Blue Dog/Career Politician -- same thing.

In U.S. politics, decision-making often results in outcomes that conflict with the preferences of the general public. For example, many special interests and pork barrel projects are not the desire of the overall democracy. However, it makes sense for politicians, especially blue dogs, to support these projects. It may make them feel powerful and important or even make them feel as if they have something to say or contribute. It can also benefit them financially by opening the door to future wealth as lobbyists. The project may be of interest to the blue dog's local constituency increasing district votes or campaign contributions. The blue dog pays little or no cost to gain these benefits, as he or she is spending public money.

Blue dogs are the ultimate career politicians. And on this issue of health care reform their input is largely irrelevant. They are mostly meddlers, poking their snouts in the president's business to see if there is anything in it for them.

It is difficult for the plain American folks to understand what the heck is going on here.  I support the President and definitely want this health care fixed.  I have a sister who has no coverage (a disaster waiting to happen).  I have a daughter who had breast cancer who will never finish paying her medical bills.  and another daughter with asthma who needs medication and trips to the emergency room often. I can't care about me.  Most American mothers are probably like that.  I watch the blogs and belong to the USA Can group.  Everybody seems to be unhappy with this health care mess.  It is quite confusing.  When I hear the President I feel much better.  He is always positive.  He says; "We will get this done."  I get so mad at my insurance premiums which seem to go up and up.  Everytime our state gives teachers a pay raise, the insurance company takes it. I can't understand why teachers don't fight this tooth and nail.  But, what we have been seeing for years is what the entire country is faced with.  They need to find a way to stop the medical professionals from charging so much and doing exams that aren't warranted.  There are too many greedy people.  As for the blue dogs.  They own the medical clinics or sure are making a profit at the expense of all of us.  It is hard to believe when the rest of us are out there doing community service they are keeping us from having health care and making up stories.  They need a few more jobs. 

God forbid people actually want to read and understand something before they vote on it! *gasp*

This whole health care bill is ridiculous. The people have been mislead on the prevelence of the problem by exaggerated and skewed statistics. And there's all sorts of crazy stuff that is snuck into this bill that violates people's personal freedom.

I applaud the blue dog democrats for slowing this down, and I hope they continue to stand their ground.

Yesterday morning on Fox & Friends they were interviewing a couple from England about their lousy European health care.  This isn’t about European’s or Canadian’s.  It’s about our health care.  I used to work in health care and am ashamed of what is called quality health care in this area.  My father had good insurance, went to what I thought was THE best health care facility in the tri-cities for a three day stay that turned into a ten month long nightmare.  His care was rationed.  He was bleeding to death and the nurse who was taking care of him was practicing medicine as a physician without a physician’s license.  He was going into shock.  Their excuse was the room temperature could have caused him to bleed to death.  The status quo could sure learn a few things on compassionate, efficient, safe and concerned about the patient’s care from Remote Area Medical http://www.ramusa.org .  We could start some free preventative care by having the state and local health departments require hospitals and emergency rooms to clean up their act and stop spreading MRSA into our communities.  I would like to know where Rick Boucher and Tim Kaine have been knowing the quality of care here in comparison to what’s being sold by the snake oil merchants.  I know where Bredesen stands unless Bill O’Reilly was fibbing again, which was not surprising after seeing his concern for the people of East Tennessee over the past several years of contacting him and hearing nothing except to be passed on to the agency I started with five years ago.  I was told by Randi Blair of the East Tennessee Facility Licensing board the health care my father got was “horrifying” yet perfectly within the parameters of what the state of Tennessee and the health care system calls “the acceptable standards of health care”.  The status quo is doing more harm than good.  If you care to see what is really their high quality health care just copy/paste http://www.wisecountyissues.com/?p=62 (I warn you ahead of time there are some graphic and shocking photos.)  But it is the truth tri-cities.

Buyer beware, get a second opinion and if you get the flu stay out of emergency rooms, you could come out worse off than before you went in.

I would be far more cautious - the Medicaid financing discrepancy... and what may subsequently (given the way the Senate is moving) be an abandon ment of commitments to do substantial reform on Medicaid may not just be a major disaster for the poor, but also a deal breaker for passing the bill. Having August for Governors to get pissed off about having to pay more for Medicaid they don't control could well put some Congresspeople in unhappy positions - especially when many states, especially, say, California, couldn't probably afford the 7%.

