Comments on: Mark Begich on the Public Option, the Kennedy Legacy, and Being Bold. http://www.themudflats.net/2009/08/31/mark-begich-on-the-public-option-the-kennedy-legacy-and-being-bold/ Tiptoeing Through the Muck of Alaskan Politics Tue, 16 Mar 2010 12:06:41 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Ethan http://www.themudflats.net/2009/08/31/mark-begich-on-the-public-option-the-kennedy-legacy-and-being-bold/#comment-127825 Ethan Tue, 01 Sep 2009 22:50:42 +0000 http://www.themudflats.net/?p=6386#comment-127825 Thanks, Sen. Begich! Thanks, Sen. Begich!

]]> By: Ida Rabbat http://www.themudflats.net/2009/08/31/mark-begich-on-the-public-option-the-kennedy-legacy-and-being-bold/#comment-127802 Ida Rabbat Tue, 01 Sep 2009 22:19:17 +0000 http://www.themudflats.net/?p=6386#comment-127802 BOLD!!!! Thanks for the information. BOLD!!!!

Thanks for the information.

]]> By: Denali 1 http://www.themudflats.net/2009/08/31/mark-begich-on-the-public-option-the-kennedy-legacy-and-being-bold/#comment-127778 Denali 1 Tue, 01 Sep 2009 21:21:37 +0000 http://www.themudflats.net/?p=6386#comment-127778 For those who blame Begich for the Municipality's current budget woes: it is "the economy, stupid!" and not former Mayor Begich that is to blame. The two primary reasons for the Muni's budget woes are 1) the Muni's investment portfolio took a huge hit (as who's didn't ! ) and 2) the revenues from tourist related taxes is down (duh, it is a recession economy). Mayor's don't effect the economy like Presidents do; so while Obama is leading us out of Bush's economical debacle, let's hope Sullivan can lead us out of the impacts of the greater economy. For those who blame Begich for the Municipality’s current budget woes: it is “the economy, stupid!” and not former Mayor Begich that is to blame. The two primary reasons for the Muni’s budget woes are 1) the Muni’s investment portfolio took a huge hit (as who’s didn’t ! ) and 2) the revenues from tourist related taxes is down (duh, it is a recession economy). Mayor’s don’t effect the economy like Presidents do; so while Obama is leading us out of Bush’s economical debacle, let’s hope Sullivan can lead us out of the impacts of the greater economy.

]]> By: db http://www.themudflats.net/2009/08/31/mark-begich-on-the-public-option-the-kennedy-legacy-and-being-bold/#comment-127702 db Tue, 01 Sep 2009 17:09:58 +0000 http://www.themudflats.net/?p=6386#comment-127702 First I do want people not to have to suffer from the lack of health care, however I have worked in a government funded clinic in Wilkes-Barre, PA and I must say that there were many abuses of the system. I have yet to see a government program run with any real efficiency or any real oversight. So I am concerned that a program of this scope will end up being a huge mess. I've dealt with public insurance too and I think there are abuses there also. One thing insurance companies fear is law suits. They lose a lot of money on law suits. I think the government should stop being afraid of the lawyers and insurance companies and set down some rules for these things. One time, Hillary Clinton said that they were looking at letting the American public buy into the same plan that Congess has. What happened to that? Also, I don't mind paying for someone elses health insurance if they really can't afford it. But, we as a family don't have cable TV, or fancy cells phones, or new cars, or nice vacations because we choose to spend our money on things like health care and education. When I worked at the clinic I always wanted to ask some of these people who came in how they got their phones with internet, their TV's they talked about or vacations they told me they were going on. Yet, these same people received free services at our clinic. Sorry that just bugs me. Anyway, that's why I don't think making a big system is wise. I'm not sure what the solution is, but the bill I read ( I actually read it all, over 1000 pages) was full of spots where I had questions about how they would carry it out. It also actually did have penalties for non-compliance. Now maybe I read the wrong bill but that was there. So, I guess again I'm saying, yes lets help people, but let's not rush in without a lot of good thought and the best minds working on this. Thanks First I do want people not to have to suffer from the lack of health care, however I have worked in a government funded clinic in Wilkes-Barre, PA and I must say that there were many abuses of the system. I have yet to see a government program run with any real efficiency or any real oversight. So I am concerned that a program of this scope will end up being a huge mess. I’ve dealt with public insurance too and I think there are abuses there also. One thing insurance companies fear is law suits. They lose a lot of money on law suits. I think the government should stop being afraid of the lawyers and insurance companies and set down some rules for these things. One time, Hillary Clinton said that they were looking at letting the American public buy into the same plan that Congess has. What happened to that? Also, I don’t mind paying for someone elses health insurance if they really can’t afford it. But, we as a family don’t have cable TV, or fancy cells phones, or new cars, or nice vacations because we choose to spend our money on things like health care and education. When I worked at the clinic I always wanted to ask some of these people who came in how they got their phones with internet, their TV’s they talked about or vacations they told me they were going on. Yet, these same people received free services at our clinic. Sorry that just bugs me. Anyway, that’s why I don’t think making a big system is wise. I’m not sure what the solution is, but the bill I read ( I actually read it all, over 1000 pages) was full of spots where I had questions about how they would carry it out. It also actually did have penalties for non-compliance. Now maybe I read the wrong bill but that was there. So, I guess again I’m saying, yes lets help people, but let’s not rush in without a lot of good thought and the best minds working on this. Thanks

