HR 4789 and The Public Option: The Way Forward

[FORD]

March 12, 2010

HR 4789 and The Public Option: The Way Forward

Rep. Alan Grayson
Rep. Alan Grayson

Congressman Alan Grayson represents Central Florida (FL-8).
Posted: March 12, 2010 01:42 PM


Health care reform -- here's where we are. The House of Representatives is about to vote on a Senate bill without a public option. It looks like the reconciliation amendment will not have a public option. The House bill had a public option, but once the House passes the Senate bill, that's history.

Which is why I introduced H.R. 4789, the Public Option Act. This simple four-page bill lets any American buy into Medicare at cost. You want it, you pay for it, you're in. It adds nothing to the deficit; you pay what it costs.

Let's face it. Health insurance companies charge as much money as possible, and they provide as little care as possible. The difference is called profit. You can't blame them for it; that's what a corporation does. Birds got to fly, fish got to swim, health insurers got to rip you off. And if you get really expensive, they've got to pull the plug on you. So for those of us who would like to stay alive, we need a public option.

In many areas of the country, one or two insurers have over 80% of the market. They can charge anything they want. And when you get sick, they can flip the bird at you. So we need a public option.

And they face no real competition because it costs billions of dollars just to set up a national health care network. In fact, the only one that's nationwide is . . . Medicare. And we limit that to one-eight of the population. It's like saying that only seniors can drive on federal highways. We really need a public option.

And to the right-wing loons who call it socialism, we say, "if you want to be a slave to the insurance companies, that's fine. If you want 30% of your premiums to go to 'administrative costs' and billion-dollar bonuses for insurance CEOs who figure out new and creative ways to deny you the care you need to stay healthy and alive, that's fine. But don't you try to dictate to me that I can't have a public option!"

And there is a way left to get it. By insisting on a vote on H.R. 4789. Three votes on health care, not two. The Senate bill, the reconciliation amendments, and the Public Option Act.

We got 50 co-sponsors for this bill in two days. Including five powerful committee chairman. But we need more.

Sign our Petition at WeWantMedicare.com.

Call. Write. Visit. Do whatever you can do to get you Congressman to co-sponsor this bill, and push it to a vote. Right now, before it's too late.

Let's do it!

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Rep. Alan Grayson: HR 4789 and The Public Option: The Way Forward (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rep-alan-grayson/hr-4789-the-public-option_b_496977.html)

[FORD]

I read recently that Grayson was leading in the Republican primary in his district.

No, that wasn't a typo. Contrary to the bullshit myth pushed by the corporatist Republican moles within the Democratic party known as the DLC, Congressman Grayson is proving what Harry Truman said 50 years ago, and what Michael Moore said more recently, is the real truth. This is NOT a "center right" country, and if a Liberal Democrat is clearly on the side of the PEOPLE, then even Republicans will take him seriously. Alan Grayson might well be the best thing to happen to the House of Representatives since Dennis Kucinich.

[kwame k]

Wow, a four page bill, that won't cost the tax payers anything and can cover anyone who wants to buy into it.

No way in hell it will pass.....makes too much sense.

[sadaist]

You want it, you pay for it, you're in. It adds nothing to the deficit; you pay what it costs.



Seems odd to hear a Democrat tell individuals that they have to pay for something themselves without the government or the wealthy helping them out.

[sadaist]

Wow, a four page bill, that won't cost the tax payers anything and can cover anyone who wants to buy into it.

No way in hell it will pass.....makes too much sense.


It will cover anyone that wants to buy in AND can afford it. I thought the problem was that many Americans couldn't afford health care? Many Americans are unemployed. With no job, and not able to pay for health insurance now, how exactly does this help them?

Employed people would not need this "option". Obama stated in January that in 2010 his administrations primary focus was going to be jobs, jobs, jobs. Three months in and all he is still talking about is health care.

[chefcraig]

A seemingly altruistic gesture, coming from a Florida politician? I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop here. This is either a phony news story, or something extremely nasty is hidden deep inside this guy's bill, possibly written in invisible ink.

Be afraid, folks. Be very, very afraid. http://freesmileyface.net/smiley/Surprise/surprised-024.gif (http://freesmileyface.net)

[kwame k]

Because Medicare is already
In many areas of the country, one or two insurers have over 80% of the market. They can charge anything they want. And when you get sick, they can flip the bird at you. So we need a public option.

