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The latest Senate health care bill has no public option. No expansion of Medicare. And it does too little to guarantee that uninsured Americans will actually be able afford the coverage they'll be required to purchase.But it's not too late to fix the bill. And as Joe Lieberman has shown, just one senator willing to stand in the way can force legislation to be changed dramatically.
Senator Bernie Sanders, a strong proponent of the public option, has already made clear that he's opposed to the legislation in its current form--and he could decide to block it until it's fixed.
But there's enormous pressure from all sides to pass a bill quickly, no matter how weak it is. Let's show Bernie and other progressives that we're counting on them to block this version of the bill--and we'll get their backs if they do.
A compiled petition with your individual comment will be presented to Bernie Sanders and other Senate progressives.
Comments
How does the reconciliation process work? I thought that the house passed a relatively strong bill, if the senate passes a weak bill can it be reconciled into a much stronger one?
Posted by: Sam N | December 18, 2009 3:42 PM
So all the bits that were good for the public were removed and only the bits that are good for the insurers have been left in?
Posted by: MadScientist | December 19, 2009 6:55 AM
I'm afraid I'm with Professor Krugman on this one.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/18/opinion/18krugman.html?scp=3&sq=krugman&st=cse
Posted by: mk | December 19, 2009 1:21 PM
And from Joe Conason: "But the real crux of the argument between Dean and the bill's supporters is less about the details than over what this act means for the future of healthcare in America. For those who want the bill to pass despite its defects -- a position that I have come to share -- this is the moment when the nation decides that health insurance must be provided to every citizen, period. That tidal shift is why right-wing politicians and pundits are so ferociously opposed to this bill -- and why its passage would represent an important victory on the way to restoration of the American social contract."
http://www.salon.com/opinion/conason/2009/12/18/dean_and_healthcare/index.html
Posted by: mk | December 19, 2009 2:03 PM
Perfection just won't be reached in this session. It is important to get some reform on the books so that we can build upon it in the future...
Do you honestly think if it tanks this session we will be seeing it again any time soon? When was the last time we saw health reform legislation? 1990-something? I have to support this bill even though it hurts, even though I'm under the poverty line and can't afford to be forced into buying insurance, because if we don't pass something now chances are I'll be dead before the issue is raised again.
I get the feeling that passing this leaves the subject of healthcare reform open to build further legislation in the coming years. Hopefully something better for individuals instead of insurers.
Posted by: DJ | December 20, 2009 1:50 PM
I guess I'm just basically saying I don't think blocking it until it is fixed is going to happen... Sorry for the double post.
Posted by: DJ | December 20, 2009 1:54 PM