]]> By: North_of_the_Range http://www.themudflats.net/2009/08/31/mark-begich-on-the-public-option-the-kennedy-legacy-and-being-bold/#comment-127602 North_of_the_Range Tue, 01 Sep 2009 07:04:08 +0000 http://www.themudflats.net/?p=6386#comment-127602 Thanks for the post. Was not able to catch this on the radio show. I hope his actions match his words. I liked what he was saying, especially the recognition of Senate service as a duty. Idealistic? Yes. Does that kind of thinking last long in Washington? Doubtful. But if anyone can keep him on track in the idealism department, it's probably his kid. Go Jacob! Thanks for the post. Was not able to catch this on the radio show.

I hope his actions match his words. I liked what he was saying, especially the recognition of Senate service as a duty. Idealistic? Yes. Does that kind of thinking last long in Washington? Doubtful. But if anyone can keep him on track in the idealism department, it’s probably his kid. Go Jacob!

]]> By: Lee323 http://www.themudflats.net/2009/08/31/mark-begich-on-the-public-option-the-kennedy-legacy-and-being-bold/#comment-127596 Lee323 Tue, 01 Sep 2009 06:24:50 +0000 http://www.themudflats.net/?p=6386#comment-127596 Another huge problem with uninsured patients is that they tend to wait later in the disease process because they are uninsured. They present at the ER or elsewhere in more advanced stages of disease than insured folks. The economics of this situation is that a problem that may have been relatively inexpensive to take care of in the initial stages is now more complex and critical, requiring longer hospitalizations and more intervention.....thus vastly more costly. Again...insured people are already paying for the more costly therapy required for treating advanced disease in uninsured patients who seek delayed treatment secondary to financial constraints. Therefore.....Health reform with universal coverage helps in two ways: 1) patients will get care earlier in their disease process which is obviously better for them health wise. 2) Preventive care or early intervention saves money for everyone....especially compared to the uninsured cost burden on the insured payers into the system currently. Another huge problem with uninsured patients is that they tend to wait later in the disease process because they are uninsured. They present at the ER or elsewhere in more advanced stages of disease than insured folks. The economics of this situation is that a problem that may have been relatively inexpensive to take care of in the initial stages is now more complex and critical, requiring longer hospitalizations and more intervention…..thus vastly more costly.

Again…insured people are already paying for the more costly therapy required for treating advanced disease in uninsured patients who seek delayed treatment secondary to financial constraints.

Therefore…..Health reform with universal coverage helps in two ways: 1) patients will get care earlier in their disease process which is obviously better for them health wise. 2) Preventive care or early intervention saves money for everyone….especially compared to the uninsured cost burden on the insured payers into the system currently.

]]> By: Lee323 http://www.themudflats.net/2009/08/31/mark-begich-on-the-public-option-the-kennedy-legacy-and-being-bold/#comment-127568 Lee323 Tue, 01 Sep 2009 04:32:47 +0000 http://www.themudflats.net/?p=6386#comment-127568 Sen. Begich is certainly correct with this statement: "If you don’t take care of the uninsured, the reality is they are going to be covered by the insured, because they are going to get health care somewhere. At the end of the day, we’re going to pay for it..." That "somewhere" where uninsured persons go in great numbers is the ER. The emergency departments of the country have become the "Family Doctor" for millions of uninsured people. Unfortunately, ERs are not set up for this type of practice and are considerably more expensive than an FP office visit. The overuse of ERs create problems for both staff and the true emergency patients......and the insured persons DO pay for the uninsured with this kind of health care whether they know it or not. The Tea-Baggers et al who belligerently howl that they don't want to pay for the "lazy, good for-nothing's" healthcare.....already are. At a premium price. Sen. Begich has a certain idealism about his privilege and responsibility in being a Senator. I wish more of the old goats in government felt that way but I can't help wondering what the half-life of idealism is in Washington..... I personally got tired of Sen. Begich's use of the word "bold." Sen. Begich is certainly correct with this statement: “If you don’t take care of the uninsured, the reality is they are going to be covered by the insured, because they are going to get health care somewhere. At the end of the day, we’re going to pay for it…”

That “somewhere” where uninsured persons go in great numbers is the ER. The emergency departments of the country have become the “Family Doctor” for millions of uninsured people. Unfortunately, ERs are not set up for this type of practice and are considerably more expensive than an FP office visit. The overuse of ERs create problems for both staff and the true emergency patients……and the insured persons DO pay for the uninsured with this kind of health care whether they know it or not.

