AMERICAblog: Meyerson says OFA not sufficiently using email list to push for health care reform
Steve_in_CNJ
· 4 months ago
"We got this" used to mean, stop panicking and just keep working. Now it means, stop working.
NotTimothyGeithner
· 4 months ago
No thats just an excuse. The e-mails are great, but at some point, he needs to make the Senators move. Villagers don't care what people think. They are under the impression we are all idiots. Obama has support for positive policy changes, major changes, but he is chained to his conservative approach to governing and desperate need to be loved.
I'm on that email list and starting several weeks ago kept replying that as soon as they addressed DADT, DOMA and ENDA, I would address health care. At least some of their problem is that some folk on the list are already disenchanted.
Beyond that, Obama still lacks a health care plan that his list could rally behind. We/they are being asked to rally support for what exactly?
As John keeps noting, the Obama folk keep refusing to dance with the people what brought them. Having gotten into the big house, they are inexplicably trying to go it alone.
I'm also thinking that it was a HUGE mistake to bring so many Clintonista into the administration. The Clintonista were rejected in the primary and should have been sidelined in the administration. They're stuck in old paradigms (and, in truth, they are themselves too old, lack energy, lack motivation, have cut too many deals). Change requires new, younger blood.
Butch1
· 4 months ago
"The problem begins with the administration's inability -- or disinclination -- to use its greatest political asset, the list of 13 million supporters that the Obama presidential campaign amassed last year." ======================================
It's obvious this administration does not want the progressive base meddling in their plans for health care that does not include a single-payer government plan. This WH is not stupid and they aren't happy having MoveOn and the Progressive Democratic Caucus and the rest of us publicly complaining to them and telling them that we will decide whether a single payer plan is in the bill or not. No, they do not like that. I'm sure Rahm will have his hands full until Obama gets back from his G8 conference. I'm glad he's lingual and able to represent us without embarrassing "back-rubs" and "talking with his mouth full of food" like the previous president. I also think it is a dodge of his to be out of the country so he doesn't have to appear like he's doing nothing regarding health care and gay rights and other domestic issues. There will be a single-payer health care plan but how weak will it be if Rahm continues to water it down? This man is not on our side and reminds me of the way republicans would try and sabotage democratic bills. The WH needs to stop meddling in Congressional affairs of law making since they are putting more hurtles up than paving the road to help make this bill roll through Congress. Certain democrats have turned into our enemies instead of being on the people's side.
Indigo
· 4 months ago
I got dropped from the Obama mailing lists. It was easy. I pressed the reply button and sent comment after comment about my disappointment with the policy toward the gay community, about my dissatisfaction with being classified as a second class citizen. I even wrote Michelle about that. Lo-and-behold . . . all the mailings stopped.
Anybody else getting the same "go-away-kid-you-bother-us" message?
devlzadvocate
· 4 months ago
Yup.
I don't exist to them.
Politics as usual.
Looks like they really will keep the change.
Indigo
· 4 months ago
Looks like. Disappointing. I guess I'll funnel my donation money to Lamda Lega Defense. At least they're gay, not just Neoliberals looking for a cause.
medical insurance
· 4 months ago
Market-based policies are more cost effective for the government - and therefore the taxpayers- than publicly funded healthcare. According to the Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured, January 2005, if every uninsured individual was covered by a government program such as Medicaid, the cost to the federal and state governments is approximately $2000 each. If, however, low-income and modest-income Americans could purchase their own health insurance by utilizing a $1000 tax credit, the federal government would save 50% of that money. With over 45 million uninsured Americans, that savings would be substantial indeed.
Market-based insurance would not only be more affordable health coverage, it would also provide consumers with more choice. Because savings come from a tax credit, the option to choose insurance companies, policies and doctors is left to the person who purchases the insurance, not a group of politicians. Health insurance needs vary widely from one individual to the next and having the ability to choose the options that work best for an individual's circumstances is fundamental to quality health care.
