Christy!

Zed! That’s what I’m talkin’ ’bout!

BADA BING!

Damnit!

John Edwards for president!

John Edwards: the greatest. Please give him a listen and your support.

It’s absolutely frightening.

hello, how’s the crack everyone?

Truth is . . .

if you get caught between jobs for a while, and you’ve got to pay the insurance premiums yourself to bridge the gap, you can easily spend more on insurance for two adults and a kid than you do on rent/mortgage.

Did anyone ever find out what Tony Snow meant when he was leaving the misadministration for financial reasons? Did his insurance run out?

OT..Re-Post?..This is despicable..Tucker admits to gay bashing and battery..This is a club that can be used to take out Tucker, Joe and maybe Dan.

Tucker Carlson says he assaulted man who made pass at him in restroom.

http://www.americablog.com/2007/08/tu…..d-man.html

Ye gods, how I know that story. If I had been on my own when all of my crisis struck, I’d either be dead or crippled, because I couldn’t have afforded the help that I need to stay mobile. I went without insurance for ages, so that the boys could be covered.

“Truth is that health care is on the minds of a whole lot of voters, because a whole lot of voters are holding their family finances together on a shoestring these days — and when it comes to healthcare costs, bankruptcy concerns, mortgage foreclosures and the rising costs of utilities and groceries, there are more and more folks living on the edge as we move forward.”

In MA we had a great bankruptcy judge who retired several years ago. At one of the tributes to him he spoke of the fragile middle class in this country. He foretold and forewarned of the new people in Washington (neocons) and their “strange” ideas. He was right.

I’m not getting the vocal on this link…

help….

The sad part is, even those of us with healthcare insurance are just as vulnerable to financial ruin.
Any major surgery or long term condition that requires a lengthy hospital stay is going to wipe you out.
Most insurers do not cover 100% and have healthy co-pays and deductibles.
My last visit to my DR.’s office cost me $185.
I have a yearly co-pay of $500.
after that, they only cover 80%.
And I am very very fortunate to have insurance.

I would like to see a national healthcare program that would cover every child 100% up to their 18th birthday.
That alone would take a tremendous burden off of every parent in the country so they could use what resources they have for better purposes.

ccmask @ 10

Did anyone ever find out what Tony Snow meant when he was leaving the misadministration for financial reasons? Did his insurance run out?

He has kids he’ll be putting through college.

Hi all. OT but important, please.

Could some kind soul please catch us up to date on the dKos virus situation?

In particular: any name attached to it, so-as to check our machine for cooties?

Thanks much!

Truth is…asking the right question (h/t to Scarecrow’s post from a few weeks ago):

How do we provide guaranteed, affordable health care for all?

Not, how do we provide health insurance for all?

Biodun @ 16

ccmask @ 10

Did anyone ever find out what Tony Snow meant when he was leaving the misadministration for financial reasons? Did his insurance run out?

He has kids he’ll be putting through college.

Hmmnnn.

Bustednuckles @ 15

The sad part is, even those of us with healthcare insurance are just as vulnerable to financial ruin.

Indeed! My family was almost bankrupted by the co-pays, deductibles, and uncovered expenses of my elder son’s mental health adventures. We’re lucky, though – at least our insurance HAS a mental health benefit. Unfortunately, when it ran out, we had to go begging to the state.

Peterr@9 — and if you are someone just out of college and either are still looking for a job or end up in a job with no health benefits because they insist on not giving you full time hours, you probably will be going without. My eldest daughter worked retail while looking for a full time job with benefits – it took her a year. And during that time, we could not cover her under our health care policy. So, we had to pay full, upfront for her healthcare because we did not want her to neglect her own health. She worked for a solid year before being able to find a job with healthcare benefits.

Busted at 15 — The woman in the video? She’s taken out $50,000 from her 401K to keep her family afloat and pay her share of medical bills. And she has Blue Cross insurance, according to what she is saying. So yeah, it could pretty much be any of us…

Steve-AR @ 11

OT..Re-Post?..This is despicable..Tucker admits to gay bashing and battery..This is a club that can be used to take out Tucker, Joe and maybe Dan.

Tucker Carlson says he assaulted man who made pass at him in restroottp://www.americablog.com/2007/08/tucker-carlson-says-he-assaulted-man.html

That’s because Tucker’s NOT GAY.

A-freaking-men.

Health care is a major crisis. “insurance” is not the answer. Not for those who can’t get insurance, and also not for those who can’t afford premium insurance.

I’m lucky that I can get limited coverage as a self-employed person. The system is really rigged, however. My union provides me access to insurance, but it actually would cost more than my mortgage payments every month for two healthy non-smoking adults. So, I go a different route: paying about half as much as my mortgage every month (all paid in one yearly lump sum) to get very limited coverage.

And I’m lucky. I have some coverage. I just hope that neither of us ends up with a significant medical bill, because it would bankrupt us. Just like thousands of others in the US.

This is the biggest issue (other than ending the war) for the upcoming campaign, IMO. It’s been a growing problem for the past decade, and it has to be solved quickly. This is why I’m leaning towards supporting Edwards for the primary fight. I think he’s really trying to take this issue on.

One little quibble with what Elizabeth Edwards says at the end of the clip. While I agree that having everyone insured is a terrific (and important) goal, having quality AFFORDABLE comprehensive healthcare for everyone is the key. Not insurance plans with small caps, nor huge bureaucracies with the primary goal of saving money. Simple, common-sense healthcare with healthcare being the goal, not health insurance being the goal.

If you haven’t seen SICKO, go see it. A brilliant, frankly non-partisan movie that takes this issue on very well.

Couple of additional relevant links:
Bough and Sold (mahablog)
We Are All Uninsured Now (mahablog)
California Health Care Reform Too Important to Diverse Communities to Waste Window of Opportunity (CA progress report)

Alas, and the other side of this is that the fewer “healthy” people we have in the system (because they can’t afford it and/or chose not to), the more others in need are having to pay, and the quicker the whole system (if one can indeed call it that today) will break down as a disfunctional mess. Gotta love the right wing folks on this government issue too!

4 years without coverage and counting…we’re all watching…thanks to John & Elizabeth

Word, BustedK.

“The sad part is, even those of us with healthcare insurance are just as vulnerable to financial ruin.”

Yesterday I was critical of the NYT article written by Goodnough based on the recent Census Report on poverty. In today’s NYT, the article that Goodnough should have written appears. Curiously, it is to be found on the editorial pages. Even so, it is much better, fairer, and factual than the original news story.

It may be the same as your healthcare costs link. I came to it from here:

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08…..ref=slogin

What I love about this? The anger. That’s the anger I feel at every outrageous bill and ‘mix-up’ and phone argument with an insurance drone and heap of bureaucratic bullshit.

And I think Edwards is going the right way about this. It’s time to divide-and-conquer, to explicitly say that you’ll take money from the pockets of insurance CEOs and give it to doctors.

The contrast with nitwits like Megan McArdle is telling.

epu’d
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/8/29/92114/6865

All clear on Kos with explanation
Sorry for OT

Census bureau statistics out yesterday note that the number of uninsured is growning. From the WaPo:

The addition of about 2.2 million people to the ranks of those without medical insurance was attributed largely to continuing declines in employer-sponsored insurance coverage, census officials said.

In all, 15.8 percent of Americans lacked coverage last year, up from 15.3 percent in 2005.

Children fared worse. Last year, 11.7 percent of people younger than 18 lacked health insurance, up from 10.9 percent in 2005. The percentage of uninsured children has increased two years in a row after declining for at least five years, according to the census data.

That “declines in employer-sponsored insurance coverage” part sounds kind of like the “free market” is falling down on the job. Someone might want to tell the Republicans.

Or maybe, just maybe, insuring that health care is provided is a job too important to leave to private industry.

Edwards can win the election.

FDLers: Beware:

About that dKos virus.

LS @ 33

Edwards can win the election.

With our help!

Adie: the situation has been fixed. Dkos is clean and safe. See Hunter’s diary on the rec list with details and some very good advice on how to prevent ever getting infected from a bad link.

(I’d provide you with a link, but I’m still being wary of posting links today, just in case!)

This is OT, but I absolutely love this quote from Bruce Reed at Slate:

As one final coda to a warrantless career, Alberto Gonzales said Monday he has lived the American Dream. Torture, spying, and partisan conspiracy were once the province of the elite few. Now anyone can grow up to be a puppet, apologist, and laughingstock.

snowbird42 at 31 OT

Thanks! Much appreciated!

We’ve been out since noon, & had no idea of status, hence apprehensive/paranoid.

LS @ 33

Edwards can win the election.

I hope so., but he needs a strong showing in the early primaries coming up. … Not sure whether Barry’s impending burnout helps or hurts him.

LS @ 33

Edwards can win the election.

God I hope so. I think he’s the best one out there.

Christy Hardin Smith @ 22

Busted at 15 — The woman in the video? She’s taken out $50,000 from her 401K to keep her family afloat and pay her share of medical bills. And she has Blue Cross insurance, according to what she is saying. So yeah, it could pretty much be any of us…

Not to mention how many insurance companies simply drop the policy when someone makes a claim or people who can only afford to have catastrophic coverage to begin with.

That was incredibly moving. I was blown away by just how REAL JRE seemed right there. If there was any reservation I’ve had about him is that he seems so controlled most of the time (I was going to say packaged but that didn’t seem to fit, as his rhetoric has always been good). But DAMN! He had a fire lit under him in this one. And Elizabeth…I don’t know when I’ve seen anyone with more class than her. She continues to amaze.

mc @ 23

Steve-AR @ 11

OT..Re-Post?..This is despicable..Tucker admits to gay bashing and battery..This is a club that can be used to take out Tucker, Joe and maybe Dan.

Tucker Carlson says he assaulted man who made pass at him in restroottp://www.americablog.com/2007/08/tucker-carlson-says-he-assaulted-man.html

That’s because Tucker’s NOT GAY.

It’s not the “gay” is the stupid shit admitted to a violent criminal act and he and his buddies laugh about it, on the air.

OT: ME-SEN: Collins Office, Maine Paper Silent On Conflict-of-Interest Allegations
SNIP
The allegations seem to have a great deal of merit, as it turns out. They turn on the fact that the paper’s executive editor, Mark Woodward, is married to Bridget Woodward, a staffer for Collins in the Senator’s Bangor district office. In other words, if Collins were to lose the election, the wife of the executive editor of a major newspaper in Collins’ home state would be out of a job — which would cause some serious inconvenience for that household.

I like what John Edwards has to say about the problems in this country. He’s an attack dog (or so it seems) after corporations. Good on him.

And this is why he is ignored by the MSM which is but another corporate horror. They see the handwriting on the wall if a true populist takes them on. He’s done it in court… but we need to do it in congress.

And there’s the rub… the congress is smothered by corporate lobbyists.

I hope the primaries show Edwards is popular and this would be a good development.

The problem in the health care of americans is not lack of insurance, it’s the fact that one NEEDS for profit insurance at all. Insurance companies do not provide an ounce of medical treatment… not even an aspirin. All they do is consume paper and ink.

Rid us of the insurance industry PLEASE.

Adie @ 37

snowbird42 at 31 OT

Thanks! Much appreciated!

We’ve been out since noon, & had no idea of status, hence apprehensive/paranoid.

aaaand landofthefree. Deep grats ;->

Fact: Kucinich has the best health care plan. Single payer means the government administers it and cuts out the insurance industry’s profit taking on our lives.

All the rest of the candidates are pitching health coverage. They’re gonna sell more health insurance. Obama’s plan is actually stronger than Edwards’ plan, but it is still centers around health insurance. Hillary has not unveiled her plan yet, but single payer is not likely to be it.

Kucinich is the only one promoting real change for better health care for all – single payer.

LS @ 33

Edwards can win the election.

That’s why Rove has been going after Hillary. Repugs want her to be the Dem nominee. They’ve got the playbook on her. They don’t have one on Edwards, although they’re trying to write one up. They’re afraid of Edwards. Just as they were afraid of him in 2004. That’s why they went after Kerry. The rest is history–a bad one at that.

Eureka Springs @ 40

Christy Hardin Smith @ 22

Busted at 15 — The woman in the video? She’s taken out $50,000 from her 401K to keep her family afloat and pay her share of medical bills. And she has Blue Cross insurance, according to what she is saying. So yeah, it could pretty much be any of us…

Not to mention how many insurance companies simply drop the policy when someone makes a claim or people who can only afford to have catastrophic coverage to begin with.

