

Where then is the advantage?
1. Insurance negotiations between your physician's office and your carrier will be a thing of the past. That boils down to your MD having at least one less employee to finance and never have their valuable time wasted talking to insurance drones. Happier, less-harried MDs.
2. Your employer will be out of the health insurance provider business which means they can concentrate on their core product. That's good for the employee and the employer. Happier, less-harried employers.
3. An end to domestic terrorism. Fear-mongering about disastrous health care costs scenarios will no longer belabor the American discourse nor haunt our nightmares. Happier, less-harried you.

FDR inherited a horror story which came to be known as the Great Depression. There are many avenues of action open to a president. FDR chose to focus on one thing, improve the wellbeing of the masses of Americans. The powers that were in that day resisted but he was ruthless in that single mindedness of purpose. The prosperity the American people have enjoyed since then can largely be credited to those programs instituted in his administration. Obama MUST choose HIS single thing. Single payer health care is that thing.

FDR did not pretend he could help anyone by "slowing the growth of" anything. Any farmer can tell you that weed growth will out pace crop growth. The "for-profit hospital/health care insurance" cartel is just such a weed in our national midst.

[Doremus]

100. WRONG.

"In all likelihood the money now rendered unto the Caesar of health insurance will be about equal to the "tax" increases required to fund single payer."

[destes]

104. Here's how I figure it

Premiums paid by employees at present plus premiums paid by employers for employees plus efficiencies gained by single data base plus 20% reduction in health care costs due to removal of profit to insurers plus reduction in drug costs because the drug companies will have to deal with the government.

What am I missing?

[Doremus]

106. Your statement that taxes will equal current premiums.

I take exception to it.

There is a significant amount of profit and an equally egregious amount of waste included in current health insurance premiums. There is no profit in the single payer format, and the waste is a small fraction of for-profit (+/- 3%).

Costs, and therefore taxes, would not equate to today's premiums for those reasons.

[destes]

109. OK, I get it.

You contend that the costs will be LESS and that, thus, the taxes would be less. That may be true, or not. I was sorta throwing in some additional costs of providing care to the current 47 million who presently pay no premiums. Additionally, presently, there is a lot of care expenses written off by physicians, surgeons and some hospitals. That'll be billed under single payer.

Actually, I hope you're right. Do you know any web site where empirical data about this has been set up?

[Doremus]

110. There are many, many people who could pay Medicare premiums

who cannot currently afford exorbitant private premiums. The middle class has been bearing the brunt of opportunistic profiteering for years. We are not destitute (yet); we can afford some premiums. Have you priced insurance on the open market? My husband and I are self-employed and pay $1,000/mo. for standard, run-of-the-mill coverage. Were insurance available at reasonable cost, legions of people who are not currently insured would be.

"Additionally, presently, there is a lot of care expenses written off by physicians, surgeons and some hospitals. That'll be billed under single payer."

Wrong. Please do your homework before presenting statements as fact. There are so many lies and misconceptions floating around about single payer we really don't need to pile on.

When health care providers agree to accept assignment under Medicare they write off the excess. They ARE NOT BILLED TO THE PATIENT.

The advantage of Medicare is the power it has to negotiate lower costs. Larger pool = more power. This is precisely why the Billionaire's Club is scared shitless of it.

[destes]

113. Where do I start? I know. We agree. Is that Okay?

Except for the part where you don't seem to understand what I'm writing.

"Additionally, presently, there is a lot of care expenses written off by physicians, surgeons and some hospitals. That'll be billed under single payer."

What I was saying was that at present some doctors and hospitals perform health care services for free, gratis, pro-bono, charity. When there is a single payer system they will have someone to bill for that service and I think they will bill it at the rate allowed by the new plan. Would they arbitrarily not invoice the government for some of their bills when they had a certainty of being paid? Of course not. In that sense this would be "additional health care costs" not already absorbed by the current system.

The rest of your missive is preaching to the choir. I'm all about single payer. I'm sold on it. Hubris me not, I'm on your side. But the "Please do your homework before presenting statements as fact" thing........maybe a bit too much. I do try to be clear. Pitiful effort I'm sure. Perhaps it was the term "written off". In my business it means: written off, as a bad debt, my loss, gratis, non-compensable, etc.

[Doremus]

114. Okay, I understand.

Now I see what you were getting at.

