Evening Buzz: Health Care Showdown
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/POLITICS/08/17/health.care/art.obama.cnn.jpg caption= "President Obama "believes the public option is the best way" to reform health care, a White House aide says."]
Maureen Miller
AC360° Writer
Is a compromise in the works to get health care reform approved on Capitol Hill? The big question is: Will there be a so-called "public option", a government health care plan similar to Medicare. It's been the central focus of Pres. Obama's pitch. But Sunday on CNN's "State of the Union", Kathleen Sebelius, the health and human services secretary, said that a public insurance plan is "not the essential element."
To critics this move seems to be a concession to Republican lawmakers who don't like the idea of government paying a bigger role in health care. Yet, there's also frustration from those on the left who say the "public option" is vital.
We'll have the raw politics. And, we'll look at a possible alternative to the"public option." We've got the facts you need to know.
Also tonight, a mistake on death row? The U.S. Supreme Court has granted a death row inmate's request for an appeal. The Georgia prisoner swears he's not a cop killer. Several witnesses for the prosecution have recanted their testimony. But others believe he's guilty.
And, the mayor of Milwaukee viciously beaten at the Wisconsin State Fair. One minute he's having a great time with his family. The next, a guy is hitting him over the head with a metal pipe.
From Wisconsin to Washington and beyond, join us for these stories and much more starting at 10pm ET. See you then!
|
|
Filed under: Maureen Miller • The Buzz |
About this Show:
Anderson Cooper goes beyond the headlines to tell stories from many points of view, so you can make up your own mind about the news. Tune in weeknights at 8 and 10 ET on CNN.
Questions or comments? Send an email
Want to know more? Go behind the scenes with AC361°
Subscribe to the podcast
On Twitter
Search the AC360 blog
If you "liberal" Democrats think you can pass a Health Care Reform Bill without including bipartisian input, go ahead! You think a minority party like the liberals can make laws that govern the majority that don't want this bill?
What are you waiting for? You already have a filibuster proof majority in the Senate. Grow a pair and do it. Quit crying about the Republicans holding up everything. You have been crying about the Republicans the whole time President Obama has been in office.
It's time you cut your mama's apron strings and do something on your own. But, guess what? Come 2010-11 there won't be a Democratic Senator, Congressmen, or governor left. It will be time to get Representatives that listen to the majority, not just the extreme left!
Public – sbublic. We need Health Care Reform that is not, I repeat is not ran by the GOVERNMENT!
It is interesting that as the Health care bill has had time to be digested (instead of being forced to a vote by Mr. Obama with little time to actually read the bill), many conflicting views have resulted due to the ambiguity of the language and my feeling is that if a bill is crafted with such ambiguous language that so much of it can be left open for interpretation, then it should not pass! Once we let the Government in, they will define it however they feel fit and whatever Mr. Obama is saying now he could easily go back on.
Sad time that this will become for America if the progress isn't made that needs to made. I want to keep having hope, but it is getting hard to hold on to any. You are watching some of the last chances for a vast segment of Americans to evolve. For those of you watching who are taking the hint, allow yourself to evolve. It's difficult but imperative. Know that you WILL survive the transition. Many are feeling forced to threaten or commit violence against others and/or themselves. It is not necessary to do this. Communication and patience and the allowance of progress is the answer at this time. Nevertheless they must do what they must do. You KNOW the truth and you know what is correct deep inside. Keep strong your determination to move forward progress through positive thought, action, and coaxing. I'll meet you in the future.
I think all the people protesting against this Health Care for all are uneducated, ignorant fools. The irony part of this whole thing is that majority of these protesters have no Health Inusurance. Left for the President, he has the best Health Insurane for himself and his entire family. All the Law Makers has good Health Insurance. If Americans are so stupid, then they should let the Health Care Program for all be defeated by the Republicans. They Republican Party has no plan for poor Americans and Mid-Class Americans. It is left for you guys, toss it out. TJ from Sacramento
I feel to truely has our congressmen and senators understand what million of American are facing with losing there health insurance or no insurance at all. Congressmen and senators should be strip of their health insurance they we pay for and then let see how long they will debate. Let see which congressman or
senator has they guts to take this challenge.