This always amazes me. When you make an insurance payment, you are betting them you will get sick. They take this bet every month, every time. But when the tables turn, they quit midstream. It seems so illegal…

PS: It would be like betting horse race after horse race & losing. Suddenly, you take a winning ticket to the counter and they won’t honor it. If it is legal, why isn’t this shady practice done at the race track?

Completely OT, I saw this in the NYT’s art section of all places. It is one of those good news / bad news stories. Katie Couric is going to Iraq apparently to find out if progress is being made in her ratings.

Bad news, she will do 8-10 stories from there.

Good news, Lara Logan will do 4-5.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/29/arts/29kati.html

Oh, and returning to the NYT article on “slight” income gains? Notice it says the MEDIAN went up slightly.

Dollars to donuts that all it means is the rich got a bit richer and pulled the median up. I’ll start listening when the AVERAGE income goes up. AFTER adjustment for inflation, etc. Pfft.

Steve-AR @ 42

mc @ 23

That’s because Tucker’s NOT GAY.

It’s not the “gay” is the stupid shit admitted to a violent criminal act and he and his buddies laugh about it, on the air.

Tucker’s an [unprintable] slu* of a different sort. parasite.. not journalist.
[no. actually slugs are not parasites. try again, please]

For months now, I’ve been bringing up the topic of healthcare at random places – the hair salon, the grocery store, church, with clients – whenever the conversation with strangers or acquainences comes to the point where healthcare/health insurance discussion is appropriate.

I’ve been stunned by the response by people. Even really conservative people. Everyone knows this is a huge, painful problem that needs to be solved quickly.

When it’s been appropriate, I’ve also mentioned how we need political leaders who will fix the problems. Everyone agrees. In fact, even some of my conservative Republican friends have brought up that they think they could see themselves voting for John Edwards for President, because he seems honest and committed to really fixing our national healthcare crisis. That is very good news, in my book.

I’ve also left a copy of several magazines in my in-home office where the parents of many clients sit for 30-60 minutes each week. It’s a random set of magazines: “Real Simple” is very popular. Some people look at a couple of the local magazines I have. The one I seem to find most often at the top of the pile – even though it’s been on the coffee table for probably 6 months – is a specific issue of “Hour” magazine with a very attractive picture of John Edwards on the cover. The article that accompanies the photo is actually about David Bonior, former MI congressman who is the national head of Edwards’ campaign. I honestly think that one ends up on the top of the magazine pile at least once per week. Many of my clients are very conservative. I know this is very unscientific, but I see that many people are drawn to him, regardless of their political background.

Time to do more work. Have a good afternoon, everyone.

They are asking for universal health coverage because they are afraid of corporate lobbyists.

The fact is the problem isn’t coverage… it’s care for everyone and we can simply extend medicaid as a single payer comprehensive program. No profit. And put some of the workers in the insurance industry to process the paperwork.

Go, Elizabeth Edwards! Go, John Edwards!

I’m continuing to warm to Edwards. He’s the only candidate whose speeches I’m tracking on C-SPAN archives 100%. The others, I’m watching periodically, to see how they’re projecting and how audiences are reacting, but I’m more impressed with the Edwardses every time I meet them.

ccmask @ 43

OT: ME-SEN: Collins Office, Maine Paper Silent On Conflict-of-Interest Allegations
SNIP
The allegations seem to have a great deal of merit, as it turns out. They turn on the fact that the paper’s executive editor, Mark Woodward, is married to Bridget Woodward, a staffer for Collins in the Senator’s Bangor district office. In other words, if Collins were to lose the election, the wife of the executive editor of a major newspaper in Collins’ home state would be out of a job — which would cause some serious inconvenience for that household.

I wonder if Collins will have to declare the support she gets from the paper as a campaign contribution. And whether the paper would have to report it as one as well.

The health insurance industry is another case where “privatizing” does not make for better quality of outcomes.

Truth is…

In addition to the outrageous situation of those without healthcare in our country, there are a lot of us who are severely constrained in our lives. I make a good living, but I have a chronic illness in the family, so I can never be without healthcare coverage. While it’s not life-threatening or extremely expensive, being without coverage would still mean either great suffering or bankruptcy within a year.

So all those great entrepreneurial stuff the Republicans are so fond of talking about? Can’t do it.

Going back to school? Can’t do it.

And I work in the tech industry, which can be volatile. So far, though I’ve been laid off or had companies die a number of times, I’ve only had one time when I was unemployed long enough that we had to spend outrageous amounts for individual coverage, but it could happen again any time.

PB (peanut butter) @ 51

Oh, and returning to the NYT article on “slight” income gains? Notice it says the MEDIAN went up slightly.

Dollars to donuts that all it means is the rich got a bit richer and pulled the median up. I’ll start listening when the AVERAGE income goes up. AFTER adjustment for inflation, etc. Pfft.

The WaPo story on this I linked to @ 32 notes the critical underlying mathematics:

The increase from 2005 to 2006 in median household income, to $48,201, appeared to be mainly the result of a jump in the number of people per household who held a full-time job rather than a rise in wages. Earnings of both men and women declined by slightly more than 1 percent.

On average, individuals are earning less, both men and women. On average, households are bringing in more because more folks in each house are working.

Not exactly good news for anyone. At all.

landofthefree

s’cuse. what is “rec list”? *duh/g*

If … if if we could get rid of the health insurance industry… it would be a shot across the bow of corporate america which smugly sits there thinking the market offers the solution for all matters and is the only way forward… more privatization and business to corporations.

We also have to take back the airwaves and get the networks off the air. Maybe then can we begin to see the people INFORMED with facts instead of PROPAGANDA 24/7

Redshift @ 58

Truth is…

In addition to the outrageous situation of those without healthcare in our country, there are a lot of us who are severely constrained in our lives. I make a good living, but I have a chronic illness in the family, so I can never be without healthcare coverage. While it’s not life-threatening or extremely expensive, being without coverage would still mean either great suffering or bankruptcy within a year.

So all those great entrepreneurial stuff the Republicans are so fond of talking about? Can’t do it.

Going back to school? Can’t do it.

And I work in the tech industry, which can be volatile. So far, though I’ve been laid off or had companies die a number of times, I’ve only had one time when I was unemployed long enough that we had to spend outrageous amounts for individual coverage, but it could happen again any time.

Yup, ditto, ditto, and ditto again. I’d love to go back to school or start up a business. Can’t.

A while ago i received a phone call, polling on insurance. I interupted to say “My opionion of insurance? it’s legalized extortion!” They hung up on me.

LS @ 33

Edwards can win the election.

I believe he’d win the general election.

Right now though, across the U.S., it’s Hillary at 40% and Edwards and Obama at 18% each, says Rasmuussen.

newdealfarmgrrrlll @ 63

A while ago i received a phone call, polling on insurance. I interupted to say “My opionion of insurance? it’s legalized extortion!” They hung up on me.

Heh. Thing is, I can’t imagine the caller would get any other kind of answer these days!

PB (peanut butter) @ 62

Redshift @ 58

Truth is…

In addition to the outrageous situation of those without healthcare in our country, there are a lot of us who are severely constrained in our lives. I make a good living, but I have a chronic illness in the family, so I can never be without healthcare coverage. While it’s not life-threatening or extremely expensive, being without coverage would still mean either great suffering or bankruptcy within a year.

So all those great entrepreneurial stuff the Republicans are so fond of talking about? Can’t do it.

Going back to school? Can’t do it.

And I work in the tech industry, which can be volatile. So far, though I’ve been laid off or had companies die a number of times, I’ve only had one time when I was unemployed long enough that we had to spend outrageous amounts for individual coverage, but it could happen again any time.

Yup, ditto, ditto, and ditto again. I’d love to go back to school or start up a business. Can’t.

My situation as well …

The fashionable neocon attitude these days is that our health care problems are largely a function of being overinsured.

Y’see, it bring on “moral hazard,” ‘cuz it makes us all ineffective “shoppers.”

Edwards is not being covered as much as SHillary.

Also Kucinich is played as a loony a al Sharpton. He always makes sense and wins polls but the MSM will not take him seriously and Edwards they are trying to pretend is not there.

Give Hill the VP slot and she can rule the senate.

If cancer was cured, how many jobs would be affected, I always wonder. And I’m a cancer survivor.

The Axis of Evil — Big Pharma, the Health Insurance industry, Wall Street, and the Mainstream Media. The money goes round and round.

Ed*ard Teller @ 55

Go, Elizabeth Edwards! Go, John Edwards!

I’m continuing to warm to Edwards. He’s the only candidate whose speeches I’m tracking on C-SPAN archives 100%. The others, I’m watching periodically, to see how they’re projecting and how audiences are reacting, but I’m more impressed with the Edwardses every time I meet them.

Kucinich is the best for health care.
He has an Eastern European name and he’s short. He’s not handsome and he’s wonky, but he would be the best choice out of the field. Too bad.

I agree that John Edwards is improving on the stump. He did a very solid, fine job in this video. He sounded so real – so charming and sincere that I hardly realized that he was shilling for the insurance industry.

PB (peanut butter) @ 51

Oh, and returning to the NYT article on “slight” income gains? Notice it says the MEDIAN went up slightly.

Dollars to donuts that all it means is the rich got a bit richer and pulled the median up. I’ll start listening when the AVERAGE income goes up. AFTER adjustment for inflation, etc. Pfft.

I was wondering what the catch was…knew there had to be one.

Senators McCain and Coleman asking Craig to resign…can’t we make the same argument about Vitter, guys?

PB (peanut butter) @ 39

LS @ 33

Edwards can win the election.

God I hope so. I think he’s the best one out there.

I think that if he can win the nomination he will win the election.

thanks christy, that was a great clip.

i can relate, even if it’s only a little bit. as a cancer survivor i’m lucky to live in MA, because that makes it possible to get insurance (insurance co.s here aren’t allowed to refuse coverage or charge higher premiums because of a pre-existing condition).

even so, up until a few months ago, my health insurance didn’t cover prescription drugs (way too expensive) – but it does now and for the same price, thanks to the new laws we have this year in MA. good thing too, because my doc just put me on a new medication – it would have cost me $500/month w/o insurance.

even a terribly flawed program like we have in MA can be a tremendous help.

still, no rest, until we have universal coverage via some kind of single payer plan.

And further on the MSNBC breaking re McCain and Coleman asking Craig to resign.

Keating Five, anyone?

Peterr @ 59

PB (peanut butter) @ 51

Oh, and returning to the NYT article on “slight” income gains? Notice it says the MEDIAN went up slightly.

Dollars to donuts that all it means is the rich got a bit richer and pulled the median up. I’ll start listening when the AVERAGE income goes up. AFTER adjustment for inflation, etc. Pfft.

The WaPo story on this I linked to @ 32 notes the critical underlying mathematics:

The increase from 2005 to 2006 in median household income, to $48,201, appeared to be mainly the result of a jump in the number of people per household who held a full-time job rather than a rise in wages. Earnings of both men and women declined by slightly more than 1 percent.

On average, individuals are earning less, both men and women. On average, households are bringing in more because more folks in each house are working.

Not exactly good news for anyone. At all.

There has been a massive transfer of wealth to the rich in this country. It began decades ago but accelerated under Bush. Bush’s 2001 tax cut will over 10 years direct more than a trillion dollars to them with only mixed to middling positive effects on the economy.

Bush says the economy is good and it is if you are rich. The rest of us know better.

Every month I write a $1500 check for health insurance for myself and two employees (families included). What that gets us is bare bones “high deductible” coverage. It’s supposed to work in conjunction with Health Savings Accounts – tax deductible funds for those pesky little out-of-pocket expenses to reach the deductible ($7k/yr/family!)…so on top of the insurance cost we’re also supposed to be squirreling away about $500/family/month to fund the HSA. Somehow, at the end of the month those funds usually aren’t there.

Christy, thanks for posting this. Edwards is my candidate.

How many of you have seen Sicko? Prepare yourself for an eye-opener. We all know that healthcare in this country is a huge problem – everyone has stories about people they know who are having major problems, or who are having problems themselves with costs, lack of coverage, etc.

This movie brought the issue into much clearer perspective for me. I thought I knew a lot, but not by half. Michael Moore is a brilliant filmmaker – he knows how to tell the story and give it impact, and he hit a home run this time.

There is so much negative noise about universal healthcare that will be very hard to overcome, but this film has a visceral message that can cut through that.