I do believe Baucus' answer to increased costs is to remove the deductibility of health care benefits that corporations currently enjoy. Bad solution if single-pay isn't an available option, but it would work just fine if it is!

No hard feelings here; hopefully none with you.

[Kalyke]

107. Other industrialized countries don't pay that much in taxes.

Let's take COBRA pricing, which doesn't include employer costs since you're paying for it all yourself.

That's about $1,000 - $6,000 a month, depending upon the size of the policy. So, $12,000 to $72,000 a year.
Then you have the $25 co-pays (or more - mine's $30. I think $25 is standard). I'll round this to five visits a year - so $125.
Then you have the deductibles. BC/BS is $3,000 a year.
Then you have what the insurance companies don't cover - so tack on another $1,500.

So, you're telling me that I'll be paying $16,000 to $75,000 a year in taxes? I don't think so.

[Luminous Animal]

8. DC rally and lobby day tomorrow

http://www.healthcare-now.org/2009/04/national-lobby-day-and-rally-for-single-payer-in-dc/

It's National Nurses Week call and fax your reps in support of single payer.

National day of protest is May 30th.

http://www.healthcare-now.org/campaigns/may-30th-day-of-action/

Planning is happening in:
Albany, NY - May 27th
Atlana, GA - May 27th
Augusta, ME - May 30th
Austin, TX - May 30th
Billings, MT - May 16th
Boston, MA - May 30th
Chicago, IL - June 2nd
Denver, CO - May 30th
Elmwood Park, NJ - June 5
Fenton, MI - May 21st
Indianapolis, IN - May 20th
Lawrence, KS - May 30th
Louisville, KY - May 28th
Middleton, CT - May 28th
New Albany, IN - May 30th
New York City, NY - May 30th
Philadelphia, PA - May 30th
Pittsburgh, PA - May 29th
Phoenix, AZ - May 30th
Pontiac, MI - June 16th
Portland, OR - TBA
Princeton, NJ - May 31st
Rochester, NY - May 30th
San Diego, CA - June 3rd
San Francisco, CA - TBA
Seattle, WA - May 30th
Springfield, MA - May 27th
Tampa, FL - TBA
Topeka, KS - May 30th
Towson, MD - May 30th
Wheaton, MD - May 30th

[snowdays]

10. I hope those in the area will seriously consider attending.

[Luminous Animal]

14. For those who can't go...

You can find contact info for your Rep and Senator here:
http://www.usa.gov/Contact/Elected.shtml

[endarkenment]

9. What a farce. The Kleptocracy uncloaked.

Large corporations have a republic, the people: not so much.

[Daphne08]

31. I fear you may be correct. n/t

[Eyerish]

12. K&R

[Subdivisions]

13. Y'all are missing Carrie Prajean and The Donald! n/t

[dgibby]

15. Single payer not an option.

In an interview yesterday with CNN's Wolf Blitzer, Kathleen Sebilius stated that single payer wasn't an option.

[davidswanson]

17. Let me state clearly

Kathleen Sebelius is not an option

Whose F)*#)(@&$%^HN Country Is This?

You take orders from her?

Did you learn that by pledging allegiance or praying to your lord?

Stand UP people!

[Marr]

36. Too many of these people think they're "leaders", not represtantives.

I don't want-- or need-- some politician to "lead" me.

[FLAprogressive]

19. Change We Can Believe In.

[change_notfinetuning]

27. fine tuning, not change - no audacity, no hope! n/t

[ChiciB1]

88. NOT!!! I Wonder How Many Of You Think Like I Do.... IF Single Payer

was going to be an OPTION, seems to me that OBAMA and the rest of his administration would be leading the charge here. As someone told me earlier this week, and I DON'T want to think this is what is going on, but this is what was said.

SAME SONG, DIFFERENT DANCE!! There were three of us talking about this and mostly we're upset and disgusted. I'm tired of fighting a battle it seems we will NEVER WIN! I've written both my Senators & Congressmen... not a reply at ALL!!!

50 Senators AND 435 Congressmen, most of whom don't give a rat's ass about what "we the people" want or CARE about.

Sorry for the rant, but I'm just SO FED UP!! What's the use???

