Kent Conrad: Public Option A 'Wasted Effort'

The Hill:

A public health insurance option took more hits Sunday as Sen. Kent Conrad described its pursuit as a "wasted effort" and an administration official said it is not an "essential" part of reform.

Conrad (D-N.D.), who supports setting up health insurance co-operatives with government seed money to compete with private insurers, described the public option as all but a lost cause.

Read the whole story: The Hill

Comments

[force fed up]

Democrats and Republicans are ineffective leaders. They are only concerned with keeping the Status Quo and getting reelected.

What do you call all of the Democrats and Republicans at the bottom of the ocean?

[dcrinaz]

Not all Democrats are bad. On the contrary, only about 12 out of the 60 in the U.S. Senate, the so-called blue dogs, are bad. On the other hand, since John McCain sold out and Arlen Specter saw the light and is a Democrat now, all Republicans are bad.

So the good start you suggest by your ending comment only applies to a minority of Democrats and all Republicans. Let's not throw the baby out with the dirty diaper (yes, I know, it's normally stated as "with the bath water, but that's not gross enough).

What they all have in common, blue dogs and Republicans alike is they are self-serving right-wingers. So let's restate your question as, "What do you call right-wingers at the bottom of the ocean?

[force fed up]

You can continue to keep your blinders on, but Democrats are no better than Republicans. They too are only interested in their corporate sponsors, the only difference is the sponsors themselves.

You can pretend all you want, but the only action either side ever takes is inaction.

[LucieLee]

It is "wasted effort" to finance Sen. Conrad's campaign!!! I didn't hear Sen. Conrad, who was one of a very few that voted against funding for Iraq, that it was a wasted effort or we didn't have the votes........Stop being a wimp Kent Conrad!!!

[liberalOrgonian]

A majority of Americans want single payer Insurance. This rep refuses to consider this type of Insurance. Who is voting these type of people into office? They show NO concern for those who are less fortunate, poor, unable to afford Ins.
Maybe we should have a movement to take away the politicians Health Insurance till we can all have some. After all if we can not afford to cover our poor, why are we covering our wealthy. Let them deal with private Ins and all the hassles which come with it. Like denied claims, funding cut off half way through treatment, raising prices, till even the wealthy can't afford to be covered. THEM maybe something will happen.
Some second rate country needs to point the finger at us for the lack of human rights for our less fortunate. We are so good to point out to foreign countries who treat there citizens poorly.
Obviously we are no better.

[pissedmichael]

Sounds like electing his was the real 'wasted effort'.

[dcrinaz]

Kent Conrad is a wasted effort. Tell him what you think by clicking here: https://conrad.senate.gov/contact/webform.cfm and sending him an immediate e-mail. You'll feel good about this and be glad you did!

[MrsPeel]

Yes! Did it yesterday, as well as wrote to Baucus, and copied the White House.

[Bystander]

You are correct, sir!

[AZDave2]

If the Public Option is out these are the things that must be in:
1. Remove the anti-trust exemption for the healthcare industry.
2. Limit the administrative costs for Insurance Companies to the same administrative costs experienced in Medicare.
3. Limit the profits of Insurance Companies to the same required of Utilities.
4. Require that Insurance Companies get public oversight State-by-state through a 'Public Utility' type Commission set up in each state.
5. Any retired or unemployed person regardless of age should be allowed to “buy into” Medicare .
To do less is to totally give in to the Insurance Companies.

[dcrinaz]

Agreed! Very well stated! But let's add that we should have a public option. The competition from the public sector will keep the private sector honest and efficient.

[OB-GYN]

The problem with Senator Conrad, a physician and fiscal conservative, is his closed mindedness.

Senator Conrad takes pride in holding out as the lone voice on legislation. Example, the sole negative vote for passage of the Breast Cancer Environmental Research Act which would have investigated environmental etiologies contributing to breast cancer (DDT, plastics, hormones in water etc). He does it all saying it costs too much. Let me tell you something Senator Conrad, so does breast cancer and prostate cancer and colon cancer and melanoma. The human cost of these cancers are tremendous in so many ways.

Now Senator Conrad would deprive even the poor and under-insured basic access to health care. America is the only advanced country which doesn't have universal health access. What gives?

At times I wonder how he sleeps at night. A physician agreed to first do no harm, and without health care to some 48 million Americans, there's a lot of harm being done.

Shame on you Senator Conrad.

[dcrinaz]

Then let' s hope North Dakotans find a real Democrat to replace him in the Senate. And when they do, let's send in contributions to get the good Dem elected.

God forbid North Dakotans shoot themselves in the head and the rest of us while at it by electing a Republican!

[OB-GYN]

Sorry for my error above. Senator Conrad is not a physician by training. He is a fiscal conservative, and has had wide impact on health related legislation.

[myersms]

Conrad is a democrat in name only,his actions concerning health care reform pretty much say it all.He's not for the American public,only Corporate America.But then again maybe he is was passes for a democrat in North Dakota??

[TremoluxMan]

What? Is Conrad bucking for the leadership of the RNC?

[dennisrs]

New Obama Aminastration Plan:
In order to address public concern with the federal government's proposals for health care reform and building upon the success of the popular "Cash for Clunkers" program, the Obama administration is proud to announce "Cash for
Codgers".

Each senior in your household (aged 65 or above) may be turned in for a $4,500 instant cash reward at a conveniently located Senior Turn-In Center near you.

Each Senior will be disposed of humanely, using an intravenous drip consisting of a saline, morphine, short-acting barbiturate and a chemical paralytic solution. This saves the Social Security Administration and Medicare from spending between $40,000 to $80,000 for an average end-of-life treatment.

[TremoluxMan]

Good humor is reality based. Your attempt fails flat on all counts.

[dcrinaz]

And he can't spell! Maybe his lack of a meaningful education keeps him from understanding how wrong he is!

[raven119]

Kent Conrad has been on public health care since 1980, as he has gotten free health care from the government since then. Maybe when he loses his seat in the next election, he'll understand what he killed.

[bob876]

Sen. Kent Conrad don't expect to be re-elected come 2012. Of course you probably don't care since the Health Care Industry is most likely paying you off big time.

[NoBlinky]

If Kent Conrad isn't re-elected in 2012, that seat will go to a Republican. North Dakota is about as conservative as it's possible to be.

[dayala]

are there any Independents running against him?

[unite4change]

The Americans are hurting because of greedy white men.

[dennisrs]

unite now don't go racist on us.

[myersms]

Only half true,the other half is misinformed uneducated gullible white people in general.

[unite4change]

Kent Conrad has been on the public payroll and has public healthcare since 1976 and he had the audacity to to tell us a public option is a waste of time:

Senator, United States Senate, 1986-present

North Dakota Tax Commissioner, 1980-1986

Candidate, North Dakota State Auditor, 1976

He know absolutely nothing about what the American people need. Our politicial who complain about the governement should be sent home because they are the problem.

Ceckout his record:

http://votesmart.org/bio.php?can_id=53331