A new health-care option?

MSierra, SF — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 17:32:18 GMT

WHY NOT a non-profit co-op and a Government run plan ?

Isn't THAT the 'miracle of Capitalism' ?
Free Choice ?
Free Enterprise ?
Free Trade ?
Free Beer ?

YOU'RE NOT GONNA GET REPUBLICAN CO=OPERATION
NO MATTER HOW YOU COMPROMISE
FORGET IT

WHO NEEDS THEM ??

A new health-care option?

Suburban Mom paying attention, IL — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 17:34:54 GMT

More details of the plan should be known today. But the committee's top Republican, Chuck Grassley, acknowledged a new idea had been discussed.
------------------------------------------------------
Wow, and it appears that he's back to speaking English, as well. Good thing- he really doesn't demonstrate much command of slacker-Twitterese.

A new health-care option?

eagle1776 — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 17:36:23 GMT

Notice that it was a DEMOCRAT that came up with a new idea. Where are the ideas from the Republicans? Do they even know what new ideas are? So, Senator Hatch, you go first in telling us what a great alternative would be to a broken healthcare system. More of the same isn't going to work so you better think of a way that poor, elderly, and working middle class single moms making 30K a year can afford medical care for their entire families. Lead, follow, or get out of the way.

A new health-care option?

Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 17:41:00 GMT

Without naming the Conrad plan specifically, Republican Orrin Hatch was skeptical of any new Democratic ideas.
"The public plan is a non-starter," Hatch said. "They're trying to come up with various ways of having a public plan without calling it that. And I just don't see that working."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Well okey dokey then Orrin… as a Democrat your party hasn’t presented ANY ideas for me to be skeptical about! Hmmm??? We’re waiting (but not holding our breath cause it isn’t EVER GONNA HAPPEN! You wouldn't recognize an 'IDEA' if it jumped up and bit you in your fat white a@@!!

I’m to the point with this clowns that let them have there say… being ‘NO’ of course and then write & pass the legislation and CRAM it down their triple chinned throats!

AMERICA HAS SPOKEN – WE WANT AFFORDABLE QUALITY HEALTHCARE NOW!!!!!!!

A new health-care option?

Ed, San Antonio — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 17:43:01 GMT

Hatch, and all the other nay-sayers in Congress,what plan do you have? What's included, besides everything which WE the taxpayers and paying for?

Can WE all have a plan like that!

Pass expanded healthcare NOW!

A new health-care option?

Anita, Birmingham, Alabama — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 17:43:04 GMT

I am reserving my final opinions until I get facts. So far all that I am seeing is tid bits of nothing but GOP No's and nay sayer opinions. We are presented with options and I'll wait to see them. Something is better than the nothing hthey have done, or not attempted to do.

A new health-care option?

Eric, Salinas, CA — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 17:43:11 GMT

Conrad's non-profit plan sounds too much like a for profit fake out designed to stop single payer health care. Wonder how much he's taken from big medical companies to write this garbage up. Let's not forget that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac started as nonprofit adventures for homeloans and then got corrupted to become private entities run by private ripoff conartists who turned them into big loss machines. Don't be fooled again!

If it's not run by the government we can never trust it to take care of the prople. Before long the repugnant ones would cry to privatize it and then we'll all be at the mercy of the private ripoff conartists who have made our private health care system the laughing stock of the world.

We're 29th in infant mortality folks thanks to the private freemarket freeloaders and we'll soon be ranked further down with the third world countries if we don't enact government run health insurance alternatives. America is about free choice folks so let's give oiurselves the best of both worlds by having both private and public health insurance plans.

Single Payer Health Care Now!
Go Lakers!

A new health-care option?

Matthew, Houston, TX — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 17:43:43 GMT

Hey, Republicans, negotiateing means meeting half way or giving as well as taking, not 'my way is the only way'. What's the problem? Afraid of a little competiton for your friends in the insurance industry? Isn't competition something you're all for? Time to put up or shut up.