The media the power to put these men and women who took an oath
I am a member of the Group Health Coop in the state of WA. I am a very frustrated and unhappy member. The Cooperative has for the past year experienced a serious shortage of Family Practice physicians-or as others may call them: Primary Care Physicians. The Group Health doctors individually are supposed to have panels of no more than 2200 patients. Currently, the average Primary Care or Family Practice doctor is carrying a much larger capacity of approximately 3300 patients each! This means you rarely can see a physician. I have "email or telephone appointments"-a doctor or RN discusses your concerns and symptoms over the telephone briefly, usually calls in a prescription and tells you to email them with how you are doing in a few days or so. This is not my idea of Quality Care. I last saw my doctor with a right hip that needs to be replaced. I have been in great pain, barely able to move. She prescribed me five days of a steroid and told me to follow up in 3 months! Am I supposed to go back to lying in bed for 3 months?! The Group Cooperative idea does not work in my opinion. My Cooperative does not allow pre-existing conditions. I had an abdominal surgery 6 years ago, prior to becoming a Coop member. The surgery was an abysmal failure. Group Health refuses to do anything to repair the surgery, and instead, would rather pay hundreds of dollars in RX costs each month...on both my part and theirs! Health care in this country definitely is "broken." But a nationalized health care system is going to cause much longer delays than 3 months to see a doctor or get in on a specialist's list for a necessary procedure...unless your at death's door-and maybe not even then...if you are deemed too old or disabled or a mentally unstable, non-contributing member of society.
Do you really think drug addicts, alcoholics and street people are going to be given the same consideration as the next person?
How many years would it take to set up all these health insurnace co-ops and who would control them during the set up stage?
i have medicare and supplement when these are paid i only $376.59 for bills can't afford to use the health insurance as no money left for co-pays etc. the unemployed as well as seniors have this problem and will. moral i have health insurance but cant afford to use it come on and join me.
hasn't it occured to anyone that the answers we're looking for to health care concerns may lay in qualitative issues rather than quantitative ones? A certain percentage of the uninsured are currently "healthy", and therefore could qualify for creatively structured programs that would be considered "preventative" – chiropractice care, theraputic massage therapy,gym/yoga memberships ,perhaps naturopathic type of care....significantly less expensive overall, potentially eliminating the need for drugs for some people (which saves not only money but livers,) and could be alotted on a sliding scale...which for the time being would free up other money to insure the folks who are more acutely ill. divide coverage into preventative, curative and restorative frames, and give real, tangible tax breaks to those who live lifestyles that support health and wellness.
I am a Registered Nurse & Registered Massage Therapist. Ihave worked in both the u.s. and canada ....it's different under the maple leaf!! Progressive care like massage,and chiropractic assessment and treatment is part of nearly every benefits package, even our teachers get one a month! surely it must be worth some time to consider this and its effectiveness???? If americans can elect an African-American president, surely to goodness they can get behind a health care plan that rewards them for taking good care of themselves!! (sorry smokers....i've seen enough of you die to know your care DRAINS THE BANK!)
Just some things I've been thinking about......Anderson's the bomb by the way!!
I am one of the many people that has had problems getting health coverage. No insurance company wanted to insure me due to my pre-existing condition which was diabetes and then later found out that through a blood transfusion had gotten hepatitis C. I had to pay extremely high amounts of money to get doctors visits and medication thereafter I had to get a live and kidney transplant, with all that I lost everything. So I had to get Medicare. People shouldnt have to lose everything to get public insurance there should be a plan for all people.
Regarding m.vick...this man was imprisoned of what he did for dogs, still fighting rings killing of dogs everyday. If vick had been anyone else...meaning rich famous African American would the punishment have been any different?
O.K the was a bit over the top , but I know you won't post it anyway, but what makes you think that millions of us aren't thinking exactly this, at this time?