The Tea-Baggers et al who belligerently howl that they don’t want to pay for the “lazy, good for-nothing’s” healthcare…..already are. At a premium price.

Sen. Begich has a certain idealism about his privilege and responsibility in being a Senator. I wish more of the old goats in government felt that way but I can’t help wondering what the half-life of idealism is in Washington…..

I personally got tired of Sen. Begich’s use of the word “bold.”

]]> By: lemonfair http://www.themudflats.net/2009/08/31/mark-begich-on-the-public-option-the-kennedy-legacy-and-being-bold/#comment-127498 lemonfair Mon, 31 Aug 2009 23:36:37 +0000 http://www.themudflats.net/?p=6386#comment-127498 small steps: How nice of you to be so persistent in answering me! I know how frustrating it is when comments disappear into the moderation vortex. Can't imagine why yours did on this thread. :-D small steps: How nice of you to be so persistent in answering me! I know how frustrating it is when comments disappear into the moderation vortex. Can’t imagine why yours did on this thread. :-D

]]> By: CoyoteMarti http://www.themudflats.net/2009/08/31/mark-begich-on-the-public-option-the-kennedy-legacy-and-being-bold/#comment-127420 CoyoteMarti Mon, 31 Aug 2009 21:05:31 +0000 http://www.themudflats.net/?p=6386#comment-127420 I phoned and emailed. As someone from Illinois who spent time on the Cape most summers (no, not Hyannis...I had cousins who were lobstermen), I grew up knowing really great Senators. I think it's important that Mark knows that IF he stands up for all of us on Public Otion, then we "Lower 48s" will do everything in our power from afar to stand with him. We will not forget. AKM, you made me tear up all over again! I phoned and emailed. As someone from Illinois who spent time on the Cape most summers (no, not Hyannis…I had cousins who were lobstermen), I grew up knowing really great Senators. I think it’s important that Mark knows that IF he stands up for all of us on Public Otion, then we “Lower 48s” will do everything in our power from afar to stand with him. We will not forget.

AKM, you made me tear up all over again!

]]> By: jacksmith http://www.themudflats.net/2009/08/31/mark-begich-on-the-public-option-the-kennedy-legacy-and-being-bold/#comment-127387 jacksmith Mon, 31 Aug 2009 20:23:33 +0000 http://www.themudflats.net/?p=6386#comment-127387 NO CO-OP'S! A Little History Lesson Young People. America needs your help. More than two thirds of the American people want a single payer health care system. And if they cant have a single payer system 77% of all Americans want a strong government-run public option on day one (86% of democrats, 75% of independents, and 72% of republicans). Basically everyone. According to a new AARP POLL: 86 percent of seniors want universal healthcare security for All, including 93% of Democrats, 87% of Independents, and 78% of Republicans. And 79% of seniors support creating a new strong Government-run public option plan, available immediately. Including 89% of Democrats, 80% of Independents, and 61% of Republicans, STUNNING!! Senator Max Baucus, You better come out of committee with a strong government-run public option available on day one. The History: Our last great economic catastrophe was called the Great Depression. Then as now it was caused by a reckless, and corrupt Republican administration and republican congress. FDR a Democrat, was then elected to save the nation and the American people from the unbridled GREED and profiteering, of the unregulated predatory self-interest of the banking industry and Wallstreet. Just like now. FDR proposed a Government-run health insurance plan to go with Social Security. To assure all Americans high quality, easily accessible, affordable, National Healthcare security. Regardless of where you lived, worked, or your ability to pay. But the AMA riled against it. Using all manor of scare tactics, like Calling it SOCIALIZED MEDICINE!! :-0 So FDR established thousands of co-op's around the country in rural America. And all of them failed. The biggest of these co-op organizations would become the grandfather of the predatory monster that all of you know today as the DISGRACEFUL GREED DRIVEN PRIVATE FOR PROFIT health insurance industry. And the DISGRACEFUL GREED DRIVEN PRIVATE FOR PROFIT healthcare industry. This former co-op would grow so powerful that it would corrupt every aspect of healthcare delivery in America. Even corrupting the Government of the United States. This former co-op's name is BLUE CROSS/BLUE SHIELD. Do you see now why even the suggestion of co-op's is ridiculous. It makes me so ANGRY! Co-op's are not a substitute for a government-run public option. They are trying to pull the wool over our eye's again. Senators, if you don't have the votes now, GET THEM! Or turn them over to us. WE WILL! DEAL WITH THEM. Why do you think we gave your party Control of the House, Control of the Senate, Control of the Whitehouse. The only option on the table that has any chance of fixing our healthcare crisis is a STRONG GOVERNMENT-RUN PUBLIC OPTION. An insurance mandate and subsidies without a strong government-run public option choice available on day one, would be worse than the healthcare catastrophe we have now. The insurance, and healthcare industry have been very successful at exploiting the good hearts of the American people. But Congress and the president must not let that happen this time. House Progressives and members of the Tri-caucus must continue to hold firm on their demand for a strong Government-run public option. A healthcare reform bill with mandates and subsidies but without a STRONG government-run public option choice on day one, would be much worse than NO healthcare reform at all. So you must be strong and KILL IT! if you have too. And let the chips fall where they may. You can do insurance reform without mandates, subsidies, or taxpayer expense. Actually, no tax payer funds should be use to subsidize any private for profit insurance plans. So, NO TAX PAYER SUBSIDIES TO PRIVATE FOR PROFIT PLANS. Tax payer funds should only be used to subsidize the public plans. Healthcare reform should be 100% for the American people. Not another taxpayer bailout of the private for profit insurance industry, disguised as healthcare reform for the people. God Bless You Jacksmith â�� Working Class Twitter search #welovetheNHS #NHS Check it out (http://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/07/25/why-markets-cant-cure-healthcare/) Senator Bernie Sanders on healthcare (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSM8t_cLZgk&feature=player_embedded) American HEROES!! :-) Click replay to play http://bit.ly/j31oU (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbWw23XwO5o) CYBER WARRIORS!! - TAKE THIS VIRAL NO CO-OP’S! A Little History Lesson