A new health-care option?

Jon Arlington — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 17:44:24 GMT

$2,500 a year. That is what bipartisanship will cost a family a four. A public plan would be $2,500 a year cheaper than for profit insurance. If they pass a bill without a public plan to make it bipartisan, they are stealing $2,500 from our pocket.

A new health-care option?

K. Ahmed, Wildwood, Fl. — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 17:44:34 GMT

Can't have a non-profit plan. That means the for profit gouging health insurance would take a pounding. We can't have that - that's un-american. Unless the average American is paying top dollar for health care which is the worst in the industrialized world capitalism will fail. That is the repubs position on non or gov run health insurance. Pathetic.

A new health-care option?

Pay Less — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 17:44:34 GMT

What do the Democrats have against anyone making a profit?

A new health-care option?

Nashville_fan — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 17:44:45 GMT

""It's not government run," he said. "We're trying to figure out a way to help keep the insurance companies feet to the fire in a way that doesn't frighten Republicans away, because it sounds too much like government [controlled]." - Max Baucus
================================================
Yes, because we wouldn't want the big bad government that you are a part of and that provides your health care to come in and offer a life line to the millions of Americans with no affordable access to health care.

Tired of all the "government is the boogeyman" thinking.

I'd like to think that the people we elect to RUN THE GOVERNMENT were smarter than that.

P.S. I am interested to hear more about this non-profit "option", but if the only reason to do it is to save us from "big government", then that sounds like alot of people in Washington DC need to be de-programed from decades of being indoctrinated with a whole lot of "government is bad" foolishness.

A new health-care option?

JanB, Tucson, AZ — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 17:45:16 GMT

At this point, Who cares if the 'Just Say NO' obstructionists oppose a Federal option to for profit Insurance companies; They LOST the last election and it just takes 51 votes to pass a health care plan for Americans - the 46 MILLION + w/o health care insurance.

I wonder what those foot-draggers would do if the American taxpayers stopped providing Congress with their premier ,all inclusive, no co-pay free health care insurance?

A new health-care option?

Chris, Dorr, MI — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 17:48:31 GMT

Of course the rethugliklans don't see it working. These @@sholes are really starting to pi$$ me off. How can they face the voting public and DECLARE "public" or "single payer" off the table when they have "public, single payer" health coverage for life. Every single citizen of this country should, in the least, have the option of the same coverage as all elected officials, or find their own at their own expense. I just can't believe the opposition and denial that this isn't the single biggest economic roadblock we face as a nation.

Feisty, I've tried to send you this response for days now. None of my posts are getting through.
Feistmeister: (I just love that name) I would like to sit down with Tim Russert (I miss him terribly). Knowing that isn't going to happen (unless I'm called home or like this would anyway) I'd go with Rahm(bo) for all the obvious reasons.

A new health-care option?

Lisa Kemby, St. Louis — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 17:49:35 GMT

It's not so much how something is managed Senator Conrad. It's who pays for it. Obama's numbers, and we know he's been way off already on many of his numbers, say that universal health care will cost $1.2 trillion dollars over ten years. Now seeing these are Obama's numbers, it's safe to say that number should be doubled. So we're talking about $200 billion dollars a year for universal health care. The country in the best of times doesn't have that kind of money, and these times it most definitely doesn't have it.

Anything government run like health care will cost considerably more, and provide less service, then the private sector can provide.

A new health-care option?

Slaney Black, Baltimore, MD — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 17:50:45 GMT

Well this is a good idea. Depending on the details maybe even better than a public option. If this measure actually has teeth in it, good luck getting Republican support.

A new health-care option?

Senator America — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 17:50:49 GMT

And how is this non-profit coop to be funded?

A new health-care option?

Greg remington — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 17:51:19 GMT

Republicans will wise up one day when they realize that the more they oppose what the other party does, that actually opposing everything and offering no new ideas gets their party smaller in numbers!!

A new health-care option?

