Remember, those dark times when energy companies were drafting the energy bill! Those dark Bush times are over now, right? RIGHT? Then why do we get a headline like this one?
Insurers announce health reform proposals
And could this explain why we couldn’t have Hillary?
The nation’s largest health insurance industry lobbying group announced a series of proposals for health reform this morning that they said would help achieve universal coverage, control costs and improve the quality of care.
and why Obama got the most of the pharma money?
Insurers oppose the creation of a Medicare-style public insurance option, which both President-elect Barack Obama and Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus have proposed, which they believe will force private companies to compete with government on an uneven playing field. The insurers also do not support an employer mandate.
Because the only mandate they want is that everyone buys their services
Insurers would agree to stop denying coverage to people because of pre-existing conditions as long as all individuals were required by law to buy insurance. That would prevent people from only buying insurance when they need it and force younger and healthier people to share the cost of care for older and sicker people.
And Ted Kennedy who feels sharing NCLB credit with W is not stinky enough, is all over this:
But aides to US Senator Edward M. Kennedy, whose staff has been meeting with the insurers along with a broad array of health care advocates, employers and providers to develop a major health reform initiative for Congress to consider next year, was encouraged by the insurers’ presentation.
We know now why Hillary wasn’t allowed to touch the issue in the Senate. He was busy providing cover for yet other businesses at the expense of people
“There’s a spirit of optimism about our work to ensure quality, affordable health care for all Americans — and today’s announcement adds to that optimism,” said Kennedy spokesman Anthony Coley. “The insurance industry has advanced serious proposals that deserve serious analysis and consideration.”
I am sure they did, Ted. I am also sure it’s what Dick Cheney said in those closed meetings with the oil companies who drafted that bill Obama voted for.
I know one member of his family who will be happy with all this
19 comments
December 4, 2008 at 12:33 pm
myiq2xu
Another reason for Hillary to take the SoS job – she won’t have to cast a vote on whatever travesty of a health care bill emerges.
December 4, 2008 at 12:43 pm
Mawm
It also pisses me off that they derided Hillary’s mandated coverage in the primaries, sending out Harry and Louise ads aimed to scare voters, and now they laud the insurances companies’ plans that do what? Mandate coverage.
December 4, 2008 at 12:58 pm
Annie Oakley
Feel the hope and change. Too deluxe. Let me see, THE solution is too make everyone buy that incredibly crappy product, health insurance that won’t even protect you from bankruptcy, and everything will be fine.
In Switzerland, administrative costs for their universal care runs about 6%. Here for competitive insurance care, we pay about 22%. Here’s a kicker: what the Swiss drug companies can charge in Switzerland is regulated. So they come here and soak us. We help pay for Swiss healthcare.
Sweetie, you are one of the only sane ones left. As always, love the graphic.
December 4, 2008 at 1:12 pm
Grail Guardian
I cannot even express how angry this makes me. Hillary Clinton has been right about Health Care since before Bill took office as President. She realizes something Obama should – that taxpayers can’t keep paying taxes if they’re incapacitated, dead, or struggling to help a loved one that’s ill.
If anyone thinks that America will have an effective Health Care system while big Pharma and HMOs are allowed to call the shots, over ride the diagnoses of licensed physicians, and sell drugs like candy while totally ignoring things like diet, exercise, chiropractic care, and natural remedies – they are just plain ignorant!
Richard Nixon and Edgar Kaiser dreamed up the current evil scenario strictlyas a big-business cash cow, and until it is slaughtered no American will be able to be healthy while part of our wretched system! There is no way to win – if you’re healthy naturally, you waste thousands of dollars a year on nothing. If you’re sick, you cannot receive effective treatment in a timely manner. The only people who win are the CEOs!
And apparently Ted Kennedy, who by all rights should be in hospice care right about now, unable to muster enough energy to care about his Senate duties. I knew someone who was roughly Ted’s age, diagnosed with the same glioblastoma he has at almost the same time (within a week or two of each other) and she has been gone for about a month already. Of course, she had the sub-standard health care that most American seniors get, not the expensive, all encompassing coverage of a US Senator.