Please, go see Sicko and recommend to your friends that they see it too.

Edwards / Obama 2008.

The answer to Demand Better. Be Better.

My effort’s for Edwards.

Fern @ 73

PB (peanut butter) @ 39

God I hope so. I think he’s the best one out there.

I think that if he can win the nomination he will win the election.

Yes. The nomination is the trick.

Hugh @ 56

ccmask @ 43

OT: ME-SEN: Collins Office, Maine Paper Silent On Conflict-of-Interest Allegations
SNIP
The allegations seem to have a great deal of merit, as it turns out. They turn on the fact that the paper’s executive editor, Mark Woodward, is married to Bridget Woodward, a staffer for Collins in the Senator’s Bangor district office. In other words, if Collins were to lose the election, the wife of the executive editor of a major newspaper in Collins’ home state would be out of a job — which would cause some serious inconvenience for that household.

I wonder if Collins will have to declare the support she gets from the paper as a campaign contribution. And whether the paper would have to report it as one as well.

The Bangor Daily News apparently sunk Collins’ Dem candidate in the closing days of the 1996 election by pushing a bogus story about a consultant working for her opponent who later sued her for libel.

This just in: Sen. Larry Craig is stepping down from his committee involvements in the Senate temporarily as the ethics investigation of him moves forward based on his “look at my Senator business card” maneuver with the arresting officer in Minnesota. CNN has more coming up on this…

It is young adults who suffer from the lack of insurance coverage.

If they are not a full time student and hit 19, poof they are dropped
If they Are a full time student, every semester they have to PROVE with documentation they are taking 12 credit hours or more.
If they are a full time student and hit 23-25 they are disenrolled anyway due to age max.
Some colleges sell marginal coverage paid per semester which is dropped IMMEDIATELY on graduation.

Thankfully there are employers such as Starbucks [ok there are good and bad things about this employer] and Costco who make sure their employees do have health insurance even if they are part time.

Prairie Sunshine @ 72

I was wondering what the catch was…knew there had to be one.

Someone else pointed out that it looked like it was the results of aggregating household incomes; separately both men and women earned less. Gah.

Senators McCain and Coleman asking Craig to resign…can’t we make the same argument about Vitter, guys?

I’ve been yapping on this point too. I wrote both of my senators a note saying that I think they should lobby to have Vitter’s name added to the Ethics Committee the goopers want to foist on Craig.

Jonathan @ 64

LS @ 33

Edwards can win the election.

I believe he’d win the general election.

Right now though, across the U.S., it’s Hillary at 40% and Edwards and Obama at 18% each, says Rasmuussen.

Factoring in the current anger-quotient across the nation, I trust only one poll; and even that one is suspect without guarantees that voting will not be rigged. *sigh*

Aside from that, I’d vote for Edwards in a heartbeat, IF Gore does not run.

Aside from those two, ANY Dem. over all repugs.

I’m thinkin’ I have company. But I refuse to talk to pollsters, so my opinion doesn’t count… yet. ;->

Christy Hardin Smith @ 82

This just in: Sen. Larry Craig is stepping down from his committee involvements in the Senate temporarily as the ethics investigation of him moves forward based on his “look at my Senator business card” maneuver with the arresting officer in Minnesota. CNN has more coming up on this…

First his committee assignments, then…?

My guess is that he’ll be “spending more time with his family” by week’s end.

I am liking Edwards more & more. Talked to a lot of rural folk in Wisc. last week (extended family) … no one’s made up their mind. Concerns? War, environment, health care, education, and a desire to see sleazeball Republicans GONE. My 78 yr old mom, for example, has always liked Hillary. Also likes Barak and Edwards. Busy working on the local level, interested in electing progressives, disillusioned with beltway Dems. This is rural grassroots, none of these folk are on the toobz. They always appreciate the news i bring of progressive candidates across the country thanks to FireDogLake, Down with Tyranny, TNH, etc.

Craig’s been de-listed on the Nas-dick exchange.

Last OT on Collins but:

Not only is the executive editor of the Bangor Daily News, Mark Woodward, married to a current Susan Collins staffer, but executive editor Mark Woodward is himself a former Collins press secretary!

Collins’ former press secretary is now the one making editorial decisions about news stories impacting Collins’ re-election bid without so much as a mention in the newspaper!

PB (peanut butter) @ 51

Oh, and returning to the NYT article on “slight” income gains? Notice it says the MEDIAN went up slightly.

Dollars to donuts that all it means is the rich got a bit richer and pulled the median up. I’ll start listening when the AVERAGE income goes up. AFTER adjustment for inflation, etc. Pfft.

You’ve got it backwards.

Christy Hardin Smith @ 82

This just in: Sen. Larry Craig is stepping down from his committee involvements in the Senate temporarily as the ethics investigation of him moves forward based on his “look at my Senator business card” maneuver with the arresting officer in Minnesota. CNN has more coming up on this…

I thought his biggest ethical lapse in Republican eyes was that he let it become public. I am sure many Senators are as shocked as I am by this, and have told their boyfriends and girlfriends much the same.

it is designed to bankrupt americans. only way the companies that profit from our lives can continue to be fed. they don’t want you to die, they just want all your assets and your livelihood
what in the hell does insurance have to do with medical treatment?
absolutely nothing, say it again.

edwards is getting better on the stump b/c of his wife imo….would that she were the candidate..even kucinich has impressive ideas but he’s not taken seriously by the MSM but i pay attention to what he says it resonates with me

Getting caught is the downside to criminality for the pukes.

punaise @ 89

Craig’s been de-listed on the Nas-dick exchange.

because of his stance on immigration

PB (peanut butter) @ 51

Oh, and returning to the NYT article on “slight” income gains? Notice it says the MEDIAN went up slightly.

Dollars to donuts that all it means is the rich got a bit richer and pulled the median up. I’ll start listening when the AVERAGE income goes up. AFTER adjustment for inflation, etc. Pfft.

Actually, median is a more accurate measure than average for this sort of thing; it’s the number where half the people are above and half are below, and those are inflation-adjusted numbers. An average is susceptible to outliers in exactly the way you’re talking about; a small number of hedge fund managers can skew it.

The linked editorial is actually very clear about how bad the situation is, and despite most simple-minded coverage being “incomes are up,” the real story is “incomes are up for the first time since Bush took office, and we still haven’t caught up to where we were in 2000.”

The fortunes of middle-class, working Americans also appear less upbeat on closer consideration of the data. Indeed, earnings of men and women working full time actually fell more than 1 percent last year.

This suggests that when household incomes rose, it was because more members of the household went to work, not because anybody got a bigger paycheck.

ccmask @ 89

Last OT on Collins but:

Not only is the executive editor of the Bangor Daily News, Mark Woodward, married to a current Susan Collins staffer, but executive editor Mark Woodward is himself a former Collins press secretary!

Collins’ former press secretary is now the one making editorial decisions about news stories impacting Collins’ re-election bid without so much as a mention in the newspaper!

Corruption R[epublican] Us….

Prairie Sunshine @ 75

And further on the MSNBC breaking re McCain and Coleman asking Craig to resign.

Keating Five, anyone?

Let the man be, he’s not gay. Idahoans elected him by 65 percent margin last time. Let him run again.

punaise @ 89

Craig’s been de-listed on the Nas-dick exchange.

And Citi**oup, of course, has issued a “buy” recommendation to their sheep in order to “play off” some of their vast holdings in Craig equit*es.

my daughter has a full-time job and no health benefits – mind you if she’s willing to pay for it all by herself she can get it – something’s definitely wrong here………..

Redshift @ 58

Truth is…

In addition to the outrageous situation of those without healthcare in our country, there are a lot of us who are severely constrained in our lives. I make a good living, but I have a chronic illness in the family, so I can never be without healthcare coverage. While it’s not life-threatening or extremely expensive, being without coverage would still mean either great suffering or bankruptcy within a year.

So all those great entrepreneurial stuff the Republicans are so fond of talking about? Can’t do it.

Going back to school? Can’t do it.

And I work in the tech industry, which can be volatile. So far, though I’ve been laid off or had companies die a number of times, I’ve only had one time when I was unemployed long enough that we had to spend outrageous amounts for individual coverage, but it could happen again any time.

I was laid off five years ago (after 25 years) following a corporate takeover; since then I’ve managed to work long enough on short-term IT jobs to stay on Kaiser through COBRA–except for one four-month period when I had to switch to individual coverage (more expensive and much worse benefits). Last weekend I had an ER incident that made me very glad I had it. But in a couple of months it will be back to the individual plan again–if I can afford it. Health care in this country really does suck.

Yup, ditto, ditto, and ditto again. I’d love to go back to school or start up a business. Can’t.

My situation as well …

Count me in.

Redshift @ 96

PB (peanut butter) @ 51

Oh, and returning to the NYT article on “slight” income gains? Notice it says the MEDIAN went up slightly.

Dollars to donuts that all it means is the rich got a bit richer and pulled the median up. I’ll start listening when the AVERAGE income goes up. AFTER adjustment for inflation, etc. Pfft.

Actually, median is a more accurate measure than average for this sort of thing; it’s the number where half the people are above and half are below, and those are inflation-adjusted numbers. An average is susceptible to outliers in exactly the way you’re talking about; a small number of hedge fund managers can skew it.

The linked editorial is actually very clear about how bad the situation is, and despite most simple-minded coverage being “incomes are up,” the real story is “incomes are up for the first time since Bush took office, and we still haven’t caught up to where we were in 2000.”

The fortunes of middle-class, working Americans also appear less upbeat on closer consideration of the data. Indeed, earnings of men and women working full time actually fell more than 1 percent last year.

This suggests that when household incomes rose, it was because more members of the household went to work, not because anybody got a bigger paycheck.

Got it, thanks for the correction…

what!! there’s a gay repug in idaho? oh nooooo wide-stance craig has been busted? hehehehehehehe oh man this never gets tired with me

Guys, I was there at the Portsmouth speech. I had never seen Edwards in person before, and Holy Cow, was I impressed. Actually, blown away. The man is absolute fierce in his passion, in his belief that we cannot continue to run this country by half measure. Change must be bold, and he challenged everyone that they themselves had to participate in this change. I went to that speech an Obama supporter. I saw Obama the week before and thought he was wonderful. But there is a grit, a fight to Edwards and a fearlessness to think big that I have not seen with the other candidates. I am seriously considering switching my allegiance.

The woman in the clip wasn’t the only person there who wanted to share their health care horror story. Though the MSM has not figured this out yet (probably never), economic populism, I believe, is catching the middle class’s attention. Middle and working class Americans can’t afford health care, their jobs are being threatened, they can’t afford to send their kids to college, and they are beginning to realize that their country is really a Corpocracy, not a Democracy. Even Iraq plays into this theme, with all the working class kids either coming home in boxes or not getting adequate Vets health care if they do make it home. Edwards is aggressively tapping into that.

By the way, there was a great crowd for a poorly advertised event. Beautiful evening in Portsmouth, on the shores of the Piscataqua River leading out to the Atlantic. Really magical.

pseudonymous in nc @ 30

What I love about this? The anger. [snip]
And I think Edwards is going the right way about this. It’s time to divide-and-conquer, to explicitly say that you’ll take money from the pockets of insurance CEOs and give it to doctors.

The contrast with nitwits like Megan McArdle is telling.

Great point. Guess who told me I HAVE to see Sicko? My doctor.

Looks as if the goopers want Craig’s ass out of the senate NOW..Don’t want to take a chance of him hanging on too long and then getting clobbered by a dem in the general election..

Don’t listen to em Craig- yer fuckin innocent- show em what kind a man ya are- stay in the seat! Stay in the race!

Ya ain’t gotta hair on yer ass if ya let these bastards stampede ya out of Washington!”

Good afternoon, everyone.
Edwards is the only candidate I see who truly represents a threat to the system. He strikes me as essentially anti-corporatist, having made his fortune suing corporations. He also strikes me as far more radical than he’s letting on-and that’s a good thing.

Edwards/Clark ‘08

PB (peanut butter) @ 51>

The fortunes of middle-class, working Americans also appear less upbeat on closer consideration of the data. Indeed, earnings of men and women working full time actually fell more than 1 percent last year.

This suggests that when household incomes rose, it was because more members of the household went to work, not because anybody got a bigger paycheck.

And how many are because people are moving in with other family members?

My Mom is retiring and is moving in with me and my partner, as she cannot afford to live alone.

