How to Fight Healthcare Fearmongers and Demagogues

My friend, Keith, from New Orleans, just emailed to say he attended a local "town meeting" on health care and tried to get a word in favor but was almost hounded out of the room.

Why are these meetings brimming with so much anger? Because Republican Astroturfers have joined the same old right-wing broadcast demagogues that have been spewing hate and fear for years, to create a tempest.

But why are they getting away with it? Why aren't progressives -- indeed, why aren't ordinary citizens -- taking the meetings back?

Mainly because there's still no healthcare plan. All we have are some initial markups from several congressional committees, which differ from one another in significant ways. The White House's is waiting to see what emerges from the House and Senate before insisting on what it wants, maybe in conference committee.

But that's the problem: It's always easier to stir up fear and anger against something that's amorphous than to stir up enthusiasm for it.

The White House has just announced a web page designed to rebut some of the insane charges that the right is instigating. That won't be enough. The President has to be more specific about what he's for and what he's against. Without these specifics, the right can conjure up every demon in its arsenal while the middle and left can only shrug their shoulders.

The President needs to be very specific about two things in particular: (1) Who will pay? and (2) Why the public option is so important -- and why it's not a Trojan Horse to a government takeover.

(1) Admit that taxes will have to be raised and that cost-savings won't be sufficient to achieve nearly universal care. But be absolutely clear that taxes will be raised only be raised on the very top. He needs to decide whether he favors a surcharge on the top 2 percent, or a cap on tax-free employee benefits (which would affect only the very top), or some combination, and then announce which he prefers and why.

(2) Say unequivocally that the public option is essential for controlling costs and getting private insurers to offer people better deals, not at all a step toward a government takeover of health care.

- Being the one public plan, it will have large economies of scale that will enable it to negotiate more favorable terms with pharmaceutical companies and other providers. (Here, he must clear up any confusion about any deal made with Big Pharma.) But this won't lead to a government takeover of health care. The whole point of cost containment is to provide the public with health care on more favorable terms. If the public plan negotiates better terms -- thereby demonstrating that drug companies and other providers can meet them -- private plans can seek similar deals.

- It will have low administrative costs -- Medicare's administrative costs per enrollee are a small fraction of typical private insurance costs -- but that's no problem, it's a strength. One goal of health-care reform is to lower administrative costs. Competition with a public option is the only way to push private plans to trim their bureaucracies and become more efficient.

- While it's true that the public won't have to show profits, plenty of private plans are already not-for-profit. And if nonprofit plans can offer high-quality health care more cheaply than for-profit plans, why should for-profit plans be coddled? The public plan would merely force profit-making private plans to take whatever steps were necessary to become more competitive. Once again, a plus.

- The public plan won't be subsidized by government. Subsidies go to families who need them in order to afford health care. They're free to choose the public plan, but that's only one option. They could take their subsidy and buy a private plan just as easily. The public plan may not dip into general revenues to cover its costs. It must pay for itself. And any government entity that oversees the health-insurance pool or acts as referee in setting ground rules for all plans will not favor the public plan.

Now's the time for specifics. It's impossible to fight fearmongering lies with nothing but positive principles.

Cross-posted at Robert Reich's Blog.

Comments

[krocklin]

Massive military expenditures that were used in disastrous wars in Vietnam, Iraq and now Afghanistan.
No one asks how we pay for all this. But when it come to healthcare, which Jamaica and Costa Rica provides for all its citizens, we hear it all is going to be too expensive.
And meanwhile the present system costs each American more than the healthcare that all developed nations have and which their citizens are very happy with.
Even Lou Dobbs is doing a tour of countries in Europe, Japan and elsewhere and even he agrees they are doing a lot of things right.
This country has a broken system. The outcome is inevitable: further economic decline and inhumane policies totally controlled by the special interests without any concern for the health of the populace as a whole.