[JimWis]

18. K&R - and good for those brave nurses.

[madrchsod]

24. time for big ed radio in the midwest.......it`s going to be interesting

[imdjh]

28. Call the REPUBLICANS! Yes, I'm serious

My congressman is a Republican. I just called his office and was transferred to a young man who actually had a conversation with me. His first comment was that "they" aren't even talking to the Republicans. They is US folks!

When I made my case for single payer, ie that I want to pay into the system that will care for me when I am old, and the system that I will eventually be dumped into instead of giving my money to private insurers and then being in Medicare anyway, he AGREED WITH ME.

Call the Republicans! If the Republicans see an opportunity here, it might light a fire under the Democrats. Even if the Republicans just pander to the idea of single payer, it will scare the Democrats to think that the Republicans will steal their thunder.


https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml

[imdjh]

29. WOW, just WOW - I googled "republicans for single payer" and guess what?

http://republicansforsinglepayer.com/

There are some!

We need to make more noise people. This apparently isn't just "progressives vs healthcare industry" there is some across the aisle action here.

I haven't looked into this group. For all I know it's a wing of the John Birch Society but the fact that it exists is amazing to me. I thought the Republicans were in lockstep against single payer- not that we can count on all Democrats apparently.

[snowdays]

41. Ruplicans lose jobs and health insurance just like us. Thanks.

[aquart]

67. Can't hurt.

And God knows the Republicans are desperate for an issue.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

30. Such A Waste Of Time And Resources.

Single payer ain't gonna happen right now. That's obvious and a fact. This group needs to get a better handle on reality, and figure out a more effective way to get the message out so that NEXT TIME around single payer could be even remotely viable. This time around it just ain't gonna happen, and no sit in at any hearing is going to change that nor will it rile up the masses to any degree necessary to make it viable. It is a PR effort that would likely take years to gain traction in the public enough for their to be a large enough outcry for it to be viable and unignorable. As it stands at this time though, they're doing nothing more than wasting their time and getting cheap applause from their already loyal small following.

[imdjh]

33. With all due respect- that's what I said about Obama

I was a Hillary fan, still am, diehard kicking and screaming right up to ten minutes after she conceded Hillary fan.
I said that Obama couldn't win this time around, he was not electable nationally. His primary wins were a fluke, and a strategy that was a poor substitute for genuine win.
I was angry that Democrats were bailing on the first viable female candidate, a virtual shoe-in winner, and that the party was being ripped apart by college students and fringe who any other cycle would have been throwing away their vote on some third party candidate.
And I was wrong.

Then I saw something, I can't remember where, that made a lot of sense. It was a discussion about WHY Obama was running, and why now was the time. Yes, it was at the expense of Hillary Clinton, but it would be at the expense of someone or some group. Why it was necessary to see the opportunity and strike while the iron was hot. It was an informative historical discussion about how black people had MISSED the last opportunity for a giant leap forward, and that the last opportunity had been nearly a hundred years ago with the women's suffrage movement or something like that. I don't remember the specifics, because they weren't important- the idea was important and it made sense.

You say that "now is not the time". Now IS the time. When is this going to happen? During the great recovery when people are going back to work? When they are getting employer healthcare that they didn't have before? When they are feeling good and prosperous? Now is the time. Now is when it is clear to people how big the need is, how fragile their "security" has actually been. Now is the ONLY time.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

34. I Appreciate Your Post, But It's A Completely Wrong Analogy.

Comparing it to Kucinich, not Obama, would've been far more accurate.

[imdjh]

35. Kucinich stepped on his own crank

He said something to the effect "Yes, I want to take the profit out of the healthcare industry." That was a STUPID remark and lost him any credibility he might have had.

The goal here is not to take the profit out of the healthcare industry- which a person could read as an across the board idea that those who work in healthcare and who produce technology should not be adequately compensated. The goal is to eliminate the middle man and the obscene mark up, not on health care, but on health speculation.

Kucinich said something stupid and he paid the price.

[eridani]

84. Correct. Not a good way to put it. You sure the hell do NOT want for profit fire deparments

However, people making profits by selling fire engines to fire deparments is just fine.

[riverdeep]

61. How about the idea that people are going to be LESS likely

to think about healthcare reform in a recovery? The line between possible and impossible cannot be theorized. It must be tested.

[endarkenment]

40. As the saying goes: "if not now, when?"

It is never the right time for doing what is difficult, for breaking the mold, for changing the existing order.

