The Nation editorial: "For all these reasons, we support passage of the bill"

[ProSense]

30 Million Reasons

March 17, 2010

As we go to press, Congress is approaching the climax of its nearly yearlong battle over healthcare reform. This can be called, without melodrama, a do-or-die moment--not only for the cause of healthcare reform but for a host of other progressive goals. As House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said, "This is the most important initiative that most of us in Congress...will ever do in our legislative lifetimes." It represents a milestone in a struggle for reform that goes back not only to the Clinton era but to President Truman's declaration that healthcare is a basic right of all Americans. As one Democratic strategist pointed out, under Clinton, "when healthcare died, every progressive instinct died along with it." If this bill fails, Obama will probably be forced to abandon the issue for the duration of his presidency, as will most mainstream Democrats. A defeat could also further disenchant and demobilize the base that gave reform-minded Democrats dramatic advances in the 2006 and 2008 elections.

Conversely, a victory would suggest that the Obama administration and Democrats in Congress have the wind at their back and are moving their agenda. And it raises the prospect that more can be done--to improve the healthcare legislation, certainly, but also on everything from immigration reform to climate change/green economy legislation to mortgage relief to financial industry reform. Contrary to the cynical crowing of Republicans, who say they plan to use passage of the bill against Democrats this fall, a careful study of the latest polling indicates that passage could help Democrats.

What about the legislation itself--what does it accomplish? On a concrete level, it expands health insurance to as many as 30 million Americans who are currently not covered; on a symbolic one, it makes clear that the government--not the market--is responsible for healthcare. Those are no small achievements.

<...>

For all these reasons, we support passage of the bill, even as we urge the progressive community to begin the struggle immediately to correct its many flaws and improve its protections. Some of this can be done quickly, via the reconciliation process. Some of it can and should be done with new legislation, such as robust public option bills by Senator Sherrod Brown and Representative Alan Grayson and proposals to expand Medicare and eliminate the health insurance industry's anti-trust exemption.

If this crucial second step is taken quickly and boldly, progressives will have an agenda and an argument for maintaining the pressure through this year's election cycle and in the years to come--when the crucial details of the reform will be implemented. Are we prepared to carry on a knock-down, drag-out fight with the insurance and pharmaceutical industries? The opposition is formidable, but there is a base for mobilization in both houses of Congress. Ultimately, our message must be that genuine reform begins, and only begins, with passage of the current legislation. It ends with achievement of the goal that should be our new battle cry: Medicare for All.

[bluestateguy]

1. It appears the Left is coming together now

Care to go next Mr. (Michael) Moore?

[depakid]

4. Most are relieved that the turd's going to be out of the living room

The damage has already been done to the administration and Congress' credibility.

I can't think of a single constituency on the left that hasn't seen the potential to be sold out to the corporate right- and many of them right here in this legislation. That's not a positive trend- and will end up being repeated over and over down the line.

[FrenchieCat]

6. Boy you are really a negative poster!

[depakid]

8. That's just the reality of the situation

You think womens groups like what's gone on? Labor groups? Nursing associations?

Each of them dealt with policy stabs to the back that were neither popular nor necessary.

No group in their right mind won't be watching their backs at this point.

Nor will many be particularly thrilled to spend a lot of time and effort on Democrats' behalf.

Politics 101.

[ProSense]

9. "You think womens groups like what's gone on?"

Yes, they support reform:

Planned Parenthood

“As a trusted provider of health care to millions of women and families, Planned Parenthood is committed to fixing our broken health care system and guaranteeing quality, affordable health care for all Americans.

