Stand With Dr. Dean

[ProSense]

standwithdrdean.com

"If Barack Obama's healthcare plan gets changed to exclude a public option like Medicare, then it is not healthcare reform. Legislation rises and falls on whether the American public is allowed to choose a universally available public option or not."

(Emphasis added)

Good thing that Dean acknowledges that the option is in Obama's current plan.

Sign the petition

[denem]

1. K&R! Obama mentioned the public plan as soon as mandates came up.

[redqueen]

2. Yes! This is how it will happen.

Change like this comes from the people... not the government.

Organize and make them do it. It won't happen any other way.

[denem]

3. "Change comes to Washington" : Barack Obama.

He wants it. Let's do it. Organize. Knock on doors. Make calls. This is the real GE. Get involved.

[Uzybone]

4. K&R

[Cha]

5. Back to getting emails sent to me from

Dr Gov Dean!

[flpoljunkie]

6. Petition signed. Donation made. Thanks for the link, ProSense.

[mzmolly]

7. Done.

:kick:

[redqueen]

8. Don't forget to pass it on, too.

Please. :)

[eridani]

9. It would be even better if he started out insisting on single payer

A mixed plan with a public option is Plan B, and you should NEVER lead with a Plan B. Beginning with this demand is almost a guarantee that the public plan would be watered down and underfunded. Single payer first! Then if we get stuck with private/public, at least the public plan would have a chance at sustainability.

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

11. I think he is not doing that in an effort to support Obama's plan.

There are a great many pragmatists in the country who say single payer just ain't gonna happen. I think if Dr. Dean thought there was a single shred of hope of attaining that goal he would have gone for it.

Now, the insurance companies seem to have stated that they do not feel that they will be able to offer a plan that competes with a government plan. So, it is possible, that if in fact this turns out to be true, and they drop out or erode away, perhaps Plan B will lead to Plan A, single payer National Health.

[eridani]

15. That's "pragmatists", not actual pragmatists

Dammit!! We CREATE hope for single payer by DEMANDING it. Real pragmatists shoot for the moon when negotiations open, and back down to less desireable options only when forced to.

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

17. I don't disagree with you. My personal preference is for single payer only

and always has been. I spend a lot of time posting screeds against the insurance companies (because of their disgusting practices)and would be grateful is they disappeared from our system forever.

BUT, I also think we have in the words of Greg Palast, "The Best Democracy Money Can Buy." They are not going to go away and the politicians whose pockets they line when they become lobbyists or their relatives become lobbyists, and whose campaigns they finance, do not WANT them to go away. Ergo, they will not go away.

[eridani]

21. No, they won't go away, but popular pressure can counter them

Look how quickly popular anger against AIG execs got translated into legislation.

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

28. Yes, I'm really starting to believe that.

There is a groundswell of REAL anger in the country. Healthcare is a big part of it. It's possible that the politicians will have to look the lobbyists in the eye and say, "My friend, it's been a great 50 years, but, THE JIG IS UP"

[dflprincess]

30. How true.

An actual pragmatic solution would be single payer.

[fadedrose]

10. Signed & contributed

Glad to be a part of this...

[redqueen]

12. Interesting topic from GD:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x5334904

[ProSense]

13. Very interesting. Thanks. n/t

[redqueen]

14. My pleasure! (nt)

[inna]

16. K&R!!! and thank you so much for this. Dean ROCKS! nt

[redqueen]

18. ...

:kick:

[HopeOverFear]

19. I signed it n/m

[tonysam]

20. This Plan Sounds Almost Identical

to what John Edwards proposed in the last election cycle. I like the idea myself as a step towards single-payer health care.

[redqueen]

22. And another...

:kick:

[bigwillq]

23. I stand with Dean.

:bounce:

[Vinca]

24. If people are so in love with their insurance companies they want

to keep sending large amounts of cash to them so the corporate jets will keep flying, I don't care. Let them. All I want is access to a government-run program that won't turn me down for treatment because I had a hangnail when I was 9 years old. A program that won't suck every dime from my wallet and give me nothing in return. If we can't have single-payer as one program, at least offer a crumb to those of us who can't afford to keep the United Healthcare CEO in his billion dollar retirement. Open Medicare to all at the very least.

[harun]

34. Amen to that!

What people don't get about the insurers (at least those who still want them) is THEY NEVER HAVE TO PAY. Sure you can sue them for the money. Have fun with that if you are dead or in a coma. At least with a gov't plan we can vote the people out who make the rules for it. Can't vote out the CEO of United Health.

[Adelante]

25. Done nt

[VenusRising]

26. Done and rec'd.

[redqueen]

27. One more time before I leave...

:kick:

Oh, and:

POT!

[greendog]

29. k&r

[amborin]

31. agree, and i'll sign, but did you read

the paper yesterday?

folks from the Mayo clinic ( #1 or #2 medical center in the world for many, many years) say that
they cannot afford to operate with only Medicare payments. The Medicare payments are simply too low.

So there will always be a two tier system, but at least Medicare will ensure that everyone is covered.

[Cha]

32. Got my thank you from Dean..

Thank you for adding your name to our petition, calling for healthcare reform which includes a universally available public option, at StandwithDrDean.com

As we move forward, we will use all the skills and tools we have to leverage Congress and pass meaningful reform that makes sure that every American has the care they need.

The more people in our movement for change, the more effective we will be. Please ask your friends, co-workers, and family to join our campaign. Just send them a personal note from you and include this link: www.StandwithDrDean.com

Thank you for everything you do.

-Howard
Governor Howard Dean, M.D.
http://StandwithDrDean.com

[Faryn Balyncd]

33. K&R

[Cha]

35. Gov Dean,

MD:fistbump:

[mistertrickster]

36. This is a big deal people. Just do it. Thanks. nt

[ProSense]

37. Democrats Agree on a Health Plan; Now Comes the Hard Part

Democrats Agree on a Health Plan; Now Comes the Hard Part

[avaistheone1]

38. I signed it and I am sending it out to my circle.

Thanks for posting this.

[Sunnyshine]

39. kick - Signed a week ago. nt