I can see only one solution for the Dems to pull themselves off the trash heap of history.

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

Democrats will commit ritual party suicide by passing EITHER a crappy bill or no bill.

I think they would be best off if they scrapped the entire process and opened up Medicare* at a reasonable buy-in with subsidies to anyone who doesn't have healthcare through employment or who has been denied or charged exhorbitant fees for prior conditions or who has met their lifetime cap. Tell everyone this is a temporary solution to the problem until they can get more Dems in office to vote for REAL reform without being derailed by Repubs and Blue Dogs. Health reform will make a nice litmus test for future Dem candidates in my opinion.

Use this gambit to offer a real temporary solution AND drive the base and everyone else to the polls to elect more Democrats to carry out real reform after the next election.


*I think Medicare can be opened up through reconciliation or at least have read as much in the past. That's why it has always been championed as the simple solution

[eridani]

1. That isn't the only alternative

They can pull out some of the useful provisions and pass them separately. Two I like are more funding for community clinics and more funding for med students who choose primary care. Then the Dmes can say "See, we did a little something. Could have been more, except for those sociopaths posing as an actual political party."

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

2. Well what I suggested actually covers people who need it right away with an existing entity.

Not that what you are suggesting isn't possible, but it's still just coloring outside the borders of the really big stuff- death and bankruptcy. "A little something" doesn't cut it in any way shape or form. They would still be left in the position of being castigated for doing too little.

[eridani]

3. Yes, but the blame would then be for Republicans

Not that I oppose Medicare buy-in. On the contrary, I think it's a good idea, but proposals so far are too expensive and have too many exclusions.

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

4. Well, as I said, it's the only thing I see working -

helping people who need to be helped while pacifying the base AND motivating people to get out and vote to preserve this or expand it or improve it.

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

5. Todays events make me think this even more since they just killed drug re-importation. nt