Nate Silver: Health Care Industry Lobbying, Contributions Could Doom Public Option

FiveThirtyEight.com:

As I lamented yesterday, health care is one of those areas where both popular opinion and sound public policy seem to take a backseat to protecting those stakeholders who benefit from the status quo. But can we actually see -- statistically -- the impact of lobbying by the insurance industry on the prospects for health care reform? I believe that the answer is yes.

Read the whole story: FiveThirtyEight.com

Comments

[quindy]

72% of Americans want the public option. Over 50% are willing to pay higher taxes to finance it (as reported by CNN and MSNBC). This is much larger number than any insurance company can produce. Yes, insurance companies have money to by senators, but do you really believe that majority of Americans will just keep quiet? All the senators up for election better watch it. There is push already on the blogs to support the challengers of all those opposing the public option. We are still democracy and people still have voice.

[toochie]

It all boils down to the cost of this reform. The projected costs are staggering and early estimates are always way off. How much did Bush project for the cost of the Prescription Drug Program for seniors? I bet it was way below what it costs now. Once these bills become law, there is no way to kill them. What we need and what we can afford are not always in sync. I'm not against a public plan but I can see why it always crashes against the rocks of reality. The heavy handed lobbying further dooms the chances for passage.

[northstar11]

does any one question the cost of the defense spending-----50% of GDP----THAT IS OUTRAGEOUS

[jackbauer05]

But how much do we pay for private healthcare now? Is it any different? I am just trying to understand because last I checked there are about 300million people with insurance in this country, if we took all that money and used some of it for the public option won't it be better than the bleeding we are getting from the private insurance companies?

[Slick88]

Lets' see - if everyone that is paying for health insurance now, instead pays that money in
taxes to cover a public option - where's the problem? Single Payer health care IS the answer. We'd already be at least 25% ahead weeding out the greedy insurance companies.

[ErnestineBass]

There you have it!

And to those who argue against single payer, whining you'll be paying for "deadbeats" who can't afford private insurance, you need to understand you are already paying for those so-called "deadbeats" in higher insurance premiums, hospital and doctor costs. Remember when Bush said people without health care coverage could always go the the ER? Well, when those visits aren't paid for, SOMEBODY has to make up the shortfall, and that ends up being YOU.

IMHO, single payer is the only common sense solution.

[kappa08]

no it doesn't...This is about leadership. I guarantee you if Obama got in front of the American people and had the guts to give a passionate speech about what the American people want and why they probably won't get it. Things would "change" quickly. In fact he may galvanize the country with it. There are a lot of right wing sycophants out there with no health care that would be shaking their heads in agreement on this issue.
And then I would challenge the American people on if they were happy with their quality of life. Do they want to make more money knowing that health care was covered? Are they willing to "eat their vegetables" if we regulate food properly and take the garbage out of the market? If not then so be it. But I guarantee you when it came down to it they would go "all in" if need be.

[joecoolconservative]

I just heard that some Democrats want to exempt union members from paying taxes on their health care benefits. Seems its ok for the rest of us to pay health care benefits taxes but not union members. Why is this?

[Disdain]

Because to use Gibbs words ...."They won".

[conservatismontherise]

I am a Conservative also...I am in a Union(and I oppose this like you)..The difference between us and Liberals is this....I stand up for everyone..I hate Unions..I make good money,but someday the Union will destroy the Industry I am in....Liberals have NO Economic skills what-so-ever...its a game to them...They trick the poor,and middle class into thinking the Republicans are for the rich...Republicans want everyone to succeed ,but we all know many will not try..But enough will succeed to benefit everyone(the more wealth as a nation)the better for everyone....Democrats play the (your to dumb,you need our help )game...They take all this money in taxes(buy you Insurance,and other goodies(that you could buy yourself cheaper)..in a Free Market...and redistribute the rest...This does nothing to create wealth as a nation..so...eventually you run out of other peoples money..and....EVERYONE SUFFERS...Don't even try to explain this ..its to late anyway...we have to let the Americans go through the pain,and suffering...So they correct themselves

[Chaimirija]

sorry, a REAL Conservative would not participate in that which he/she did not agree with. YOU are what the Republicans stand against: Lefty things like unions. If you are such a 'winner', why not try to make it without the luxury of a union to protect you?

