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Kucinich Switches To Yes On Health Care
Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH)
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Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) announced this morning that he will in fact vote for the Senate health care bill. Kucinich's switch was a major pickup for Democrats who are clinging to a razor thin majority on health care reform and have been struggling to find the votes to get it passed.
"This is not the bill I wanted to support," Kucinich said. "However after careful discussions with President Obama, Speaker Pelosi, my wife Elizabeth and friends, I decided to cast a vote in favor of the legislation."
Kucinich originally voted no on the House version of the bill last fall, citing concerns the legislation didn't go far enough to help struggling Americans. He repeatedly said he couldn't support the Senate bill before his announcement today.
"I know I have to make a decision not on the bill as I would like to see it but as it is," Kucinich said, noting the Senate bill at least gave health coverage to 31 million more Americans. "My criticism of the legislation has been well reported. I do not retract those criticisms. I incorporate them into this statement."
Democrats had been pushing Kucinich to vote "yes." On Monday, at an event in Ohio, President Obama responded to an audience member yelling out "Vote Yes!" by laughing and saying, "Did you hear that, Dennis?"
Before the event, Kucinich - one of the few Democrats who opposed the bill last fall from the left - rode with the president on Air Force One.
Kucinich, a former surgical technician, laid out his requirements for switching his vote in an editorial this weekend - saying that Democrats would need to include a robust public option and a state waiver to allow legislatures to create a single-payer health care system if they chose. It's unlikely both of those changes would be made to the bill, which has gotten more conservative over time.
The Ohio representative also took the opportunity to blast those who refer to President Obama's efforts to reform health care as socialism, saying the time has come to stand up to insurance companies.
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Mikael99
March 17, 2010 10:22 AM
Thank you
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cambridgeMR
March 17, 2010 10:26 AM in reply to Mikael99
Seconded!
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Moose49
March 17, 2010 10:39 AM in reply to cambridgeMR
Thirded!
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Riesz Fischer
March 17, 2010 11:56 AM in reply to Moose49
Hey centrist sheep, check this out:
PhRMA Likey: Drug Lobby to Spend $6 Million on Final Push for Health Care Reform
http://fdlaction.firedoglake.com/2010/03/17/phrma-to-spend-6-million-on-final-push-for-health-care-reform/
Your masters at PhRMA approve of you-- you can wag your tails now.
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Moose49
March 17, 2010 12:02 PM in reply to Riesz Fischer
I could just as easily accuse you of being a stooge for the insurance industry since they're spending tens of millions of dollars running ads opposing the legislation.
I hate Pharma, but I'd still rather have 30+ million Americans get health insurance and tens of millions saved from medical bankruptcy than not. And that's the choice today.
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Riesz Fischer
March 17, 2010 12:10 PM in reply to Moose49
OK, here's the link saying PhRMA will spend $6 million on an ad buy in districts of wavering Flaccidcrats:
http://www.politico.com/livepulse/0310/PhRMA_plans_6_million_proreform_ad_buy_in_38_House_districts__Kucinich_announcing_vote_decision_at_1.html
Where is you link showing how much they WILL SPEND IN THE NEAR FUTURE on ads opposing HCR?
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socraticgadfly
March 17, 2010 2:03 PM in reply to Riesz Fischer
Just another politician, Kucinich officially now is. Dennis the Menace lost a lot of my respect. And, per the AP story, when the hell did he start worrying about Obama's "legacy"? And, what "legacy"? The legacy of neoliberalism?
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Measure for Measure
March 17, 2010 3:07 PM in reply to Riesz Fischer
All is forgiven Dennis.
That Pharma ad buy is a strange-bedfellow coalition. It includes FamiliesUSA and other advocates of universal health care such as SEIU, Aids Action, the National Council of Women's Organizations and various nursing groups.
Here are their ads: they're pretty good, I think:
http://www.stablequalitycare.org/national-campaign.shtml
On the other side, more conventional corporate spending is head up anonymously via the National Chamber of Commerce: it's a ~10 million dollar ad buy. And insurance groups are spending $1 million directly.