“If I am not for myself, then who will be for me? And if I am only for myself, then what am I? And if not now, when?”
- Hillel.

[druidity33]

66. you're wasting your time...

all i'm sayin'...

peace.

:)

[Better Believe It]

37. So why are you supporting the insurance industry rather than advocates of Medicare for All?

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

43. First Tell Me Why You Eat Babies Boiled In Spinach Leaves And Myrhh Resin.

[Better Believe It]

45. I don't. But why won't you support advocates of Medicare for All who

want to end the grip of insurance companies on our health care system?

You and a few others claim that we can't win Medicare for All now and therefore should not advocate it.

That reminds me of people who advised civil rights advocates in the 50's and 60's to be cool and not advocate voting rights in the south and end to all forms of Jim Crow segregation because it couldn't be won for decades!!!!

Only slowly .... very, very, very slowly can progress be made.

Nonsense. I don't agree with the "turtle theory of history".

Our history as a nation and people demonstrates otherwise.

Changes, even very radical ones, can happen swiftly with the right set of objective conditions and the ability of progressives to build effective mass movements for change.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

53. Ummmmmm, Like, Yeah... Good Luck With That And Stuff...

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[proud2BlibKansan]

46. So what progressive health care reform ideas do you have?

[snowdays]

50. I am not going to settle fro crumbs when i can still go for the gold. Stop being

a poop.

[cali]

52. no. these folks- and the rest of us- need to keep pushing for single payer

no, it won't succeed, but we need this discussion in order to get a real public option. and if we don't get that, than health care reform is completely fucking meaningless.

[imdjh]

54. hope springs eternal nt

[TBF]

63. Reality is what we're dealing with as more and more are denied health care...

under this democratic administration. Is that really something to be proud of?

[ChiciB1]

103. Not Right Now?? How Long Has This Country Been Talking About

HEALTH CARE?? You're more optimistic than I. Personally I think we're screwed, DC doesn't want it... it ain't gonna happen! And Obama has really disappointed me... flame away, I don't care because I'm really upset and even madder! It just SUCKS!

Too much green passing between fat fingers up there!!!

[snowdays]

32. Hall of Shame Policymakers***....

Click stories at link:

http://www.1payer.net/links/17-hallofshamepolicymakers.html

Hall of Shame Policymakers


The people in charge of health care reform and the money they got from health insurers


Web Link
1 Link Daschle's Big Payday from Health Insurers
In his financial disclosure statement, Mr. Daschle said he had received $2.1 million in “wages and bonuses” from Alston & Bird and more than $390,000 for speeches to groups like America’s Health Insurance Plans. He also said he had received more than $5,000 for giving “policy advice” to the insurer UnitedHealth.

2 Link Baucus Bought and Paid For

3 Link Single Payer Foe Gawande Unmasked
Russel Mokhiber shows the hypocrisy and faslehoods behind Atul Gawande's New Yorker article opposing single-payer on the grounds that the insurance system islike a telephone system that cannot be replaced. The salient quote ""It would change the finances of every hospital and doctor in the country overnight." Including the finances of Dr. Gawande himself.
4 Link Baucus Says No Single Payer and Yes Mandatory Purchase
U.S. Sen. Max Baucus told a group of legislative leaders Wednesday that the “stars are aligned” to reform health care in America, and pitched his plan to require everyone to buy health insurance.
He also reiterated his stance that a single-payer, Medicare-for-all type of health program for the nation will not be considered. “That will not be seriously proposed,” Baucus told a group of state Senate leaders at the Capitol. “We’ll come up with our own uniquely American health-care system, a combination of public and private programs.” When Sen. Roy Brown, R-Billings, asked Baucus how he proposed getting to universal coverage without a single-payer program, Baucus said it could be achieved by an “individual mandate” for everyone to buy health insurance.
He also said America should retain health insurance offered by employers, because so many people rely on it and feel comfortable with it.


5 Link Baucus Desperate and Pressures CBO to Lie
Sen. Baucus, desperate to prove his forced-insurance plan will save money, demands that the Congressional Budget Office falsify their analysis to support his bogus, insurance-company-written proposal.