[entrenchedhoosier]

I am a liberal and I was in an AFL/CIO union for 24 years.
I am glad to have experienced the benefits of membership.
It was the lesser of 2 evils.
If a new employee was so against the idea of being in a union, they were given the opportunity to leave and seek employment elsewhere.

Free Market!

[Slick88]

"heard" where?

I just heard that some repub's are idi0ts - could that be true?

[joecoolconservative]

Now, now no need to get gnarly and use the lib tactic of name calling. You can do better than that.

I heard it on Fox News. They usually are at least 2 days ahead of the state run media. Do your own research and call me back with the answer.

[cabledave]

It is this issue that our Senator, Diane Feinstein, is going to lose our support over.

If she sides with the health care lobbyists that have given her tens of thousands of dollars, she will have insured that we will support anyone who runs against her in the next primary.

[VPN]

Let's hope that it might be the straw the bre aks the ca mels b ack, she has been voting wrong on a whole lot of issues that a Dem should NOT be supporting.

[Saxton]

I have emailed my representatives in Congress regarding health care reform and will do so again (I'm for single payer).

Is it difficult to move to Canada?

[joecoolconservative]

No they take anybody including terrorists. Have a good trip and don't let the screen door hit you on the way out.

[northstar11]

they will probably even take you in spite of your mental weaknesses

[chocolatecity]

"Ranking next on the list is Harry Reid, who has taken some $78,800 from insurance industry PACs and who has also yet to articulate a position on the public option in spite of his status as Majority Leader."

The most disturbing part of the article.

[lasvegaslily]

Yes it is and I've written to him about it.

[freddiefreeloader]

Would you donate to a person or organization that would refuse you their services if you ever become in need of their services? Who are the Democrat Congresspeople who are accepting contrabutions from private healthcare interests? Names please.

[VPN]

The google is your friend.

[Belisarius]

My opinion:

A dem that is owned by the lobbies is worse than a new republican, come election time. If the only way to get a new dem is to first elect a repub, then so be it.

Remember in 2010.

[VPN]

-NOT- a very good idea, a Green or some other is better than giving ANY republicker relevancy with your vote.

[mountainweb]

Giving illegals health coverage must be taken out of the equation. Time to step up to the fact that we cannot and should not support the world.

[YewNeekId]

Obama took $2.3 million in 'donations' from the health care lobby in 2008
McCain took $2.4 million in 2008
Clinton took $1.12 million in 2008

http://www.opensecrets.org/industries/recips.php?ind=F09&cycle=2008&recipdetail=P&mem=N&sortorder=U

It will be interesting to see if we get the public health care option that the people demand

[rue]

Government of the people by the people and for the people remains a quaint fantasy until something is done about lobbies.

[boilinabag]

k street and the cash heavy lobby's are never going to allow any meaningful reform, unless we take to the streets like in Tehran!!!!! you say you want a revolution?

you are going to see more hospitals closing in California soon, and there have been many trauma centers closed already........ but we do have the best healthcare right? NOT.

[IndelibleVoice]

We need to change the Constitution...

"We the Corporate Intrests of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Bottom Line..."

[quasar]

Health care for all is a right not an issue. We should not need to ask the health care industry for permission. If their goal falls anywhere short of making health services accessible to everyone then they do not have an argument.

Unfortunately, if Obama does not proceed from this premise, then any success he achieves will ultimately be a compromise, and we will all suffer for that.

[Gunwing]

Time for the people to do a miliion man march on Congress! Start protesting and show the Media that we are the voice of our government not some blind push overs! STand and fight America or we all suffer the fate of a dead future econamy where there is no more middle class!

[SangZe]

While I agree, I don't know how to make this happen in a meaningful way. If someone has the strength and charisma necessary to create another March on Washington, I would join it. There must be something better we can do than vent our spleen on blogs.

[donttasemebro]

Ditto.