Health Insurance, Republicans, and Insurance Companies (VIDEO)

CNN interviewed me earlier this week (full CNN video at the bottom of the post) for a story they were doing on the differences between this health care fight and the last one, during the Clinton years. The story Jim Acosta did is here, but I made a couple of points to them that they didn't put in the piece that I thought were worth sharing with you, namely about bipartisanship and the insurance industry, which are highly linked topics. I also want to highlight Bob Creamer's terrific new post on the same issue.

There are some similarities and lots of big differences between this health care fight and the last one. So far, Obama has shown that he has learned the lessons of the last fight well -- he made it a top priority, he said he wanted to get it done in the first year, he put a down payment on reform into his budget. All of those are good strategic moves that Bill Clinton did not do. But the biggest difference by far is that Obama and the Democrats agreed to have the option to put health care reform into the reconciliation package, meaning we would only need 50 votes instead of 60.

So here's the point I made to CNN: Obama is doing a great job of including the insurance companies and their stalwart Republican defenders in the discussions, welcoming their ideas, etc. But this bill does not need to be bipartisan, and if the Republicans want to insist that the insurance industry gets what they want, we can do this without them. We will need 83% of the Democrats in the Senate, and 85% in the House, and an effective, popular president can get that done.

And to those who worship at the alter of bipartisanship, who say we need a bipartisan bill for something to be "sustainable," I would suggest you check your history books: many of the greatest reforms in our nation's history -- including ending slavery and most of the great New Deal reforms -- came without much or any bipartisanship. So, look, if you Republicans want to stop carrying water for an insurance industry desperate to avoid legitimate competition from a public plan, you are welcome to the table, come on aboard. But if not -- as I said to CNN -- we will just roll you and muscle this one home.

Comments

[SWozniak]

I think bi-partisanship is a boondoggle. Do you, as a representative or as a senator, have beliefs? Do you have principles? If you do, than your job is not to compromise but to make certain that your philosophies become actions, laws and regulations. The people of your district elected you not because you have long arms to "reach across the aisle," a phrase I detest, but, because you represent a point of view, most likely, one that they, too, hold. The biggest betrayal to your constituents may be reaching across the aisle.

[overd0g1]

A public health plan is not legitimate competition. In case you haven't noticed, the government can just print money (or extort it from the public) at its whim. When private companies fail, they generally disappear (unless the stupid govt. bails them out). Then a public program fails, its funding get increased. Does that sound like fair competition? Egad.

[littlepeople]

Are there plans for some sort of demonstration or protest in Washington DC regarding efforts to reform heath care in this country?

[TheRealMcCoy]

Any politician that doesn't support a single-payer or public option (democrat or republican) needs to be targeted and voted out of office

These politicians forget that they work for us, not the AMA, drug companies, or insurance companies.

If they can't get it done, we can always elect some representatives that can.

[overd0g1]

Actually, the two party system makes that impossible.

[hark]

There aren't any politicians who are working for the people. Voting the bums out of office doesn't work, because there will only be new bums replacing them.

On top of that, half the American people don't want change. They like it the way it is. They've been brainwashed into believing that government is socialism, and socialism is evil.

There are more conservatives than liberals in this country, even now, by a considerable margin.

[AgnesBankhead]

250,000 doctors (the AMA) want to deny basic health care to sick, injured and/or disabled Americans who do not have the money required to pay the exorbitant and extortionate costs imposed by a greedy, corporate, for profit health care industry ?

what happened to the Physician's Oath taken by doctors at the time of being admitted as a member of the medical profession:?

* I solemnly pledge myself to consecrate my life to the service of humanity;
* I will give to my teachers the respect and gratitude which is their due;
* I will practice my profession with conscience and dignity; the health of my patient will be my first consideration;
* I will maintain by all the means in my power, the honor and the noble traditions of the medical profession; my colleagues will be my brothers;
* I will not permit considerations of religion, nationality, race, party politics or social standing to intervene between my duty and my patient;
* I will maintain the utmost respect for human life from the time of conception, even under threat, I will not use my medical knowledge contrary to the laws of humanity;
* I make these promises solemnly, freely and upon my honor.

obviously, this little ditty needs to be updated to something substantially less "honorable­".........