I want my party to nominate Edwards. I want to watch Edwards eat Guliani* alive in the general.

*or whoever. Brownback. Ghost Reagan. Cheney. whoever.

I love John and Elizabeth Edwards… and I’m not gay!

cnn – jack cafferty on the ills in america

I’ve worked for years in and around health care although I’m not an actual care giver. I can tell you that a single-payer system is the ONLY answer to our problems.

All these other baby-steps and band-aid fixes might help a few people here and there, but the only actual “solution” is a national, single-payer system.

Check out Physicians for National Health Care for the take of some actual medical practitioners.

That being said, I like Edwards because he’s one of the few candidates who seems to genuinely give a crap about this issue. He doesn’t just pay it lip service.

juslin @ 112

cnn – jack cafferty on the ills in america

a thousand points of blight

Lady Bug @ 105

Guys, I was there at the Portsmouth speech. I had never seen Edwards in person before, and Holy Cow, was I impressed. Actually, blown away. The man is absolute fierce in his passion, in his belief that we cannot continue to run this country by half measure. Change must be bold, and he challenged everyone that they themselves had to participate in this change. I went to that speech an Obama supporter. I saw Obama the week before and thought he was wonderful. But there is a grit, a fight to Edwards and a fearlessness to think big that I have not seen with the other candidates. I am seriously considering switching my allegiance.

The woman in the clip wasn’t the only person there who wanted to share their health care horror story. Though the MSM has not figured this out yet (probably never), economic populism, I believe, is catching the middle class’s attention. Middle and working class Americans can’t afford health care, their jobs are being threatened, they can’t afford to send their kids to college, and they are beginning to realize that their country is really a Corpocracy, not a Democracy. Even Iraq plays into this theme, with all the working class kids either coming home in boxes or not getting adequate Vets health care if they do make it home. Edwards is aggressively tapping into that.

By the way, there was a great crowd for a poorly advertised event. Beautiful evening in Portsmouth, on the shores of the Piscataqua River leading out to the Atlantic. Really magical.

Thanks for this. I’ve seen him in person a number of times and have the same impression. I just keep crossing my fingers that this word can get out, despite the MSM’s shunning him. They just want to focus on Obama-Hill.

And I agree that Kucinich has a number of great ideas. I wish the MSM would deal in ISSUES, not cosmetics.

“Anxious and ailing America” — Cafferty citing an AP op-ed piece on what NOLA means to America.

Edwards will be the healer we need. He understands.

The media have decided that the race is between Hillary and Obama. Edwards and his positions are de-emphasized. The biggest story on him remains the one about his haircut.

Eureka Springs @ 102

Yup, ditto, ditto, and ditto again. I’d love to go back to school or start up a business. Can’t.

My situation as well …

Count me in.

Thanks for chiming in, everyone. I’ve thought for a while that ours was a situation that would resonate with a lot of people. I’m gonna write it up and send it to Mr. Edwards. As with the situation in the video, I think it’s important to focus a lot on middle-class people in order to overcome the typical coded-racist messaging conservatives use against anything that can be made to look like “welfare,” and I think this would be a good addition.

cleter @ 110

I want my party to nominate Edwards. I want to watch Edwards eat Guliani* alive in the general.

or whoever. Brownback. Ghost Reagan. Cheney. whoever.

He didn’t do worth a damn against Cheney the last time.

punaise@114

ooooooooo you are swift!

rwcole @ 107

Looks as if the goopers want Craig’s ass out of the senate NOW..Don’t want to take a chance of him hanging on too long and then getting clobbered by a dem in the general election..

Don’t listen to em Craig- yer fuckin innocent- show em what kind a man ya are- stay in the seat! Stay in the race!

Ya ain’t gotta hair on yer ass if ya let these bastards stampede ya out of Washington!”

You said it rw! AND, you can show your support here!!!

http://craig.senate.gov/webform.cfm

punaise @ 114

a thousand points of blight

Punaise — This is the bumper sticker the Democratic Party should be using:

Republican? A thousand points of blight…

Thanks Lady Bug @105… Seeing is believing.

I think he can win if he gets more airings before the electorate as he did in beautiful Portsmouth.

Spread the word.

Brisingamen @ 122

punaise @ 114

a thousand points of blight

Punaise — This is the bumper sticker the Democratic Party should be using:

Republican? A thousand points of blight…

all royalties to the FDL fund… :~)

SanderO @ 68

Give Hill the VP slot and she can rule the senate.

Ya know somethin? I just get a tremendous KICK outta that idea. heehee. all those crusty old coots, & Hil up on her lil pedestal. Hm-m-m.

prolly wouldn’t have ta get their teeth ground down nearly as often…. might crack a few more dentures tho….

just the mind-pic might cause shooter to break out in a sweat for 1st time, um, ever?

Where are the Hillary supporters? Chime in anyone?

Each and every one of us can evangelize for Edwards. Tell your friends, your co-workers, your family, your bowling buddies, your hairdresser, the other gym rats at Curves…

Talk, talk, talk…spread the Ed-word….

Mauimom @115:

Commenter Votus offered details yesterday about how ABC News is overtly censoring evidence of Kucinich’s popularity in the primaries. This might be on the Kucinich site.

And one point. You say, “And I agree that Kucinich has a number of great ideas. I wish the MSM would deal in ISSUES, not cosmetics.” They are concerned with issues. They don’t like what Kucinich stands for, so they’re making absolutely sure he loses, the way they did with Dean.

Anyone for bowling? What a concept… pins for pols

I’m there.

raven @ 119

cleter @ 110

I want my party to nominate Edwards. I want to watch Edwards eat Guliani* alive in the general.

or whoever. Brownback. Ghost Reagan. Cheney. whoever.

He didn’t do worth a damn against Cheney the last time.

He was a damned sight better than Lieberman in 2000, whose amiable jocularity made me want to throttle him.

Of the people running, who would be better? Will the northeastern-senator-with-the-troubled and-hard-to-explain-past work better for us in 08 than it did in 04?

again i think edwards wife is the spine he has right now – he was always wimpy to me but he is getting better

Edwards, Kucinich, Clinton and Huckabee had four individual 45 minute conversations on key domestic issues before representatives of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM)

Each video archive here. (h/t Elliott)

According to HuffPo, Craig has (cough) resigned from his Senate committee leadership posts….to take care of some other posts?

C’mon pups!

Help save Larry! Show him your support. Why? Because he’s NOT GAY

http://craig.senate.gov/webform.cfm

RonD @ 108

Good afternoon, everyone.
Edwards is the only candidate I see who truly represents a threat to the system. He strikes me as essentially anti-corporatist, having made his fortune suing corporations. He also strikes me as far more radical than he’s letting on-and that’s a good thing.

I feel much the same way – but with my cynicl hat on, worry that I just want to see him that way. I’ve liked most of what I’ve heard from him since 2004, and wish he would get more coverage. I’m not sure why the MSM seem to disdain him – because he’s rich now? Because he really is under the money, working-class, and thus beneath them? Because they can’t see past the fact that he’s good-looking AND rich, by his own efforts? Dunno.

Edwards/Clark ‘08

i cannot get with hrc – lordy i hope she doesnt win the primary tho the MSM is pushing hard for her

raven @ 119

cleter @ 110

I want my party to nominate Edwards. I want to watch Edwards eat Guliani* alive in the general.

or whoever. Brownback. Ghost Reagan. Cheney. whoever.

He didn’t do worth a damn against Cheney the last time.

How could he? He had voted for the war, so had Kerry, and the party platform was pro-war.

LS @ 126

Where are the Hillary supporters? Chime in anyone?

They’re in the corporate board rooms or more likely on the golf courses by this time of day.

Hugh @ 117

The media have decided that the race is between Hillary and Obama. Edwards and his positions are de-emphasized. The biggest story on him remains the one about his haircut.

Of the non-Hillary/Obama candidates – Edwards is the one with the best chance of taking both the primary and the general election.

A case could be made for Kucinich supporters to go with Edwards in the primary – if the goal is to avoid Hillary in the presidential election. Whatever Kucinech’s merits, he is not going to win.

Prairie Sunshine @ 127

Each and every one of us can evangelize for Edwards. Tell your friends, your co-workers, your family, your bowling buddies, your hairdresser, the other gym rats at Curves…

Talk, talk, talk…spread the Ed-word….

I’m a long-time John Edwards supporter. I’m still working on my wife-I hope to convince her by November 2008 that he should be the next President.

I am optimistic.

kdh22 @ 133

According to HuffPo, Craig has (cough) resigned from his Senate committee leadership posts….to take care of some other posts?

Did I say ‘posts’”? I meant poles. No, post or poles, either one I guess…

SufiLizard @ 138

LS @ 126

Where are the Hillary supporters? Chime in anyone?

They’re in the corporate board rooms or more likely on the golf courses by this time of day.

They exist only in the sweaty mind of Chris Matthews.

SanderO @ 44

I like what John Edwards has to say about the problems in this country. He’s an attack dog (or so it seems) after corporations. Good on him.

And this is why he is ignored by the MSM which is but another corporate horror. They see the handwriting on the wall if a true populist takes them on. He’s done it in court… but we need to do it in congress.

And there’s the rub… the congress is smothered by corporate lobbyists.

I hope the primaries show Edwards is popular and this would be a good development.

The problem in the health care of americans is not lack of insurance, it’s the fact that one NEEDS for profit insurance at all. Insurance companies do not provide an ounce of medical treatment… not even an aspirin. All they do is consume paper and ink.

Rid us of the insurance industry PLEASE.

YOU GOT THAT EXACTLY RIGHT ON ALL COUNTS!
BRAVO

LS @ 126

Where are the Hillary supporters? Chime in anyone?

Gore, Edwards, Richardson, Clark, Kucinich, yes. No to HRC. No to the DLC. No to compromise. No to bi-partisanship. ;0)

Boy, they certainly threw him under the bus fast!

GOP senators say Craig should resign

By DAVID ESPO, AP Special Correspondent
1 minute ago

WASHINGTON – Idaho Sen. Larry Craig’s political support eroded significantly Wednesday as three fellow Republicans in Congress called for his resignation and party leaders pushed him from senior committee posts.

The White House expressed its disappointment, too — and nary a word of support for the 62-year-old lawmaker, who pleaded guilty earlier this month to a charge stemming from an undercover police operation in an airport men’s room.

Craig “represents the Republican party,” said Rep. Pete Hoekstra of Michigan, the first fellow GOP member of Congress to urge a resignation

…

LINK

LS @ 126

Where are the Hillary supporters? Chime in anyone?

okay. not my 1st choice. but I could easily vote for her. I think she’s doing what she has to to get elected, some of which doesn’t charm the socks off any of us.

I think she might be a pleasant surprise in the driver’s seat.

Just a hopeful kinda hunch, mind you…

soo craig will be going to the OUT house lol or the outpost hehehe oh man

Edwards would be a great President when compared with any Republican. But, his is a health care tall order:

1. reigning in for-profit insurance companies, HMO’s, and PPO’s to lower their rates and keep them low. (RU f-ing kidding me?)

2. provide quality service and not deny coverage. (RU f-ing kidding me?)

3. not drop customers based on claims (lost profits).

In consideration of the merits of dealing with the existing structure, I do not believe that all Americans will be provided with viable coverage that they can afford.

WE haven’t even discussed the hospital and doctor end of the matter. People have been bankrupted in America for their inability to pay for healthcare.

Its enough to make one move to Canada. Single payer is the solution.

Has any recent poll done one-on-one matchups between R and D candidates? The last one I saw was in Newsweek back in early July (surprisingly, usually an accurate poll, despite the nature of the rest of the mag). It had: D: HRC, BO, and JE vs. R: RG, MR, and JMcC.

Every D beat every R. But the interesting thing to me was that the sum of the margins was greatest for JE. (Warning: I threw the magazine out, so I can’t go back and check my memory, but I do remember doing the math and finding it interesting at the time.)

Sure seemed to me that JE was the winningest candidate of the six.

SufiLizard @ 113

I’ve worked for years in and around health care although I’m not an actual care giver. I can tell you that a single-payer system is the ONLY answer to our problems.

All these other baby-steps and band-aid fixes might help a few people here and there, but the only actual “solution” is a national, single-payer system.

I agree, but it’s all in how we get there. I’m willing to accept a plan that gives people a choice between private insurance and something like “Medicare for all” because I believe it has a chance of shutting up some of the people who bitch about “the gummint” deciding for them, and I think it’ll effectively give us single-payer within a few years. Give them the choice and let them decide for themselves that it’s better.

