Health Care Hardball: Will Dems Abandon Republicans for a Public Plan?

What else is there to do when the GOP only wants to cooperate on its ideologically rigid terms?

YES YES YES!! It's about time the Dems get some Cajones. The American people have spoken and we want change. And we want health care. The GOP is just being pigheaded and its time for the Dems to do the right thing. ALL of them and the GOP's that want to get re-elected better think twice about voting NO because we are paying attention to what they are doing against the middle class Americans. Public option is the least of what we should have, Single payer would be best but one step at a time. We are evolving.

Funny that no one in the media is talking about the six states who have bi-partisan state measures in the works to opt out of this federal plan (or anyone like it). These pieces of state legislation are all designed to protect consumer rights and doctor rights -- and some states that are considering these measures were big supporters of Obama and are considered democratic strongholds.

It's time to stop pretending that its only republicans who don't like this plan - lots of people on both sides of the political aisle don't like the plan.

The Republicans were voted out of office for two terms in a row for a reason. This country desperately needs health care reform. If the GOP wants to simply sit back and reject every single plan, screw them. Don't even bother wasting time trying to negotiate with them.

I tend to agree with Matt. I'm not sure there is any other option other than to ram it down their (Republicans') throats in order to create a really cost-competitive market. I don't for a moment trust the insurance companies competing alone amongst themselves to responsibly lower prices and/or change processes in a way that benefits those most in need of health care benefits. Don't think we can wholly count on the

Dem super-majority, though. There are several moderate and conservative Dems who've received perks and contributions from health-care interests who're not necessarily going to support the public option themselves. Senator Mary Landrieu in Louisiana is one of them. Kay Hagan (NC) is another. Max Baucus (MT). I'm pretty sure Blanche Lincoln in Arkansas, too. There are at least five or six more of these folks, and they're going to be a significant road block.

This is a massive change. It should not be rammed through. We can fix the areas of health care that do not work rather than just dump the whole system on the government. We need Tort reform and competition among the states on insurance policies. To bring government into our health care is a horrible mistake! The government has stated they want to reduce procedures by 30%, that will affect every American!

The GOP will not vote for a bill that steals from hard-working people to pay for insurance for those who have none. If people want insurance they can work hard like I do and pay for their own. We already have Medicare and Medicaid. Enough is enough. Stop with the Robin Hood mentality. This spending insanity must stop. Living in a free country does not make you free to steal money from others to pay for your own benefit.

Folks 10% unemployment is as good as it gets in France with socialized medicine. If you are an employer your costs are going up not down with mandatory health care reform. And remember the tide of boomers' ready to cash their social security checks. The pyramid scheme of social security makes Bernie Maddoff look like a saint. Nothing is free the bill for The New Deal passed in the 1930's is coming due. The government does not create wealth it taxes it and spends what it doesn't have. Want security by a warm blanket.

Who will the Left blame after they've trashed this country will unbelievably stupid and irresponsible spending? Cram whatever you want down our throats while you're still in power, just do what actually may be good for this country (you claim to love) in the long run. The GOP isn't idealogically rigid if there are reasons for opposing unjustifiable and harmful spending proposals. They're just trying to stop the insanity!

The Republicans cannot stop a single piece of legislation put forth by the dems. In fact, Moveon is attacking conservative dems who don't line up with Obama. One thing is clear; every mistake and problem is now the DEMOCRATS FAULT!!! If they screw up healthcare (which they will), it's THEIR PROBLEM! When they mess up on cap and trade, the democrats will take the blame. Keep 'em coming dems; it's just more ammunition for 2010/2012.

"If people want insurance they can work hard like I do and pay for their own" - I agree, but what about folks who are either sick or cannot find a good paying job with benefits? The private companies will not sell you quality, affordable coverage if you have or ever had a pre-existing condition. Thats why we need a public option - now.

Democracy has the freedom to autocracy now. Yes you can! Yes you can!

People without insurance work hard too. It's ignorant for anyone to equate hard work with whether you can afford insurance or not. People who have cancer or are in remission from cancer are unable to get insurance because of pre-existing conditions. There are people with diabetes that are uninsurable and the list goes on. They work hard, they pay taxes and they cannot get coverage. Don't even try to use the arguement about health care for everyone as stealing from "hard working" people. You are no better than anyone else and everyone deserves coverage. If you had a child who beat a serious disease and grew up to be a young adult, guess what, they could work from dawn to dusk and they still couldn't qualify for insurance. The insurance company's only want the healthy.

Some people choose not to have insurance not because they're poor, but because it makes more financial sense (in some cases) to pay for services and medicines as you go, if you are young, healthy and single. This plan would force them to buy health insurance anyway.

I know a lot of people who make too much money to qualify for medicare, and chose not to have insurance because when you add up the premium costs, deductibles and co-pays, it's more expensive then just paying for a doctor visit here and there.

The reality is that the poor do get free medical - those who are with 200 percent of poverty level qualify for medicare and other programs. Free clinics also help.

We do need reform -- the country needs a better way to help those who are burdened with high medical costs, but forcing young healthy people to buy health insurance when they don't need or want it is not the answer to that problem. Let's focus on what's wrong with the system and only fix what's broken.

Perhaps the answer is to simply expand the number of free clinics or clinics that receive federal grants to treat the poor.

I agree, but what about folks who are either sick or cannot find a good paying job with benefits? The private companies will not sell you quality, affordable coverage if you have or ever had a pre-existing condition. Thats why we need a public option - now.

Posted by: Mark from atlanta |

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Mark, how are sick people with pre-existing conditions going to be helped by forcing people who don't want insurance to buy it anyway? That's what this plan does.

Brenda, it is stealing. If the government steals money from me and gives it to someone else what else can you call that? Income redistribution is Socialism and this country was not founded on that. I do not want people to go without care. But I am unwilling to pay for it for them. There are always churches, charities, loans, etc. to help people out. We do not need the government to force us to pay for others' health care. Its not my job to support these people.

Yes. Do something. Republicans had 8 years to try and do something and they chose not to. If they have to ram it through. So be it. Republicans are only going to cowtail to their insurance lobbying supporters.

"The reality is that the poor do get free medical - those who are with 200 percent of poverty level qualify for medicare and other programs" - I like your idea of expanding free clinics, but there is a limit to their scope of practice. As far as the poor getting healthcare: Not in Georgia. You pretty much have to be a woman with child to get Medicaid. Its not a coincidence that Georgia and other states without access to healthcare also have the lowest life expectancies. Our current system is killing folks.

How is all that "hope and change" working for the citizen so far? Got a job and what about gas prices? Better believe the catholic church is in on this health care mutation.

Arizona, Indiana, Minnesota, New Mexico, North Dakota and Wyoming -- are all considering ballot measures that would give their residents the right to opt out of this federal plan.

Wake up people -- not everyone likes the idea of a plan that forces people to buy health insurance and removes a doctor's right to accept cash payments.