Newsflash: politics is messy. Bipartisanship can at times stand up to special interests. In this instance, we made a deal with big Pharma, who gain 30 million currently uninsured customers.
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Moose49
March 17, 2010 3:14 PM in reply to Riesz Fischer
OK. From the National Journal in January:
This was also referenced on your website of choice: http://seminal.firedoglake.com/diary/23670
I'll also note that the $10-20 million they've been spending against the bill is more than Big Pharma's spending for it.
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geofu54
March 17, 2010 12:15 PM in reply to Moose49
Plus, what's cited in the above parent post is an entry at firedoglake, which further cites Politico and Huff. To me, that's enough not to take it seriously. As you said, why are those firebaggers silent about Pharma spending big time to block the bill?
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Measure for Measure
March 17, 2010 3:20 PM in reply to geofu54
Here's a cite for insurers spending $10 - $20 million on a half-secret ad buy:
http://undertheinfluence.nationaljournal.com/2010/01/health-insurers-funded-chamber.php
And Big Pharma may be playing both sides of the aisle. They reportedly support 60-plus, a conservative operation that is funding a $1 million ad buy against health care reform.
http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/81767-conservative-seniors-group-launches-ads-against-healthcare-reform
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geofu54
March 17, 2010 11:23 PM in reply to Measure for Measure
My bad, I thought I typed the insurance industry, not pharma (apparently I was spaced out...)
Thanks much for the links. I wouldn't be surprised if they are juggling both of the sides.
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Red XIV
March 17, 2010 12:41 PM in reply to Riesz Fischer
Better "PhRMA" than the predators we call health insurance companies.
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RoboticSpacePenguin
March 17, 2010 10:22 AM
Kind of figured this was coming after looking at these pictures a couple days ago...
http://www.bagnewsnotes.com/2010/03/the-health-care-end-end-end-game-trying-to-nail-down-a-win-for-the-center-right.html
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Rich in NJ
March 17, 2010 10:23 AM
Good job, sir.
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Dennis M
March 17, 2010 10:23 AM
I think the deal was, vote yes or Rahm will visit you in the shower.
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Asinistra
March 17, 2010 11:09 AM in reply to Dennis M
One would assume that Kucinich's wife would be in the shower with him, and the idea of a shower scene involving that long lovely lady and those two dwarfs conjures up images from the yet-to-be-made Disney version of Cafe Flesh.
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tommyo
March 17, 2010 11:14 AM in reply to Dennis M
Or even worse, Massa would visit him in the shower....
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FreeRider
March 17, 2010 10:24 AM
Thank you, Congressman Elf! I am thrilled to have been wrong!!
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lousgirl84
March 17, 2010 10:26 AM in reply to FreeRider
We'll take it won't we??
I've got MSNBC on and my favorite ex-politician (NOT) Joe Scarborough is weighing in.
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FreeRider
March 17, 2010 10:31 AM in reply to lousgirl84
I'll take a "yes" any way I can get it! You see Republicans howling that the president is twisting arms for his legislation? What a joke! This is the party that won't let any of its goose-steppers break rank. I think they're jealous.
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lousgirl84
March 17, 2010 10:35 AM in reply to FreeRider
Yeah and if he wasn't twisting arms, they would be ragging on him for that. This is probably going to be a 216 vote - down to the wire.
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mikem42
March 17, 2010 10:33 AM in reply to lousgirl84
my wife just hollered down that she "just hates that Joe Scarborough"! Well, I don't hate anyone, but he is pitiful, and I await to hear one good piece of legislation he ever offered or had passed into law. I dearly like MSNBC, with the exception of JOE, and actually could do without the other egomaniac, Chris Matthews.
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lousgirl84
March 17, 2010 10:39 AM in reply to mikem42
Tell your wife hello for me and we agree. I despise the guy. I can't even turn on Morning Joe because I don't like vomitting first thing in the morning so I can relate to your wife.