“Nobody knows better than the doctors, nurses, and other health professionals in local Planned Parenthood health centers how urgently families need affordable, quality health care. If enacted, President Obama’s proposal would extend health care coverage to tens of millions of women and families, guarantee access to affordable preventive screenings for cancer and other life-saving tests, protect women against gender discrimination by private insurers, end the practice of dropping coverage because of pre-existing conditions, and significantly increase access to reproductive health care. The proposal also includes a commonsense provision to expand family planning under Medicaid, which would significantly increase access to essential preventive health care for millions of women.
<...>

Naral:

"The Stupak and Nelson measures are outrageous, but the health-reform bills do have many positive provisions. They will significantly improve women's access to other reproductive-health services, including family planning and prenatal care. However, this progress can be made without undermining women's access to abortion coverage. That's why, at this critical juncture in the debate, NARAL Pro-Choice America activists are taking action to support our congressional allies who are standing up to these attacks. In addition, we are contacting members of the House who supported anti-choice provisions in the past and are urging them to change their position. It is past time for lawmakers to stop using women's reproductive rights as a bargaining chip in health reform."

And the Stupak and Nelson amendments are not in the bill.

[depakid]

10. The very public damage to credibility is already done-

Which if you'd read the post you'd have considered rather than giving us knee jerk copy & paste.

[ProSense]

11. Your response has nothing to do with your claim about women's groups and doesn't make sense.

They support it. But feel free to continue saying anything.

[depakid]

12. Nothing that doesn't fawn on your guru makes sense to you

[ProSense]

13. Say anything

it's irrelevant.

[depakid]

14. Exactly- pretend that the events of the last 9 months never happened

or affected anyone's views on or trust in congress and the administration.

These deals have been compared on DU before to date rape. One expects to be assaulted by Republicans- but it has an entirely different effect coming "our side."

This is why Obama's statement to the Chamber of Commerce re: the Rhode Island school district caused such a backlash.

[ProSense]

15. Pretend that saying that means anything.

Democrats are on the verge of making history. They will improve the lives of millions of Americans.

[depakid]

18. If that were the case, Democrats wouldn't be staring at the prosepct of a royal thumping in November

Yet despite the most pathetic display put on by Republicans in most people's memory- that's where Democrats are at.

[ProSense]

20. Where did you get your crystal ball?

Say anything.

[depakid]

22. One little slice of it here:

Of course, the key constituency backhanded there was labor.

[damonm]

16. The problem with the "knee jerk copy & paste",,,

Is that it undercuts one of your main arguments rather neatly...

[depakid]

19. Actually it doesn't even address it

The entire process since at least June has been one double deal or smack at one Democratic constituency after another- which undermines trust and credibility.

This is why a LOT of people (yours truly included) want to see the turd out of the living room.

[Cha]

23. Too much elephant.

[ProSense]

5. Moore: "There are some good things in this bill."

here

[Lord Helmet]

2. 59,000 nuns can't be wrong. nt

[jillan]

3. I love how everyone is coming together.

Except some on DU, and the repukes.

But the rest of the country is.

[jenmito]

7. CORPORATIST SELL-OUTS!!!111!!11!1

[ChimpersMcSmirkers]

17. Fucking Government take over more like it!!!111!!!

[FrenchieCat]

24. I sure hope Amy Goodman doesn't cave!

[angrychair]

21. My POV on all this:

those that are against the passage of this bill are focused on the fact that they will not have the ability to pay, based on income and co-pays or both. Strangely, they fail to acknowledge that they likely currently have nothing at all or very poor coverage. Second, they fail to acknowledge that preventive care (i.e. check-ups and normal visits) are either free or the price of an office visit ($25 or whatever it may be). Preventive care will save more lives than doing and having nothing at all. I fail to understand the "all or nothing" focus of those that oppose the current effort. First, NOTHING in real life works like that. In real life you have to take the im-perfect and make it work. You aim high and take the best you can which hopefully is somewhere in the middle or better if your lucky. Second, bills are RARELY the final say on an issue. Equal rights for people of color and women and those with disabilities were not perfect when they were first written or passed. They were worked and re-worked over the years, ALWAYS a little better than the last. WHY WHY WHY do you think the re thugs fight so hard to prevent the bill even coming up for a vote?? Because once it becomes law-it is law-and there is NO take back. Second, the bill, even once it becomes law IS NEVER the final destination, it is only the first step of the journey. Relax, take a deep breath and SUPPORT THE HCR bill and keep fighting for your cause for better, cheaper universal health care. I and many others will be right there with you every step of the way.