Several different market-based solutions could help low and modest-income individuals and families find affordable health coverage. Tax credits, tax deductions, health savings accounts and high-risk pools are all market-based options to make affordable medical insurance a reality for uninsured people who are working, but cannot afford medical insurance.
Tax credits allow people to keep more of their income on a monthly basis in their pay so the can purchase coverage. Because tax credits enable people to make their own choices of providers, plans and doctors, they are considered to be a preferred market-based solution for affordable health coverage. Tax credits enable working people to pay for their own health insurance without having to fall back on Medicare or other government health programs. Because a tax credit would cost only half the amount of Medicare per individual, the burden on all taxpayers is also reduced, saving everyone money.
Private health insurance can be affordable health coverage for every working American. By working with market-based solutions, health care reform can be a workable solution to the millions of Americans living in fear of a medical crisis because they have no medical insurance.
Charlotte
· 4 months ago
Spoken like a true medical insurance hack. If private insurance really was the solution, there would be no problem and we wouldn't be bothering you. But you have made it your business to dump the sick and use your private "taxes" of premiums and co-pays to make the U.S. healthcare system the most expensive, least effective healthcare system among the modern industrialized nations.
Health savings accounts? Is that the same kind of idea about privatizing Social Security and putting all of our money in the stock market?
Charlotte
· 4 months ago
I attended the first OFA meeting that Obama called for about Healthcare. Over 40 people showed up. We were unclear about what they wanted from us, other than talk about our healthcare stories and pick a charitable work to do at the end of the month. The people who met were very progressive and understood the issues. We had a large contingent of Single Payer healthcare activists show up. We started talking about what we should be pushing for, single payer or public option. A lot of people said that Obama was pushing for the public option, and that's what we should be pushing for. Most of the people who attended the meeting thought we needed to push for single payer and then compromise with a public option.
Everyone had something interesting to say, but there wasn't a clear direction that was given to us to do with that energy. We ultimately decided to help paint a free clinic, which was good, but ultimately I think we should have been consentrating on moving our elected officials. We encouraged people to individually write to our reps and tell them not to wimp out on a public option, but it seems like we are getting a lot of mixed signals from the people at top.
NotTimothyGeithner
· 4 months ago
The problem is that Obama never had clear policy ideas. He just wanted to hold kum-bay-yah sessions. Now there is no clear policy direction except to talk about working for progress. People did stuff for Obama on the campaign with an end goal of election. They talked about how to do it.
The OFA's problem is they have no end goal except to just sort of claim credit for anything that happens that does not appear to be divisive.
If anyone remembers, Obama said nothing official about healthcare until October 2007 a few months after Hillary finished copying Edward's plan.
HelenRainier
· 4 months ago
What does OFA stand for?
Charlotte
· 4 months ago
Organizing for America, it's the organization created from the Obama for America.
HelenRainier
· 4 months ago
Thanks, Charlotte! For some reason, I couldn't get the link to the source article to load.
Malcolm
· 4 months ago
I'm still on Obama's email list despite sending many messages bewailing his stands on torture, transparency, gay issues, etc. etc. I don't bother to read the emails, however, I just delete them when they come in. Why waste time on a fraud?
affordable medical insurance
· 4 months ago
Is it Now or Never for Affordable Healthcare?
There’s no doubt that affordable healthcare is a hot topic these days. From Washington, D.C. to rural America to every city across the country, Americans need affordable healthcare options. In fact, according to President Obama, healthcare reform could have a major impact on the economy as a whole but only if we act now.
Congress intends to create a healthcare reform bill to bring to the floor in July. President Obama urges the process on, believing that if it isn't tackled this year, it won't get done at all.
There is a big price tag on healthcare reform, however. Transforming the system could cost as much as $1 trillion dollars! Many Republicans in Congress are fighting hard against any type of reform that includes government programs providing more medical insurance options than they currently do through Medicare and Medicaid..This type of public program could cost the government far more than it will save anyone. There is also discussion going on as to whether healthcare reforms will be paid for through higher taxes or through cutting existing programs.
On June 17, 2009, Congress met to consider the President’s healthcare reform bill and many are worried that things are moving too fast to make smart decisions. The costs of the proposed program haven’t even been determined and Sen. Michael Enzi (R) of Wyoming wonders how a bill can be discussed and amended without any understanding of the costs "This bill costs too much, covers too few and will force about 10 million people to have to lose their employer-provided coverage." Enzi believes the current bill will not help the economy but would actually make things worse. "We need a bill that won't destroy the economy.” Instead of looking at a public healthcare program that can wind up costing billions or even trillions of dollars, it makes sense to work with the insurance companies to find affordable healthcare solutions now. By letting states, small businesses and other people groups band together to access lower cost medical insurance to people who aren’t currently eligible for group health insurance, more Americans could find affordable healthcare insurance now instead of waiting for the government to take on healthcare like some other nations have. Government provided healthcare does not encourage the high quality health care that Americans deserve and need. Another proposed solution that could save the government money and help more Americans access affordable healthcare of their choice would allow those eligible for Medicare to receive an equivalent benefit they could use toward any private health insurance policy they choose.
These types of solutions toward affordable healthcare could save both the government and the citizens save money on their medical insurance without sacrificing quality care and choice. Congress could do well to consider all proposals- and their costs- before rushing into a decision that could wind up costing billions- even trillions- of dollars without giving Americans the best choices in medical insurance available.
woodka
· 4 months ago
Agree with those who say there was no direction. What were we supposed to do other than hold meetings, call congress critters, whatev?
This is beyond the grassroots to solve -- the legislation simply has to be passed. What is the point of us meeting?
Charlotte
· 4 months ago
I don't think it is beyond the grassroots. It needs to start there, that's where the pressure comes from. That's where the lobbying of Congressional representatives holding off on the public option comes from. That is why it is incredibly frustrating that Obama has this great tool and he is not using it. If he wasn't so determined to please everyone, he could call for a public option, hell, he could call for a single payer option and release the dogs. What the heck is he waiting for?
waguy
· 4 months ago
A strong public option, according to an independent analysis, would actually save our country money:
We just need to keep pushing to publicize this info, and educate our lawmakers so they do the sensible thing. Also, why haven't the CBO & OMB done a comprehensive comparison of all the plans so Congress is forced to pick the best one? Or explain why they're intent on wasting our money?
individual medical insurance
· 4 months ago
Healthcare reform questions being asked by Congress today include questioning affordability of President Obama plan.
Rushing to sign healh care reform bill could be costly to Americans, regardless of the President's comments over the last few weeks. Although Obama is determined to push reform through Congress as quickly as possible, as evidenced in his remarks, time and care should be taken to make sure we get it right. "I think the status quo is unacceptable and that we've got to get it done this year.
If we don't get it done, this year, we're not going to get it done," Obama said. I agree that affordable healthcare is an urgent priority for all Americans, but I do not agree that speed is the best way to achieve the goal.
"We cannot avoid bringing about change in our health care system," Obama told a group of Senate Democrats. "Soaring health care costs are unsustainable for families, they are unsustainable for businesses and they are unsustainable for governments, both at the federal, state and local levels."While affordable medical insurance is critical, a public program isn't the answer to the problem.
Instead, Congress needs to be certain that any reform package will actually solve the problem, not compound it. The proposal before the Senate Health Education, Labor and Pension Committee today includes government-funded medical insurance and mandates for both individual and family medical insurance and employer-sponsored medical insurance plans. While Democrats are pushing hard for the bill, others are concerned about the cost of the new program. Full cost estimates of the program are not yet available, and conservatives say amendments and approval without those estimates would be foolish.
Sen. Michael Enzi (R) of Wyoming expressed concern about the current bill and advises against rushing consideration of the bill because of the current economic situation. "This bill costs too much, covers too few and will force about 10 million people to have to lose their employer-provided employee benefit plans." Enzi believes the current bill will not help the economy but would actually make things worse. "We need a bill that won't destroy the economy
tlsintx
· 4 months ago
nice job, Sen. Michael Enzi staffer. your concern about "affordability" is deeply moving to all those who have no health insurance at all.
tlsintx
· 4 months ago
i just got an email from OFA asking that i call my representatives in support of Obama's health care reform policies...
all three of my reps are teabagging GOPer hacks who aren't going to support Obama on anything anyway...but this email is a little late...
All Comments
Beyond that, Obama still lacks a health care plan that his list could rally behind. We/they are being asked to rally support for what exactly?
As John keeps noting, the Obama folk keep refusing to dance with the people what brought them. Having gotten into the big house, they are inexplicably trying to go it alone.
I'm also thinking that it was a HUGE mistake to bring so many Clintonista into the administration. The Clintonista were rejected in the primary and should have been sidelined in the administration. They're stuck in old paradigms (and, in truth, they are themselves too old, lack energy, lack motivation, have cut too many deals). Change requires new, younger blood.
======================================
It's obvious this administration does not want the progressive base meddling in their plans for health care that does not include a single-payer government plan. This WH is not stupid and they aren't happy having MoveOn and the Progressive Democratic Caucus and the rest of us publicly complaining to them and telling them that we will decide whether a single payer plan is in the bill or not. No, they do not like that. I'm sure Rahm will have his hands full until Obama gets back from his G8 conference. I'm glad he's lingual and able to represent us without embarrassing "back-rubs" and "talking with his mouth full of food" like the previous president. I also think it is a dodge of his to be out of the country so he doesn't have to appear like he's doing nothing regarding health care and gay rights and other domestic issues. There will be a single-payer health care plan but how weak will it be if Rahm continues to water it down? This man is not on our side and reminds me of the way republicans would try and sabotage democratic bills. The WH needs to stop meddling in Congressional affairs of law making since they are putting more hurtles up than paving the road to help make this bill roll through Congress. Certain democrats have turned into our enemies instead of being on the people's side.
Anybody else getting the same "go-away-kid-you-bother-us" message?
I don't exist to them.
Politics as usual.
Looks like they really will keep the change.
Market-based insurance would not only be more affordable health coverage, it would also provide consumers with more choice. Because savings come from a tax credit, the option to choose insurance companies, policies and doctors is left to the person who purchases the insurance, not a group of politicians. Health insurance needs vary widely from one individual to the next and having the ability to choose the options that work best for an individual's circumstances is fundamental to quality health care.
Several different market-based solutions could help low and modest-income individuals and families find affordable health coverage. Tax credits, tax deductions, health savings accounts and high-risk pools are all market-based options to make affordable medical insurance a reality for uninsured people who are working, but cannot afford medical insurance.
Tax credits allow people to keep more of their income on a monthly basis in their pay so the can purchase coverage. Because tax credits enable people to make their own choices of providers, plans and doctors, they are considered to be a preferred market-based solution for affordable health coverage. Tax credits enable working people to pay for their own health insurance without having to fall back on Medicare or other government health programs. Because a tax credit would cost only half the amount of Medicare per individual, the burden on all taxpayers is also reduced, saving everyone money.
Private health insurance can be affordable health coverage for every working American. By working with market-based solutions, health care reform can be a workable solution to the millions of Americans living in fear of a medical crisis because they have no medical insurance.
Health savings accounts? Is that the same kind of idea about privatizing Social Security and putting all of our money in the stock market?
Everyone had something interesting to say, but there wasn't a clear direction that was given to us to do with that energy. We ultimately decided to help paint a free clinic, which was good, but ultimately I think we should have been consentrating on moving our elected officials. We encouraged people to individually write to our reps and tell them not to wimp out on a public option, but it seems like we are getting a lot of mixed signals from the people at top.
The OFA's problem is they have no end goal except to just sort of claim credit for anything that happens that does not appear to be divisive.
If anyone remembers, Obama said nothing official about healthcare until October 2007 a few months after Hillary finished copying Edward's plan.
There’s no doubt that affordable healthcare is a hot topic these days. From Washington, D.C. to rural America to every city across the country, Americans need affordable healthcare options. In fact, according to President Obama, healthcare reform could have a major impact on the economy as a whole but only if we act now.
Congress intends to create a healthcare reform bill to bring to the floor in July. President Obama urges the process on, believing that if it isn't tackled this year, it won't get done at all.
There is a big price tag on healthcare reform, however. Transforming the system could cost as much as $1 trillion dollars! Many Republicans in Congress are fighting hard against any type of reform that includes government programs providing more medical insurance options than they currently do through Medicare and Medicaid..This type of public program could cost the government far more than it will save anyone. There is also discussion going on as to whether healthcare reforms will be paid for through higher taxes or through cutting existing programs.
On June 17, 2009, Congress met to consider the President’s healthcare reform bill and many are worried that things are moving too fast to make smart decisions. The costs of the proposed program haven’t even been determined and Sen. Michael Enzi (R) of Wyoming wonders how a bill can be discussed and amended without any understanding of the costs "This bill costs too much, covers too few and will force about 10 million people to have to lose their employer-provided coverage." Enzi believes the current bill will not help the economy but would actually make things worse. "We need a bill that won't destroy the economy.”
Instead of looking at a public healthcare program that can wind up costing billions or even trillions of dollars, it makes sense to work with the insurance companies to find affordable healthcare solutions now. By letting states, small businesses and other people groups band together to access lower cost medical insurance to people who aren’t currently eligible for group health insurance, more Americans could find affordable healthcare insurance now instead of waiting for the government to take on healthcare like some other nations have. Government provided healthcare does not encourage the high quality health care that Americans deserve and need.
Another proposed solution that could save the government money and help more Americans access affordable healthcare of their choice would allow those eligible for Medicare to receive an equivalent benefit they could use toward any private health insurance policy they choose.
These types of solutions toward affordable healthcare could save both the government and the citizens save money on their medical insurance without sacrificing quality care and choice. Congress could do well to consider all proposals- and their costs- before rushing into a decision that could wind up costing billions- even trillions- of dollars without giving Americans the best choices in medical insurance available.
This is beyond the grassroots to solve -- the legislation simply has to be passed. What is the point of us meeting?
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/6/23/212...
http://preview.tinyurl.com/psdthw
We just need to keep pushing to publicize this info, and educate our lawmakers so they do the sensible thing. Also, why haven't the CBO & OMB done a comprehensive comparison of all the plans so Congress is forced to pick the best one? Or explain why they're intent on wasting our money?
Rushing to sign healh care reform bill could be costly to Americans, regardless of the President's comments over the last few weeks. Although Obama is determined to push reform through Congress as quickly as possible, as evidenced in his remarks, time and care should be taken to make sure we get it right. "I think the status quo is unacceptable and that we've got to get it done this year.
If we don't get it done, this year, we're not going to get it done," Obama said. I agree that affordable healthcare is an urgent priority for all Americans, but I do not agree that speed is the best way to achieve the goal.
"We cannot avoid bringing about change in our health care system," Obama told a group of Senate Democrats. "Soaring health care costs are unsustainable for families, they are unsustainable for businesses and they are unsustainable for governments, both at the federal, state and local levels."While affordable medical insurance is critical, a public program isn't the answer to the problem.
Instead, Congress needs to be certain that any reform package will actually solve the problem, not compound it.
The proposal before the Senate Health Education, Labor and Pension Committee today includes government-funded medical insurance and mandates for both individual and family medical insurance and employer-sponsored medical insurance plans. While Democrats are pushing hard for the bill, others are concerned about the cost of the new program. Full cost estimates of the program are not yet available, and conservatives say amendments and approval without those estimates would be foolish.
Sen. Michael Enzi (R) of Wyoming expressed concern about the current bill and advises against rushing consideration of the bill because of the current economic situation. "This bill costs too much, covers too few and will force about 10 million people to have to lose their employer-provided employee benefit plans." Enzi believes the current bill will not help the economy but would actually make things worse. "We need a bill that won't destroy the economy
all three of my reps are teabagging GOPer hacks who aren't going to support Obama on anything anyway...but this email is a little late...