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Mr S
March 17, 2010 10:26 AM
Thank you Congressman.
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Left-wing-libertarian
March 17, 2010 10:26 AM
State waiver is in the senate bill.
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Eric Jaffa
March 17, 2010 10:30 AM in reply to Left-wing-libertarian
But Senator Bernie Sanders' state-waiver-for-single-payer doesn't take effect until 2017, and lets the federal government say No to granting the waiver.
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zonk
March 17, 2010 11:14 AM in reply to Eric Jaffa
Only between 2014 and 2017, which is reasonable (you'd have red states playing games otherwise).
The bill technically doesn't even prevent states from adopting single payer between 2014 and 2017 - it doesn't directly outlaw anything like, it simply means a state adopting single payer between 2014 and 2017 would ALSO have to adopt Exchanges. Of course, this is functionally a prohibition - no state is going to adopt duplicate programs.
States are free to create any sort of substitute program they want until 2014. Hawaii-style single payer. Massachusetts-style state-style exchanges. The CA or VT bills under discussion. The PA Democratic resolution to pursue state single payer. Do it by 2014, apply for an Exchange waiver - and voila, you're done.
If not, you'll have a 3 year period where the feds basically say "OK - this is your floor. Implement it."
After 2017, waivers are again opened up.
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chibeardan
March 17, 2010 10:26 AM
Thank you Congressman Kucinich for not letting good be the enemey of the better. Certainly the bills are not great bills, nor are they even good, but they do improve upon what would happen if we let the status quo continue. So they are making for a somewhat better future.
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geofu54
March 17, 2010 10:27 AM
Wow... This is one of the last votes I expected we'd get. wbgonne, are you around? I'm very happy to eat crow on this one if he's indeed switched.
(I bet his hot wife sold him!)
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FreeRider
March 17, 2010 10:33 AM in reply to geofu54
Actually, we were wrong about Kucinich but Kucinich was also wrong about Kucinich!
I believe his wife had an impact on him, too.
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bvd
March 17, 2010 10:38 AM in reply to FreeRider
She's certainly had an impact on me.
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lousgirl84
March 17, 2010 10:40 AM in reply to bvd
Lol. That was cute.. I liked that. She is a beautiful woman indeed...he must have something going on....
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FreeRider
March 17, 2010 10:49 AM in reply to lousgirl84
Whatever Kucinich has going on doesn't last too long. This is wife #3.
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lousgirl84
March 17, 2010 11:21 AM in reply to FreeRider
Good point.....
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Got Kids
March 17, 2010 12:22 PM in reply to lousgirl84
Cold! You guys/gals are cold. LOL!!!!
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Flybynite
March 17, 2010 10:30 AM
Good for you, Congressman, it's the right choice for 31 million uninsured and the right choice for the country. We will get to a public option someday but first we need to nail this down to have something to build on. Thank you.
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madmatt
March 17, 2010 11:11 AM in reply to Flybynite
Grow up, you get the shitty bill the Ins Co's wrote, the one that allows them to siphon funds and still not be held accountable.
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zonk
March 17, 2010 11:16 AM in reply to madmatt
It's all a nefarious plot to isolate Jane and Matt.
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calbearinillinois
March 17, 2010 10:31 AM
I'd like to think Stupak and other one issue Dems could learn something from this, but I don't hold out much hope. At least Nancy can use this to solidify the bulk of the progressive wing of the party.
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IndyLinda
March 17, 2010 10:31 AM
Yeah!
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chitowner
March 17, 2010 10:31 AM
He fought the good fight. There are some good things in this stinking bill. So hold the nose, bank them and keep fighting to further remove the stench. Thank you Dennis. Anthony too.
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lousgirl84
March 17, 2010 10:37 AM in reply to chitowner
There are a lot of good things in this bill. Nancy Pelosi did a fab job of explaining them in her interview with Rachel.. Unfortunately, the Dems have done a piss-poor job of articulating it. It irritates me that they have such a messaging problem but this bill does a lot of good things and it's a start. Now we have to push to make it better.
