Let's pass health care reform this year and next year pass Medicare at 55 using reconciliation

[Tony_FLADEM]

Let's pass what we can this year and next year Medicare can be expanded without the threat of a filibuster. Once it becomes law it will be difficult in 7 years to rescind Medicare at 55 even if the Republicans control congress.

It's highly unlikely the Republicans will control the House after 2010 so we could even lower the age in 2011. Let's do what we can now and get the rest later.

[PhilosopherKing]

1. This is the way to do it.

Joe Lieberman can go f*** himself.

[dflprincess]

2. Except they're not working on "health care" reform.

They're working on insurance company protection.

[DebbieCDC]

3. When pigs fly

When is this going to sink in people? We are screwed. We have been from the beginning. This was NEVER about health care for all. This has always been about more $$ for the corporations: Big Pharma, Big Insurance, Big Banks. Whatever POS scrap of "health care reform" comes out of this congress will be it. It will be years -- if ever -- before REAL reform comes.

[Jakes Progress]

4. We ain't passing bupkis.

No matter what the republicans say they want, when you give it to them, they want something else. The only thing they want is no bill or one that is so bad (this one is close) that it's failure to deliver any health care will come back to destroy the Democrats.

The bill under consideration is nothing but a gift to the insurance and pharmaceutical industries.

[rwheeler31]

5. I agree get something and keep working.

You can attach improvements to any bill.

[NoodleyAppendage]

6. Let's hope that Dems actually start representing the will of the progressive voters.

Good luck with the candy cane dreams and marshmellow sky.

J

[Marr]

8. Of course they won't.

They represent the same people most of the Republicans represent; corporate America. If they have to choose lose their majority to serve their bosses, they'll do it. What do they care? They get their money no matter which half of the charade they're playing.

[Hannah Bell]

7. no. pass this mess & "next year" fix it--slightly? no. dump the whole stinking mess.

it's worse than what we have now.

"highly unlikely the Republicans will control the House after 2010" -- you're joking, right?

[Tony_FLADEM]

11. Assuming the Democrats win the seats in Lousiana and Delaware

the Republicans would have to gain 43 seats currently represented by Democrats to take control. They would have to win seats in Democratic states such as New York to do this. I don't think that will happen.

[Hannah Bell]

18. not if jobs keep tanking.

[Warren Stupidity]

9. Why would a medicare expansion bill on its own have any success?

The same fucknutz obstructing meaningful reform now would be obstructing next year.

[Tony_FLADEM]

12. If you attached Medicare expansion to a spending bill you would only need 51 votes

or 50 + Biden to pass it. We can do that in 2010.

[Warren Stupidity]

17. Yeah except our 'leaders' won't do that.

They do not play hardball, they play 'negotiate from a position of weakness'.

[Cetacea]

10. How about we just save everyone's time and dump medicaire ?

Sorry. My hope meter is in the red.

[Tony_FLADEM]

14. You shouldn't give up hope

Get all the regulations passed this year and the matters involving $$$$ can be passed next year with 51 votes.

[Cetacea]

16. I hope that you are right.

Thanks.

[mullard12ax7]

13. Yeh later, all those other people can just die now

We'll call it "progress"! Later, we can do all kinds of other things too, like hold war criminals accountable for torture camps.

[Tony_FLADEM]

15. This year is almost over

We can pass all the rules and regulations this year and in 2010 attach Medicare at 55 to an existing spending bill. They won't be able to stop it.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

19. I have a better idea

Pass the ban on discrimination against people with pre-existing conditions and the ban on rescissions, and then pass the removal of anti-trust law exemption from the insurance companies. Now.

If anyone votes against them, tell their constituents, "Your Congresscritter voted against a provision to prevent insurance companies from dumping good customers when they get sick."

Scrap everything else. Let the system collapse completely, and maybe THEN we'll get what we need.

The current bill is a stinking mess that will 1) Leave people uninsured, 2) Force people to buy a costly useless product, and 3) Will provide no immediate relief to anyone.