Steve in Taos.
Any compromise on health care is a stunning defeat for Democrats! They have wimped out again. To hell with the conservative/corporate/religious facist right wing. WE NEED UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE NOW!!!!! If it does not happen, then I say, it's time to take this nation back from the corporate rule the right has embraced. By any means possible, I believe that we need to purge the right wing conservative/corporate/religious right wing facist element from this nation NOW. I want change, and these elements that support the insurance companies, the Christian fundementalist wack jobs, and the " WAR is the answer to everything" people need to be put down. I only say this because lately on right wing nut radio they are saying that they can't wait for the next election to remove the godless liberals from power. I say, react now, by whatever means at hand, if they want a civil war, left versus wrong, let's get it on. I am a leftwing,progressive liberal who is ready, willing and able to stand up and use any and all measures to defeat these monsters. Oh, and by the way, my Grandfather, my Father, and I are all lifetime members of the N.R.A. I am Eddie Eagle Trained and ready to confront any one who supports corporate/religious facist rule in this nation
Steve in Taos New Mexico.
mike vick did his time now you wanna disect rather he remorseful get out of here first of all we all know that dog fighting is in the inner city oh where most blacks live why you not going into that communinty asking them how they feel about vick the eagles picked him up you dont have to go to the games stay home let the man move on america got the nerve to be on tv when this country oh by the way killed millions of slaves the same way who apologized for that if so why do racism still loom in our society so let the man show that he changed before you throw him under the bus i bet if it was chickens and roosters then what would be said yea ok
Hello everyone, I just want to know how come people use the argument that there child is going to have to pay some national dept in the future, but know one talks about the child that want see a national dept if this health care bill is not pasted, and time is of the essence because everyday that goes past someone else is denied life saveing health care!
While we listen to the nutcases re;healthcare,esp. Sara Palin's "death panels" Has anyone investigated the healtcare system in Alaska,which supposedly SP crafted? I've heard it's a terrible system and lack of care the biggest complaint. MMMMM maybe Sp should design a healthcare system for the U.S and then everyone would jump on the bandwagon for ANY kind of healthcare changes. FYI I am a senior citizen,but I refuse to comment on anything until there is a bill by the house and senate with some plainly worded proposals,anything else is just blowing in the wind. Please,please spare us anymore of these "townhall meetings" I am sick of the stupid questions and the "angry seniors. Thanks
There is an increasing debate that government will kill the competition of health insurance. The fact is health insurance companies have formed a cartel where patients and doctors become hostage. On the one hand, patients are denied the coverage and, on the other, doctors are questioned for their practice. A simple transaction – I want to see a doctor, doctor advises me, I pay his fees – has been blown out proportion over time. My doctor should be able to see me as many times as he want. Or, do any checks as many times as he wants to keep me healthy and monitor my health. The professionals like doctors do not make profit. Insurance companies do. Why do I not buy insurance to see my lawyer? or my tax consultant? Or for that matter any professional who makes their living on fees and monitors my well being. As a proponent of free market, I think all professions – plumbers to doctors – must be free to operate in the marketplace. Therefore, if insurance companies are allowed to form a cartel, to intervene between me and my doctor, then we, the government, should also be part of the marketplace, with public option, to break that cartel. If public option is not chosen, then people should just ban insurance companies for their health care. Hospitals and doctors raise funds from other private foundations under non-profit charitable organization for their operating and working capital. I am a small business owner and I am planning to provide health care to all my employees and all their family members. If there is no public option, we will still provide health care to them, but not through any insurance companies, rather by paying directly to hospitals and doctors. In all conditions, even if we pay more, substantially more, we will know we are paying to the profession they deserve.
I want to set the record straight. President Obama did not say public health care option was off the table. What was said in his speech this weekend is public option is only a minute part of the bill; that there was so much more to the bill. And the reason why he wanted to set the record straight was because of all the mix messages that is out in the media. And all the lies are being told by special interest groups and republicans. But what I don't appreciate, is you guys don't listen to the comment in its entirety; you talk about the part that will sell news. There is un-true information about what the President said about public healt care option this weekend. He was merely pointing out what the special interest groups and republicans was countering about regarding public health options. He never said not one time the option was off of the table.