[overd0g1]

There is another implied unwritten item:

* The above statements do not amount to a commitment to a life of servitude to the state, or renounce my right to charge whatever I damn well please for my labor.

[SparkyGump]

Grow some stones, Mr. Reid, and get this done. What's more important, your country or your career? Are you a politician or a statesman? We'll know pretty soon.

[overd0g1]

Now THAT is funny.

[toushe]

Interesting article but Why is their no mention that dems recieved more campaign money from health ins. cos. than repubs.Is it once again false media or as most of the country left and right call it the corrupt media. Lux you should just go to a tabloid at least there we would expect this kind of garbage!!

[ScreenName05]

Senator Grassley isn't a nail. He also doesn't matter. He and the other Republicans have made themselves irrelevant by their insistence on just saying no and suggesting plans strongly rejected by the voters in 2008 (tax credit see Sen. Coburn plan). They have created a lose lose position for themselves and the people in their states.

The Republican party is is serious trouble. Not for all the reasons that have them out of favor just now, but because they have bought into strict ideological roles as elected representatives. The far right has made it popular to have elected Republicans sign pledges for various subjects - not to raise taxes, anti-abortion, health care, no global warming reforms, etc. This is the core of the Republican party's problem, they can no longer act as intelligent representatives for the people of their state. Only by making intelligent choices and being willing to compromise can anyone, even the party in power, effectively represent their constituents. Because of the strict ideological positions of the Republican representatives they can no longer represent their states. The voters in those states will put up with having no representation for only so long.

[anothervoice2]

Sen John Barrasso (R Wyoming) was on MSNBC now saying that the folks who smoke, drink and are overweight are the problem not private HMOs. And the same old spin that the socialized systems of Canada and Europe are not what Americans want. He said Medicare was the biggest deadbeat system. And that govt should not stand between people and health care.

President Obama cannot work towards a "bipartisan" compromise given the extreme pro-HMO position of the GOP and Bluedog Dems.

The health insurance industry has totally taken over Congress. Such a shame.

[wehrke]

If you just think it is the republicans fawning over the insurance industry you are very, very naive. They own both parties.

[kimleehan]

So how much does private insurance companies pay out for uninsured healthcare? so you pay for private insurance that chances are you'll never use and than pay for uninsured healthcare that you'll never use, thru your taxes, not smart, universal healthcare is the way to go.

[RoloTomassi]

Will never use?

[Connolly1916]

I fear much of the Obama administration and the democratic majorities in Congress will require spine transplants before we can get real health care reform.

[paixa3]

BINGO....and the re-election rate for both parties is over 80% easily.

I think it is time you work to get business out of congress and the government.

[wild1a]

With a government run single payer not-for-profit health insurance for all based upon the proven concept of Medicare we could save many billions that could better be spent on the nations health. It makes no sense to deliberately line the pockets of these investment comanies that pose as high priced health insuraers. Our money and the time and labor of the medical community could concentrate on health care and not on supporting highly paid claims adjustors (dreniers) and the bonuses of their executives. The only sensible and logical solution is Medicare for all with premiums adjusted for income.

[overd0g1]

The proven concept of medicare, which is bankrupt?

[montanachef]

Option one: Congress pays for their own medical coverage.
Option two: all Americans receive the same coverage as their representatives.
Either option would get the system fixed.

[overd0g1]

Why not require all Americans to get paid as much as their representatives? Health insurance is part of their compensation, Einstein.

[viper234]

Democrats don't do anything alone. Haven't you noticed? But they will dump the idea of a middle class tax cut in favor of a middle class tax hike. Count on it.