Now We’re Talking

That would be good, but what about all those under 55? I’ve always liked the idea of allowing everyone to buy into Medicare.I’ve been on Medicare since 2003 or 2004 and I can’t believe how damn good it is! Coupled with a decent highly regulated supplement plan this is absolutely the best coverage I’ve ever had in my life.I’ve been hospitalized twice with somewhat minor cardiac events, cost out of pocket = zero!My badly broken leg, the surgery to fix it, about 10 days in a swing bed, 2 months of home health, etc = zero out of pocket!That’s insurance you can believe in.

@kansasdem: Maybe the path to single-payer isn’t the public option, but instead an incremental lowering of the Medicare age. This might start that process in motion.But… SSSSHHHHH! The moderates hate anything we like.

So I only have to wait 27 years to be able to afford health insurance? Sweet. Here’s hoping I make it.

17 years for me.

I hear you Bob. I just can’t help but be disgusted.Another thought I’ve had regarding the Repubs BS “proposals” is, what happened to states rights”? In order to allow all insurance companies to compete across state lines wouldn’t the individual states have basically do away with the regulations set by their individual insurance commissions?Same thing with imposing a federal limit on compensatory damages for malpractice. I assume that the Repubs are in effect saying that the individual states can’t be trusted to make their own laws and enforce the same?

At 58 I can dig this. Actually, I think that all UNEMPLOYED need to be get into this.But single payer is still th way to go with good subsidies. I want everyone to be able to get insuance.

Ok. I’m a long time underground “Cescan”. I dig the blog. I’m also a neighbor from the north who has been watching and listening with great interest for quite some time. Now that intro’s are done….I don’t get what the issue is with “state right’s” when the problem at hand is national.If your nations health-care costs are fucking over a sizable portion of your population, shouldn’t that trump state rights?The whole thing is confusing to me. I get that all politics are local, but aren’t some issues so big that they can’t be boiled down to such a small common denominator? This is people’s lives we’re talking about.Maybe I’ve just been spoiled by what I’ve got up here. Not being snarky. Just throwing it out there.Love you crazy Americans! For serious!

As with all other breaking news about the health bill, I am waiting until we know more before I get excited one way or another. I’ve heard so many things today that haven’t been confirmed by the people in the meetings. The public option has died more times than 50 cats and every time it was breaking news and more calls for letters. I just don’t get pumped up anymore. That’s not to say I don’t care. I just think we have spent a lot of energy at the beginning of a marathon. Fortunately, I think we’re getting closer to the finish line and I like what I’m seeing.All I know is Obama has said he prefers the PO but hasn’t wanted to shut out any new ideas. People have criticized him for it. But in the end, it may be that very patience and open mind that allows for a better idea. Imagine that — Obama right all along. Jennifer

I just want to add for those who are asking about younger people being able to afford insurance — I really think the other factors will help with that. We must end the pre-existing crap, we need an exchange and tax breaks for small business owners to get their companies better rates, we need opportunities for stay-at-home-moms like me to get coverage that is affordable for a one-income family, we need preventative care to be cheaper (especially for babies and children) and so on. I think focusing on one or two aspects rather than a whole has created a lot of the confusion, fear and frustration. We need to step back more often and see all the parts that are in play and not expect one tool to cut our costs as the end all be all.Jennifer

Once again, the Dems have even surprised me with their stupidity. What a dumb fucking idea. This is the MAJORITY party? Who the fuck are they negotiating with? Their own members. Someone needs to take the “conservadems” in to a room and sit them down and read them the riot act.With Obama meeting “on the hill” yesterday and not even mentioning the public option this is what it was always going to be. The Dems have once again screwed the pooch. They have only proven that they are completely clueless. They cannot govern even with a huge majority in both houses and the White House.This piece of shit will be signed by the President and they will attempt to convince all of us that they have passed Health Care for All. What we will get is the requirement to purchase health insurance from the Blues, Aetna, etc. with no chance of competition. The insurance companies will be laughing all the way to the bank.I only hope that the Dems have enjoyed their short time in the majority because they have pissed away the chance to actually accomplish something.

@Jak — I forgot to address your point about the states rights stuff. As a citizen of the UNITED States of America, I am often baffled by the obsession with silos of state rights. Because so many of us will eventually live in multiple states, this is particularly baffling to me. I often think the states think is an excuse for national leaders to pass the buck. And it is frequently a tool used to impose social standards in more conservative states.As a red state Democrat, from a state that thinks the threat of secession is funny, I throw up in my mouth a little every time I hear the term, “state’s rights”.Jennifer

@JenniferAnd Texas is such a wonderful state. Seriously. I’m a big fan.I agree with you. It seems that using the umbrella of “state’s rights” provides cover for politicians who have no vested interests for the well-being of their constituents.That being said, the Obama is your best shot at getting some solid progressive legislation. If you guys can get heath care dealt with this year, it will be your best bet for keeping majorities in both Houses in 2010.Keep in mind this is a humble opinion from a humble Canadian.

@RaphaelAs lame as it might seem, your Democratic party has taken the place of the two party system. It’s sick, but pretty obvious from where I’m standing.Sure, you have some moderate Republicans, but they are quickly being marginalized by the conservative base. And that base is pretty fucking conservative. Like soft fascist right wing.So that is the reality you have to deal with.Honestly my friend, it could be a lot worse. At least you can bargain with the “conservadems”

@Jak, I am trying to find things about Texas to like. I’ve lived here ten years and still struggle. Thus far my favorite things about Texas are my son and Lyle Lovett (considering Molly Ivins and Ann Richards are no longer with us). But I’m trying.Obama could be our best hope for pregressive policies. We just need to remind some liberals of that when they want him to accomplish everything yesterday and without logical compromise. I didn’t vote for him because I thought he’d govern from the far left. I voted for him because I though he’d govern from a paced sense of reality.I am not ashamed to say I love Obama. He’s governing exactly as I imagined he would. It took him 2 years to tell Americans what he’d do, I’m going to give him 4 years to actually accomplish it.Jennifer

Very excited about the lowering of Medicare age. I believe I heard that it might be set up to allow those 55 to 64 (or possibly set it at 60 to 64) to purchase medicare coverage. It’s all kind of confusing.This would help a group that is hardest to insure. Plus it is an age group that routinely lose good jobs through layoffs because, as employees, they up the insurance premiums for companies because of age. Also are unable to replace those jobs for same reason. So this would be big for a large part of the uninsured or under-insured.I love it. But I’m with Bob and others, this isn’t enough even though it’s a big plus. We have to make sure everyone gets good health care. And we may have to start with something like this.But

@ Jennifer.Ann Richards was the shit! Ballsy lady.(I’m obviously more into American politics than I have a right to be.)The last time I was in Texas, I talked with an elderly lady who was super pissed at Bush because of the pharma deal they had recently passed (This was around 2006).I feel that the American tolerance of big business interfering with public policy is reaching a threshold. Believe it or not, the tea parties are a symptom of that. Sure, they have no fucking idea that they should be pissed at big business, but I think some might be catching on. Give it a few years. If health care passes, you’ll be shocked at what comes next.Have a little faith!

jhw22 saidI think focusing on one or two aspects rather than a whole has created a lot of the confusion, fear and frustration. We need to step back more often and see all the parts that are in play and not expect one tool to cut our costs as the end all be all.agreed.and Jak, thank you for your perspective.

Dear Americans Under 55: Drop dead. Or at least, go broke trying not to drop dead.Sincerely,Wet Noodle Reid and the Capitulators.