6 Link Secret Health Care Reform Meetings Repeat Failure
The Huffington Post on the secret Kennedy meetings with insurers and big biz

7 Link HealthCare Summit: More of the Same
The Nation exposes the health care summit for the window dressing it is.

8 Link Obama Never Was a Friend of Single Payer
Paul Krugman points out the shamful mailer that the Obama candidate sent out smearing Hillary's health care stance. Ironically, it is the very Harry and Louise type scare tactic approach that he is now supporting--mandatory health insurance purchase.

9 Link Hold Obama to His Word
"I am a big believer in evidence" "We will have it in public." Obama made gret mouth noises about health care reform in his campaign. How has he been doing so far in your view?

..........more....................

[MrsBrady]

38. k&r for those of us in Texas

[dysfunctional press]

44. single-payer is the line i've drawn in the sand.

from this point on, i will NOT vote for, work for, or donate to ANY democrats for ANY elected office until/unless we have single-payer universal healthcare.

[Bushknew]

47. K&R

[Fireweed247]

51. K&R

I am glad that Kucinich is finally getting involved now, we hadn't heard much on the subject from him lately. He is the one that taught me about single payer in the first place. And Go Mike Farrell! :applause:

[colsohlibgal]

58. The Truth - We Don't Matter

President Obama is a bright guy. I assume Baucus is too. So it couldn't be that they don't get it - that when the people making the decisions about our care are trying to make huge profits they in no way could have our best interests in mind. it is an awesomely simple truth.

Yet they have one meeting with the fat cats and they are willing to side with them and sell us down the river.

As far as I can see, the Obama regime is pretty much following the Reagan play book other than with social issues. Obama is seeming more and more like a guy who said what he said while running only to get elected, with no real plans for changing much (again, except for some social issues.

I could not be more disillusioned at this moment. Obama does some seem likely at this point to ruffle the status quo - which is letting the wealthy establishment rob us blind. There is money for single payer - trim the grossly bloated military Budget and the tax code to be more fair. I'm hardly wealthy, but I'd be thrilled to pay $50 or so more dollars a month in tax if it enabled cheap single payer health insurance and a guaranteed education for all.

Sadly, what is going on now makes me think that the only way to have any real change is to have massive civil demonstration like happened in the 60's.

[davidswanson]

59. Single Payer, Strategery, and Stupidity

If you believe single-payer is impossible but want something that begins to partially resemble it (a serious "public option") your best approach is to demand single-payer. You don't win a negotiation by asking for what you're willing to settle for. Why does our side never understand this basic fact? If you compromise before opening your mouth, you'll never have an opportunity to compromise, only the option of folding. but those who insist on compromising from the start should be nothing but grateful to those who do not and advance the same cause in a stronger way. For these two groups to waste energy arguing with each other is insanity.

[snowdays]

60. Congress and the WH have seriously compromised us already.

[beac]

93. "You don't win a negotiation by asking for what you're willing to settle for."

Bingo!

:applause:

[redqueen]

62. "Baucus Baucus You Can't Hide - We Can See Your Greedy Side!"

Love it. :)

K&R

[dgibby]

64. Ed's wiping up the floor with Bacus et al!

He's advocating a 60's style demonstration nation-wide until we get single payer. Now THAT'S change I can believe in.

[jwirr]

69. I have a suggestion. We all know how to email our own reps and sens

but when it comes to committee appointees many of them will only accept emails from their own states. Can we get committee email addresses or snail mail addresses? When Baucus chairs this committee he is as answerable to me as he is to the people in his state.

What should happen is that some severely disabled persons like my daughter ought to protest them one of these days. Problem is cost and transportation. Some of our organizations have actually bussed them to our state capitals - why not DC?

I remember wheeling her into a group of sens at a transportation meeting and silencing them. They took one look at my daughter and hung their heads. She is one hell of an activist even though she cannot talk, walk, dress herself, turn over or eat except through a tube in her stomach. Even Baucus would have to set up and take notice.

[pleah]

70. K&R

[Wednesdays]

72. K&R

:kick:

[John Q. Citizen]

73. Baucus needs to learn how politics works and how to compromise, His "my way or the highway" bs is

for tyrants.

All we want is a seat at the table and to be part of the process, like the healthcare industial complex CEOs that
Baucus sucks off.

[dflprincess]

77. Baucus knows how it works

and he knows those of us who want single payer will never be able to come up with nearly enough money to match the bribes the health insurance companies are giving him.