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madmatt
March 17, 2010 11:12 AM in reply to lousgirl84
Nothing good in the bill because no way to hold the scum accountable...just a way to funnel money to executive jets.
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lousgirl84
March 17, 2010 11:23 AM in reply to madmatt
Sorry, you're wrong.....
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leoklein
March 17, 2010 10:31 AM
That's a relief.
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georgecs
March 17, 2010 10:32 AM
Personally, I'd rather have Kucinich on the inside agitating to improve the bill later instead of on the outside complaining.
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Isepick
March 17, 2010 10:32 AM
Outstanding. How many more do we need now?
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RhodaA
March 17, 2010 10:34 AM
From Greg Sargent:
"In the past week it's become clear that the vote on the final bill will be very close," Kucinich, who voted No last time because of the lack of the public option, said at a presser moments ago, adding that he would have to vote "not on the bill as I would like to see it, but as it is."
"However, after careful discussions with President Obama, Speaker Pelosi" and others, Kucinich said, "I've decided to cast a vote in favor of the legislation."
Kucinich switched out of "compassion," didn't receive any specific promises:
"I left it with a real sense of compassion for our president and what he's going through," he said. "We have to be compassionate towards those who are called upon to make decisions for this nation. It's not an easy burden that he's taken up.
Kucinich said Obama didn't make any promises to take up the public option later.
"What he committed to was to continue to work with me on the broad concerns that I have," he said. "He didn't make any specific commitment."
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mageduley
March 17, 2010 10:49 AM in reply to RhodaA
Maybe he read Michael Moores lament:
http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/mikes-letter/green-they-steal-greed-they-wear-st-patricks-day-lament-michael-moore
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zonk
March 17, 2010 11:20 AM in reply to mageduley
Michael Moore, political genius.
Call it health insurance reform? Sure, absolutely. That's right and proper.
I'm done with Moore and sorry I purchased Fahrenheit 911 and Roger and Me.
I welcome his advocacy and even agree with him a lot ideologically, but he's become part of the disease, not the cure.
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Steaming Pile
March 17, 2010 11:41 AM in reply to mageduley
I eagerly await Mr. Moore's announcement that he's running for President in 2012.
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LJG
March 17, 2010 10:38 AM
This is one of the best moments of the year for Democrats: Kucinich agreeing to compromise for the good of the party. Obama (I assume) agreeing to meet with progressives more often and to give them a regular place at the negotiating table.
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madmatt
March 17, 2010 11:10 AM in reply to LJG
why would he? dennis just proved that liberals will swallow any piece of shit, why bother offering anything.
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oskieoskie
March 17, 2010 10:39 AM
OK, little feller. You have shoved your way into the limelight once again. Now run along.
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Barney
March 17, 2010 10:39 AM
Obammie probably convinced the wierd little midget that that AF1 was actually aa alien spaceship.
Didn't Kucinich write an op-ed that was published just three days ago saying he would definitely, 100% sure, without equivocation, with absolute certainty and with conviction NOT vote for the bill?
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Dr Lemming
March 17, 2010 10:45 AM in reply to Barney
Do you really want to get into a discussion of how Republicans change their stripes with remarkable speed? Silly boy.
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Brownbagger
March 17, 2010 10:51 AM in reply to Barney
OK. That's your one bullet Barney. Go away.
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darkrhyme
March 17, 2010 11:06 AM in reply to Barney
Nice photo of W in your avatar, traitor.
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teabagger
March 17, 2010 10:42 AM
Only 11 more votes to an astounding defeat for liberals!
http://tinyurl.com/ydygk7h
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Barney
March 17, 2010 10:42 AM
"What he committed to was to continue to work with me on the broad concerns that I have," he said. "He didn't make any specific commitment."
Bullshit, you wierd, lying little midget. Obama said more than just "pretty please".