It would be even better if it could fool the insurance industry into not fighting it full-bore, but I don’t have much hope for that.

Hey, OK, are you for Edwards if President Gore doesn’t run for re-election?

How in the world do you take $1,000,000 from the pill industry and say you won’t be beholding to them?

Oops – me at 135 above – that 1st paragraph is the quoted part, 2nd paragraph my comment.

punaise @ 77

Every month I write a $1500 check for health insurance for myself and two employees (families included). What that gets us is bare bones “high deductible” coverage. It’s supposed to work in conjunction with Health Savings Accounts – tax deductible funds for those pesky little out-of-pocket expenses to reach the deductible ($7k/yr/family!)…so on top of the insurance cost we’re also supposed to be squirreling away about $500/family/month to fund the HSA. Somehow, at the end of the month those funds usually aren’t there.

Hit a nail on the head, punaise. And you’re running a professional-type company, not an auto-body shop.

I’m staying in Sitka, Alaska (pop. c. 9,000), interviewing a lot of local people on “issues,” as I’m the statewide Issues Committee coordinator for Diane Benson’s US House campaign.

Talking yesterday with the city manager, school superintendent, the newspaper’s lead reporter and others, found this out – between the City (including schools, etc.), state and Federal agencies here, about $20,000,000 leaves the town every year to make health insurance payments. There’s been talk about pooling this money and self-insuring, but it always fails to get anywhere because even though people feel they’re getting shafted, they’re afraid of getting shafted worse.

But the bottom line is that this money is leaving the comunity at far greater rates than it ever comes back in form of payments to health care providers. And so on, all over the country.

Fern @ 139

Hugh @ 117

The media have decided that the race is between Hillary and Obama. Edwards and his positions are de-emphasized. The biggest story on him remains the one about his haircut.

Of the non-Hillary/Obama candidates – Edwards is the one with the best chance of taking both the primary and the general election.

A case could be made for Kucinich supporters to go with Edwards in the primary – if the goal is to avoid Hillary in the presidential election. Whatever Kucinech’s merits, he is not going to win.

This is a good point. The field seems to be split into Hillary and Not Hillary, with most of the Not Hillary vote being split between Obama and Edwards. If the Not Hillary and Not Obama camps would converge on Edwards, I think he would have it.

cleter @ 151

Hey, OK, are you for Edwards if President Gore doesn’t run for re-election?

At this point, yes. ;0)

juslin @ 147

soo craig will be going to the OUT house lol or the outpost hehehe oh man

When I look at Craig’s mugshots, I get creeped out. I think of a child-molesting priest.

Lady Bug @105:

A quibble: don’t use the phrase “economic populism” unless you use it in quotes. The media mean the term to be disparaging; they call any opposition to regressive taxation “populism” to discredit it, as if the asphyxiating middle class were a bunch of Pitchfork Ben Tillmans or something.

Oklahoma kiddo @ 153

How in the world do you take $1,000,000 from the pill industry and say you won’t be beholding to them?

Great question, OKK!

Cozumel @ 134

C’mon pups!

Help save Larry! Show him your support. Why? Because he’s NOT GAY

http://craig.senate.gov/webform.cfm

Is he a lot NOT GAY? or only kind of NOT GAY? But as long as he says so….

SanderO @ 129

Anyone for bowling? What a concept… pins for pols

I’m there.

pinns for pinhead pols. I’ll go for Don Young on the 1-pin… Or maybe a Don Young-Ted Stevens split.

Christy, just got back from sending my guys back to New Orleans. I can say, “amen”. Good post.

Oklahoma kiddo @ 152

How in the world do you take $1,000,000 from the pill industry and say you won’t be beholding to them?

Swallow the pills with a lot of koolaid.

Adie @ 146

LS @ 126

Where are the Hillary supporters? Chime in anyone?

okay. not my 1st choice. but I could easily vote for her. I think she’s doing what she has to to get elected, some of which doesn’t charm the socks off any of us.

I think she might be a pleasant surprise in the driver’s seat.

Just a hopeful kinda hunch, mind you…

You are more optimistic than me. I fear she would be a new kind of suck we’ve never seen before. Bill’s political faults minus Bill’s charisma. Last time we let a Clinton in the White House we lost the House and the Senate. Want to risk that again?

cleter @ 130

raven @ 119

He didn’t do worth a damn against Cheney the last time.

He was a damned sight better than Lieberman in 2000, whose amiable jocularity made me want to throttle him.

Of the people running, who would be better? Will the northeastern-senator-with-the-troubled and-hard-to-explain-past work better for us in 08 than it did in 04?

Sorry,I don’t think any of them are worth a shit.

Redshift @ 150

I agree, but it’s all in how we get there. I’m willing to accept a plan that gives people a choice between private insurance and something like “Medicare for all” because I believe it has a chance of shutting up some of the people who bitch about “the gummint” deciding for them, and I think it’ll effectively give us single-payer within a few years. Give them the choice and let them decide for themselves that it’s better.

It would be even better if it could fool the insurance industry into not fighting it full-bore, but I don’t have much hope for that.

I agree with you completely. The politically viable approach (though still a longshot) is to give consumers the choice of private, for-profit insurance or an expanded version of Medicare. We should see the insurance industry dropping out of health insurance in a pretty quick fashion.

Once we’re down to a single-payer system we’ll see costs go down for a lot of reasons, not the least of which will be the billing departments in every doctors office, hospital and other providers. Right now they have to have large staffs of people to process all the different types of claims. Just imagine if there were only one payer to deal with?

AZ Matt @ 145

Boy, they certainly threw him under the bus fast!

GOP senators say Craig should resign

heh heh. of COURSE they did.

ohmygoodnessgracious. what would you do, invite him to tea and toast points?

I can’t understand why a politician says it’s necessary to listen to big business lobbyists.

cleter @ 151

Hey, OK, are you for Edwards if President Gore doesn’t run for re-election?

Yes. Gore otherwise

Redshift and Sufilizard-
I agree most of what’s discussed is baby steps. I’m pretty well convinced, after years of thinking about it (and I have my own family horror stories, scraping together to pay COBRA, surgery w/ no insurance, etc.) that single-payer is the only workable way, too.

But, I don’t think this country, even the people who should favor it, is ready to take the mental leap required. Too many years of fear-mongering about “socialized medicine”, etc., etc. I could live w/ some sort of insurance plan that covers everyone, and then work to change from that to single-payer.
Our whole medical care delivery system is screwed up, much of it because of the insurance industry, and I don’t really think it can be fixed in one fell swoop. At least, politically it can’t be fixed so quickly.

to me the primary race is starting to look as if edwards is coming on strongly…pushing obama further down the line tho i never gave obama a chance cuz he’ll not get the votes imo.. dodd also has good ideas but he doesnt seem to get any traction i wonder why…

What the hell do I know? I voted for Jerry Brown in the 92 primary. That’s like voting for Kucinich’s dad. If you get my primary support, you are pretty much doomed. In fact, there is probably no surer way to sink Hillary than for me to send her twenty bucks.

It’s damn hard to get to the place to run for the POTUS and not have been worked over by the establishment. If someone can hold on to the essential values and still see how America is a corporatocracy as Edwards or even Denis… you gotta give them credit.

It’s so easy to be a sell out as you make your way up. Look at McNerey.

The Edwards have felt real pain and have been fortunate as well. His wealth gave him the opportunity to get where he is. What matters now is if he can deliver for the people. And there is a lot of work to be done for us.

cleter @ 172

What the hell do I know? I voted for Jerry Brown in the 92 primary. That’s like voting for Kucinich’s dad. If you get my primary support, you are pretty much doomed. In fact, there is probably no surer way to sink Hillary than for me to send her twenty bucks.

In that case, you know what to do.

Edwards/Obama?

Would that pool together the votes to avoid a Hillary catastrophe?

cleter @ 172

What the hell do I know? I voted for Jerry Brown in the 92 primary. That’s like voting for Kucinich’s dad. If you get my primary support, you are pretty much doomed. In fact, there is probably no surer way to sink Hillary than for me to send her twenty bucks.

LOL 707

If there was a dual approach.. buy your own or take single payer…. the insurance industry would whither and die… not enough profit in the smaller numbers. They need to be the only game in town to exist.

It’s call monopoly capitalism.

JF @ 174

cleter @ 172

What the hell do I know? I voted for Jerry Brown in the 92 primary. That’s like voting for Kucinich’s dad. If you get my primary support, you are pretty much doomed. In fact, there is probably no surer way to sink Hillary than for me to send her twenty bucks.

In that case, you know what to do.

Can I borrow twenty bucks until payday?

If Craig resigns, it’ll all be over. I want him to keep defending himself. He’s the poster child for Republican family values. Let’s hope he stays up there for a while.

I’m on the “cleter for Hillary” bandwagon!

cleter @ 172

What the hell do I know? I voted for Jerry Brown in the 92 primary. That’s like voting for Kucinich’s dad. If you get my primary support, you are pretty much doomed. In fact, there is probably no surer way to sink Hillary than for me to send her twenty bucks.

Get that check in the mail, man!

cleter @ 172

What the hell do I know? I voted for Jerry Brown in the 92 primary. That’s like voting for Kucinich’s dad. If you get my primary support, you are pretty much doomed. In fact, there is probably no surer way to sink Hillary than for me to send her twenty bucks.

I voted for Brown too ;-) And I sent Kucinich money last time around. Election night is usually a VERY depressing time for me.

yeah sufilizard@175 that’ll happen…..not

I’m another middle-class wage slave who counts health care as my top domestic concern. I hope the Democrats listen to Republicans, who have often been candid about the reasons for their opposition to successful government endeavors: If Democrats ever pass universal health care, that will solve all the other problems in this country, as it will create an overwhelming constituency for their party. I don’t think I was the only one who was a little surprised at the unyielding resistance to Bush’s attempts to dismantle Social Security; I’m still not that old and hadn’t realized there was such a large, politically conscious constituency for it. Insuring everyone will create identification with Democrats and hostility to Republicans, but on a broader scale and will go a long ways toward answering the question, “What do Democrats stand for?”

Oklahoma kiddo @ 156

cleter @ 151

Hey, OK, are you for Edwards if President Gore doesn’t run for re-election?

At this point, yes. ;0)

I’m with you, OK. I like Edwards. I wish he could get on board with single payer.

tejanarusa @ 170

Redshift and Sufilizard-
I agree most of what’s discussed is baby steps. I’m pretty well convinced, after years of thinking about it (and I have my own family horror stories, scraping together to pay COBRA, surgery w/ no insurance, etc.) that single-payer is the only workable way, too.

But, I don’t think this country, even the people who should favor it, is ready to take the mental leap required. Too many years of fear-mongering about “socialized medicine”, etc., etc. I could live w/ some sort of insurance plan that covers everyone, and then work to change from that to single-payer.
Our whole medical care delivery system is screwed up, much of it because of the insurance industry, and I don’t really think it can be fixed in one fell swoop. At least, politically it can’t be fixed so quickly.

expand medicare coverage…
1) lower the age for coverage, even if just by a couple of years
2) add children 0-5 (i think this is supposed to be an inexpensive age group?)

just get people used the idea of expanding medicare coverage… get them looking forward to getting covered BEFORE they retire.

baby steps…. but at least in the direction of a comprehensive solution.

GeorgeSimian @ 179

If Craig resigns, it’ll all be over. I want him to keep defending himself. He’s the poster child for Republican family values. Let’s hope he stays up there for a while.

Not Giulliani?

“Once we’re down to a single-payer system we’ll see costs go down for a lot of reasons, not the least of which will be the billing departments in every doctors office, hospital and other providers. Right now they have to have large staffs of people to process all the different types of claims. Just imagine if there were only one payer to deal with?”

I don’t think that that is necessarily true. You may be able to cut some staff (10% maybe??), but not all. You still have to fill out the forms (hard copy or electronic) and then work them if they come back as errored.

Adie @ 146

LS @ 126

Where are the Hillary supporters? Chime in anyone?

okay. not my 1st choice. but I could easily vote for her. I think she’s doing what she has to to get elected, some of which doesn’t charm the socks off any of us.

I think she might be a pleasant surprise in the driver’s seat.