And they face no real competition because it costs billions of dollars just to set up a national health care network. In fact, the only one that's nationwide is . . . Medicare. And we limit that to one-eight of the population. It's like saying that only seniors can drive on federal highways. We really need a public option. in place and is a nationwide, I would imagine that the cost of coverage would be a hell of a lot cheaper than what Insurance Companies are raping people for.

Look up or get a quote from an insurance company if you're an independent contractor....the monthly premiums are more than $500.00 a moth for a high deductible shitty coverage plan and forget optical or dental for that price.

Medicare is just one option and not a complete fix. Like he said it'll supplement the other options in congress and maybe between the three options Americans can finally have a chance at decent coverage.

[FORD]

A seemingly altruistic gesture, coming from a Florida politician? I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop here. This is either a phony news story, or something extremely nasty is hidden deep inside this guy's bill, possibly written in invisible ink.

Be afraid, folks. Be very, very afraid. http://freesmileyface.net/smiley/Surprise/surprised-024.gif (http://freesmileyface.net)

Everything I have seen and heard from Grayson over the last several months leads me to believe he's the real deal. Now, on the other hand, I really don't trust Debbie Wasserman Schultz all that much, and I wouldn't even use the name "Democrat" to describe Bill Nelson.

But even up here in "Liberal" Washington state, our supposed Democratic politicians often leave much to be desired (except for the lucky folks that live in the 7th congressional district)

[chefcraig]

Everything I have seen and heard from Grayson over the last several months leads me to believe he's the real deal. Now, on the other hand, I really don't trust Debbie Wasserman Schultz all that much, and I wouldn't even use the name "Democrat" to describe Bill Nelson.

But even up here in "Liberal" Washington state, our supposed Democratic politicians often leave much to be desired (except for the lucky folks that live in the 7th congressional district)

The Rogue's Gallery of Florida Democrats includes Alcee Hastings, a former federal judge who was impeached and removed from office for corruption and perjury. During the 2004 election, Corrine Brown handed out phony ballots to voters, misrepresenting the issues at hand and violating polling rules. Ron Klein got voted into office running against Mark Foley, who was in hot water for looking for sexual trysts by emailing male congressional pages at the time. Hell, Alan Grayson called the Federal Reserve Chair's senior adviser a whore on national tv. About the only one I trust even remotely is Bob Wexler, and he isn't even sure if he lives here or not. :duh:

[LoungeMachine]

Seems odd to hear a Democrat tell individuals that they have to pay for something themselves without the government or the wealthy helping them out.

Really?

Then you weren't paying much attention to Gore, Kerry, or Obama in the general elections in 2000, 2004, and 2008.

:gulp:

[knuckleboner]

Ron Klein got voted into office running against Mark Foley, who was in hot water for looking for sexual trysts by emailing male congressional pages at the time.

actually, tim mahoney took mark foley's seat. and, partly because he liked to admit to multiple affairs in his first term, he lost the election in 2008 to tom rooney, grandson of art rooney. (and therefore a republican that VA Beach can strongly support...)



as for the public option...getting both sides of congress to agree on any reform at this point will be a challenge enough. there's dick durbin saying he'll whip the senate to include a public option, if the house does...again.

of course, when he had 60 votes, dick durbin couldn't get a public option in the senate's side, so he'll have to pardon me if i'm a little leary of his ability to guarantee 51.

[FORD]

Yeah, Dick Durbin means well, but I remember that episode when the BCE had him literally in tears on the Senate floor (damned if I remember exactly why).

He's got more backbone than Harry Reid (who doesn't?) but I'm not sure I'd depend on him to be the ass-kicker that's really needed in the Senate right now.

[BigBadBrian]

Amazing...people thinking the govt could manage healthcare. It doesn't even do an adequate job managing Medicare for those that are already in it. God help us if we wind up in a pathetic mess like the UK's and Canada's system.

Obama is planning on cutting $500B from Medicare. How in the hell are we going to fund this? How much do you think people will have to contribute monthly to make this work? People won't be able to afford even this.

[ULTRAMAN VH]

Amazing...people thinking the govt could manage healthcare. It doesn't even do an adequate job managing Medicare for those that are already in it. God help us if we wind up in a pathetic mess like the UK's and Canada's system.

Obama is planning on cutting $500B from Medicare. How in the hell are we going to fund this? How much do you think people will have to contribute monthly to make this work? People won't be able to afford even this.