Anita, Birmingham, Alabama — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 17:51:29 GMT

So...it appears that two banks have the ok to repay us back 68 billion of our tax dollars...

A new health-care option?

watching — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 17:52:13 GMT

why is the G nO P at the table?
they Got nO Proposals

A new health-care option?

Cathy M, Newport, KY — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 17:52:41 GMT

ORRIN HATCH and the other Republicans who don't want a public plan have not been listening to voters. Someone must be putting a lot of bucks in Hatch's campaign, and other Repubs...who can that be??? Let's see, could it be the insurance and pharmaceutical companies? I am sick of these "no" people who have not given a thought to what we need to protect the American people.

In another thread someone was spouting off stats about why we shouldn't cover immigrants or illegal aliens (the truth is, we are - in emergency rooms); or perhaps someone lost their insurance for one month following loss of a job (wouldn't that be a heck of a time to be in a car wreck or have a heart attack). What wrong with insurance all the time, low cost-managed, not these for-profit companies that continue to give themselves more perks and money and pay millions and billions of dollars to deny coverage which people desperately need.

And if the government is soooo bad, why don't you get out of it Mr. Hatch, because you and your cronies have done nothing to help the people of this country.

A new health-care option?

Just Wondering — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 17:52:57 GMT

Why are dead-enders controlling this discussion? America voted out this noise last fall. If Norm Coleman would finally man up and lose with graciousness, none of this blather would matter.

A new health-care option?

GP NW Indiana — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 17:53:07 GMT

Anything that takes money away from the for-profit health machine the repubs are going to vote against.

Got cancer? pad those profits!!
Got MS? pad those profits!!
Got Leukemia? pad those profits!!

We've turned into a nation that used to cure people, into a nation that just treats people for the sake of cash-flow.

They should have a 1 billion dollar tax free award for every major disease cured. Make a hit list...think of all the money it would save healthcare.

A new health-care option?

Quackers — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 17:53:42 GMT

["They're trying to come up with various ways of having a public plan without calling it that. And I just don't see that working."]

When Obama, Conrad and the Democrats point at a truck, they somehow want to tell us it's a duck.

A new health-care option?

no joe, no bo, nj — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 17:54:25 GMT

A new health-care option?

Alz - IL — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 17:55:44 GMT

FR: "It's not government run," he[Baucus]said.

Sure. Neither is GM.

A new health-care option?

Tue, 09 Jun 2009 17:56:40 GMT

How long until someone goes "Hey, we could run this co-op thing just about as well for a profit!" and we've created yet another private insurance company to screw us out of health care?
Let the Navy or someone do it for the nation already; it would be hard to see how any of this could be worse.

A new health-care option?

Jonathan in Seattle — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 17:58:21 GMT

Still, you can bet the right wing will find a way to block this in some way or manner, no matter how small. I think Obama and the Democrats have been far more patient with trying to work alongside the Republicans than vice-versa has been, in the past, and the Republicans have rewarded the Dems/Obama with nothing more than face bites, obstruction, and backstabbing. Such a lovely party, eh?

A new health-care option?

Fortunate Son — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 17:58:38 GMT

Of course, one option would be that there is NO nationalized health care.

Has any Dem even thought of that?

A new health-care option?

peter durham, ct — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 18:00:14 GMT

The extreme aversion republicans have to any public option is curious since, as elected officials, they're provided free publicly funded health care for life. Why does it work for them but won't work for us? If the private sector is truly the best option, why don't they use it? Private insurance has promised to deliver affordable care to everyone for decades, but it's never happened. As long as profit is the only objective, they will continue to purge the sick.

A new health-care option?

John — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 18:01:05 GMT

Why are the insurance companies so afraid of government competition? This is a great plan!!

A new health-care option?

cindy, las vegas, nv — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 18:01:13 GMT

I'm still with the Single Pay concept. Seems the most reasonable. Think about this people, how are we going to pay for this???????

A new health-care option?