Just another backroom deal from the scumbag Jackassocrats
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darkrhyme
March 17, 2010 11:04 AM in reply to Barney
Well, coming from an America-hating traitor like yourself who really oughta be living in a fucking cave with the rest of the America-hating extremists, that's gotta be a compliment.
Now go fuck yourself with Rove's tiny cock.
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zonk
March 17, 2010 11:26 AM in reply to Barney
Ahhh...
Smell the desperation.
I'm glad this bill is passing because it's a good bill. It places important restrictions and oversight onto a vital service like health insurance (and to my friends on the left, yes - I agree - oxymoron, but we live in a world where care is provided via insurance, one way or another).
But I have to say - watching you nutbugs spittle your way to an embolism is pretty tasting icing.
Any advice on how I can best taunt you to get my greatest possible enjoyment from this?
I've been trying to decide whether to send ABBA CDs or beef wellington recipes to Jim 'Waterloo' DeMint.
What can I do for you?
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RedMolly
March 17, 2010 10:42 AM
I rarely call or write to Congresspeople (I should, I know, but I don't), but I was moved to write to Kucinich to thank him for this. It's the right decision, even though I'm not really any happier with the bill than he is.
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Barney
March 17, 2010 10:49 AM in reply to RedMolly
So..what you're saying, like the wierd little midget did, is that even though it's a total piece of crap..you're in favor of it?
...strange
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Brownbagger
March 17, 2010 10:54 AM in reply to Barney
You are one whiney weenie, Barney.
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George C
March 17, 2010 10:56 AM in reply to Barney
What's your point, Barney? And why the anger?
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Barney
March 17, 2010 11:06 AM in reply to George C
Why the anger?
procedure wise??
lies...bribery...corruption...backroom deals...extortion...legislative malfeasance
policy wise?
loss of personal freedom...loss of healthcare availability...skyrocketing costs...doctors leaving the system en masse or moving to a different country...increased taxes...massive job losses...unsustainable deficits...gov't making decisions, not doctors..loss of technical innovation...loss of research innovation..etc
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jah627
March 17, 2010 11:12 AM in reply to Barney
you should write a book -- that's quite an elaborate alternate reality you've invented
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darkrhyme
March 17, 2010 12:22 PM in reply to Barney
Fuck, that's like a Frank Luntz bullet point presentation right there. I don't know what's more despicable about your punk retard ass...your pathological lying or complete lack of originality.
Either way, you're a pathetic fucking loser and poster boy for abortion.
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Red XIV
March 17, 2010 12:46 PM in reply to Barney
What other countries do you expect doctors to flee to?
Most developed nations have FAR more extensive universal health care systems than this bill will establish.
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zonk
March 17, 2010 1:29 PM in reply to Barney
Hilarious.
Doctors moving to a different county?
Which one would that be? To the national health systems north or south of the border? To the European socialist paradise? To Cuba? To China? To Japan and it's even more stringent federal negotiation of care?
Where, Barney, where?
Ahhh - to the libertarian paradise of Somalia, right?
Hugs and kisses, honey - send postcards!
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Barney
March 17, 2010 1:51 PM in reply to zonk
Well..my neighbor the pediatrician...who left Canada becuase of the shitty system there is heading to Costa Rica in April with her partners to investigate setting up a private clinic, which are allowed there
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Measure for Measure
March 17, 2010 3:25 PM in reply to Barney
LOL. Costa Rica is one of the few Central American countries with universal health care!
I can't blame your old neighbor though: it's suppose to be a beautiful country.
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The Commenter Formerly Known as NCSteve
March 17, 2010 2:50 PM in reply to Barney
People like you have gabbled out that same parade of horribles every time it anyone's tried to make even the smallest increment of progress in this country. What you're saying now is pretty much exactly the same gobbledgook Republicans were spewing in opposition to Medicare. And it's pretty much the same kind of predictions they made in response to evrything from the abolition of slavery and child labor to the implementation of the Clean Air and Water Acts.