[northstar11]

the stuff about cost and who is going to pay is a nonsense losers approach-------no one ----no one ever asked
how are we going to pay for the iraq war-??????

how are we going to tax cut our way to prosperity.?????

how are we going to pay for the TARP????

republicans simply put it on the credit card-----and the dems were silent

now the republicans demand accountability from the dems spending ---it is insane ---the dems do not deserve to be the government------ they do not know how to lead

[RonGallion]

You won't get a good response here. However awesome questions. How do we pay for all this, put it on the backs of our kids and grandchildren and great grandchildren. Trillions of dollars, stop and think how much that really is. Spending is out of control and both Dems and Repubs are guilty. I suggest that all of them be voted out next election and I mean all.

[kpal]

You don't get it. The next generation is already paying and will continue to pay for the lack of universal health coverage. Ask any of the thousands of young people who have been forced to leave college because a family member fell ill and their home is being foreclosed on because they can't afford health care - let alone health care and college. A healthy country IS a prosperous one.
Suddenly the Republican's are concerned about our kids and grandkids - but had no problem bringing their country into disrepute around the world - lying to justify the chance to spend trilions of borrowed money. How long do you think the next generation will be paying for the Iraq war? The 'free market' collapse?? WIthout healthcare, homes or an education???
As I recall THE NEXT GENERATION protested against the Iraq war and put Obama in office.

[luziannagirl]

Yes. My own Congressman, a Republican doctor, called a town meeting which turned out to be a pep rally for Conservatives who like the status quo, and low-information voters who think they like it, too. I figured it was a waste of my time and didn't even go---as I assume did most people seriously needing and wanting meaningful change in health care.

President Obama should take the lead now and say, "Well, I've asked everyone to come to the table and express their concerns, wishes, and ideas about this topic, before making my own plan and pushing it. What we've found is that some groups and people would rather do whatever they can to derail the process----lie, shout, even try to bully and threaten by packing guns to meetings where the President of the United States was to appear---they'd rather shut the whole public dialogue, vetting and facilitation process down than participate in that process.

That should tell us something, shouldn't it? Perhaps it should tell us that the interests they represent don't want us to know their true positions, because we wouldn't like them. Nor vote for those they support."

[daffey]

Why are those on the Right who are now in full Simon Cowell mode so successful in stirring things up? Easy. The response of Democrats and the Left. If the Democrats were selling me a car right now, I wouldn’t buy it. From the early ‘call them names’, to emerging ‘I’m tired of all this right to assemble crap’, to inconsistent answers, to attempting to change history (my favorite is everyone acting like ‘hey, we’re taking our time here, no one wanted this thing shoved through before the August recess or anything! I don’t know what these right wing nuts are talking about, ramming this thing through!’) - it’s all enough to make even the most sympathetic non-partisans scratch their heads and say ‘I smell a rat.’ And as long as it keeps happening, as long as MSM people jump on board and take sides (primarily against the protesters), as long as Democrats keep acting like Google doesn’t exist regarding attempts to change the history of this thing, and as long as radical members of the Left continue their ‘I’m tired of all this freedom garbage, I say this country isn’t big enough for folks who refuse to conform to us!’, there are going to be growing numbers of folks with a justifiable ‘ick’ reaction to all of this who join in applying breaks to something most of them actually want to some degree or another.

[pleadthe5th]

In 2006, while speaking to a group of Bush protesters, Nancy Pelosi said "So I think all of you who have spoken out for your courage, your point of view. All of it. Your advocacy is very American and very important. I'm a fan of disruptors". That is a far cry from the comments she made regarding the current protesters from the healthcare debate who she says "carry swastikas, are angry mobs" , called "Un-American" and likened to "nazis". This is the kind of hypocrisy that America is tired of from our elected officials, especially someone as dangerous as Pelosi who is just 2 heartbeats away from the Presidency (God forbid). The Dems on the Hill have a mantra "We believe in compassion, understanding and free exchange of ideas, unless you don't believe as we do, then you will be marginalized and criticized and you WILL pay a price"

[pghnappyrhino]

how many people brought guns to those bush protests? matter of fact, how many protesters were within a quarter-mile of bush? isn't that when they implemented the "free speech zones"?