I hope he rots in hell where he belongs!
December 4, 2008 at 1:16 pm
Grail Guardian
Sorry – should be:
And apparently Ted Kennedy, who by all rights should be in hospice care right about now, unable to muster enough energy to care about his Senate duties is better than us common people.
December 4, 2008 at 5:42 pm
edgeoforever
I have to wonder if ted is not in a Strum Thurman situation where they’re wheeling him in for photo opportunities and sound bites. Not because I have any respect left for him, but that’s how evil these people getting rich of others’ suffering are.
December 4, 2008 at 11:49 pm
Grail Guardian
Good point, Edge. I hadn’t thought of that…
December 5, 2008 at 2:26 am
Woman Voter
It all makes sense why they wanted her out of the race and out of the senate too. Ted and all his cronies that have been there since for ever don’t want universal health care, they are planning to be ‘public servants’ for the special interest group, the corporate big wigs.
America lost, and lost big.
December 5, 2008 at 9:44 am
insightanalytical
Teddy Kennedy bloviated about saving Medicare Part D when the Dems took over Congress, then …crickets! Because it would be “too hard,” all those companies already being set up with their crummy marketing and all…
I’ve ranted about Medicare Part D before at IA, but I will rant again now…It is just an exercise in pushing papers around so that the companies remain “whole” and we foot the bill for the honor of supporting THEM! Meanwhile, it’s donut hole bigtime if you need an inhaler…
Recently I found out that about a month or so ago, you couldn’t try to avoid the donut hole anymore by purchasing cheap prescriptions at places like Kmart or Walmart! Nope, we are now FORCED to have all prescriptions processed through Part D so more of us can get into the donut hole! Who snuck that in?? Must have been the Democrats!!!!!!!
PS–monthly premiums are almost DOUBLING this year on my “cheap” plan…for the honor of getting a “discount” that is equivalent to the card I had BEFORE Medicare Part D.
It’s a TOTAL RIP OFF!
PS–If they stick Caroline Kennedy into Clinton’s vacated seat to muster public “empathy” for any shitty bill coming out of Teddy et al’s plotting, I will throw up!! Gosh, I hope the lack of a super-majority can convince enough Republicans to block this crap! But I wouldn’t bet on it, considering how they all gave us Part D!!!! (a pox on Olympia Snowe, who had the swing vote on that…remember how the GOP held the vote open and was coercing member to vote for it??)
December 5, 2008 at 9:46 am
insightanalytical
Before I leave…
Today, I’m back at the Obama “aura”…with a fascinating bit on our vagus nerves and the psychological condition known as “elevation.” This really is something to read about…Hold onto your vagus nerve when it comes to this “healthcare refore” crap that’s coming our way.
More…particularly the video, if you are in a jumping mood lately….
The Scanner–Politics 12/5/08 (Obama…Vagus Nerve “Elevation” Superstar?; Obama-Clinton Contemplate a Jump (see awesome video!); Hands Like Butter; “Conscience”; Politically-Motivated Abortion “Science” Blasted by Johns Hopkins Researchers
http://insightanalytical.wordpress.com/2008/12/05/the-scanner-politics-12508-obama-vagus-nerve-elevation-superstar-obama-clinton-contemplate-a-jump-see-awesome-video-hands-like-butter-conscience-politically-motivated-abortion-s/
December 5, 2008 at 10:26 am
Grail Guardian
GRL,
You ain’t seen nothin’ yet! Wait till Medicare Part E comes out. The only think you won’t have to pay out of pocket for will be Erectile Dysfunction drugs.
December 5, 2008 at 12:27 pm
madamab
Wanna read how Janet Napolitano’s Cabinet nomination will affect women in Arizona? The corporate media won’t tell you, but I will!
I think The Obama For America Party cut a deal with the Repubs at the national level. This kind of stuff is just too much of a coinkidink for me.
December 5, 2008 at 7:14 pm
JD
I thought we were promised the same health insurance that Congress has? Remember, “If it’s good enough for Congress, it good enough for you.”
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