And it always turns out you're wrong.
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AhTrini1
March 17, 2010 10:43 AM
Thank you!
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lonesomeliberal
March 17, 2010 10:48 AM
It's good to see Kucinich do the right thing here. Hopefully this will help other wavering progressives (I'm thinking of you Grijalva)come to their senses and help get this done.
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Icon
March 17, 2010 10:49 AM
This is a major coup for Pelosi and Clyburn. If Kucinich is willing to vote yes, it means they can probably get by without seeing members of the Progressive Caucus defect because the bill doesn't have a public option.
Whether they can keep the moderates in line and get enough conservatives to reach the magic number of majority is another story, but at least they won't have to worry about the left sinking reform entirely.
It may also reinvigorate some very progressive voters if they feel that Kucinich (who is very important to them, as with Bernie Sanders) is willing to sign on to this.
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GTFOOH
March 17, 2010 10:53 AM
A bit of a drama queen Dennie, but I can get into a good drama!
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likembrave
March 17, 2010 10:54 AM
Even though I don't live in Ohio, I did write to Mr. Kucinich and expressed my dismay that he would throw away a step in the right direction for a principled stand that will never have the chance of realization. Thankfully, he finally saw the light and now, I actually have some good feelings about Mr. Kucinich. Yes, you can change/modify your position and look REASONABLE. Thank you, Dennis!
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Steaming Pile
March 17, 2010 10:54 AM
Josh: Forgive my bluntness, and I say this with all due respect, Congressman, but vote yes, or you're not even going to be on the ballot two years from now.
Katzenmoyer: How do you figure?
Josh: You're going to lose in the primary.
Katzenmoyer: There's no Democrat running against me.
Josh: Sure there is.
Katzenmoyer: Who?
Josh: Whomever we pick.
Katzenmoyer: You're bluffing.
Josh: Okay.
Katzenmoyer: I'm in your own party!
Josh: Doesn't seem to be doing us much good now, does it?
Katzenmoyer: Against an incumbent Democrat. You'll go to the press and endorse a challenger?
Josh: No sir. We're going to do it in person. See, you won with fifty-two percent, but the President took your district with fifty-nine. And I think it's high time we come back and say thanks. Do you have any idea how much noise Air Force One makes when it lands in Eau Claire, Wisconsin? We're going to have a party, Congressman. You should come, it's gonna be great. And when the watermelon's done, right in town square, right in the band gazebo... You guys got a band gazebo?
Katzenmoyer: Josh...
Josh: Doesn't matter, we'll build one. Right in the band gazebo, that's where the President is going to drape his arm around the shoulder of some assistant DA we like. And you should have your camera with you. You should get a picture of that. 'Cause that's gonna be the moment you're finished in Democratic politics. President Bartlet's a good man. He's got a good heart. He doesn't hold a grudge. That's what he pays me for.
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Davran
March 17, 2010 11:10 AM in reply to Steaming Pile
I'd like to imagine that that's exactly how Rahm presented it to Dennis.
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ondioline
March 17, 2010 11:12 AM in reply to Steaming Pile
Hahahaha...
They say adversity introduces a man to himself.
I voted for Obama, in part, because I was very confident he knew who he was. I'm starting to feel like Representative Kucinich might know now too...
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Agathena
March 17, 2010 10:56 AM
So Americans will get their Health Insurance Reform bill and one day they may get actual national health care for all Americans.
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George C
March 17, 2010 10:58 AM in reply to Agathena
They'll get national health care when they want it enough to vote for people who will enact it. Until then, it's amazing we got this far, when you think of it.
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Homefries
March 17, 2010 1:05 PM in reply to George C
+1
As someone who has watched Demos self destruct so many times, I've been thrilled by how far we've come.
We are so close to this, just awesome to see. I don't normally drink, but if this gets done I'm running out and buying my own personal bottle of something good.