[kpal]

The Dems on the Hill have a mantra "We believe in compassion, understanding and free exchange of ideas, unless you don't believe as we do, then you will be marginalized and criticized and you WILL pay a price"
Are you saying the Republican's don't believe in compassion or that they reserve the right to stand in the way of those who do and who walk their talk?
Newsflash: They DID pay the price - when they lost the democratic vote (not marginalized, DEFEATED). And now they should do as they promised in their campaign and GET OUT OF THE WAY.

[exPatPatti]

I've got it. How about no healthcare! If you can't afford it then you're of no value to society and should die instead of being a burden on hard working real Americans. Same goes for your sick or didabled kids. People should not have kids if there is a possibility in future they could lose their jobs. And grandma is past her use by date so no treatment unless she can pay for it too. Healthcare is for those with the means to pay. Why should my tax dollars pay for some sick single parent with no money when it would be better spent on war with those st1nkin Ayrabs?

It's the republican way.

[spartancaver]

Yadamn right Pat. An I mean right as in right handed. Grandma is way past her expiration date if we still lived in 1888. One reason we are in such a mess not only is Grandma being more of a drain to the insurance company, she is a cash cow for Big Pharm and the Hospital. After all, are not these the *real* customers of Big Health Insurance? You and I are ! not ! their clients. Either our employers are the people making the decisions on which plan to buy, or a very few individuals are the customer. But Big Pharm and Big Hospital and wants to keep Grandma alive as far past due as possible. Big Insurance wants Grandma and all of us to stay alive, but healthy without doctors as long as possible.

[hidesertnm]

Here's a suggestion for those at town hall meeting disrupters or anti-Obama Health Care folks. Have Americans pre-register for the health care program the way one registers for Medicare. Those not in favor of the plan would indicate they do not wish to participate the first year of the program. Health Care cards would be distributed to those participating members-- again like Medicare (that socialist program that people enjoy but fail to acknowledge is government run).

I guarantee, that the majority of those currently disrupting town hall meetings will silently sign on. Those who still do not wish to sign on year one will have to wait one year-- during which time they will learn what the unbiased truth about the plan. LT

[exPatPatti]

Problem: many of them can't read, let alone write.

[jayes]

the proposed compromise sounds pretty weak, and that's a best bet?

since most of the strongest resistance on the opposing side comes from people who are too stupid to know the difference, and those who are well-paid to have a stake, why not -

A REAL NATIONAL HEALTH CARE PROGRAM?

[Supplysideeconomist]

Some Democrats are proposing cutting School Lunch Program to help pay for Health Care Reform. I read it somewhere.

[oscartucker]

Supply... You need to do better than just say "I read it somewhere" about the cutting School Lunch Program.

[spartancaver]

And I read that a false rumor was being spread that some Dems wanted to cut school lunches to pay for health care.

[waitforme]

I am strongly for single-payer medical care. But i am as confused as anyone what obama is actually willing not to accept and to advocate for. Or what is now being considered. I do know:

Max baucus and others who have accepted millions from the health insurance/­pharmaceut­ical industry should resign from the relevant commitees.

No one should be forced to buy health insurance; money for it should come from taxes as it is in national health insurance companies. (and i am not one of the 'young ones' who can't imagine ever getting sick.)

I was startled, yesterday, to see somewhere the idea being entertained that 'most of the money should go to people under a certain age or who can maintain a certain level of "societal participation"'. This is chilling and reminds me of big brother. Obama should not sign anything of the sort. Each person, no matter how old or helpless -- if they have not actually signed a directive stating otherwise -- should be taken care of by our society. (it could be you, tomorrow! Yes it can!)
(this may be the kernel of where the wild euthanasia accusations come from. Refusal of medical care in some cases might as well be euthanasia.)

The government, as robert reich says, should offer free health care for anyone who needs it. They have done it better than for-profit care until now and so know how to do it.

I don't know what 'cutting back on medicare' can possibly mean but

[spartancaver]

google AARP health plan site
They have a real interest in the real truth for their senior readers, yes?