We, i.e. America, absolutely NEED Health Care Reform, I believe that discussing this need has gone on too long, too many years. It is waay past time to "fish or cut bait", which is the nicest way to phrase that. Our Senators and Representatives should start earning their big salaries, their cushy offices, and their wonderful health coverage!!
I also believe that reform needs to include the Public Option and protect people from being excluded for preexisting conditions. I am one of the lucky ones right now and am covered, but that may not be so be so in the future. No one knows for sure....
This has nothing to do with Obama, but I was just curious, why has the comment portion of the Troy Davis case been closed so quickly? I never comment or visit the sites for commentary....and as soon as I get pissed off enough to say something, yall go and shut it down. Please allow more commentary for this case. It deserves attention. I shall return.
President Obama did not say, one time in his speech that the public option is off of the table. I feel you guys do not listen to the entire comment, you take the part you want to hear, and run with, it is incorrect information,being reporting regarding public options. What President Obama explain this weekend to counter the lies that are being told by special interest groups and republicans; the part they are arguing which is the public option, the President stated it was a minute part of the bill. I don't know how you guys got to him saying he is taking public option off of the table. I did not hear that; and most people i know did not hear that. People are tired of all the mis-given information.
Insurance Compapies say it good to have competitions. Now the Govt. wants to be one, they cry wolf.
when I was an employee I paid $200 per month. When I stepped down and became an independent contractor my cobra payment went to $900 /month, Now that Cobra is finished my payment for the same coverage would be over$1700 per month for my wife and myself.
How is that equitable? How is it reasonable for any insurance company to charge that much?
I will gladly pay what I paid on Cobra as part of my taxes to get the coverage I had.
What is this thing where a public option will cost me more than I pay now.
I will gladly pay what I was paying with a public option to get the coverage I had especially if it provides the possibility that 46 million will get coverage at the same time.
I voted for Obama because I thought he could stand strong on his convictions. Once again I am dissapointed....Obama and many demacrats will loose support from Americans who want true reforms. Nobody is talking about how much it would help the economy if everybody is covered. The healthcare industry would boom...millions of jobs could be created to respond to the demand of those 46 millions who need coverage and all those who will finally be able to get proper coverage....Mr Obama please do as you promised.
Can't.
i am ashamed of myself to have believed that it was perfectly ok to pay for a licsense to kill all kinds of animals as a sport brutelyand inhumane as a part of our culture. even to go as for as to decapetate them and use there heads as trophies. then to see how hypecritical we are as a nation .where we are willing to demonize michael vick for fighting and killing dogs as a part of his culture.even though this man served his time. where is peta for the humanity of these animals which some are close to exstinction. do as i say not as i do mindset. word to the wise error is human forgiveness is devine. thats why i am ashame this is our christian nations foundationon a bed of sand practice what u preach.
Correction!! Can't expect
Michael Vick-at the end of the day its a dog, if he would have killed a person, nobody would have anything to say. Now if a dogs life is more important than a humans, something is wrong. I dont know to many people that would give their life for their dog. The punishment did not fit the crime, it was wrong, but it was not worth 2 yrs in prison.
Let it go
One thing I still have not heard from this whole healthcare reform is patient accountability!!!!!! You can expect the goverment to provide full coverage when you don't want to get a job that offers insurance or taking care of your health by not eating fat foods to cause heart attacks, obesity, diabetes, etc or keep smoking and drinking when you are very well aware of the huge deadly risks those habits cause
With over 130 innocent people having been released from death row since 1973, the US Supreme Court is absolutely correct in taking another look at this case! If we are going to kill people in order to teach people that killing people is wrong, then we must make sure we are killing the correct person.
When is CNN going to dump Lou Dobbs? Hasn't he become an embarrassment for all the rest of you on CNN? A few years ago I watched him regularly, but he has become just like another one of those Fox news nut jobs.
