Okeedoked in Tennessee: How to Avoid Serious Discussion About Health Care Reform: Southern Style
Last week I was in D.C. along with 130 some other self-employed and small business owners (Democrats, Republicans and Independents) from across the country who support a strong public option.
As a recent cancer survivor, I was excited--and surprised--to hear that Republican Senators Lamar Alexander and Bob Corker agreed to a Tennessee breakfast meeting with myself and four other small business owners. Dr. Mary Stewart David from Dyersburg was one.
Dr. Stewart, an OB-GYN doctor may be forced to close her practice due to employee health care costs and recently lost a 40-year old uninsured cervical cancer patient who refused treatment so that her family wouldn't be financially ruined. She died last week.
A mill owner from McMinnville TN, Mark Jacobs' insurance premiums are so high he's been forced to cut his work force in half and may end up closing a 120 year-old family business.
The two of them were eager to share their realities with the Senators to explain that measures like tort reform and tax credits aren't enough to help average folks. After all, what's a tax credit to someone sick and unemployed?
The long table had two chairs at the head with enough space for the five of us to talk comfortably with the senators. A good sign. Although we suspected biscuits and gravy might be served at the southern breakfast, it turned out to be donuts and coffee. A minor disappointment.
Within the next 20 minutes, the five person meeting doubled, then tripled in numbers. Before the Senators arrived there were 12-15 additional people smiling and making small talk. Affable aids and assistants chatted about all things southern--including Mule day in Columbia Tennessee.
Around 9:20 AM the Senators arrived and began the howdy do's around the room. The five of us looked at each other wondering what to make of the production.
After making the rounds, the Senators addressed the group like royalty and thanked us for coming all this way for what turns out is a down-home Washington tradition they like to call "Tennessee Tuesday".
And then came the 6 little words that summed up our growing suspicion: "c'mon everybody let's take some photos". This wasn't a meeting, this was an "Okeedoke".
The Doctor never got to tell the Senators about her practice or her patient who died last week, nor did the man who may be forced to close his family business.
It seems southern hospitality has a down side.
Fortunately for the 58-72% of Americans who support health care reform with a strong public option, there is another Tennessee representative hard at work. He is the fiscally conservative, Blue Dog Democratic Congressman Jim Cooper who, when we met him at the Capitol, was in the middle of a session combing through the latest health care reform bill.
Taking time out to meet us in the hallway Rep. Cooper heard the stories of the doctor and the man who may have to close his business because of exorbitant health care costs.
Listening intently Rep. Cooper assured them he was committed to making health care reform a reality--including a public option.
With Cooper there were no shiny smiles, slaps on the back, donuts or biscuits and gravy, just some good old fashion respect and humility.
Cooper understands that the majority of Americans want robust reform and is keenly aware that 60% of his own district in TN wants a strong public option according to a recent Daily Kos/Research poll.
Before the vote on Thursday and Friday, Rep. Cooper's offices were flooded with calls in support of HR3962 and on Saturday, he cast his vote accordingly.
For those in D.C. threatening to filibuster, obstruct and vote along party lines against real change, you will be remembered and rewarded in the next election.
And when you wonder why you weren't re-elected, just remember you work for us. Okeedoke?
Molly Secours is a writer/filmmaker and cancer survivor in Nashville, TN.
Marcia Angell, M.D.: Is the House Health Care Bill Better than Nothing?
The House Health bill just throws good money after the bad. And because costs will keep rising, there is now a danger that people will conclude reform is impossible, when in reality, we still haven't really tried.
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Alexander and Corker are the quintessence of the Senator who loves the sound of his own voice, the sharpness of his suit and haircut as he expounds importantly on the Senate floor. They have no concept of genuine public service, they are interested in only in exercising power. They have no respect for any constituents who they couldn't play golf with and get a check from. Their idea of Utopia is America circa 1955 -- when white men ruled the roost, women, blacks and gays were invisible or didn't complain.
The Emperors not only have no clothes, they are little men. A few elementary schools will be named after them, but if they are remembered at all, it will be for being on the wrong side of history. .
Great job. Welcome to the HuffPo world. C'mon back!!
Good story with good details. Thanks for the post.
2009 - The Wall Street Journal reported that Richard Scott, "the former chief executive of HCA Inc," had formed the non-profit organization Conservatives for Patients' Rights as part of a "lobbying campaign to derail or modify" President Obama's health care proposals,...
In 1997, Rick Scott was terminated by Darla Moore. As part of Richard Scott's severance package from Columbia he was paid $5.13 million and given a five year consulting contract at $950,000 per year.
1997 + 5 = 2002
In 2002 FBI raided the offices of National Century Financial Enterprises in Dublin, Ohio
McMinnville TN, Mark Jacobs' insurance premiums are so high he's been forced to cut his work force in half and may end up closing a 120 year-old family business
2003-WWW.USDOJ.GOV - HCA INVESTIGATION - LARGEST HEALTH CARE FRAUD CASE IN U.S. HISTORY SETTLED
HCA not only robbed the country’s Medicare/Medicaid system, but the entire Healthcare system and its tentacles.
Connect- Healthcare Finance Fraud, SEC Fraud, Bankruptcy Fraud, Financial Fraud and Mortgage Fraud- all for ‘market driven healthcare’ in America?
HCA- Nashville Tennessee
I wasn't aware that Alexander nor Corker did anything other than the "Tennessee Okeedoke". It's the only dance any Republican from Tennessee knows how to do with any proficiency.
Not as complicated as a waltz, and with only one step: stand where you are and go nowhere.
{From a fellow Tennessean who has seen that dance too.}
I second your comment.
And I'll add that whoever coined the phrase "Southern Hospitality" didn't know what the words meant. I have lived in Metro Nashville for the past 15 years and have only seen Southern Hospitality when the person who offers it is getting something worth value for it.
It does not exist, as southerners would like you to believe. Maybe for the tourist industry, but that's about it. You really need to keep an eye on the knives they like to twist in your back.
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