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Davran
March 17, 2010 11:04 AM
It's nice to know that even Dennis can do the right thing if his arm is twisted hard enough.
Good choice, Mr. Kucinich.
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madmatt
March 17, 2010 11:08 AM
sellout punk bitch! Thanks for funneling my cash right into executive jets for wellpoint execs in exchange for absolutely nothing. Certainly no method of enforcing humane behavior by the Ins co's., after all thats how they WROTE the bill you pathetic lying leprauchan.
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zonk
March 17, 2010 11:32 AM in reply to madmatt
I sense a matchmaking opportunity.
We should get you together with Oscar...errr... Barney above.
It would be great! An Odd Couple for the next generation.
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johnnyba
March 17, 2010 11:12 AM
Well it looks like TPM is becoming the new place for the left to have it out with the far left.
I am gratified that enough pressure was applied to make the kook cave. Another victory for those of us who don't want Democrats to end up just as nuts as Republicans are.
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KeithL
March 17, 2010 11:35 AM in reply to johnnyba
The FAR LEFT? Perhaps. However, the gratuitous, constant name calling, extreme assertions and apparent time on hand to post dreck, smells to me, a bit redolent of troll scat.I read such post with all due respect.
I too, shall be writing a letter to thank Representative Kucinich on what must surely have been a wrenching decision.
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Homefries
March 17, 2010 1:11 PM in reply to KeithL
I suspect some of those representing themselves as "far left" are going to disappear once this bill passes (I'm feeling cautiously optimistic). That is, once the astro-turf funds dry up.
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Kuro
March 17, 2010 11:13 AM
Thank you !!!!
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A Missouri voter
March 17, 2010 11:14 AM
But, but, but...
... Masanf assured me that Kucinich was a solid 'no' and that I was a hopeless noodle-head for thinking that Democrats could whip no votes into the 'yes' column. You don't mean to say that masanf was wrong, do you? Perish the thought.
Seriously though, good show Rep Kucinich. I have always liked you, so I am glad to see that you are reasonable enough not to make the perfect into the enemy of the good.
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NuttyProf
March 17, 2010 11:15 AM
do you naysayers WANT President Palin or what:?
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zoobadger
March 17, 2010 11:15 AM
I truly understand that this is not an easy thing for him to do. I fully agree that this bill pretty much enshrines the private insurer model of health care pretty much for the foreseeable future, and that's not good. There ought to be a public option, or even better, single-payer.
But as a 49 year old father of two young children, one of whom has developmental delays, I am exactly the kind of person insurance companies would drop like a hot potato. And if I change jobs, my son's developmental issue are deemed a pre-existing condition and coverage is denied.
So even though I'd prefer a public entity providing health care coverage rather than a for-profit entity that care more about money than me, we just can't wait any longer for reform. We've got to take what we can get, and what's "gettable" is a system that at least forces the private insurers to do their jobs and provide health coverage for everybody whether they like it or not.
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madmatt
March 17, 2010 11:21 AM in reply to zoobadger
yes now they can offer you a plan with a huge premium and an even larger deductible and you HAVE to take it, even if it doesn't help. How lucky for you.
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Steaming Pile
March 17, 2010 11:35 AM in reply to madmatt
Or you can accept the status quo, where you don't even get that. OR, you pay through the nose for a private policy, get sick, and then the unsurance company pretends they don't know you after gladly taking your money for years.
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madmatt
March 17, 2010 12:08 PM in reply to Steaming Pile
all of which can still happen, or do you honestly think the insurance companies WROTE a bill where they would have to perform? They get the money (30% off the top) and there is no method of holding em accountable.
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Red XIV
March 17, 2010 12:43 PM in reply to madmatt
If the insurance companies wrote this bill, why are they so desperate to stop it from being passed?
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zonk
March 17, 2010 1:32 PM in reply to Red XIV
All part of the plot.
You'll be begging Matt to save you when the Cuban mafia based on Mars arrives with its massive Insurasoul sapping lasers.