Obama has the answer
We need health care reform! President do what's best for America
I don't think it is wise to show up near the president, or too a crowded event, with a GUN...openly carried or concealed.
Someone could take it from you and do harm.
I hope they know that the secret service will put them on a watch list for it.
Add me to the list of Michael Vick haters; his crime is heinous and sorry, can't forgive him. His brain is cruel; NFL also brainless to give him second chance. He doesn't deserve one.
Dear Maureen Miller, Perhaps this would be a good time for Americans to insist on a health care Bill of Rights to stand up against the greedy Insurance companies. it seems they are sucking the life and money out of the American people and misleading The American people by spreading misleading lies, using fear to motivate people, to scream and complain at town hall meetings. Even if the Public health plan fails at least I am proud of President Obama trying to do the right thing for the American people. perhaps this will open the way for some nonprofit health companies or group co-op health organizations. We do need laws that protect Americans from being abused by misleading insurers.
Look anyone that doesn't favor reformed health care doesn't know what its like not to be able to afford proper health care for there family. Health care related debt is the number one cause of bankruptcy in this country. Does that tell you people anything. Look at it from my point of view. I work seven days a week make a good living, but After I give the government my 30 percent of my hard earned money I cant afford health care. My tax money should go to help me and my fellow Americans not foreign affairs like give Israel money for free health care and free education, and thats exactly what we do. your tax dollars buy Israel free health care and eduction. Dose any one out their think thats alright. because I don't and I need health care PLEASE!
Our laws, our democracy had been copied around the world; I do not think that there is any shame to look in detail at how the health care system works in Europe. It will be much easier and economical than to come with our own trial and errors. I have not seen even one serious broadcast of any network to report in full detail how it works in Europe or Canada. I have only seen the point of view of the reporters, whom had only chosen the bad parts.
Not even one serious report on European health care had been reported on the news.
Look at it this way; it will work as well as National Flood Insurance Program which is government sponsored. By the way do you also call that socialism?
Obama's most revealing comment was that we can't solve every problem and cover everything without it costing money. He was referring to health care, but that, in a nutshell, is why mainstream Americans are angry. This is his philosophy, empowered by the Democrats who control every aspect of government, for everything in America.
It is NOT government's job to solve every problem (and inconvenience), and make the vast majority pay for it all. This is why you hear people saying "we want our country back". We don't want a country where the government attempts to fix every problem, right every wrong, cater to every grievance, make sure that anyone who wants something, whether they've earned it or not, gets it.
The earners, the producers, the contributors, the responsible people, already pay more to help those less fortunate, and we will accept some form of health care for the poor because it's the right thing to do, but you are seeing a revolt against the direction that this government is taking overall. We're not going to let it happen.
Grassley is my senator. Sorry everybody.
We desperately need healthcare reform, but we will not get any kind of meaningful reform while trying to please Grassley and republicans like him. He will be voting no. I don't think he ever had any plan to support healthcare reform. Working with him to write a bill just means the bill won't actually make any real changes in the way we do healthcare. The democrats should write the bill they want and pass it. Bi-partisianship is overrated!
Personally I want Medicare for all. You don't talk to any senior citizens who want to give up their Medicare. I want to buy in. The insurance companies can sell supplemental policies to everyone. With medicare I won't have my $8000 deductible and I won't live with the constant threat of having my insurance (such as it is) cancelled.
.
I was wondering if anyone has asked those who are anti-health critics who shout down those pro health reformers at town hall gatherings, if they have health insurance? And if they do, why are they disfavor with such tactics as an extremist in terrorism? And, are they pleased with their own health insurance? Do these people believe in equality as our nations creed states? I don't think soo.
I liked to hear some opinions from the insurance companies and doctors of their opinion of the proposed health care bill. What effects they foresee from the bill.
Also we hear a lot of conflicting reports about the quality of health care in the US and what percentage of people don't have insurance. I thought CNN had a poll showing that only 10% did not have insurance.