Just a hopeful kinda hunch, mind you…

I tend to agree. I’d rather she hadn’t gotten into the presidential race, but Ms. Redshift and I went to a fundraiser for her Senate re-election. She’s a good speaker and connected well with the crowd; she stuck around until everyone who wanted to talk to her got a chance (not just the people who’d given at the VIP level.) She’s not the closest to my politics, but I don’t agree with a lot of the doomsday scenarios that get tossed around about what will happen if she’s elected.

(And there are some Hillary supporters around here, but I can understand if they’re not speaking up a lot, since they’re likely to get an argument.)

mc @ 23

Steve-AR @ 11

OT..Re-Post?..This is despicable..Tucker admits to gay bashing and battery..This is a club that can be used to take out Tucker, Joe and maybe Dan.

Tucker Carlson says he assaulted man who made pass at him in restroottp://www.americablog.com/2007/08/tucker-carlson-says-he-assaulted-man.html

That’s because Tucker’s NOT GAY.

if that’s a fact, how about a simple, “No, thanks.” instead of assault? i hardly think a straight person has the right to assault anyone because they made a pass at them.
geeeez, if that were a reasonable response, imagine the straight fella’s collecting their teeth off the floor for making a pass at a lesbian… (are you ladies here “alone” this evening?)

We have socialized medicine now. For the insurance companies.

My Health Care Story

I tell this story for two reasons. It needs to be told and I can tell it.

In November 2002 I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I had a lumpectomy and radiation therapy.
That December my husband was hospitalized with an intestinal bleed. Our “insurance” company denied me coverage because I had not listed all of the medication I was taking on the application for coverage (because it was prescribed but I never took it) and I had had an iffy mammogram several years before. The “insurance” company only covered about 30% of my husband’s care. We were forced into bankruptcy due to $120,000 in medical bills.

After that my cancer came back and I had a mastectomy. My husband had open heart surgery.
We have mortgaged our home past its value. Ron was without coverage for three years because it would have cost $2400.00 a month. He now has a group policy for $510.00 a month that covers 80% and has a $5000.00 deductable. We are in constant debt. I have medi-cal but it is about to run out.

The only thing that has kept us off the street is the love and support of family and friends.

My government has let the medical industry suck us dry. I believe that they saw all of that equity in our homes and figured out a way to tap into it. My government hates us. That may sound extreme but it just seems so true.

The good news is that we are fine now and are working for health care reform.

Oh yea. My family is from New Orleans. It goes on and on.

I have much more to say but not now.

sufilizard said:

The politically viable approach (though still a longshot) is to give consumers the choice of private, for-profit insurance or an expanded version of Medicare. We should see the insurance industry dropping out of health insurance in a pretty quick fashion

.

And there, in a nutshell, is the explanation for Bush’s new rules keeping the states from signing up more CHIPS children – some were dropping existing insurance. Can’t have that!

cleter @ 164

Adie @ 146

okay. not my 1st choice. but I could easily vote for her. I think she’s doing what she has to to get elected, some of which doesn’t charm the socks off any of us.

I think she might be a pleasant surprise in the driver’s seat.

Just a hopeful kinda hunch, mind you…

You are more optimistic than me. I fear she would be a new kind of suck we’ve never seen before. Bill’s political faults minus Bill’s charisma. Last time we let a Clinton in the White House we lost the House and the Senate. Want to risk that again?

nope! just being a realist of sorts. I wouldn’t vote for her unless or until I had to in the general election, and I wouldn’t contribute to her campaign. So, yeah. I share your caution to a considerable degree.

I also question whether bigdawg could faithfully follow “SIT! STAY!” commands, without some hiccups along the way. Might be an impossible task, potentially awful.

~itunkala @ 190

mc @ 23

That’s because Tucker’s NOT GAY.

if that’s a fact, how about a simple, “No, thanks.” instead of assault? i hardly think a straight person has the right to assault anyone because they made a pass at them.
geeeez, if that were a reasonable response, imagine the straight fella’s collecting their teeth off the floor for making a pass at a lesbian… (are you ladies here “alone” this evening?)

Tucker was prolly all ‘geeked out’ at the time. I think he and Geist are into that stuff.

Imagine. Single payer health care, public financing of elections and good schools.

holy shit!

(((((mary)))))

$12,000,000,000 per month for wars we cannot win.

Tucker’s not gay? But…but…are you sure?

SufiLizard @ 182

cleter @ 172

What the hell do I know? I voted for Jerry Brown in the 92 primary. That’s like voting for Kucinich’s dad. If you get my primary support, you are pretty much doomed. In fact, there is probably no surer way to sink Hillary than for me to send her twenty bucks.

I voted for Brown too ;-) And I sent Kucinich money last time around. Election night is usually a VERY depressing time for me.

Jerry is talking about running for gov against Ahnuld. Not just rumor – I heard him say it.

~itunkala @ 190

mc @ 23

That’s because Tucker’s NOT GAY.

if that’s a fact, how about a simple, “No, thanks.” instead of assault? i hardly think a straight person has the right to assault anyone because they made a pass at them.
geeeez, if that were a reasonable response, imagine the straight fella’s collecting their teeth off the floor for making a pass at a lesbian… (are you ladies here “alone” this evening?)

Forget the fact that he’s a coward, a bully and a bigot all rolled into one. It’s far worse from the legal point of view that Carlson didn’t just punch the guy as a reflex (as if!): he went looking for “a friend” and engaged in premeditated assault.

christine @ 188

“Once we’re down to a single-payer system we’ll see costs go down for a lot of reasons, not the least of which will be the billing departments in every doctors office, hospital and other providers. Right now they have to have large staffs of people to process all the different types of claims. Just imagine if there were only one payer to deal with?”

I don’t think that that is necessarily true. You may be able to cut some staff (10% maybe??), but not all. You still have to fill out the forms (hard copy or electronic) and then work them if they come back as errored.

Why do you make that assumption? As I understand them, European and Canadian systems do not work that way. You have errors in large part because payments are made for “procedures,” which must be “coded.” No fee-for-procedure type medicine, no codes. No codes, no errors. No giant staff expert in coding needed.

Oklahoma kiddo @ 191

We have socialized medicine now. For the insurance companies.

Ladies and Gentlemen, we have a winner. WE have to compete, THEY get socialized medicine and a guaranteed profit.

selise @ 197

holy shit!

(((((mary)))))

Yeah. God bless your family for being there for you.

tejanarusa @ 193

sufilizard said:

The politically viable approach (though still a longshot) is to give consumers the choice of private, for-profit insurance or an expanded version of Medicare. We should see the insurance industry dropping out of health insurance in a pretty quick fashion

.

And there, in a nutshell, is the explanation for Bush’s new rules keeping the states from signing up more CHIPS children – some were dropping existing insurance. Can’t have that!

They actually admitted this explicitly. They said something to the effect that it was preventing market solutions.

selise @ 197

holy shit!

(((((mary)))))

wow.

Brendan at 158: Screw the media. The term populism came out of the great progressive political movements of 19th and early 20th century farmers and laborers. It’s time we reclaimed this term from these cynical bastards ignorant of American history and use the term as it was meant to be used.

Oklahoma kiddo @ 196

Imagine. Single payer health care, public financing of elections and good schools.

I’m imagining it and it’s glorious….

… now back to corporate health care, corporate elections and increasingly corporate schools. Blech!

A am an administrator in a rural health clinic, it takes one staff member to file claims electronically. Even if we have a one payer system (which I doubt will ever happen though Medicare is the most efficient payer in the US), you will still have to code procedures & DX – that will never be eliminated.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Edwards came out to help Ned Lamont fight the odious little Joe Lieberman here in CT last year. I’d be remiss if I left out the fact that Chris Dodd also campaigned with Lamont, so my hat’s off to him as well. No Hillary, no Obama, no Biden when we desperately needed to get rid of the disgrace we continue to call our senator.

I will be voting for John Edwards.

OMG now check this out! CNN had a big “banner” under a clip of Edwards, and it said, “Strong Stance”

Mofos.

Hugs to MaryMcC at 192.

Ed*ard Teller @ 204

selise @ 197

holy shit!

(((((mary)))))

Yeah. God bless your family for being there for you.

amen

kdh22 @ 133

According to HuffPo, Craig has (cough) resigned from his Senate committee leadership posts….to take care of some other posts?

I didn’t know he was a blogger…man’s got a lot of talents.

SufiLizard @ 166

Once we’re down to a single-payer system we’ll see costs go down for a lot of reasons, not the least of which will be the billing departments in every doctors office, hospital and other providers. Right now they have to have large staffs of people to process all the different types of claims. Just imagine if there were only one payer to deal with?

Not to mention that preventive care becomes cost-effective. There was that great study done a few years ago that showed that preventive care produces big cost savings, but insurance companies don’t cover it because chances are the patient will change insurance and some other company will get the savings. They all know it would help, but only if they all do it.

That’s one of the real “moral hazards” in our healthcare system (as opposed to the bogus ones conservatives use to justify things like Health Savings Accounts.)

I’m one of those who is SOL under all of the current proposals.
I have Crohn’s disease. It was diagnosed before my divorce was final, so I was still on the ex’s very good policy.
I can’t get coverage now and, of course, it’s killing me. I used to have a daily medication regimen that included a chemo agent that would require out of pocket cash of about $2500 a month (cost of same American made meds in Mexico about 1/2 of that, though…) Even the Mexican costs of these meds out of my range.
Wouldn’t be quite as grim if I could die for free; but even that is nearly impossible these days. I pray that someone doesn’t drag me off to a hospital at some point.
If we don’t get single payer universal healthcare, all of the people like me are going under the bus (even if it’s for a price). I’m one thing, my children another. They shouldn’t have to deal with this. Fortunately, one of my girls lives in England. Maybe the other will move to France.

tejanarusa @ 202

christine @ 188

Why do you make that assumption? As I understand them, European and Canadian systems do not work that way. You have errors in large part because payments are made for “procedures,” which must be “coded.” No fee-for-procedure type medicine, no codes. No codes, no errors. No giant staff expert in coding needed.

Medicare has set up CPTIV codes for all procedures and all insurance companies go off that. So, in order to get reimbursed from Medicare (which can be argued as a single payer format), you’ve got to fill out the forms correctly.

Or are you saying that doctors work for free or are given a flat dollar amount per patient regardless of costs incurred??

And what Diane at 209 said.

ET* – In round numbers what do you estimate your health care costs were for your shoulder injury, surgery and treatment?

Mary you are a saint. Amazing story. it makes you wanna cry and scream. How do you do it? I would shoot someone.

Wow, I hope someone captured or captures that CNN smear of Edwards. That is really outrageous.

marymc@192

WOW! and i thought i was paying too much for my inadequate health coverage….your story has me boiling…i rarely visit a doctor cuz it costs me too much and god forbid i need hospitalization…

LS @ 220

Wow, I hope someone captured or captures that CNN smear of Edwards. That is really outrageous.

I’ll say!

dakine01 @ 203

Oklahoma kiddo @ 191

We have socialized medicine now. For the insurance companies.

Ladies and Gentlemen, we have a winner. WE have to compete, THEY get socialized medicine and a guaranteed profit.

Privatize profit, socialize risk. It’s the Republican way.

christine @ 217

tejanarusa @ 202

christine @ 188

Why do you make that assumption? As I understand them, European and Canadian systems do not work that way. You have errors in large part because payments are made for “procedures,” which must be “coded.” No fee-for-procedure type medicine, no codes. No codes, no errors. No giant staff expert in coding needed.

Medicare has set up CPTIV codes for all procedures and all insurance companies go off that. So, in order to get reimbursed from Medicare (which can be argued as a single payer format), you’ve got to fill out the forms correctly.

Or are you saying that doctors work for free or are given a flat dollar amount per patient regardless of costs incurred??

And what Diane at 209 said.

Single-payer wouldn’t automatically eliminate coding, but it’s a lot easier dealing with one set of codes instead of multiple codes. I think you will still see a cost savings — but you won’t completely eliminate the cost of coding.

SanderO @ 219

Mary you are a saint. Amazing story. it makes you wanna cry and scream. How do you do it? I would shoot someone.

I do have fantasies.

juslin @ 171

to me the primary race is starting to look as if edwards is coming on strongly…pushing obama further down the line tho i never gave obama a chance cuz he’ll not get the votes imo.. dodd also has good ideas but he doesnt seem to get any traction i wonder why…

Dodd may be my favourite of the lot – but a lost cause unfortunately.

Actually, they are getting back at Craig not for being gay (which he isn’t) but because he voted giving the Dems a wide stance on the immigration bill.

