Comments on: Can Conrad’s Cooperative Compromise Meet The Goals Of A Public Health Care Plan?

By: Cal

Cal — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 16:50:00 +0000

We ought to establish a website, and track each and every congress critter and how they are voting on all this. If they support a proper national health plan (a la Robert Reich’s version) then they get a “pass.” If they vote against it in any way, then they go on a national “Black List” for removal from office at the next election. Everyone in congress needs to know that this legislation is a litmus test for staying in office. They either represent the public interest and pass a strong public plan option (a la Medicare), or they side with corporate profits (yet again) against the voters needs. The latter cannot stand.

By: jon

jon — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 11:37:11 +0000

You forgot to add open to all comers. If health insurance co-ops are better (which there is no evidence they are) you must have it open to all comers. If Conrad thinks his co-ops are an improvement on the other insurance options why is he being such a terrible human being and not allowing every American the chance to join his better co-ops.

By: Jon

Jon — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 19:03:12 +0000

You mean Conrad has offered nothing. His “compromise” is to provide co-ops which are just like the co-ops that currently exist. If co-ops worked than we would not have the problems we have right now.

By: stateofthedivision

stateofthedivision — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 18:48:12 +0000

Robert Reich had the same reaction as I did to the Conrad-Baucus co-op:

http://www.laprogressive.com/2009/06/12/the-latest-public-option-bamboozle-and-how-to-recognize-the-real-thing/

By: Occasional Observer

Occasional Observer — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 18:41:25 +0000

If he thinks localism is such a wonderful thing, let’s see Sen. Conrad endorse a similar limitation on private health insurers: confine their ability to do business to their states of domicile.

Of course he won’t do this, and a child can see why. The point of this proposal, like all the other sops tossed out in lieu of single-payer, is to hobble the public alternative before it gets out of the box. That and to create so many pseudo-alternatives that we are left to fight among ourselves about which sop we can all get behind.

The truth is simply: most of us know perfectly well what to get behind, namely, the Plan That Must Not Be Named.

It’s time Sen. Conrad and others on this side of the debate got the message from his constituents: Stop blowing smoke. It’s bad for our health.

By: stateofthedivision

stateofthedivision — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 18:23:16 +0000

“Public plan = Co=op”

This post accomplishes such a redefinition. Watch for the Blue Cross/Blue Shield move next. It could enable WellPoint to serve as the public plan.

http://stateofthedivision.blogspot.com/2009/06/max-kents-cool-bait-switch-co-op.html

Simply twisted.