Though that number will likely rise as unemployment continues to rise. Where are all those new jobs the president promised from all that stimulus debt?
It's interesting to note that everything the government spins on healthcare is what they themselves have in mind or are doing now. The reasons they use to attack opponents of their government take over plan is that which they ultimately have as a goal. Its not the insurance companies, it's not unamerican taxpayers, it's not hate groups that are paid to show up at town hall meetings. It's the government power grab under the pretext that healthcare needs reform. That they can promise anything but when they can't deliver, they can always raise taxes or other fees or reduce care and services and blame it on others. Look at medicare and social security. How can they handle health care when they can't manage any other government program. It's all about socialism and more government power. Not better healthcare. Lastly, watch out seniors. You represent the greatest expense to the government going forward. Think about it before you give them control over yhour health care.
A basic health care should be available to all of us at anytime, it is a good idea that it will be government funded with taxes with the equivalent of about $50-100 a month, and then each one of us have a choice of spending a little more to get a better or a premium care according to the financial resources of the individual.
It will be fair allowing all of us a basic care at any given time, it will less expensive since 40 million uninsured will have to pay their share like it or not. We those that have insurance will see a reduction in premiums because we will not be paying for those who cannot.
For those that oppose it because they have a job that provides them with health insurance, or they are wealthy enough to pocket out $7,000 a year plus; think about this, if you loose your job tomorrow, or if you end in a job without health benefits and a lower compensation, and you do not have health insurance, wouldn’t you like to have at least a basic insurance?.
A $ 5,000 -10,000 a year health care plan is just an indirect tax, so be reasonable and understand that you are already paying much higher taxes that you should be paying.
The truth on how it works in Europe had not been clearly explained to you. Universal health coverage is available to all Europeans, if they want a better health care, with about 50 Euros (about $ 70 us dollars) a month they enlist in private health care, were doctors are available in private clinics, and you have the choice of whom to see.
Don’t talk to me about the lines visiting a doctor, I have an excellent and expensive insurance, and I still have to make an appointment and wait 3 hours in the waiting room before the doctors sees me.
I am sure that at least once a year an American falls sick and had to visit a hospital in Europe, do you know that as a tourist you have the right to emergency health care at not cost to you?, try that in America as a tourist and you will end with $ 20,000 bill.
I do not think that the government is very clear with the direction this is going to, they are just making it too complicated for no reason at all. No one has made the numbers yet or explained them to the public. The rhetoric (in favor or opposing) is only making it confusing; just lay down the plan with numbers.
Is the whole idea socialistic?, well for those of you that oppose the plan, I will like to tell you that I do not have children, and I resent to pay taxes for your children’s school, I resent to pay more income taxes than you (I am in a higher bracket) so you may have better of everything at my expense.
But at the end it comes to common sense, I have to pay for it to enjoy the results of leaving in a great society.
If there isn't a public option in the health care bill then what does the bill do? I thought that was the main thrust of the bill? I'm looking forward to hearing about the alternative to the public option. Its awful that the Mayor of Milwaukee was beaten so bad at their State Fair – I wonder if the attacker knew who he was. See you tonight!
Hi, Maureen!
Providing access and equity, who has no health plan, would be a huge achievement, but how this will be done without increasing the already stratospheric public deficit, is a question I have.
Today, a friend, who lives in DC, said he listened Rush Limbaugh's program, about health care reform. He described as impressive, lunatic and racist. The opposition is strong! How is that President Obama to survive this?
The authorities of the government contrast with the statements President on the importance of 'public option'.
What are the consequences (good and bad) if the government makes concessions and change the initial idea of reform?
See you later.
Oh yeah! It's too funny to see a whipped politician reeling backwards and stumble over the causes they so boldly boasted about a mere few weeks ago. I guess Obama's preacher can always try to damn us all into health care submission. Grandma's spirit sure didn't have much luck. After completing our eight year training program, we all know too well when a politician is lying, or they're just too dumb to even try to make up something / anything believable. Ha!