Nadler: Article On Obama Dropping Public Option "Better Be Wrong"

Mother Jones:

"It had better be wrong."

That was the response of Representative Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) to Wednesday's Politico story that the Obama White House, as it retools its strategy for health care reform, has no intention of fighting for the inclusion of a public option that would offer government-run health insurance to companies and people who can't obtain affordable coverage elsewhere. And Jacob Hacker, a health policy expert who can be called the godfather of the public option, says, "The White House...has to be told in no uncertain terms that dropping the public plan is stupid and premature."

Read the whole story: Mother Jones

Comments

[JakeMontero]

is that mustard on his lip? somebody get him a napkin

[Ted Thompson]

I see that the article about you dropping weight was wrong.

[Helzapoppin]

Go Jerry!

[Joeblue]

FDR not PeeWee Herman Mr. president.

[Arrecho]

If an infant is born to poor parents, would we be more ethical to give medicine to that child so he or she does not die prematurely of preventable diseases, or would we be more ethical if we let the child die screaming in his or her parent's arms so we can keep more of our money?

Or, let's say someone who worked for Enron, and now is penniless, contracted bone cancer. I've been asked to discuss whether we are more ethical if we provide such people medicine that lessens their pain. Or would we be more ethical to let them scream through the night in unbearable agony so we can pay lower taxes?

I can't believe I am standing today in a Christian church defending the proposition that we should lessen the suffering of those who cannot afford health care in an economic system that often treats the poor as prey for the rich. I cannot believe there are Christians around this nation who are shouting that message down and waving guns in the air because they don't want to hear it. But I learned along time ago that churches are strange places; charity is fine, but speaking of justice is heresy in many churches.
-Rev. Jim Rigby-

http://www.commondreams.org/view/2009/09/02-5

[Arrecho]

The interesting thing, is that the bill will be more in favor of public option if it goes to reconciliation:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/09/01/reconciliation-may-force_n_273965.html?page=3&show_comment_id=30108485#comment_30108485

[Arrecho]

Public Option is alive and well:

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/9/3/776078/-Were-On

[eleanorhawking]

So, Ole Eight Chins Nadler - what are you going to do? Tough guy!

[rollingdivision]

Democrats all lust for politician controlled medicine, single payer universal government health care or simply socialized medicine.

[PWM]

Dream on. The Constitution mandates that the government provide for the general welfare as well as several international agreements we are party to.

From the Declaration of Human Rights (ratified by the USA)

Article 25: (1) Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control. (2) Motherhood and childhood are entitled to special care and assistance. All children, whether born in or out of wedlock, shall enjoy the same social protection.

Note: Everyone has the right to ... medical care.

From the AMERICAN DECLARATION OF THE RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF MAN (ratified by the USA)

Chapter 1: Article VII. All women, during pregnancy and the nursing period, and all children have the right to special protection, care and aid. Article XI. Every person has the right to the preservation of his health through sanitary and social measures relating to food, clothing, housing and medical care, to the extent permitted by public and community resources. Article XVI. Every person has the right to social security which will protect him from the consequences of unemployment, old age, and any disabilities arising from causes beyond his control that make it physically or mentally impossible for him to earn a living.

[IamaLogican]

Mr. President, if you don't support the public option I will not support you. If this is a "trial balloon" consider it burst.

You were elected by the majority to represent the desires of the majority. People who say the majority of this country does not want a strong public option are LYING. People who don't understand that without healthcare reform this country will go broke are IGNORANT.

Don't let lies and ignorance beat you and our democracy. You won the election because the majority of americans want strong healthcare reform. Don't compromise with a handful of congress people who hate you for all the wrong reasons, side with the voting public who gave you this job.

[Shake-A-Spear]

AMEN!

[Arrecho]

Have you sent this to the White House?

http://www.whitehouse.gov/CONTACT/

[Dale Larson]

It's time to end our "risky experiment" of "For-profit health insurance". It's a proven failure.

HR676 http://hr676.orgg) Single Payer system that is proven, pro-business and pro-people:

* Slashes at least 30% of costs off the top by removing private insurance overhead.
* Companies take health care expenses off their books. Stock value increases. Better able to compete internationally.
* Small companies could have access to higher skilled workers because previously they couldn't compete in the labor market by offering similar benefits.
* More entrepreneurial ventures will launch since they have more money and less unrelated risk.
* Dramatic drop in bankruptcies.
* Dramatic drop in lawsuits. Most of these lawsuits are simply to obtain money to cover health care if something interrupts their coverage.
* Reduced system complexity. Greater efficiency due to fewer regulations.
* Savings from employees not having to fight with their insurers during work hours.
* HSA and MSA dollars redirected back into the economy for goods and services.
* Additional money to spend from not having to carry "uninsured motorist coverage" on your auto policy.
* Contract employment is more viable for workers since they are guaranteed access to health care.
* People are covered when unemployed. No chance of being wiped out financially if you lose your job.
* Health care providers (doctors, hospitals, therapists­...) see increase in business with much less administrative expense.

[PWM]

Exactly. Our system as failed, it belongs to the 19th century. In the 20th century the rest of the civilized world introduced universal health care. We were left behind.

[LemonMeringue]

The White House stacked the deck against itself when they took single payer off the table before the debate even began.

Put HR 676 back on the table. Start over.

[unite4change]

I've said it once, and I'll say it again, "Don't believe the hype, these are MSM driven stories".

[Louisknyc]

And how do you know that?? Did Obama and his staff invite you to attend meetings?

[sarabono]

Here is an example of a Government run "Public Option" health care and what Americans fear.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/6127514/Sentenced-to-death-on-the-NHS.html

[H321]

NEWSFLASH: Health insurance companies sentence thousands of Americans to die already.
You want to see a Death Panel. See health insurance drop coverage or only partially cover an extremely sick cancer patient. That is a true death sentence.

NOT having an option for those who are not covered as it is. Why are you so afraid of choices. If you are happy with your insurance, this doesn't affect you. And if it does affect you, it will be that insurance companies are held more accountable so they don't bully patients and drop them on a dime.
WAKE UP!

[Helzapoppin]

the Public Option bears no resemblance whatsoever to the UK NHS

Insurance and care are not the same thing, sparky.

[LemonMeringue]

If Democrats let Republicans ruin this they are finished.