GOP is Done — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 18:01:25 GMT

We currently have 3 government medical plans (each work very well):

1. US Military
2. VA
3. Medicare

The GOP is a sicko bunch!!!!!!

A new health-care option?

let it be — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 18:02:16 GMT

If private health insurance companies fail, would the government have to bail them out? If private companies get taken over, do the new insurers have to abide by the conditions of the former? The reason people like the idea of a government option is that they feel more secure. If there is no government or default option, who will control and regulate the way the insurers do business?

A new health-care option?

Rick,Ky — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 18:06:04 GMT

Just whose Plan is it that Americans want passed? Is it Conrads or The PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA'S plan? The President has already recognized the delaying tactic's from the doomsayers, that was why he said"The time for health care is NOW".

What is it that Conrad does'nt understand about that statement?

Pass the health care plan that American's want with 51 votes & see how it works for the next 10 year's. Screw the GOP, Shove it down there Fearmongering Throats & makem Choke on it!

Democrats, have you had your Rabies shot today ?

A new health-care option?

griff, seattle — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 18:07:06 GMT

No, no, no, no, no! Thank you Grand Obstructionist Party! These people are irrelevant, out of touch, and useless. Private insurance & HMO's have no interest in serving individuals, only stockholders. Forget these losers, include a public option if not single payer plan. Perhaps we can make up some ground as compared against the other civilized industrial nations.

A new health-care option?

kaye — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 18:08:54 GMT

The Emperor Repubs clothes are off and their hatred of the middle class and poor is blantant - they have FREE GOVERNMENT HEALTHCARE - they disgust me. They are the ORIGINAL WELFARE QUEENS.

A new health-care option?

St. Eleutherius of Nicomedia — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 18:12:30 GMT

Medicaid, Medicare, the Prescription Drug Program, Socialist Security, PBGC and WIC are essentially bankrupt. Stop the lies. There is no "trust fund" there is no "plan". These things were insolvent from day one and the Democrats AND Republicans know it.

Time for the Dems to walk the talk. SOAK THE RICH!

Where are these higher taxes on the rich? I am sure Kennedy, Kerry, Kohl, Lauetnberg, Rockefeller, Pelosi, the Obamas, the Clintons, the Gores, Michael Moore, Oprah Winfrey, George Soros, Sumner Redstone, Jeff Immelt, Bruce Springsteen, Ted Turner, Barbara Streisand, Tim Geithner, Wesley Snipes, Todd Stroger, Rod Blagojevich and the Daleys of Chicago will all have their checkbooks in hand waiting to pay higher taxes so Joe Six-Pack can have better medical care and a secure retirement.

Show mw ONE cancelled check to the IRS from any of these Mercedes Marxists and Bentley Bolsheviks and I will become a registered Democrat for the rest of my life!

A new health-care option?

katiec — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 18:13:03 GMT

Have you ever noticed the salaries the CEO's etc get while running a non profit organization?
Sorry, but cannot trust any so called private organization. Look what the financial institutions did to us.
The insurance companies, drug companies etc are trying to eliminate any health care that could rein into their profits and, of course, the republicans are supporting them.

A new health-care option?

Falcon — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 18:14:47 GMT

eagle1776 - Notice that it was a DEMOCRAT that came up with a new idea. Where are the ideas from the Republicans?

Still waiting for the Democrats to come up with an idea. At least one that doesn't cost the taxpayers a trillion dollars. The scorecard for that one is still stuck on zero.

A new health-care option?

Lurleen Lumpkin, Springfield, USA — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 18:16:17 GMT

I am reserving my final opinions until I get facts. Anita, Birmingham, Alabama (Sent Tuesday, June 09, 2009 1:43 PM)
================================================

Wow! For the first time we have some moderation from George Wallace land!

A new health-care option?

Chris - IL — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 18:17:47 GMT

peter durham, ct (Sent Tuesday, June 09, 2009 2:00 PM)

You make such an excellent point. Why is it that they are so opposed to publicly funded health care and are convinced it will never work, can't be efficient, and will cause health care rationing.

