Health Care Reform: Quote for the Day
Courtesy Blue Dog Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin:
We have to be pragmatic and forge some deal that moves us in a positive direction … We have expended unnecessary energy on elements of the plan that I don’t think are essential. I remain optimistic that when we come back in September, we will recognize how important it is to get half a loaf.
Perhaps even more noteworthy is the following line from the NYT article in which that comment appeared; the emphasis is mine:
With Republicans essentially out of the health care picture for now, Blue Dog members from suburban and rural America said they could provide the ideological balance to the more urban members of the Democratic caucus …
Did you hear that, oh vaulted leaders of the GOP? You’ve so opposed any form of negotiated compromise that you’ve apparently been relegated even more to the sidelines than you were before. What little strength you might have had has been squandered. Good luck with that. And don’t say we didn’t warn you … more than once.
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11 Responses to “Health Care Reform: Quote for the Day”
Stephanie Herseth Sandlin largest contribution comes from the Blue Dog PAC which is (wait for it) funded by private health interests. It's nice to know their money is doing some good.
If the GOP is out of the health care picture – as it should be given the vote of November 2008 and the grossly irresponsible behavior of the rump Republican Party since then – shouldn't the Blue Dogs be looking more to find common ground on the left with the base of the Democratic Party? Doesn't this free them up from negotiating with Republicans?
Remember, conservatives opposed to health care reform will not vote for Blue Dog Democrats when they can vote for a real Republican instead. If the Democratic base in Blue Dog districts is demoralized by lack of action, nobody will vote for the Blue Dog Democrat.
They've been sidelined by the Dems. Note that there is no (honest, true) obligation of federal expansion.
Republicans are still having problems with their base.
The media is still stupid.
And the Blue Dogs still need to solve problems in order to face the voters.
Hmmmmm. One of the comments on the link from GS:
“By the way, I think Obama should sign, as a temporary measure, an executive order allowing medicare to sell health insurance at cost to those without it.”
Could he do that? Interesting thought.
What do you mean, “Could he do that?” That's the last thing that matters among those who like that.
I mean could Obama allow anyone to buy Medicare coverage at its actual cost to them? And why would you so oppose that if I'm willing to pick up the cost?
“I mean could Obama allow anyone to buy Medicare coverage at its actual cost to them?”
No matter what the law is, which is the last thing that matters among those who like that?
DLS
To the voices in DLS's head,
repeating the same sentence is not the same as answering a question. I hope you guys in there figure that out.
“And why would you so oppose that if I'm willing to pick up the cost?”
There is no legitimate basis for such an action, obviously.
But there are some who don't care about respect for the law or propriety. Such is desperation now.
[chuckle] The author even replaces the word “crisis” [sic] with “emergency” [sic]. Did Mikey write it?
“he should … simply announce that by executive order, he is lowering the age for Medicare to 55, and is switching all Medicaid patients in the country over to Medicare (with the intention of lowering that age by five years ever year until all are covered), and shutting down the Medicaid program. He should then submit a bill to Congress establishing a government-owned insurance company, open to all, with no restrictions on its ability to set pricing and reimbursement rates or to negotiate discounts from hospitals, doctors and pharmacy companies. Or alternatively, the bill could enable anyone to simply buy into Medicare. He should tell Democrats and Republicans alike that any member of Congress who votes against that bill will not see any bill with her or his name on it get his signature in his remaining years in office. The government company would be phased out once Medicare covered everyone. …
Congress could be expected to howl at the use of an executive order to expand Medicare, but the president could declare a national health emergency as justification, saying the recession had thrown too many people off of health insurance, and that as well, states were in dire fiscal shape and laying off workers because of the increased Medicaid burden.”
http://www.commondreams.org/view/2009/09/02-12
The DNC should thank the Bluedogs for being the only force for sanity in their party on this issue.