Tom Harkin (on Maddow) Health Reform Bill: 'Strong Foundation'

[mzmolly]

Run time: 09:47 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9e2AK3byKnA   Posted on YouTube: December 16, 2009 By YouTube Member: Views on YouTube: 0   Posted on DU: December 16, 2009 By DU Member: mzmolly Views on DU: 1661

 
I admit that I lean with Dean on this issue. But, I have great respect for Tom Harkin, who makes a compelling case for passage of the bill as a "foundation" for continuing reform. Whether I agree or not, I think Harkin deserves to be heard, as does Rachel Maddow, apparently.

[tomm2thumbs]

1. calling it a strong foundation but making it out of foil and duct tape - 2 different things

it is like a sculptor with clay. if one doesn't REALLY build a strong armature under the work before starting to work with the clay, the entire thing will slowly bend, slump and distort - half your time is spent constantly resculpting and fixing instead of relying on a strong structure to build on.

This thing needs to be started over - with a strong foundation - the kind he 'speaks' of, but which this bill is not

[debbierlus]

2. I found this heartbreaking to watch.

It just made me really, really sad.

[pundaint]

5. Yes and having the nerve to spew his nonsense after citing his progressive cred

only underlines how he is selling us out here. What has happened to liberalism?

[Vincardog]

3. Start over with reconciliation. Pass good Health Care Reform with 51 votes and kick Joementum and

Blue Cross Dogs to the curb.

[mzmolly]

4. I agree to an extent. Perhaps we should pass the crap bill and enhance legislation

with reconciliation?

[Vincardog]

7. Why not take whatever is good in the crap bill (like 90% of income required to be spent on health

care) and put them in the new bill? Why MANDATE that people buy crap?

[mzmolly]

8. I don't agree with the public mandate

unless we get a public option, or a medicare buy in. Though, perhaps a mandate is the only way we can afford the notion of a collective risk? In other words, in order for insurance companies to be told they have to cover pre-existing conditions (via new mandates on THEM) they have to have a way to make up for the additional cost of funding treatment for said conditions?

:shrug:

[Vincardog]

10. The mandates are all on us. They have no mandate to cover everyone at the same price.

They can make up for their supposed increased costs by decreasing their executive pay and lobbying budget.

[mzmolly]

14. I know. However ins cos can't deny people with pre-existing

conditions any longer according to the pending legislation.

[Vincardog]

20. But they can charge them whatever they want. How does that help? IF the insurance costs 2 X your

pay how does that help you?

[PM Martin]

9. That could work.

[thunder rising]

6. So the woodshed has now seen Grayson, Brown and Harkin...and Joe L is smiling

What's wrong with that picture?

[Tutankhamun]

11. Harkin really looks bad in this clip.

It's just saddening to see him on national TV, sitting across from one of the left's most astute and insightful political thinkrs, pretending this gutted, compromised gift to the insurance companies is an actual victory for liberals. Rachel looks like she's in pain during the interview, and Harkin, at times, can't hide his true feelings either.

I really hope the Democrats can work miracles in reconciliation.

[damntexdem]

12. I might be able to go along with his argument if it were not for the individual mandate.

True, an individual mandate is essential to any true HCR short of a truly universal one, such as single payer. But with the package of 'insurance reforms' Harkin is hailing, the individual mandate is nothing but an onerous burden on Americans that will only increase the profits of for-profit health insurance companies. The individual mandate is meant to hold down costs by spreading risk further and by eliminating free riders who still get care when they need it. But in the absence of the major cost controls, all taken out of the the bill, it is nothing but a sham at best and more likely a horrible burden. It is also stupid politics, because voters will react angrily to being forced to buy a product that is being allowed to remain such a poor, costly one.

[mzmolly]

15. That's how I feel

also.

[Dirigo]

16. Senator Tom Harkin, D-IA, Is Absolutely Correct & On Point

Sen Harkin is correct in his assessment of the Healthcare Reform Bill. No matter what it looks like at birth in the next few days or couple weeks, it is still alive and it is still a healthcare reform bill which can be tweeked and amended. It is unfortunate the rabid and rancid Republicon' Reichwing has challenged this much needed legislation that benefits society and makes life so much more for the millions upon millions who need medical care now. Republicons will not be held in high esteem come 2010 and beyond that is why they want Healthcare Reform DEAD & BURRIED. Senator Harkin has demonstrated that patience will win the day and with any luck we can bury Lieberbush and anyother Democratic spineless twit who is drinking Conservative Kool Aid. Lets be prepared to Party Hearty when the Healthcare Bill is signed by the President. It will kill the stinking Republicons, of course, but what the hell do Real Americans care about stinking conservative Republicons who have been on the wrong side of all major issues facing America since WWII.

[JDPriestly]

13. Call you senators and congressmembers and tell them to vote "No."

Harkin is not persuasive. He is just talking, but saying nothing. He avoids the subject of cost to ordinary Americans who pay for their health care. That is going to skyrocket.

There is a huge contradiction in what he said. First he says that the bill is a good foundation and can be changed. Then he says that Congress does not have time to change it now.

He also errs in comparing the bill to a starter house. Think of the many Americans who bought small houses for inflated prices and ended up in foreclosure. The lack of control on the cost of the health insurance in this bill combined with the mandate to buy insurance is likely to put even more Americans in foreclosure.

This bill is bad. Call your senators and representative and ask them to vote against it. Call right away.

[Vincardog]

21. Call your senators and representative and ask them to make sure it includes Medicare for all and let

the Blue Cross Dogs kill it. Then take the good parts to reconciliation and pass Universal Single Payer (AKA Medicare part E for Everyone) with 51 votes.

[hmorehead]

17. He may be progressive but he spouts B/S just like Grassly.

This bill has been degraded to the point Lieberman likes it. Name any other issue one asshole like Lieberman ever detrailed.

[mzmolly]

18. Lieberman likes to hear himself talk. He only "likes" the bill b/c Dean

doesn't.

[Pharaoh]

19. I'm a fan of TH

But this is a total screw job to the American people.

Single Payer!

End congressional healthcare now!

[whirlygigspin]

22. bullshit

they just screw over the public because there's no downside (usually) man are they wrong on this one.


Term limits for senators now~!

2 terms and then get the fuck out.

[hmorehead]

23. Funny how the same Congress that gave us the Exxon exemption

is going to force us to buy insurence at any price that industry wants to screw us with.