Someone made a post the other day saying that the government's own health care system should be taken away and they should be forced to be on their own to turn to private insurance companies. That would likely push them in the direction of finding a real solution to the problem!

I'm all for considering the pluses and negatives of any new ideas by either party. But our elected officials need to recognize that they are NOT going to find a perfect solution. They need to find the BEST solution and get it done!

A new health-care option?

Call Your Congresscritter — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 18:18:30 GMT

why is the G nO P at the table?

+++++++++++

Because the Democrats don't have nearly enough votes to pay for this boondoggle.

A new health-care option?

Greg Vancouver — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 18:22:15 GMT

As an Amenrican living in Canada I have this message for you Don't be afraid of a public private mixed system and don't listen to the lies. I can choose my own family doctor I can choose my own hospital I can choose my own treatments. This whole lie about I have to call a government agency to do anything is a CROCK!!! All the government does is collect my monthly insurance fee that's it!!! By the way that fee is only $108.00 per month for a family of four. That covers all family doctor visits, all referals, all tests, all emergency care and any amount of care needed without any additional costs. Yes we sometimes have to wait a little longer to get in to see a specialist if the condition is non threatening or we may have to wait to get an MRI and if you don't feel like waiting you can spend $300-$400 dollars to a private clinic to get an MRI today. Even if I have to do that who cares I pay $1296.00 a year for my family of four compared to what you spend on your care I could get four MRIs a year and still be ahead of you. Plus no one is ever turned away for care there are no higher rates for people with pre-exsiting conditions everyone pays the same. Republicans and big pharma are LIEING to you don't throw away your chance to free yourselfs from the grip of the health insurance giants who only have there shareholders in mind.

A new health-care option?

Bad Chihuahua — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 18:26:43 GMT

John and schreindog: (another post)

I don't care if any felon has ever escaped a maximum security prison or not.

No one wants these boneheads in their community or even in their state. Gee, I wonder why.

There are libs with some common sense and there's you guys.

Gitmo is state of the art. They have everything there. The problem is the name. Change it to South Shores Prison and Day Spa. Gee, but Obie promised to close it. WHAAA.

A new health-care option?

Sick of Bickering in Congress, Baltimore MD — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 18:29:03 GMT

So, WHAT IS THE PLAN - Isn't everyone tired of the Rep. naysayers and just plain obstructionists (that goes for the Dems too in certain instances). Obama recieved a MANDATE in the election and creating an affordable and comprehensive health care system is a MUST not a "let's see".

Don't use the European systemic issues to shoot down this idea. Try to find a specialist in the US now who will see you in a timely manner. My long term endocrinologist has over a YEAR wait for non-emergent routine follow up cases.

A new health-care option?

Matthew, Houston, TX — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 18:29:14 GMT

Okay, so now the Republicans have put an alternative on the table. Cue the derogatory remarks from the left, who will be sorely disappointed at having to drop their Obama-speak 'party of no' mantra.

On another note, the House Republicans introduced a bill that would cut $43billiion from the budget. Neither I nor anyone else knows what was in that bill, because there was NO MEDIA COVERAGE on it, nor was there any coverage on the House committee rejecting Obama's $100million in cuts.

Ah, the selective media coverage. In some circles, it might be called censorship. In others, it might be called rah rah journalism.

The one thing it will never be called is adherence to high journalistic standards.
no joe, no bo, nj (Sent Tuesday, June 09, 2009 1:54 PM)
====================================================

Wrong again (or 'as usual?), no joe.

It was a Democrat that put that on the table.

The media did cover the Republican plan and guess what? There were no details and the numbers did not add up.

no joe, you really should be sure of your facts before posting.

A new health-care option?

Kat, Des Moines, IA — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 19:02:57 GMT

All government workers should have to pay at least half their premiums - just like the rest of us working stiffs do. No exemptions for members of the senate or congressmen at the federal or state level.
Or better yet - let em get what the uninsured get and let em pay their own way. Their tune will change when its their personal money at stake.

