Is Bipartisanship Necessary to Pass Health Care Reform?

Will they or won’t they pass meaningful health care reform this year? “They” being the Democrats.

Bipartisanship is a beautiful dream, in a kumbaya sort of way, but there are few issues that highlight the great divide between Democrats and Republicans like health care reform. In recent months the debate has exploded into a good versus evil battle with winner-takes-all stakes.

Republicans say that health care reform is needed, but are against a single-payer system, against a public option, not in favor of co-ops, don’t want to stifle insurance company profits, and have an “every man for himself” attitude, even when it comes to basic health care.

Their supporters are packing guns, comparing President Obama to Hitler, and invoking the Lord. They are not going to negotiate. They are not going to sign on the dotted line unless every last bit of meaningful reform is stripped clean from the final bill. Whatever passes in the end, it will not be a bipartisan bill containing true reform.

Barack Obama was swept into office on a platform that included health care reform — with a public option — and enough Democrats in place to get the job done. Sure, a bipartisan bill would be icing on the cake, but it’s not going to happen.

Illustrating this very point, Rachel Maddow did a great piece called, “GOP – They’re Just Not That Into Health Care”

Democrats, the ball is most definitely in your court. The window of opportunity is closing. Woulda,.. coulda… shoulda… when we had the chance. That’s what we’ll be saying if reform dies in 2009, and it will be a very long time before any politician has the guts to champion the cause again.

From the Petition Site:

Tell President Obama and Congress why we need comprehensive health care reform NOW.

Support Historic Health Bill

We Demand a Public Option.

If you are truly opposed to any form of government-run health care, you’ll want to sign this petition: I Pledge to Deny Myself Medicare for Life!

Photo: http://www.sxc.hu/photo/616726

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Dragonfly K.

9:53AM PDT on Sep 4, 2009

Dear Jim D.
It's a good day when I get an assist instead of an attack of the trolls smackdown. Thanks for the validation and keep fighting the good fight! :)

send a green star

Past Member .

11:38AM PDT on Aug 31, 2009

Oops, typo:

I'm UNsure of whom you're speaking here ...

11:36AM PDT on Aug 31, 2009

Hi DF,

I'm sure of whom you're speaking here:

"geez, first the party of No infiltrates the Change.org site, and now the care site."

But I think we agree. Republicans are in the minorty now, significantly so. That's makes them the "Opposition Party" by default. And that sure as heck hasn't been lost on them! LOL

Jeez Louise, everything they do and say is pure junk -- it's just designed to distract and confuse in hopes it'll die of fatigue. Oldest opposition party trick in the book.

But President Obama is a real smart guy. I seriously doubt anything I could say would be new information for our president, who on balance is doing a great job despite real sucky circumstances, IMO. Thank goodness he and not the McCain/Palin ticket won .. OMG, could you imagine? Mr. Denial and Ms. Dunce?

So Ann P. asks a great question in this blog page: do we need Reps to pass reform? Of course not; we merely need Dem unity, which is the job of President Obama -- he's the part leader.

So, IMO, Mr. President: tells Rep thanks for nothin'; tell Dems to get in line or start look for work following the next election -- even if you gotta reincarnate George Washington to run against them.

Get 'er done! :^)

Jim

11:21AM PDT on Aug 31, 2009

"You" wrote:

"Kaiser did a study based on census data that is for the most part being quoted in various media (the 47 million unisured number being mentioned frequently).

'According to the study:

'Roughly 66% have insurance (61% employer-provided; 5% private/non-group). The government covers 16%; and 17% are uninsured. Satisfaction data ("like it") is a bit too dynamic to give hard numbers ... it varies widely from state-to-state (NY and FL are the most sucky, according to what I've read.)

'But in general terms, Medicare users poll higer in satisfaction than patients with private insurance. So, government plans tend to better liked, and indeed are more cost efficient.

'Additionally, most folks in the world have about a 45% "like it" quotient. But it's sort of pointless (to what are they comparing?) except as a gauge for the healthcare industry (a "how we doin?" meter).

'So, 82.XX% have private insurance or government plans, and probably around 45% of those users "like it," with a skew in favor of government plans."

Couldn't have said it better myself!

Best,

Jim

10:56AM PDT on Aug 31, 2009

geez, first the party of No infiltrates the Change.org site, and now the care site. Two things of which they care absolutely nothing about but don't want the progressives to achieve our goals for Obama's presidency, Healthcare, clean energy, education. They will stand in the way of everything. Are you gonna let them make decisions after they received such a spanking from the American people on November 4th? Are you gonna let them drive the conversation and brainwash you?

Rumors of the demise of the Public Option are greatly exaggerated by the Party of NO.

10:53AM PDT on Aug 31, 2009

Kaiser did a study based on census data that is for the most part being quoted in various media (the 47 million unisured number being mentioned frequently).

According to the study:

Roughly 66% have insurance (61% employer-provided; 5% private/non-group). The government covers 16%; and 17% are uninsured. Satisfaction data ("like it") is a bit too dynamic to give hard numbers ... it varies widely from state-to-state (NY and FL are the most sucky, according to what I've read.)

But in general terms, Medicare users poll higer in satisfaction than patients with private insurance. So, government plans tend to better liked, and indeed are more cost efficient.

Additionally, most folks in the world have about a 45% "like it" quotient. But it's sort of pointless (to what are they comparing?) except as a gauge for the healthcare industry (a "how we doin?" meter).

So, 82.XX% have private insurance or government plans, and probably around 45% of those users "like it," with a skew in favor of government plans.

9:31AM PDT on Aug 28, 2009

Correct; not as it's thus far been framed by you. Ya gotta have a basis of some kind, not merely "I'm concerned." That's no help; we gotta know what you're concerned about. Then it has value.

Shannon G.

8:59AM PDT on Aug 28, 2009

Ahh.....my concern has no basis because it has no value in your eyes. Thanks for the laugh, made my day. I knew I could count on you!

8:57AM PDT on Aug 28, 2009

Lastly my dear,

"So, It's not my right to question this bill or any other is that what you are saying?"

Questioning is good, if the concern is voiced with some basis for the concern. "I am worried about X because of Y and Z."

But "I am worrried about X beacause I am afraid of something I cannot define" is of no value to the decision making process. And it makes you appear to be a frightened little contrarian. So it's not beneficial to you either.

Be well, now and in 50 years,

Jim

8:38AM PDT on Aug 28, 2009

Shannon,

In more general terms, if you're at all concerned about your fellow man, now or in 50 years, please know that if it's an alternative advanced by Republicans with the help of their lobbyist pals, they're not actually here to help you/us.

Sush ss with the Insurance Exchange diversion / alternative to a Public Option. It was ferried in by Republicans, by the way, and indeed offers up a bunch of hidden pain (reaches into our pockets and is no doubt a windfall for the insurance lobby). Instead of an "Option" as proposed by Obama/Dems, the bitches of industry in the Republican Caucus give it to us in the backside, and then their little minions (like you) blame it on "ObamaCare."

You'd have to love the irony were it not so sad that roughly 30% of us (hardcore righties, such as yourself) were so easily brainwashed.

Here's a tip: It's not just commie/pinko/lefty/wacko-libs like me that will be screwed. You're screwed too.

Jim