Dems pivot to offering ObamaCare improvements

[applegrove]

BY MIKE LILLIS at the Hill

http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/344397-dems-pivot-to-offering-obamacare-improvements

"SNIP...........


House Democrats are poised to advance a flood of proposals designed to address the problems dogging President Obama's signature healthcare law –– a move that puts pressure on Republican and Democratic leaders alike.

The strategy marks a pivot for the Democrats, as party leaders have throughout the year discouraged members from offering improvements to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), fearing they would highlight problems with the law and divert attention from the Republicans’ months-long struggle to repeal and replace it.

But rank-and-file Democrats are getting restless, with some saying they can no longer tell constituents they oppose the Republicans’ repeal bills without offering solutions of their own.

“When I go back to the district, they want to know what you’re going to do,” said Rep. John Larson (D-Conn.).



..............SNIP"

[standingtall]

1. republicans will not allow one single Democratic improvement to be implented

as long as they control the government. Which is why it's a waste of time for now.

[applegrove]

2. But Democrats can show people that they are fighting for them and health care. Which the Republicans

cannot. It is worth it politically to keep the idea of healthcare, and both parties positions on it, in the news.

[Blue_true]

3. Democrats can put out a proposal and get the CBO to score it.

That will make republican bills look like the shit that they are.

[beam me up scottie]

7. Yes, exactly. We need to show the public who's fighting for them.

We cannot let Republicans frame the issue or let it die.

[mythology]

12. It's not a waste of time to make sure you have a plan the party members are on board with

For example, Republicans spent 7 years pitching a fit over the ACA, but didn't get a plan together. And look where they are now. Having a plan and getting buy in ahead of time is a good idea.

[Wellstone ruled]

4. As long as the ACA is referred to as

Obama Care,nothing changes. This whole charade is about taken the name of a African-American's name off anything remotely associated with Obama. If one thinks the Republican Party will ever allow anyone with brown skin the ability to partake in any Governmental Programs from here on,well, got a Bridge out in the Desert for sale right next to some beach front property.

[BumRushDaShow]

5. With any political strategy it's timing

and they may have the timing now given the recess, to put a marketing campaign together for their constituents on a few of these ideas. One of the suggestions, which I think is good and leads to what many of us have been asking for, is this (from the OP link) -

<...>

“When I go back to the district, they want to know what you’re going to do,” said Rep. John Larson (D-Conn.).

“Resisting is no longer just enough, they want to see what your plan is.”

<...>

On Thursday, Larson banded with Reps. Joe Courtney (D-Conn.) and Brian Higgins (D-N.Y.) to introduce legislation that would allow people aged 50-64 to buy-in to Medicare –– a proposal designed to help a group that’s been hit disproportionately by rising out-of-pocket costs under the ACA.

http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/344397-dems-pivot-to-offering-obamacare-improvements

This suggestion targets a group of the now more reliable voters, i.e., younger boomers and the older X-gens, and could be the stepping stone for "Medicare for All". But they need a clever and intensive ad campaign (not just "web ads" ) to put the suggestions out there. Partner with orgs like AARP to push for it.

[beam me up scottie]

6. I agree with you.

We need to figure out how to market it and then take the show on the road.

[BumRushDaShow]

9. This could be done as an amendment to the Social Security Act

to update Medicare. It would pull the "older" (supposed "sicker" ) out of the ACA and shift them to the already-large, more stable pool of the Medicare enrollees... and the premium is something like $134 a month for part B (depending on income - higher income folks pay more). The part A premium would vary depending on how many quarters one might have worked (if over 40 quarters than nothing), and that premium could be set up for subsidies for those who don't have the quarters paid in. Deductible is ~$1300/yr.

Then the ACA would have the "younger, healthier" group in the exchanges, which is supposed to lower the overall costs, barring the usual greedy price fixing. These folks could be phased in over time until everyone is under Medicare.

Hell... an ad could show someone walk in the doctor's office and flash their "red, white, and blue card", and after treatment (assuming the provider accepts Medicare patients), 80% is pretty much taken care of. If people need a supplement, that could be "their choice" (GOP-loved terminology), but their basic care is covered with a reasonable premium.

[beam me up scottie]

11. That's a good idea, I think all options should be on the table.

Now is the time to hold Republicans' feet to the fire, while people are still pissed and the images of disabled people being thrown out of wheelchairs and arrested is fresh in our minds.

I still prefer Medicare for All but let's put it ALL out there and have the debate. No more stalling and allowing them to stifle us. Town halls, rallies, marches, television interviews and Internet webcasts with our guys - let's make our voices heard.

[BumRushDaShow]

13. It would be a good idea to show a short ad film to promote it at the town halls.

Get the phrase "Medicare for All" into the lexicon and keep repeating it over and over and over. Intense repetition is key.

[beam me up scottie]

14. Yes! And we've got some heavy hitters on our side.

Let's use their popularity as much as they'll allow us.

This isn't going to be cheap and it's not going to be easy but limping along playing defense all the time is one surefire way to lose the war. And this is a war, we just won a definitive battle but we need to remember Republicans play the long game. We need to adopt their tactics when it comes to messaging and strategy.

Whew. That's enough sports and military metaphors for today.

[BumRushDaShow]

15. +1

[rgbecker]

8. I'm for it! Do it Dems!

Expanding medicare down to 50 years old will be the start of the end of the healthcare for profit system we seemingly are now stuck with. The easiest stepping stone to the single payer system we will have, one way or the other, in 20 years.

[BumRushDaShow]

10. It could be done as a phase-in

Take it to 60, then 55, then 50 (and on down).... because there would need to be a ramp-up of infrastructure to handle it. It's really the easiest route to take since there is already a system and infrastructure in place to expand upon.