So Tim, what are the subsidies for people in that $43,000 - $88,000 (for a family of four) income?  By my calculations, someone who makes $45,000 a year will have to pay $5400 a year for their insurance which is $450 a month. 

If I could afford that much money for insurance, I would have it!  And is this plan going to force everyone to buy it whether they want it or can afford it or not?

The House Speaker Pelosi offered a deal to anybody that was going up for re-election. They could vote no on the health bill. She had enough votes to pass it without their votes.   This shows she knew the majority of constituents were against the bill. How's that for cooperation with the public that puts into office people that are supposed to listen on how to vote for the majority? Done all the time. Way past due for term limits, to stop allowing legislators for vote for their own pay raises and to let them have only the same health plan as the American People. 

It is possible to be in the middle class, still living with your parents.  My sister has no job that provides coverage.  She does not qualify for welfare.  But, is simply too old to be on my mother's insurance.  America does need health care.  It is unreal that so many people fight what they don't understand.  They hear rumors and jump on the bandwagon.  There are tons of middle class folks like her who strive to make ends meet and who can't afford to buy insurance.  I have insurance but, I can't afford to go to the doctor for myself because I'm always paying off a left over medical bill from my daughter.  This happens in several families across America.

Finally, a simple plan that will not only pay for itself but save money, provide access to every American from birth to death regardless of income or job status, a plan that will actually allow choice of Doctor, hostpital as well as true Doctor-patient autonomy!  HR 676 will go to the entire House floor now for debate & vote!!  Some aspects of American society don't belong in 'free enterprise' .. such as the penal system, education, war profiteers and HEALTHCARE!

Dear Abbey,

People do not "opt out" of health insurance because they are irresponsible cheap skate risk takers. The fact is they just cannot afford the premiums. And now, with more and more horror stories about the indusry coming out in the open, people are realizing what I realized long ago ( I have no health insurance): if you are in the individual or small group market, the health insurers can collect your money and deny you coverage when you get sick because they pay people millions of dollars each year to find ways to deny you the coverage you paid for.

Look Abbey, pretty soon you will see what all the fuss is about. Either you will make an attempt to see what people are paying for health insurance in the individual and small group markets, you will do a bit of research and see how many people are denied coverage for pre-existing conditions, or you yourself will fall victim to an illness or a job loss and then come face to face with what over 47 million Americans have come to face. I hope you never have to make the choice to go without care because you cannot afford it. But I do hope that you will somehow come to know just what many of your fellow Americans know intimately well.

Those without insurance and receive medical care at the "hospital you work at" are entitled to medical care as well as anyone. The fact that they must resort to charity is a disgrace. Those who do pay on installment sometimes pay at a higher rate than those who have coverage. The uninsured get ripped off every day and they are made to feel ashamed because they don't have coverage. I should know, I have lived the nightmare. 

Fortunately, the medical crisis my family has faced during our long years of "uninsurement" have been minor and the total expenses we have paid and continue to pay are under $30,000 (still way below the amount we would have paid in premiums all these years). Living with the realization that you are one major illness away from losing everything you own ain't easy Abbey. Deciding whether you should see the doctor this week or next month because of expenses is a bit easier. Having people like you who have not a clue about the uninsured keep your flap closed makes it all a bit less unbearable.

Well,Tim,as usual,after all is said and done,more has been said than done,and most of the elected politicians need another month to keep talking.Some of them hope to talk the whole process to death.Some genuinely hope to make the effort better.And some just want to add to their bona fides(pad their resumes)for the time when they pass through the revolving door and go to work for an insurance lobbying firm.Can anyone remember Billy Tauzin,the father of Bush's prescription drug plan,the biggest unfunded entitlement ever enacted, who went directly to the presidency of Big PhARMA?Or Bill Frist,whose family owns Hospital Corporation of America?

 Whe Obama changed his mind about mandates,and when he changed the name of the process from healthcare reform to health INSURANCE reform my anxiety alarm red-lined.

 The number of people who use "socialized medicine" as a boogey man to scare people is contained within the number of people who receive the benefit of government-run healthcare:Medicare,Veteran's healthcare,and government employee healthcare.This philosophy of "I've got mine,get yours if you can" is not what I would consider compassionate conservatism.More like good ole robber baron greed.

Well, health insurance reform is better than nothing.  I guess they all have to work together.