Correct, the government can't even build a fence to protect our borders. WTF makes anyone think for one minute they can take over and successfully run 1/6 of the american economy, (aka) Healthcare?:umm:

[LoungeMachine]

Correct, the government can't even build a fence to protect our borders. WTF makes anyone think for one minute they can take over and successfully run 1/6 of the american economy, (aka) Healthcare?:umm:

:lmao:

You think a FENCE can protect our borders ???

:gulp:

oh jesus

[hambon4lif]

March 12, 2010

HR 4789 and The Public Option: The Way Forward

Rep. Alan Grayson
Rep. Alan Grayson

Congressman Alan Grayson represents Central Florida (FL-8).
Posted: March 12, 2010 01:42 PM


Health care reform -- here's where we are. The House of Representatives is about to vote on a Senate bill without a public option. It looks like the reconciliation amendment will not have a public option. The House bill had a public option, but once the House passes the Senate bill, that's history.

Which is why I introduced H.R. 4789, the Public Option Act. This simple four-page bill lets any American buy into Medicare at cost. You want it, you pay for it, you're in. It adds nothing to the deficit; you pay what it costs.

Let's face it. Health insurance companies charge as much money as possible, and they provide as little care as possible. The difference is called profit. You can't blame them for it; that's what a corporation does. Birds got to fly, fish got to swim, health insurers got to rip you off. And if you get really expensive, they've got to pull the plug on you. So for those of us who would like to stay alive, we need a public option.

In many areas of the country, one or two insurers have over 80% of the market. They can charge anything they want. And when you get sick, they can flip the bird at you. So we need a public option.

And they face no real competition because it costs billions of dollars just to set up a national health care network. In fact, the only one that's nationwide is . . . Medicare. And we limit that to one-eight of the population. It's like saying that only seniors can drive on federal highways. We really need a public option.

And to the right-wing loons who call it socialism, we say, "if you want to be a slave to the insurance companies, that's fine. If you want 30% of your premiums to go to 'administrative costs' and billion-dollar bonuses for insurance CEOs who figure out new and creative ways to deny you the care you need to stay healthy and alive, that's fine. But don't you try to dictate to me that I can't have a public option!"

And there is a way left to get it. By insisting on a vote on H.R. 4789. Three votes on health care, not two. The Senate bill, the reconciliation amendments, and the Public Option Act.

We got 50 co-sponsors for this bill in two days. Including five powerful committee chairman. But we need more.

Sign our Petition at WeWantMedicare.com.

Call. Write. Visit. Do whatever you can do to get you Congressman to co-sponsor this bill, and push it to a vote. Right now, before it's too late.

Let's do it!

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Rep. Alan Grayson: HR 4789 and The Public Option: The Way Forward (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rep-alan-grayson/hr-4789-the-public-option_b_496977.html)I'm gonna go ahead and stick my neck out on the chopping block here....I've always been a fan of Graysons. As far as I'm concerned, he's one of the last living hopes of any kind of humanity in D.C.

Since the day he laughed in Bernankes face when that weasel tried stonewalling Congress about the whereabouts of a half-a-trillion dollars that suddenly disappeaered, I had the feeling he was for the people. He spoke for me, that's for damn sure! I wanted to know!!
Check out Linda Robertsons track record....if she isn't the "K-Street Whore" he accurately coined her as, then maybe I'm missing something here...
And as far as I'm concerned, his summary of Dick Cheney is a fucking BULLSEYE!...."I have trouble listening to what he says sometimes because of the blood that drips from his teeth while he's talking"....watching that greedy, heartless, sorry excuse of a human being roll off in disgust in his wheelchair after the inaugoration was priceless, and only proved Graysons point.

For you that live in Florida....he may be a bit of a loose cannon and hard to deal with....but damnit!...if he's half as good in the office as he is hammering away at the bad guys, the guy belongs on a fucking ticket!!!

Right now, we have someone who's spent an entire 1/4th of his one and only term trying to push a bill NO ONE fucking wants.....he's a Chicago politician being a typical Chicago politician, and for that, I feel ashamed, embarassed, and ultimately apologize.

I don't really know how much better Alan Grayson would do in that position, but now as it stands, I find myself actually cheering for him when he goes after the inexcusable stink that presently permeates D.C.

[sadaist]

I had the feeling he (Grayson) was for the people.