[adamnb]

I'm a long time fan of R. Reich, starting with when he resigned as Labor Secretary from the Clinton Administration over welfare reform. His response: you can't leave all those people without a safety net. You may not always agree with him, but you can count on him to tell the truth, at least as he sees it.

[iamcricket]

Way off base, Oversimplification is how The American Voter Gains Trust In Complex Legislation. If The White House would only Link Health Insurance Reform to The Return Of JOBS - then - all Voters can see the "Common Ground" upon which the multi-faceted (Stimulus/­Green/HC/E­ducation,) 4-pronged attack against economic destruction is built.

The Overhead/Bottom Line is required to get New Product Invention/­Manufactur­ing placed on American soil, for The American Worker.

[kdhamm]

I think the President and the others that are trying to get health care passed, need to start showing some power point presentations so the American people can see what they are talking about. Everyone's talking...about something different, show us. I hate to say it, be he needs to Ross Perot us.

[whitecollargreenspacegut]

whitecolla­rgreenspac­eguy said...
The Government already has the funds to pay for Universal Health Care. It is time to stop the madness and violence at the health care reform meetings. Using shift work for white collar jobs could cut the cost of the 500 million square feet of office space currently in used by the federal governe=ment by up to 50%. This would save enough money to provide universal health care. It could also reduce the carbon footprint by 50%. For details go to:
http://whitecollargreenspace.blogspot.com/


Now featured on http://www.buzzflash.com/ under the heading:
"Using Shift work for white collar jobs to greatly reduce the fiscal and environmental cost of new office space"


http://astroturffighters.blogspot.com/
When you need to fake grass roots participation in town hall meetings and press conferences rent human look a likes from Astro Turf Fighters Robotic Rentals.

[Artemis34]

I like your idea.

My idea of taxing Churches who are no longer participating in actual charity, have sold their hospitals to corporations and / or are actively campaigning against the civil rights of others, will probably never fly!

[gd h]

We've got a president who won't make a stand. It isn't up to us..we elected him to lead this fight and he's not doing it. I, for one, couldn't possibly be more disappointed. I have health care--sort of--although if my provider is irritated at my politics, they ignore me (and they are). Still, they gave me a $60,000 heart surgery for free. The Veteran's Administration. And they ignore me for other things, especially the PTSD. so this isn't about my ox being gored. But all of politics today is about WOIG. that's Whose Ox is (being) Gored. All selfish, all the time. And Obama is a follower of public opinion, not a leader. And public opinion is changing as a result of his following (then taking a weak stand, to give him due credit) public opinion. Since that opinion has nothing solid to refer to--it refers to everything else, including the lower segments of the fearful classes (if you will, no offense intended)--refers to their fear of, lets see, government in general, different cultures (Kenya??), different races which only recently were considered human--and on, and on. this is a no-win proposition and I've got to drop out for what I have left of my mental health. So long, and good luck in 2010.

[despin]

How to refute healthcare demagogues?

Easy. Ask them "how is that different from now?"

A simple stock phrase. But one which refutes most talking points ("socialism", "middleman between patient and physician", "rationing of care", and others)

[Pyrum]

How does that refute "socialism?"

[allwrite]

And we need to refute socialism why?

[despin]

It refutes socialism because we already have socialistic healthcare in spades (VA, medicare, medicaid, schip...etc).

Matter of fact healthcare reform would have been 100x easier by simply by framing it as an expansion of Medicare. (To include persons between jobs or not employer-covered.) 1000x easier. And protesting seniors would have seemed that much more hypocritical in the process.

"socialism". Ha. Out of the mouths of townhall morons subsisting on social security and medicare. Selfish toddlers disguised as old whites.

[adamnb]

Why not tax internet sales? The industry has been given an unusually long moratorium on taxes that was ok when it was in its infancy. Now it's fully grown, as the biggest market in the world. Every other market is taxed on sales. It could go far in paying for extension of benefits to the uninsured.