Biodun @ 5

John Edwards for president!

Why not John Edwards? Why not in 2008?

marymccurnin @ 225

SanderO @ 219

Mary you are a saint. Amazing story. it makes you wanna cry and scream. How do you do it? I would shoot someone.

I do have fantasies.

Thank you for sharing this. Your voice helps others realize that we are all just one step from bankruptcy

714Day @ 216

I’m one of those who is SOL under all of the current proposals.
I have Crohn’s disease. It was diagnosed before my divorce was final, so I was still on the ex’s very good policy.
I can’t get coverage now and, of course, it’s killing me. I used to have a daily medication regimen that included a chemo agent that would require out of pocket cash of about $2500 a month (cost of same American made meds in Mexico about 1/2 of that, though…) Even the Mexican costs of these meds out of my range.
Wouldn’t be quite as grim if I could die for free; but even that is nearly impossible these days. I pray that someone doesn’t drag me off to a hospital at some point.
If we don’t get single payer universal healthcare, all of the people like me are going under the bus (even if it’s for a price). I’m one thing, my children another. They shouldn’t have to deal with this. Fortunately, one of my girls lives in England. Maybe the other will move to France.

any chance you could move to MA? seriously – our new program has many many flaws… but, compared to not being able to get any insurance it is a major improvement.

marymccurnin: brutal. You’ve had your share of bad fortune. Peace and health to you.

JPL @ 229

marymccurnin @ 225

I do have fantasies.

Thank you for sharing this. Your voice helps others realize that we are all just one step from bankruptcy

Or death. 18,000 Americans died last year from lack of health care.

Lady Bug @ 207

Brendan at 158: Screw the media. The term populism came out of the great progressive political movements of 19th and early 20th century farmers and laborers. It’s time we reclaimed this term from these cynical bastards ignorant of American history and use the term as it was meant to be used.

I have to agree. The reason we’re in the situation we are with the term “liberal” is because they tried to demonize it, and too many went looking for another word thinking they could avoid the attacks, instead of fighting back. If it’s the right word, use it. Attacking the word is just a means to an end.

marymccurnin @ 192

The only thing that has kept us off the street is the love and support of family and friends.

The good news is that we are fine now and are working for health care reform.

((((((marymccurnin))))))

We’re going through a tough time now with health issues for Mr. NJP’s parents [which is why I lurk, and seldom post these days]. We’re lucky–Medicare is covering most of it, there’s some private insurance, too, and Mr. NJP’s parents saved for rainy days like these. Most of our frustrations are with problematic care–unnecessary infections, endless tests, medications abruptly discontinued, physical therapy that’s prescribed but not provided…. Mr. NJP’s mom went to the emergency room in April, and hasn’t been home yet, bouncing like a pinball between hospital and three different rehab facilities. Mr. NJP’s dad has a home health aid coming in to take care of him five days a week ($1,000 per week), and we share care of his dad on weekend with Mr. NJP’s sister. But we’re always on edge for the next crisis. It never ends.

Good luck with everything, MMcC. We’re thinking of you.

Prairie Sunshine @ 127

Each and every one of us can evangelize for Edwards. Tell your friends, your co-workers, your family, your bowling buddies, your hairdresser, the other gym rats at Curves…

Talk, talk, talk…spread the Ed-word….

That’s what I’m doing! Snitched this video clip, too!

Ron Paul – vs – John Edwards

A “win – win” election.

Christine said:

Medicare has set up CPTIV codes for all procedures and all insurance companies go off that. So, in order to get reimbursed from Medicare (which can be argued as a single payer format), you’ve got to fill out the forms correctly.

Or are you saying that doctors work for free or are given a flat dollar amount per patient regardless of costs incurred??

And what Diane at 209 said.

You all surely know better how it IS than I do. Guess I better do some research on the other countries’ systems. No, doctors don’t work for free. But I believe in Britain and maybe Canada (remember, I’m dragging this from a memory bank, not verified), they do get a salary.
The assumption both you and Diane make is that we always have to pay for “procedures.” I really think the other systems do not work on a procedure-based payment system. It might be a per-patient payment, a salary, an hourly, almost anything someone who knows more about this could come up with.
But my strong impression about the other systems I’ve read/heard about, that they are not based on procedures, and thus do not submit claims.
I’m not arguing with you, just raising the question of changing the assum;ptions we currently work off.

raven @ 165

cleter @ 130

He was a damned sight better than Lieberman in 2000, whose amiable jocularity made me want to throttle him.

Of the people running, who would be better? Will the northeastern-senator-with-the-troubled and-hard-to-explain-past work better for us in 08 than it did in 04?

Sorry,I don’t think any of them are worth a shit.

Here honey. Oh you poor thing! Someone put the plug back in your snorkel. *THAWCK!*

There. Try that. No, really. It’s o.k. Just breathe normally and float for a bit, before we try the fins. And remember, always BACK into the water when you’ve got your fins on. There ya’ go. Yeah. Remember to hold yer breath when you dive. Excellent!

Awww, that’s sweet. You too, hon. Don’t mention it. ;->

SufiLizard @ 224

christine @ 217

Single-payer wouldn’t automatically eliminate coding, but it’s a lot easier dealing with one set of codes instead of multiple codes. I think you will still see a cost savings — but you won’t completely eliminate the cost of coding.

Yes and no. Insurance companies use the CPTIV code book put out by Medicare. They really don’t add or subtract much, or combine. Most insurance companies follow Medicare policy, but exclude coverage and have higher costs.

(PS – I work as a computer programmer for a major hospital. I’ve worked on the claims processing software for around 3 years before I moved over to inpatient nursing documentation 4 years ago.)

There will always be multiple codes: E&M codes (the physician’s visit), procedure codes, supply codes, & most importantly – diagnosis codes. This is where all stats come from & have to be universally applied. I’ve done this for 30 years – can’t imagine a world without codes.

MA new insurance programs

SufiLizard @ 224

Single-payer wouldn’t automatically eliminate coding, but it’s a lot easier dealing with one set of codes instead of multiple codes. I think you will still see a cost savings — but you won’t completely eliminate the cost of coding.

Plus the staff would only have to deal with actual errors and questions, not deliberate errors and mishandling to delay or avoid payment. And fighting all the other ways they try to avoid paying. My favorite surgeon retired rather than continue to deal with the insurance companies; I’ve heard an earful about this from all our doctors.

San Francisco recently passed health care for all. I would love to go back and live there. Toooooooo spensive though.

Aside from that, I’d vote for Edwards in a heartbeat, IF Gore does not run.

Adie, I’m with you. I’d love to see a GORE/EDWARDS ticket. Eight years of President Gore, followed by eight of President Edwards sounds just fine.

Redshift @ 241

SufiLizard @ 224

Single-payer wouldn’t automatically eliminate coding, but it’s a lot easier dealing with one set of codes instead of multiple codes. I think you will still see a cost savings — but you won’t completely eliminate the cost of coding.

Plus the staff would only have to deal with actual errors and questions, not deliberate errors and mishandling to delay or avoid payment. And fighting all the other ways they try to avoid paying. My favorite surgeon retired rather than continue to deal with the insurance companies; I’ve heard an earful about this from all our doctors.

It must be a nightmare for providers to deal with different insurers that all have different policies/procedures/deductibles etc.

Thank you everyone for your kind comments.

carolyn urban @ 243

Aside from that, I’d vote for Edwards in a heartbeat, IF Gore does not run.

Adie, I’m with you. I’d love to see a GORE/EDWARDS ticket. Eight years of President Gore, followed by eight of President Edwards sounds just fine.

Me3

tejanarusa @ 236

Christine said:

Medicare has set up CPTIV codes for all procedures and all insurance companies go off that. So, in order to get reimbursed from Medicare (which can be argued as a single payer format), you’ve got to fill out the forms correctly.

Or are you saying that doctors work for free or are given a flat dollar amount per patient regardless of costs incurred??

You all surely know better how it IS than I do. Guess I better do some research on the other countries’ systems. No, doctors don’t work for free. But I believe in Britain and maybe Canada (remember, I’m dragging this from a memory bank, not verified), they do get a salary.
The assumption both you and Diane make is that we always have to pay for “procedures.” I really think the other systems do not work on a procedure-based payment system. It might be a per-patient payment, a salary, an hourly, almost anything someone who knows more about this could come up with.
But my strong impression about the other systems I’ve read/heard about, that they are not based on procedures, and thus do not submit claims.
I’m not arguing with you, just raising the question of changing the assum;ptions we currently work off.

You could very well be right. But, if we were to take baby steps and use Medicare as a stepping stone, CPTIV’s is what it will be. If it could be worked out where there would be an equitiable distribution of costs/reimbursments for amount of effort needed, let’s put them on the table for consideration.

marymccurnin @ 245

Thank you everyone for your kind comments.

What a story…I am so glad you both are doing well healthwise now.

this healthcare crisis is worse than we realize.. last january my brother died as a result of not having health insurance – he was a casualty of job cuts lost coverage got sick and died seemingly overnight – i mean most of us have been touched by this lack of healthcare in america…but health insurance profits are thru the roof

If you really like single payer and you really like good paying jobs in America and you want to get out of Iraq, then you should really like the candidate who walks the talk – Kucinich.

Eureka Springs @ 218

ET* – In round numbers what do you estimate your health care costs were for your shoulder injury, surgery and treatment?

I’m afraid to look, but it’s looking like $22.5 to $24K. Absurd, eh? just over four years ago we got my son a bit more serious knee surgery for a bit over $5K. insurance paid about 80% or a bit more of mine, and we have fairly good insurance. But, we paid as much out-of-pocket as my son’s whole bill – us AND insurance – cost less than five years ago.

Gore/Edwards? About as close to perfection as is possible.

marymccurnin @ 245

Thank you everyone for your kind comments.

Mary, Listen to this..)

Oklahoma kiddo @ 252

Gore/Edwards? About as close to perfection as is possible.

Yup. Though perhaps not for Gore himself ;-) He seems to enjoy his independence to say what he wants these days and I can’t blame him.

t must be a nightmare for providers to deal with different insurers that all have different policies/procedures/deductibles etc.

In pharmacy it’s almost impossible to keep up with all the different Rx policies and what they cover and what they don’t. We spend a good 60% of our time on the phone when something goes wrong trying to find out WHY they won’t cover something, and if they’re anything we can use in substitution that will be covered. It’s a logistical nightmare. I can’t imagine how it is in hospitals for procedure coverage. Pharmacy on its own is barely controlled chaos when it comes to insurance. Too many policies, too many plans. We can’t tell the patient why they aren’t covered sometimes either. Or if they are? Why the copay is so rediculously high, all we can do is make educated guesses and recommend the patient call their insurance provider directly for the details.

Logistical nightmare, but when we can get things right for a patient? It makes the trouble worth it. I just wish private insurances weren’t such meddlers in patient care. It’s horrible.

new thread upstairs

carolyn urban @ 243

Aside from that, I’d vote for Edwards in a heartbeat, IF Gore does not run.

Adie, I’m with you. I’d love to see a GORE/EDWARDS ticket. Eight years of President Gore, followed by eight of President Edwards sounds just fine.

My second favorite part of that is that neither of those people has been president in the last 20 years.
Besides my intrinsic objections to the Bushes and concerns about Hilary, I have an absolute gut aversion to the idea of electing four people from 2 families. This Bush-Clinton-Bush-Clinton sequence to me is an overlooked evil that should be vigorously questioned. It’s way too much like monarchy. If Teddy and Franklin hadn’t proved exceptions, I’d favor a rule forbidding any family member of a former president from running.

(((((714day))))) – hang in there.

(((((juslin)))))) so sorry.

John Edwards says two things that are the only answer to this shameful industry of greed. He will go after the insurance companies and the drug companies. That’s key.

They’re driving this. They’ve made it an industry with their Bill Gates business model: Create the demand. They’ve been very successful at that and eveyone’s necessary medical treatment has been diminished because of it.

Even people who have insurance can’t get adequate care because of this greed industry. Getting everyone “covered” only benefits the insurance/big pharma industry. Edwards gets that it is more, so much more, than “getting coverage”. No other candidate does.

Waxman has been trying to work on getting the drug companies’ ads off the air and insurance companies’ sports arenas at least questioned. I read some where and that’s only a part of it. He’s not having much luck and probably won’t have success. But he’s addressing the correct problem at least.

Our health “care” is no longer in the hands of medical people, but in the hands of the deals insurance companies make with drug companies.