Listen to him before it's too late!
Oh yeah, and don't forget to buy his survival seeds.
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NobleCommentDecider
March 17, 2010 11:16 AM
Even though John McCain has had guvment socialized health care all his life, and all his Daddies life, and his Grand-Daddies life, he didn't want to inflict commie bureaucrat health care on you folks.
That's why he promised you all free care in emergency rooms which Barney and I supported.
I know Barney is hopin' there will be another bloodbath later this November but I am afraid we ain't paid for or finished the last couple bloodbaths George W. Bush started so Barney might be dizapointed on that score.
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Barney
March 17, 2010 11:22 AM in reply to NobleCommentDecider
"Even though John McCain has had guvment socialized health care all his life, and all his Daddies life, and his Grand-Daddies life, he didn't want to inflict commie bureaucrat health care on you folks"
He did?? How so?
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human
March 17, 2010 11:38 AM in reply to Barney
A lifetime of military and government employment. DUHHHHHH!
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Barney
March 17, 2010 1:48 PM in reply to human
So..again how was he ever under socialized medicine..
..I'll wait
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Measure for Measure
March 17, 2010 3:30 PM in reply to Barney
Health care reform in a nutshell:
The Veteran's Administration owns a chain of hospitals that provide health care with excellent outcomes. If we scaled that up, we would have a system like that of the UK.
Few are proposing that though. Instead, single payer involves scaling up medicare so that hospitals would stay private but Big Guv would displace the insurance companies.
But what is on the table is somewhat tougher regulation on the insurance companies, combined with steps to contain costs and address our long run budgetary problems. Serious people support the existing initiative: uninformed clowns cry "Socialism!".
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Cynthia
March 17, 2010 11:18 AM
Thank you, Rep.Kucinich.
(I sent Kucinich an e-mail of thanks from his website. Hope it reinforces my gratitude.)
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Jeffrey S
March 17, 2010 11:25 AM
I fanned him on Facebook and wrote a thank you. I'm every bit as disappointed as he is but the alternative to passing something will be catastrophic for the Dems, not to mention the un and under insured...
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human
March 17, 2010 11:37 AM
Ah, the stench of teabagger and unhinged purist desperation. Smells like...VICTORY.
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Got Kids
March 17, 2010 12:10 PM
Way to go Mr. Kucinich. Not the bill I wanted for my kids either (whom you met when you visited NJ) but if history is any indication we will get it right, eventually. Thank you, again.
Best regards.
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Got Kids
March 17, 2010 12:14 PM in reply to Got Kids
PS my Aunt lives in Ohio and she thanks you on behalf of her niece and nephew too.
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Viva!America!
March 17, 2010 12:22 PM
Good on ya! Kucinich.
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markg8
March 17, 2010 12:35 PM
ThanK you Dennis.
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GOPinNYC
March 17, 2010 12:40 PM
I'd love to know who she has been talking. I've not read anywhere else that the yes votes were the majority.
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WaitWut?
March 17, 2010 12:40 PM
Thank you, sir. I take back all...or most...of the things I have mumbled under my breath or screamed at the TV.
I hope Stupak falls into a hole full of vipers.
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johnnydoughey
March 17, 2010 1:31 PM
Sad...
How many Congressmen and Senators these days are completely adamant about how they will vote and support (or fight) the other parties suggestions... before even knowing what it is about.
Sad also that these same folks will switch back and forth without one thought of promises and other ethical concepts.
Also too bad that the public, after all these years, will still promote their own mob's candidates and vilify the other mob's people... forgetting completely that they are ALL mobsters without much thought for the public good.
Soo... I'm glad the bill has one more vote but I'm sad that the reasons for changes usually has little to do with health.
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peterh32
March 17, 2010 1:43 PM
Yay.
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Nancy Irving
March 17, 2010 2:38 PM
Thank you, Mr. Kucinich. I hope your decision will help persuade others who are critical of the Senate bill from the left.
Pass the Damn Bill!
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