Then he will be voting against the health care bill since the majority of Americans don't want it.


I think the only reason Obama is forcing a vote now is so that these Democrats have enough time to attempt to salvage their re-elections at the end of the year. Can't have this health care pile of shit pissing off everyone too close to election day.

[FORD]

Then he will be voting against the health care bill since the majority of Americans don't want it.


Dennis Kucinich is. And you should see how the Rahm Emanuel cheerleader squad over at Democratic Underground are savagely ripping into him the last few days.

[hambon4lif]

Then he will be voting against the health care bill since the majority of Americans don't want it.What he wants, is essentially what we ALL want, that being "public option". We The People, should have the right as to whether we want to buy into this.

It's a simple 4 page plan, as opposed to the 2400-page plan that was thrown on the desk at the eleventh-hour to vote on...which is complete and total BULLSHIT!

This very simple and basic 4-page plan is exactly what it presents itself to be.....if you want it, you can have it....and the key words here are "public option", which seems to be throwing a serious monkey-wrench in the works. The fact that 4789 didn't turn up until the 11th hour strongly suggests that maybe it would interfere with somebody receiving one helluva fat check at the end of that rainbow. Pay close attention to all media networks as they vigorously try to dig any dirt they can on Grayson within the next two weeks. Just pay attention and watch!

Afterall, if we don't discredit him and make him look like a some kind of buffoon in one way or another, the pharmaceutical company won't even pick up the pen to sign that fatass check to Utopia we've been fist-fucking America for for the last 14 months......(WARNING: The preceding paragraph contains extreme sarcasm...parental advisory is strongly suggested)

4789 is the most American thing as far as 'healthcare' that I've seen thus far. If you want it? Buy it!
And if you don't want it? then Fuck it!
It's Freedom of Choice!

Everyone outside of America may be laughing at us while we hold on to one of the last few liberties we have left, but I don't fuckin' care....it's all we have right now.

If 4789 isn't at least considered, let alone passed,....I'll just dust off my motherfucking passport!

[sadaist]

What he wants, is essentially what we ALL want, that being "public option".



Not "ALL" chief. Better recheck your sources.

[ELVIS]

Never mind that medicare reimbursements were just recently cut 21%


:elvis:

[Kristy]

Amazing...people thinking the govt could manage healthcare. It doesn't even do an adequate job managing Medicare for those that are already in it. God help us if we wind up in a pathetic mess like the UK's and Canada's system.

And the current "capitalistic" system we are in now is any better? Hmmmm. let's see, lose my house or have the heart surgery...? Plus, the UK and Canadian health system is not a "pathetic mess" as it one of inconvenience;sure, it sucks and is for the most part inept but we also know how FAT, unhealthy, no-exercise, chain-smoking, binge-drinking, stroke-inducing Americans want to be seen right away in the local ER at the first signs of chest pain but won't do shit about changing their lifestyle in how they got to that stage to begin with.

This county doesn't need a health care system overhaul as much as it needs a health system education. In other words, each day from work when driving home I pass by a grade school and I get occasionally stopped by the crossing guard in order to let all the kids have the right of way. Now, I bring this up because I'd say about 45% of those kids passing in front of my car are obese - not some kind of Eric Cartman "big boned" rhetoric but downright fucking FAT- and these are kids around the ages of 8 to 11 years of age! This means by the time they are in their twenties chances are high that most will experience some sort of medical issue that will keep health care (such as it is) on the rise. Yet we see little in the education of high sugar/salt intake, little on high caloric intake of trans-fats and even less on daily exercise or exercise mindset.

I'm not trying to come off as a tofu eating tree hugging hippie for I could care less if Wendy's has the triple by-pass bacon special with added cheese with sodium-sprinkled dog turds the thing is this kind of nutrition is what's causing most of the soaring health care cost but oh no, you can't have our government coming in and saying with both scientific and medical proof that this shit will kill you and that they could manage extremely well - for that would be "socialism" in your mindset. So it's much more easier for the government to stand back, take a blind eye to the matter, let diseases like heart disease and diabetes run rampant, drive up cost all in the name of convenience letting the insurance companies dictate who lives or dies on pre-existing conditions.

[Blackflag]

I'm not trying to come off as a tofu eating tree hugging hippie

Little late for that...

[Kristy]

Naw, I like chainsaws too much

[Blackflag]

Juggler?