A new health-care option?

mary dale, iowa — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 19:04:33 GMT

Let's see if i understand. The Republicans response to any idea that comes from the Democrats is NO. And they have NO ideas to offer instead. That is why we are in such trouble - they had NO ideas all those years they were in charge, ideas that could have prevented some of the financial disasters that became apparent the last couple years of GWB. The only things they tried to do were to take away our freedoms and give more breaks to the rich and business and military idustrial complex. Why does FR even have these articles about the republicans saying they cant support ________ (fill in the blank), they havent supported anything that helps Americans.

A new health-care option?

Kat, Des Moines, IA — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 19:04:39 GMT

A new health-care option?

WWJBD — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 19:08:52 GMT

Like the wise man says: "Liberals foolishly believe that they are the only solution when reality shows they are the problem." Until the facts come out how about you libs tone down your useless banter.

A new health-care option?

Duluth — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 19:16:48 GMT

A new health-care option?

Richard, Topeka, KS — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 19:18:15 GMT

Somehow "non-profit" organizations that handle a lot of money end up with an administrative staff whose upper echelons pay themselves quite large salaries plus perks. Government salaries are much less for far more difficult tasks, so "non-profit" sounds good, but may be quite profitable for those in charge. Those with a memory may recall the United Way scandal of some years ago.

A new health-care option?

Duluth — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 19:18:17 GMT

Bail out Banks Auto Ind. but none for the tax payer?

A new health-care option?

Lucious Kees, Chicago, IL — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 19:26:36 GMT

I am really a moderate, but to allow republicans to try and stop anything that would have a positve long term benefit for this country borders on stupidity. Yes, the decider, made bad choices, but at least he was forceful when he made them. What I'm getting at is we need healthcare reform that gives private companies incentive to lower prices. Democrates have the votes without the republican help. So they should stop being scared or bought pawns and get it done. The average citizen will appreciate it.

A new health-care option?

TorpedoYou — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 19:27:42 GMT

What ever happened to the "transparancy" promised by both sides of the aisle? Let's put all the closed door meetings on C-Span. Let's reveal the congressional logbooks on who is meeting with whom on this issue. This is not a matter of national security so please explain why we are spoon fed this stuff by the politicos and the press. Anyone????

A new health-care option?

SAM, USA — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 19:39:09 GMT

Here's a NEW Plan. Take away all government health care from all politicians. They can pay for their own plans like so many of us have to do. That extra money not going out for their health care can either go towards the deficit or toward health care for all. All politicians need to do with less. Cut in salaries should be called for all of them. No more accepting Lobbyists money to sway their vote from drug companies and health insurance companies. That's OUR money going to them.

A new health-care option?

Jill, Philadelphia, PA — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 19:50:03 GMT

Don't our businesses and our "leaders" get it? If we have a "nationalized" health care system, we would bring business back. Companies left for cheaper labor costs (insurance is a huge burden on businesses). If we had a nationalized health care system it would be cheaper for big businesses to bring back jobs to the USA as opposed to shipping them over seas. We are in deep _ _ _ _, and health care reform will actually be the one business that could very well turn this country around where everyone benefits with coverage and jobs. Note: Medicade is state funded (get funding from the Federal) Medicare is Federally funded (we pay for it anyway). And for all you of you that believe I am a Democrat, I am. But I will say this... if Obama agrees to allow health benefits from employers to be taxed as income for employees, I will never speak his name again.

A new health-care option?

St. Eleutherius of Nicomedia — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 19:51:39 GMT

We're 29th in infant mortality folks thanks to the private freemarket freeloaders,,,Eric, Salinas, CA (Sent Tuesday, June 09, 2009 1:43 PM)
-----------------------------------------------
Feigned concerned for dead infants from the party of abortion doctors. What a joke you Dems are!