Getting everyone health scare insurance is not going to solve this mess. Having insurance does not mean you get health CARE. It just means you get to pay regularly for helping create more demand.

And this demand for health care is driven, not because people are sick, but because they may become sick or may have some obscure illness. Its positively unhealthy the number of illnesses suggested to people that they might have. How ever did people survive all those years without the health “scare” industry? I wonder.

Edwards is my choice thus far because if anyone really gets that the insurance industry and the drug companies create the obscene costs associated with necessary medical treatment and the demand for “health care”, its him.

Ed*ard Teller @ 251

Eureka Springs @ 218

ET* – In round numbers what do you estimate your health care costs were for your shoulder injury, surgery and treatment?

I’m afraid to look, but it’s looking like $22.5 to $24K. Absurd, eh? just over four years ago we got my son a bit more serious knee surgery for a bit over $5K.

Thanks. I am afraid I need the same treatment.. Ain’t going to happen without a miracle around here though.

My daughter was in a biking accident several months ago. She was taking a triathlon class at College of Marin. She hit gravel and went down. Knocked herself out. Cracked her helmet. The er doc said she would be dead if not for the helmet. The bill came to …..wait for it……..$25,000.00. It was discounted to $18,000.00 for the college since they had to pay most of it. My daughter must pay $4000.00 of it. She had no insurance. Got some now.
$25,000.00 for a five hour visit to the ER.

LS @ 248

marymccurnin @ 245

Thank you everyone for your kind comments.

What a story…I am so glad you both are doing well healthwise now.

likewise!

This video made me cry. May I please have a hug from Elizabeth Edwards?

Eureka Springs @ 261

Ed*ard Teller @ 251

I’m afraid to look, but it’s looking like $22.5 to $24K. Absurd, eh? just over four years ago we got my son a bit more serious knee surgery for a bit over $5K.

Thanks. I am afraid I need the same treatment.. Ain’t going to happen without a miracle around here though.

Go ahead and price it in your area. Arkansas has to be significantly cheaper than here. Avoid dealing with a so-called “Regional Medical Center”!!!

Christy Hardin Smith @ 22

Busted at 15 — The woman in the video? She’s taken out $50,000 from her 401K to keep her family afloat and pay her share of medical bills. And she has Blue Cross insurance, according to what she is saying. So yeah, it could pretty much be any of us…

No, not really. I wish I had 50K in any kind of retirement savings. But the fact is, due to illness, I have exactly nothing. Well, less than that really.

So in fact, she’s lucky. She’s got a job, and a good retirement plan. Something fewer and fewer of us have. So if even the lucky one’s are in trouble with our current system…

Folks — isn’t it time we stopped wishing for the moon and a couple of ponies?

Gore is not going to run. IMVHO, Edwards is the best (Kucinich has great ideas but…). Why not go with Edwards/Dodd?

Obama is too in love with the thought of nuking someone. Hilary wants to stay in Iraq. I truly think Edwards can win.

hackworth

Nice thought, but we need a candidate who will win.

selise @ 230

“any chance you could move to MA? seriously – our new program has many many flaws… but, compared to not being able to get any insurance it is a major improvement.”

What’s the weather like in Boston?

Mary,

That’s a rip off. That’s more than a lawyer charges!

DJ Adequate @ 266

Christy Hardin Smith @ 22

Busted at 15 — The woman in the video? She’s taken out $50,000 from her 401K to keep her family afloat and pay her share of medical bills. And she has Blue Cross insurance, according to what she is saying. So yeah, it could pretty much be any of us…

No, not really. I wish I had 50K in any kind of retirement savings. But the fact is, due to illness, I have exactly nothing. Well, less than that really.

So in fact, she’s lucky. She’s got a job, and a good retirement plan. Something fewer and fewer of us have. So if even the lucky one’s are in trouble with our current system…

I some ways it is better to have nothing. That way public assistance will kick in faster.

Also, my husband and I are considering divorce so if one of us gets sick again the other will not have to carry the debt. So much for family values.

And don’t get me started on malpractice!!
I may have to write a book. I will call it “Worse than Fiction”.

christine @ 239

SufiLizard @ 224

christine @ 217

Single-payer wouldn’t automatically eliminate coding, but it’s a lot easier dealing with one set of codes instead of multiple codes. I think you will still see a cost savings — but you won’t completely eliminate the cost of coding.

Yes and no. Insurance companies use the CPTIV code book put out by Medicare. They really don’t add or subtract much, or combine. Most insurance companies follow Medicare policy, but exclude coverage and have higher costs.

(PS – I work as a computer programmer for a major hospital. I’ve worked on the claims processing software for around 3 years before I moved over to inpatient nursing documentation 4 years ago.)

I am a ICD-9 coder and I know the insurance companies literally bank on the coder not knowing the tricks, black boxes and proper coding procedures.

See you all at Late Night.

SufiLizard @ 138

LS @ 126

Where are the Hillary supporters? Chime in anyone?

They’re in the corporate board rooms or more likely on the golf courses by this time of day.

Actually, I won’t have any say in the nominating process and I know that the only way to ensure there is no continuation of the Bush “legacy” is that whoever is nominated beats the Republicans. The same for Congress. So, although I have favorites, I will support whoever the nominee is and I don’t want to contribute to any of their difficulties by bad mouthing them now.

714Day @ 268

hackworth

Nice thought, but we need a candidate who will win.

selise @ 230

“any chance you could move to MA? seriously – our new program has many many flaws… but, compared to not being able to get any insurance it is a major improvement.”

What’s the weather like in Boston?

today’s it’s beautiful. been really nice all summer.

we do have winters though (temp and precipitation by month) – but not as cold as chicago or cloudy like cleveland.

Here’s some more of John Edwards on the Health “care” issue. Watch all 4 parts from OneCaroliaGirl.

This is part 2 of 4:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TixbSoFU1YY

Tanbark attended this event and came out with an Edwards sticker on his shirt and I don’t think he’s taken it off as yet :-)

behindthefall @ 149

Has any recent poll done one-on-one matchups between R and D candidates? The last one I saw was in Newsweek back in early July (surprisingly, usually an accurate poll, despite the nature of the rest of the mag). It had: D: HRC, BO, and JE vs. R: RG, MR, and JMcC.

Every D beat every R. But the interesting thing to me was that the sum of the margins was greatest for JE. (Warning: I threw the magazine out, so I can’t go back and check my memory, but I do remember doing the math and finding it interesting at the time.)

Sure seemed to me that JE was the winningest candidate of the six.

I’ve seen that too — I think Rasmussen polls. This should get more coverage: Edwards can beat the Repubs by a great margin than either Hillary or Obama can.

selise
You and so many kind others to Mary and NJ and myself.
And I’m glad Boston is lovely.
As to my first post here, I’m a bit sorry for it.
The healthcare system here is freaking ridiculous for the wealthiest nation on earth with seemingly limitless funding to blow everyone Cheney/Bush choose to kingdom come. I do not want my children to have to live as foreign nationals to enjoy a healthy life, or to have to hope for a lot of luck in their own country if they remain here.
Quite seriously, what will we do when we have car bombs stateside? Check insurance cards as people are put into the ambulance?
It’s a damned sin.
I meant what I said, however. I’ve sort of resigned myself to the discomfort of my deal. I want to die for free, though. Death is part of the package. Remember the high school general science class qualifications…life, reproduction, death, were the properties of life.
My uncle was taken to the hospital after an aortic hemorrhage. He was dead before he left the house. They weren’t even trying to give him CPR any longer.
His final journey cost just shy of $8,000.

Jonathan @ 64

LS @ 33

Edwards can win the election.

I believe he’d win the general election.

Right now though, across the U.S., it’s Hillary at 40% and Edwards and Obama at 18% each, says Rasmuussen.

Well, that’s interesting, as I don’t recall seeing a poll result which had Edwards in 2nd place, whether tied or not.

Has Edwards gained a bit at Obama’s expense?

ccmask @ 69

If cancer was cured, how many jobs would be affected, I always wonder. And I’m a cancer survivor.

It’s wonderful that you considered that aspect of something most people would think of as a unmitigated blessing.

The same thinking should be applied to some other big Progressive issues.

– If we move from oil to some other energy source, then how does that effect people who work in the oil industry?

– If we change the health care system, then how does that effect people who work at shuffling papers in both doctors offices and at insurance companies?

– If we shrink the military, then what happens to all the trained military?

– If we do a lot of bridge reconstruction and improvement, then will we have sufficient people for that work or would we want to increase foreign guest worker numbers?

– If we change immigration policy to let in more guests, then how does that effect housing prices or health care services or costs to employers?

These are all very important questions if you’re going to do major restructuring the way Progressives want.

ccmask @ 89

Last OT on Collins but:

Not only is the executive editor of the Bangor Daily News, Mark Woodward, married to a current Susan Collins staffer, but executive editor Mark Woodward is himself a former Collins press secretary!

Collins’ former press secretary is now the one making editorial decisions about news stories impacting Collins’ re-election bid without so much as a mention in the newspaper!

These Republicans, they’re all about sex sex sex. That sounds like a very inc*stu*us relationship in … Bangor.

Seriously though, I hope Collins’ opponents (primary Repub and general Dem) can make this known to their electorate. It would be awful if they were able to used the newspaper “trick” to mess with voters again.

(MOD NOTE: *edited to allow through filters)

tejanarusa @ 106

pseudonymous in nc @ 30
Great point. Guess who told me I HAVE to see Sicko? My doctor.

Now that’s what I’d call a serious referral!

raven @ 119

cleter @ 110

I want my party to nominate Edwards. I want to watch Edwards eat Guliani* alive in the general. …

He didn’t do worth a damn against Cheney the last time.

Cheney is usually quiet and I think a lot of people didn’t quite know what to expect from him. But, he’s very intelligent and an excellent speaker. What is hard to combat in the short time period of a televised debate is LIES. Cheney lied his butt off and there is no way to challenge that without some time.

Edwards is a truth-teller and that’s worth supporting.

Also, don’t forget, he and Kerry probably won the 2004 election, only to have it stolen by the Republicans.

On that issue, the fight for more accurate elections is still going on. It doesn’t get press coverage, but it’s real and sustained. For details go to

http://www.bradblog.com

where that’s their number one issue to cover.

juslin @ 250

this health care crisis is worse than we realize…but health insurance profits are thru the roof

Illnesses can indeed hit suddenly, shockingly so.

Comparing health care to other businesses shows there is practically no competition which restrains prices.

Ask any Republican what Health Savings Accounts do to restrain costs! They have no answers.

Then, as you say, this commercial drive to make profits interferes with the actual delivery of health care. It’s like a virus.

I suppose a huge question is whether the whole system should be non-profit or for-profit. Edwards clearly differs with Kucinich on that issue and that’s one great example which shows where they stand on the political spectrum.

Would America accept one-payer non-profit health care? Could any president actually make that transition without serious problems to the economy? It would scare the dickins out of me to try that.

The tempting thing is to find a “market based solution”. But, has anyone shown one which could restrain costs? I don’t think so.

The in-between third-way is to transition from complete free market to a regulated system to government supplied competition and only in the event there is no third-way which works, then go on to single-payer. That’s where we’re seeing the more popular candidates.

I don’t think nationalized health care is the traditional American way. I think it may be a last stop solution. But, we manage to regulate utilities like water and electricity, so we might find a third-way with health care too.

Go Edwards!

MarkH @ 280

ccmask @ 69

If cancer was cured, how many jobs would be affected, I always wonder. And I’m a cancer survivor.

It’s wonderful that you considered that aspect of something most people would think of as a unmitigated blessing.

The same thinking should be applied to some other big Progressive issues.

– If we move from oil to some other energy source, then how does that effect people who work in the oil industry?

– If we change the health care system, then how does that effect people who work at shuffling papers in both doctors offices and at insurance companies?

– If we shrink the military, then what happens to all the trained military?

– If we do a lot of bridge reconstruction and improvement, then will we have sufficient people for that work or would we want to increase foreign guest worker numbers?

– If we change immigration policy to let in more guests, then how does that effect housing prices or health care services or costs to employers?

These are all very important questions if you’re going to do major restructuring the way Progressives want.

This is exactly the way we should be looking at this problem MarkH. Health Care should not be an industry drumming up business and sales.

Those are the very questions I thought we’d be addressing by now!

People need jobs in industries that actually help people and the planet….. and attitudes to match.

:-)