[ChiciB1]

89. IF The Administration Wanted This... There Would Be Leadership From Them!!!

I don't see it happening now, and I'm growing more and more disgusted that what "we the people" voted for ISN'T what we WILL EVER GET!!

America was bought A LONG TIME AGO!! Democrats or Republicans alike, do WE really matter?? I really, really wonder!!!

[John Q. Citizen]

99. I agree. Except the way we are going to get any movement is we have to do it our selves.

I think we need to occupy Senate constituent offices nationwide for an extended period, and we have to be willing to get arrested, like the doctors and nurses in the hearings did.

[ChiciB1]

101. And This Is A Shame Too!! There Are Far Too Many Of Us Who

can't afford a trip or take time from jobs to actually do this. I agree with what you're saying and can only hope there are enough people who are able to sit on their doorsteps!

We just took in another elder relative to care for after having my mother-in-law for almost 10 years. Thankfully Hospice accepted her, but now we start all over again. Medicare will take elders into Nursing Homes, but they are getting jammed packed and the care is really bad. I know taking care of relatives is the right thing to do, but my life is passing me by. My husband retired and I'm on disability and for the past 10 years we've been unable to really take any time for ourselves because of our care giving.

And no, I'm not looking for medals or sympathy, just grouchy and complaining today!

[defendandprotect]

95. The corporate-media plays a role in this . . . they get 80% of the campaign funds . . .!!!

So they certainly don't want to see that money disappear --

but it's another way to break corporate power --

call on the FAIR ELECTIONS NOW ACT -- HR#1826

ASK YOUR SENATORS AND REPS TO SIGN A PLEDGE TO VOTE FOR IT -- AND/OR SPONSOR IT

[farmboxer]

74. America, a true plutocracy..........

owned and operated by the extremely rich.

I am so disappointed. People need to wake up, but we will all be dead before that happens, if ever. I think George Carlin was correct when he said that he had give up on America.

[orleans]

78. max baucus: dickhead. shame on him. that prick needs to step aside

i think it was margaret i heard on the radio today that said--in essence--baucus is such a shit and that explains why no one gives him important chairmenships.

[grahamhgreen]

79. What's his number?

[defendandprotect]

96. CONGRESSIONAL SWITCHBOARD-TOLL FREE 202-224-3121

ASK FOR ANY SENATOR OR REP YOU WANT TO SPEAK WITH --

[grahamhgreen]

111. Calling now

[grahamhgreen]

112. I said, "Could you tell him that people literally are dying to get single-payer. Literally." nt

[bridgit]

80. Take Baukus down

:kick:

[farmboxer]

81. I am so angry!

Plutocracy at work!

[livefreest]

82. how much Max Baucus received in big pharma contributions and insurance industry?

[defendandprotect]

97. Believe Baucus is the largest recipient of health care funds . . . and coincidentally

he has control of this issue and hearings -- !!!

[livefreest]

108. of course coincidentally. what else could it be?

[livefreest]

83. let's all march on Washington, DC and call on Pres Obama from the Lincoln Memorial

to implement single-payer health care

[defendandprotect]

98. OK . . . maybe Howard Dean's organization will get this going?

[zeemike]

86. Unfortunately I won't e there.

I just don't have the means.
But if I did I would not shy away from being arrested for this cause...the people that were arrested are true American patriots in my book.

[ChiciB1]

102. I'm In The Same Boat With You... Would LOVE To March & Give Them

a piece of my mind. But we can't hold Baucus to blame when it's apparent that it takes more than ONE person to move this along... and LEADERSHIP from the administration is where is SHOULD start.

I feel like I've been misled again!

[mmonk]

87. Wish I could be. Give the bastards hell.

[Why Syzygy]

90. kick

:kick:

[beac]

91. K&R! n/t

[lostnotforgotten]

92. Fitting Proof That the Oligarchs Are In Control - Single Payer Is The Only Option

eom

[defendandprotect]

94. I just called -- they were polite and no trouble getting thru switchboard . . .

1-202-224-3121 TOLL FREE -- ASK FOR ANY SENATOR OR ANY REP --

White House . . . 1-202-456-1111 TOLL FREE

[Kalyke]

105. Isn't the Congressional building ours?

Can we have Baucus arrested for filing a false report alleging these people were disruptive when it's his group of corporate cronies who are disrupting real health reform?