Has the Senate just abandoned the middle-class and "universal healthcare?"

[rateyes]

I mean, if the best they can do is lower the medicare buy-in to 55 and expand Medicaid to 150% of the poverty line---what does that do for 40 year olds with children whose household income is 155% above poverty level?

Where is their "public option?" The only thing I see that they are calling a "public option" is another "private insurance company administered plan" that they can "buy into." Buy into with what? And, why won't those who are paying huge premiums allowed to "buy into" it? Some option.

[Oregone]

1. They weren't shooting for universal healthcare in the first place

Unless you considered mandating private market activity "universal healthcare"

[jgraz]

2. Absolutely not.

They abandoned the middle class years ago.

[Mojambo]

3. They didn't even get medicaid expanded.

The rate stays at 133%

[alfredo]

4. Reid said the public option is not dead. There was a good

discussion about the changes on the Rachel Maddow show tonight.

A lot of the back and forth about abortion, the public option, and other issues is negotiation, playing to the home crowd, and ego.

The bill that comes out of the Senate won't be as bad as feared, and not as good as hoped. That's just the nature of the beast. Remember the thing about watching legislation and sausage being made?

BTW, Franken is starting to show that he is no lightweight. He's going to make a real good Senator.

[Pab Sungenis]

5. It's not dead the same way the Pope is not dead

just a new man in the same title, with no similarities to the one before.

[alfredo]

6. We need to keep calling and writing. We need to push to

open the Federal Employee Health Benefit plan to all.

Never forget, in the Senate we are dealing with gargantuan egos. We are also dealing with some incredible politicians.

[Better Believe It]

8. Didn't he also see Elvis in Las Vegas recently?

[alfredo]

9. Yes, but that was after eating some dried cactus.

[rwheeler31]

7. No

[classysassy]

10. When will we learn?

those congresscritters don't give a damn about the average citizens,its about campaighn donations so they can keep their cushy jobs and feel important.

[dysfunctional press]

11. do YOU want to march on dc...?

it's cold and snowy...brrr...