In 1917, progressives in America began a quest to create a system to provide health insurance to all Americans. Today, almost a century later, we are poised to take a giant step toward realizing that goal. Viewed through the lens of history, this is truly an amazing accomplishment.
To earn my vote, health insurance reform must improve access to affordable health care for Minnesota families – and this bill clears that bar with room to spare. This bill does not fix all the problems with our health care system, and I will not stop working to improve the quality and lower the costs of health care for all Americans. But progressives can be proud of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, and take a large measure of credit for important provisions it will codify as the law of the land.
“If the bill passes the Senate this week, there will be more chances to make changes to it before it becomes law. But if the bill dies this week, there is no second chance to vote yes. What those who care about health insurance reform need to realize is that unless we get 60 votes now, there will be no health care reform at all. Not this year, not in this Congress — and maybe not for another generation.”
My senators, Sanders and Leahy, quietly addressed my objections to the bill (though only for our state), so at least it will not make our situation worse as the original bill would have. A good deal of Howard Dean’s outspokenness on the bill was for local consumption, and it looks like he was effective in protecting the residents of his state.
If this bill passes, it will only be the first baby step in taking on the for-profit health care model. The mandate will give each American the duty to declare war on AHIP and health care executives.
The bill of rights is fatally flawed. Let’s get rid of it and start from scratch.
I assume you are speaking of the more recent Patients Bill of Rights? Not the one from a few years back… 🙂
No, I’m speaking of the one in the Constitution. I’m no longer willing to settle, thanks to the enlightening teachings of Comrades Hamsher and Taibbi. Furthermore, the effin anti-slavery and women’s voting amendments are cheap crappy compromises and I want them revoked too. And fuck the fucking 8-hour day law which still has too many exceptions in it – same for the child labor laws. Let’s dump all that halfway crap and START FROM SCRATCH>
yeah. good point – they might not be perfect. Who the ef passed those laws anyway?
Joe Biden is wrong. There will be an opportunity before another generation because progressives (and the public) are as mad as disturbed hornets.
And that is why passing this bill through the Senate and whatever comes through the House is not going to hurt all Democrats in 2010. Just some Democrats and all Republicans. How badly remains to be seen. Time to mobilize the base; don’t sulk, organize.
Jane jumps the shark.
No Doubt.
Oh. my. goodness.
Getting really ugly over there – now with a second entry on the rec list.
The whole rec list is really something tonight. I’m surprised at how many people think the claims about her blackface and teabagger alliance remarks are completely baseless.
Of course, we’re talking about the woman who wanted to sue PsiFighter over a perceived slight a few years back…
How’s the snow up your way (the NYT pics are pretty cool)?
I gave up reading, watching Masterpiece Theater instead on 13.
We were out at a friend’s last night and headed home in the middle of the storm. It was beautiful and fresh – about 10 inches. The park was gorgeous today – unfortunately, I did not bring the camera.
We got about 3 inches or so here. Fluffy stuff, not too hard to shovel.
It almost makes one hope Lieberman reneges, and votes against cloture.
They’d all be forced into the position of having been saved from The Worst Bill Ever by The Worst Politician Ever.
Personally, I would accept that. The place to be is right in the middle of a contradiction.