"I hope that Senate Democrats will work on this bill as it moves to conference." ~ Howard Dean

[mzmolly]

WASHINGTON POST
"To be clear, I'm not giving up on health-care reform. The legislation does have some good points, such as expanding Medicaid and permanently increasing the federal government's contribution to it. It invests critical dollars in public health, wellness and prevention programs; extends the life of the Medicare trust fund; and allows young Americans to stay on their parents' health-care plans until they turn 27. Small businesses struggling with rising health-care costs will receive a tax credit, and primary-care physicians will see increases in their Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement rates.

Improvements can still be made in the Senate, and I hope that Senate Democrats will work on this bill as it moves to conference. If lawmakers are interested in ensuring that government affordability credits are spent on health-care benefits rather than insurers' salaries, they need to require state-based exchanges, which act as prudent purchasers and select only the most efficient insurers. Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) offered this amendment during the Finance Committee markup, and Democrats should include it in the final legislation. A stripped-down version of the current bill that included these provisions would be worth passing."

To clarify, Dean is not saying kill the bill NOW, he's saying if the bill remains a watered down gift to Insurance Companies, after it moves to conference, kill it. He's essentially advocating that we strengthen the bill in conference.

[wryter2000]

1. Thank heaven Dr. Dean's getting some attention

You would have thought this was the United States of Lieberman the last few weeks.

[mzmolly]

2. Agreed!

:hi:

[blm]

19. exactly - what's so wrong with someone on the left getting some airtime about OUR position?

He's filling a VOID - a void that is unfortunately there for the left's position on healtcare because Obama's people and Dem leadership have NOT been stepping up in any significant way to fill that void.

[DJ13]

3. The WH attack signals to me they have no intention of improving this bill

This IS the bill they want, just as it currently exists.

[mzmolly]

10. As is currently apparent, they don't control

the Senate. ;)

[pscot]

11. That may be

but the bill will likely have to go through conference with the house. There is still a chance to make it better. Whatever comes out of conference, it will be a lot harder for Senate conservadems to vote against the final bill. They'd be signing their open death warrants.

[valerief]

4. Borowitz has it right.

http://borowitzreport.com/

Under CompromiseCareTM, people with no coverage will be allowed to keep their current plan.

Medicare will be extended to 55-year-olds as soon as they turn 65.

You will have access to cheap Canadian drugs if you live in Canada.

States whose names contain vowels will be allowed to opt out of the plan.

You get to choose which doctor you cannot afford to see.

You will not have to be pre-certified to qualify for cremation.

A patient will be considered "pre-existing" if he or she already exists.

You'll be free to choose between medications and heating fuel.

Patients can access quality health care if they can prove their name is "Lieberman."

You will have access to natural remedies, such as death.

[mzmolly]

5. LOL

That's funny!

[OneGrassRoot]

6. Thank you! :) k&r n/t

[Richardo]

7. Well that makes a LOT more sense than killing it now.

[gratuitous]

8. How comforting

January 2009: Landslide victory and a thundering mandate for change. December 2009: "Hoping" the schmucks in the big chairs will do what we elected them to do. Thanks a lot, boys.

[tridim]

9. Same thing KO said last night.

Thinking people want the bill improved, not killed entirely.

[laughingliberal]

12. Let's hope they don't ping pong the damned thing and avoid conference altogether

I would hope the House could stand against that but nothing will surprise me anymore.

[mzmolly]

13. I agree.

Man, what a frustrating thing to witness this has been. The bank bailouts passed lickety-split! Health care on the other hand ...

[blm]

14. Exactly - nothing wrong with US continuing to add OUR pressure to the mix since the bill hasn't

even been put up for a vote yet.

Keep up the pressure in case there is SOMETHING that can be changed for the better. It can't REALLY hurt and can only help.

[mzmolly]

15. Yes indeed!

:hi:

[clear eye]

18. Pressure means a credible threat of a "no" vote

Otherwise you're spitting into a fan.

[chill_wind]

16. That nuance seems to have gotten lost

by the Dean bashers.

[mzmolly]

17. I honestly think it's been

lost on all sides? :shrug: