PITTSBURGH, Aug. 9, 2008
Guaranteed Health Care Key To Dem Platform
Democrats Edge Party Closer To Clinton Position, Heading Off Potentially Divisive Debate
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The party's platform committee moved smoothly through a range of issues for the fall campaign and approved a document that will go to the Democratic convention in Denver later this month for adoption.
There was little dissent - or room for it - in the day's meeting and a compromise on health policy took one flash-point off the table.
Obama, soon to be the Democratic nominee, has stopped short of proposing to mandate health coverage for all. He aims to achieve something close to universal coverage by making insurance more affordable and helping struggling families pay for it.
Advisers to Obama and Clinton both told the party's platform meeting they were happy with the compromise, adopted without opposition or without explanation as to how health care would be guaranteed.
In return for the guarantee, activists dropped a tougher platform amendment seeking a government-run, single-payer system and another amendment explicitly holding out Clinton's plan as the one to follow.
The party now declares itself "united behind a commitment that every American man, woman and child be guaranteed to have affordable, comprehensive health care."
Under any system in play, most people would still put out money for health insurance as they do now, but they would get help when needed.
That was a common feature of the plans put forward by Obama and Clinton in the primaries. But she would have required everyone to get insurance while his plan makes it mandatory only for children.
Democratic Party Chairman Howard Dean praised "the spirit of this compromise." Judith McHale, a Clinton supporter who helped to lead the platform meeting, said Obama and Clinton advisers worked collegially throughout the process.
For the 186-member platform committee, one imperative Saturday was to satisfy Clinton loyalists still sore from the often acrimonious primary fight while keeping policy firmly in synch with Obama's campaign.
Democrats made mostly cosmetic changes to a platform draft prepared for the meeting, a process designed to showcase unity more than to air differences in the party at large on hot-button issues such as the Iraq war, abortion and health care.
Party platforms are a statement of principles that are not binding on the candidates or the next president and they are typically given little attention after they are adopted.
Even so, the party's decision to embrace guaranteed health care is bound to become a leading yardstick by which Obama's presidency will be measured if he wins in November.
On Iraq, the platform states that Democrats "expect to complete redeployment within 16 months," reflecting Obama's time frame but not the tone of certainty he brought to it when he was running in the primaries.
The 51-page platform draft showed the influence of Clinton's supporters not only in the extensive section on health care but in its assertions about the treatment of women. Some of her backers believed sexism dogged her campaign for the nomination.
An extensive section on women's rights is included and the votes she received in the primaries are described as "18 million cracks in the highest glass ceiling."
Even so, the platform is thoroughly tuned to Obama's proposals.
It reasserts his promise of energy rebates to struggling families, pension subsidies, a crackdown on predatory lenders, higher taxes for families earning over $250,000, tax breaks for others, billions for economic stimulus and "direct high-level diplomacy, without preconditions," in the case of Iran.
On trade, it promises a multilateral approach to improving the North American Free Trade Agreement, without saying specifically what those changes should be. Obama criticized NAFTA when campaigning in states that felt disadvantaged by it, but the platform offers no suggestion he would take unilateral action against the deal.
Instead, it says: "We will work with Canada and Mexico to amend the North American Free Trade Agreement so that it works better for all three North American countries."
Democrats typically have a strong plank in favor of abortion rights; this year's version is stronger than usual. "The Democratic Party strongly and unequivocally supports Roe v. Wade and a woman's right to choose a safe and legal abortion, regardless of ability to pay, and we oppose any and all efforts to weaken or undermine that right," it says.
Gone is the phrase from the past that abortions should be safe, legal and "rare."
The party also pledges to ensure access to adoption programs, prenatal and postnatal care and income support programs for expectant mothers who need the help.
The party also:
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See all 131 Commentsi guarantee THAT.
Its about Obamas judgement, stupid.
This could be funded a number of ways, possibly by increasing tax rates for those who can most afford it. Or possibly funded by rearranging our spending priorities. For example, cancelling the Iraq war would save us about 800 billion per year.
By the same token I am not supportive of someone making, say, $500000 or a million or more per year using a system that is really targeted for lower and middle income groups. These folks would have to front some or all of the cost of their own care. Here "affordable insurance" provisions would be an option. Even wealthy folks not eligible for "free" health care under the single payer system would be paying a good deal less for their health care costs than under the mish-mash protocol we use, now.
While we''re at it, lets index the tax or cost we all would inevitably pay for this health care plan to health trends. For example, if obesity rates drop and cases of heart failure and diabetes fall along with them, the tax (cost) would be reduced. If the trends go the other way, it''s more money out of all our pockets. This way we would still own the consequences of our health care decisions.
This is a very roughed out idea, not even a plan, but it is a place to start.
The DNC trying to include the Clinton''s in their platform comes just a little too damned late in their new scam, since they''re still proposing him as their nominee...
The DNC and Obscamma can kiss arse all they want to....but here''s the deal!
Go to HELL, both of you! You''ll need again get me to listen to your screeching when you don''t bother to prove it up! You''ll never again get my support when your primary process resembles the Chicago mafia! You''ll never get a dime of my support because of both!
You''re all starting to look like a bunch of pinko commies that want to mire this country Marxism.
Kiss my arse!
Believe me, Americans are a LOT more worried about the Iraq/Afghanistan wars, dissolving housing/mortgage mess, high gas prices, high food prices, high insurance rates, rising unemployment, rising budget/national debts, changing environment, loss of good-paying jobs overseas, continuing Washington, D.C. political corruption, on and on and on!
Hey, health insurance DON"T make the top ten! The reason it does now is because pollster CUE respondents in order to get them to choose it so they can get it listed as a primary concern so they have reason to talk about it and NOT another issue that actually IS important to the public! OOPS!
If someone gets a $500 traffic ticket, it is traumatic and unexpected. There is no government help to pay it. I think people can pay for ending their own traumatic and unexpected pregnancies. No federal subsidies for people''s choices.
Posted by carats100
Oh., and if that unwanted child ends up in fostrer care, who do you think pays for that, or if worse comes to worse and that unwanted child ends up living a life of crime, or in jail, who pays for that!
The DNC trying to include the Clinton''''s in their platform comes just a little too damned late in their new scam, since they''''re still proposing him as their nominee...
The DNC and Obscamma can kiss arse all they want to....but here''s the deal!
Go to HELL, both of you! You''ll never again get me to listen to your screeching when you don''''t bother to prove it up! You''ll never again get my support when your primary process resembles the Chicago mafia! You''ll never get a dime of my support because of both! The DNC is starting to look like a bunch of pinko commies that want to mire this country Marxism.
Kiss my arse!
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Posted by nolalou at 08:32 PM : Aug 09, 2008
Sounds like HItler...let''s just kill off all these useless babies! Who needs them!
Little Nazi, are ya?
1. Take an aspirin.
2. Wait for an underpaid, undertrained intern to take your pulse with a tongue depressor and a rubber chicken.
3. Take another aspirin.
4. Wait some more for another intern to find you laying on the floor.
5. Take another aspirin.
6. Wait for a second year medical student to come in and stick a thermometer up your behind.
7. Take two more aspirin.
8. Come back tomorrow.
9. Did you take your aspirin?
10. A doctor that was released from prison for killing patients comes in and asks you where it hurts.
11. Take another aspirin and show him the bloody stump of what is left of your arm.
12. The doctor asks if you have had this problem before.
13. Take another aspirin.
14. Call your travel agent and book a flight to Canada.
15. Arrive in Canada and repeat steps 1 through 13.
Clinton and the Democrats called this an improvement.
----
*Free* Health care, by itself, won''t get a democrat elected but it certainly helps expand the list of entitlements needed to purchase the votes of those that prefer to take what they can get from society instead of earn it.
Posted by payasyougo at 10:09 PM : Aug 09, 2008
I will have contributed one million dollars in taxes to the US government over my lifetime. I will get back about half that in social security and other benefits. That''s $500,000 given free of charge to the biggest welfare participant in the world - the US federal government. Americans have given plenty to society. Now it''s time for society to give some of it back.
So, you say earn it? Not only did we EARN it, the government should come to our house every morning and make us breakfast for the $500,000 we''ve given them. I find it incredible that conservatives still see all this money that the government owes us as "welfare".
Yet the Democratic party makes it sound like the Apocalypse is happening and our healthcare sucks. Last I remember, the United States has the best medicine and technology and surgeons in the world. We have the best disease control, cancer treatment, and surgical expertise on the planet, and people wonder why it is expensive! It is expensive because the US is the best... maybe not the best price, but certainly the best medical force in the world.
Posted by indivthinker
Unless you are one of the thirty. But then again, the Republican motto is "if it doesn''t affect me, then it doesn''t matter". Or, more correctly, "let them eat cake".
Someone sarcastically wrote a letter to the SF Chron delineating all the things he thinks they are going to try and control next:
1. crossing the street without a helmet
2. driving an old beat up car
3. smoking within 20 feet of anything
4. underage imbibing of soft drinks
5. all thoughtless converting of O2 to CO2
etc..
another person wrote:
Frankly, if I had wanted a mother, I would have stuck with the one I had. The conceit and unadulterated arrogance of the supervisors exhibit by thinking that they are allowed to legislate private lives is astonishing and beyond belief.
He goes on to say he is changing to Republican party.
PEOPLE- PLEASE, please, do not do this to the entire country--- we will all be sorry. Please vote Republican.
The State of CA has developed a list of things that are: "Known to the State to cause cancer" Then they go about banning all this stuff. I can''t even get the coal tar shampoo I need to control psorisis. Gas stations have to post signs: "Caution. Gasoline is known to the State of CA to cause cancer".
If you only knew, you wouldn''t even THINK about voting for them!
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The Ministry of Doublespeak is busy in the DNC.
Funny how "guaranteed" turns out to mean "mandatory."
Oh, they''ll help you pay for it IF YOU QUALIFY. We all know what that means.
Whites need not apply...
Being FORCED to pay makes it A TAX.
Let''s be honest. THEY''RE MAKING US PAY A NEW TAX.
Posted by indivthinker at 10:50 PM : Aug 09, 2008
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While I do agree with your overall point that there is NO healthcare crisis! Thank, god. I do take exception to:
1. I disagree with your first paragraph; specifically, how many lack insurance (you''re low), who they are, and their incomes.
2. The article says the Democratic steering cmte! THAT, is NOT the Democratic party! The cmte is a small group of oddballs that push they''re agenda and NOT the vast majority of the Democratic party---the base would probably agree with you and not the cmte!
3. I disagree with your enthusiasm for the American system. While it is very good, other countries are excelling and offering technical care at greatly reduced prices. I believe medicine has become relative here in the USA.
Posted by ragnar30066 at 10:59 PM : Aug 09, 2008
Have you ever wondered why the only truly competitive industry you have left, is hoping for Canadian business? Have you ever wondered if the policies of the past 8 years have anything to do with it?
Posted by txgrouch2006 at 11:01 PM : Aug 09, 2008
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IF it''s enacted, IF we''re forced to pay, THEN, I believe your argument would be correct!
Such an enforced health care tax would certainly be un-American and contrary to the will of the public!
At that point, rather than the health care tax they ought to go ahead and NATIONALIZE health care! And,
admit the truth, that due to greed and mismanagement health care under the free enterprise system has FAILED!
If you want healthcare here to cost lower, having the government take over will not lower prices. There are several reasons that prices are so high here, and despite what the liberals say, it is not because doctors and insurance companies are super greedy.
First is malpractice law suits. Malpractice insurance for the average primary care physician is $40,000 a year! That is because of all of the lawsuits that have put doctors out of jobs (which creates another problem). People sue for $3 million because their doctor prescribed them a drug ten years ago that not until last year was discovered to be bad for the heart. Ridiculous.
Second, we have so many poor people (and illegals) that come in and accept treatment but don''t pay for it. US law requires that doctors treat anyone in emergency situations. Yet so many people walk out without paying a penny, and the hospital does not get subsidized for that money lost. This forces some private hospitals to shut down by bankruptcy.
(continued)
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Posted by txgrouch2006
Look at it this way: At least we won''t have to be paying for an illegal war, via hyperinflation. As well, some people might actually get some much needed medical attention.
Posted by RandyNason at 11:23 PM : Aug 09, 2008
Hey, stooge! Say hello to Moe and Curly for me.
NYUK NYUK NYUK!
Posted by stn_sage at 11:14 PM : Aug 09, 2008
That would be no surprise to anyone. Most of the free enterprise system has failed already.
H1-B visas and "globalization" putting us out of work are examples of corporate greed run amok. But we allow free access to illegals from Mexico and farther, but goodness knows we don''t want protectionism like all our tradng partners have.
Fourth, their are apathetic parents that send their sick kids to school, which results in contaminating everyone else. Not to mention, people don''t get $30 flu shots so they end up getting sick for a week and running up a doctor bill of a $100.
The United States healthcare needs several things to work:
1. Do NOT give everyone government insurance. Instead drive costs down.
2. Cap lawsuit limits. Having someone win $5million from a doctor ultimately screws over the entire system and everyone else
3. Subsidize hospital losses, and require the patient to pay the money back like a government loan
4. Require (and pay for if needed) all influenza vaccinations.
5. Create a law that punishes parents for sending sick children to school unless they have permission from a doctor.
These actions alone will significantly lower prices on insurance and bills. It would make it low enough for people who don''t qualify for Medicaid to afford it.
Posted by txgrouch2006 at 11:28 PM : Aug 09, 2008
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YES, it IS! Where I live, a company ships in post high schoolers and people in their early 20s, works them 90 days, then brings in a new group when the first is
done!
This allows them to pay lower wages, no benefits, and no one builds up seniority so there''s NO rises,either.
And, it also keeps the locals game fully unemployed!
And, courtesy of Bush & co---working for the downfall of America!
Posted by indivthinker at 11:30 PM : Aug 09, 2008
You forgot another important factor that''s driving up health care costs: PROVIDERS CHEAT LIKE CRAZY on insurance claims forms!!!!
Drug makers charge higher prices for medications that are covered by insurance. EVERYBODY IS GOUGING THE INSURANCE COMPANIES.
Posted by stn_sage at 11:34 PM : Aug 09, 2008
Sorry - my H1B visa holding replacements arrived ON CLINTON''S WATCH.
It''s not a Repblican or Democrat thing - it''s PURE GREED, which knows no political boundaries.
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1. Having the government take over WILL lower cost, IF they WANT it to succeed, so therefore they manage it efficiently!
2. There are reasons in addition to GREED, I agree.
3. One, is NOT malpractice lawsuits. The figures I saw indicated that as a function of cost, lawsuits amounted to 2-4% or LESS! NOT a MAJOR burden, I''d say.
4. ONE problem is mismanagement. During the 1990s, most hospitals wanted to be ALL things to ALL people!
Each hospital wanted to have a burn unit, cardiac unit, etcetera. Repetition of services---very expensive!
5. A second problem is doctors who are defrauding medicare on charges---that''s got to stop!
Finally, I think doctors themselves are having to pay FAR TOO MUCH for their malpractice insurance, I''d cap that my first day in office if I was running for president and got elected!
You''re exactly right about the gouging. My wife spoke to a woman at WalMart today whose doctor had written her a prescription for flax seed. They had a 16 oz container in the pharmacy for $11. They had a 12 oz container f the exact same thing in the food area for $1.79.
Posted by txgrouch2006 at 11:37 PM : Aug 09, 2008
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Yes, it cuts across both those presidents. But, don''t worry they continue to be shipped in to take jobs from Americans!
But, this being the case. Nothing tied Bush''s hands from stopping it, has it?! Other then, he doesn''t want to!
Posted by riteaidbob at 11:48 PM : Aug 09, 2008
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WRONG! I know you''d like the Democrats to "bankrupt" America, but you''re too late! Bush and the GOP-controlled 110th Congress has already ensured that, my friend!
But, you can hope that the Democrats fix the problems then in a state of ''madness'', reverse course, and mess it up WORSE than Bush! Who knows, maybe it could happen! :)
Posted by riteaidbob at 11:48 PM : Aug 09, 2008
The disorder has worsened. Read the news item again. They aren''t talking about the government providing insurance. They''re talking about the government PUNISHING YOU IF YOU DON''T HAVE INSURANCE.
That''s the doublespeak meaning of "guaranteed" health insurance. If you don''t have it, they''ll FORCE you to get it. That guarantees you''ll have it.
BRILLIANT! George Orwell would have been proud - or horrified, as the case may be.
Posted by stn_sage at 11:50 PM : Aug 09, 2008
Wow, that''s what I''ve been saying all along.
Clinton got us into this mess. Bush has failed utterly to get us out.
THROW THEM ALL OUT! I''m voting Obama. The fact that he''s been in the federal gov''t for only 2 years is a PLUS to me...
That''s why they call it TAXACHUSETTS.
And the news media crows about what a SUCCESS it is - they say the number of uninsured individuals has dropped around 50%.
THEY SEE NO DOWNSIDE TO THIS...
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Please, re-read the line you quoted. I said, ''IF'' they want it to succeed, it will be run efficiently. And, that''s exactly what I mean! The reason it doesn''t succeed, is because they don''t it to, so they can turn to the public and make the argument that therefore we should NOT have this or that program, because it CAN''T be DONE!
Yet, when politicians want a certain program or department to succeed, they take the necessary steps to see to it that it does!
Likewise, with some oversight and regulation, free enterprise works fairly well! And, I for one, don''t really want to get away from it unless it''s necessary! But, if it is, I say let''s do it!
Posted by txgrouch2006 at 11:56 PM : Aug 09, 2008
Be prepared to pay the price for "change". Universal everything from daycare, preschool, healthcare, and also help for those MIA African American dads. We''ll be buried in taxes and the country can''t afford anymore debt right now. The time has come for reckoning and a tough stand against congress and their glutonous ways.
Posted by standlee5 at 11:59 PM : Aug 09, 2008
McCain''s plan includes ELIMINATING THE TAX DECUCTION for employers that provide group health benefits for employees.
THIS WILL DRAMATICALLY REDUCE THE NUBER OF EMPLOYERS WHO OFFER GROUP HEALTH PLANS.
Workers will be on their own to find individual health plans. They lose the benefit of guaranteed issue group plans. So many workers and dependents WILL BE UNINSURABLE.
Who covers them then?
Posted by txgrouch2006 at 11:56 PM : Aug 09, 2008
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I agree with YOU! I''m very much anti-incumbent!
They as a group are NOT doing their jobs! Throw the bums, out!
At this point, I haven''t decided to vote! But, I see Obama the same way---his two years in the Senate makes him FAR, FAR less corrupt than McCain! There''s no comparison between the two on that point!
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