My greatest fear is we won't attempt Medicare buy in before we lose the house or senate

[dkf]

And obama's legacy will be a gouged populace who have health insurance but no health care.

[T Wolf]

1. You can be sure that this bill is the end of any significant attempt to address the farce

of medical care in this country.

The pols have done their work. They will now pat themselves on the back and move on to some other way to fuck us over.

Mark it as mission accomplished.

[CrispyQ]

3. This is my opinion, as well.

When some DUer's claim that this bill will be improved upon, I realize that they don't see our government in the same light that I do. I believe our government is severely compromised & corrupt & it no longer serves the needs of the People, but rather big business. When the repubs regain one or both houses of Congress, there will be no improvement on this bill. In fact, look for them to start hacking away at the few good things in the bill, leaving the bad.

I believe with all my being that further entrenching the health insurance industry in our already failed health care system is not going to work out well for the People.

And if anyone thinks social security is safe, they are kidding themselves. They were thwarted during boosh's term, but trust me, they are still salivating over that money & waiting for the right moment to launch another attack.

[levander]

13. Campaign finance reform

I believe our government is severely compromised & corrupt & it no longer serves the needs of the People, but rather big business.

I don't know how anyone could have watched the health care reform process and not come to the same conclusion.

Doctors - well represented by AMA, got sweetheart deal, the doctor fix is coming. Did anyone notice the tax on botox switched to a tax on tanning salons? Somehow, me thinks tanning salons must not be represented by AMA.
Pharma - well represented industry, no re-importation of drugs
Insurance companies - well represented industry, stocks hit 52 year high on signing of deal

Seniors - used to be well represented by AARP, but AARP sold out, figure they'll make money off their insurance policies after Medicare's slashed

After this, I'm gonna be so ticked if Obama doesn't start pushing campaign finance reform through Congress.

[alterfurz]

15. yes, I fear this as Obama's "Mission Accomplished" moment

i.e. winning the battle, but losing the war: as it becomes ever clearer that very little has actually been fixed, Obama's upcoming celebratory health care "victory" speech might well get turned into the focus for effective 2010-2012 anti-Dem campaign ads.

[OHdem10]

2. "And Obama's :Legacy will be a gouged populace who have health

insurance but no health care."

[Armstead]

4. I agree -- That's why this bill is such a disaster

It will prevent -- not assist -- future efforts to reform healhthcare.

They have enshrined a bad system into place, and we will be regretting this five and ten years down the road, if not sooner.

[Better Today]

5. Apparently we don't "have" the Senate, that's been made quite clear.

[Donnachaidh]

6. there will be a photo - op *revisiting* of both Medicare buy-in and PO for the 2010 elections

which will be nothing more than a photo-op. The notion to do any further change will be dropped the day after the elections.

If there was ANY intention of doing either we wouldn't be dealing with such a *hard sell* on how *good* this POS is NOW by the WH and the insurance overlords.

The *change* we've been dealt will be tossed out the limo windows at us when BO and his buddies are on their way to dinner with their corporate cronies.

I thought it was just Bush and his minions dragging us back to the dark ages. That's been proven WRONG by this admin.

[uponit7771]

7. Medicare buy in would REALLY change the face of American politics for a generation IMHO. Do it via..

...reconciliation

[EC]

8. the buy in would only need 51 votes

since it is just amending a program and not creating one, so reconciliation can be used.

[dkf]

10. This is why we need to get this done asap

If we get this then lose the house I would feel it was worth it.

[silverweb]

9. So keep bugging your reps.

If the teabaggers taught us anything at all, it should be that harrassment gets results.

Go get busy!

[Cali_Democrat]

11. Republicans also claim to fear many things

Republicans do fear very well.

Don't be like them.

[dkf]

12. You do realize insurance is all about fear?

If you weren't afraid you wouldn't pay such crazy premiums. Most people don't get benefits equal to premiums after all.

[levander]

14. They just slashed Medicare growth rates

Doctors and hospitals are going to make so much less on Medicare. Now, you want to increase the number of patients they have on Medicare??