Young People. America needs your help.

More than two thirds of the American people want a single payer health care system. And if they cant have a single payer system 77% of all Americans want a strong government-run public option on day one (86% of democrats, 75% of independents, and 72% of republicans). Basically everyone.

According to a new AARP POLL: 86 percent of seniors want universal healthcare security for All, including 93% of Democrats, 87% of Independents, and 78% of Republicans. And 79% of seniors support creating a new strong Government-run public option plan, available immediately. Including 89% of Democrats, 80% of Independents, and 61% of Republicans, STUNNING!! Senator Max Baucus, You better come out of committee with a strong government-run public option available on day one.

The History:

Our last great economic catastrophe was called the Great Depression. Then as now it was caused by a reckless, and corrupt Republican administration and republican congress. FDR a Democrat, was then elected to save the nation and the American people from the unbridled GREED and profiteering, of the unregulated predatory self-interest of the banking industry and Wallstreet. Just like now.

FDR proposed a Government-run health insurance plan to go with Social Security. To assure all Americans high quality, easily accessible, affordable, National Healthcare security. Regardless of where you lived, worked, or your ability to pay. But the AMA riled against it. Using all manor of scare tactics, like Calling it SOCIALIZED MEDICINE!! :-0

So FDR established thousands of co-op’s around the country in rural America. And all of them failed. The biggest of these co-op organizations would become the grandfather of the predatory monster that all of you know today as the DISGRACEFUL GREED DRIVEN PRIVATE FOR PROFIT health insurance industry. And the DISGRACEFUL GREED DRIVEN PRIVATE FOR PROFIT healthcare industry.

This former co-op would grow so powerful that it would corrupt every aspect of healthcare delivery in America. Even corrupting the Government of the United States.

This former co-op’s name is BLUE CROSS/BLUE SHIELD.

Do you see now why even the suggestion of co-op’s is ridiculous. It makes me so ANGRY! Co-op’s are not a substitute for a government-run public option.

They are trying to pull the wool over our eye’s again. Senators, if you don’t have the votes now, GET THEM! Or turn them over to us. WE WILL! DEAL WITH THEM. Why do you think we gave your party Control of the House, Control of the Senate, Control of the Whitehouse. The only option on the table that has any chance of fixing our healthcare crisis is a STRONG GOVERNMENT-RUN PUBLIC OPTION.

An insurance mandate and subsidies without a strong government-run public option choice available on day one, would be worse than the healthcare catastrophe we have now. The insurance, and healthcare industry have been very successful at exploiting the good hearts of the American people. But Congress and the president must not let that happen this time. House Progressives and members of the Tri-caucus must continue to hold firm on their demand for a strong Government-run public option.

A healthcare reform bill with mandates and subsidies but without a STRONG government-run public option choice on day one, would be much worse than NO healthcare reform at all. So you must be strong and KILL IT! if you have too. And let the chips fall where they may. You can do insurance reform without mandates, subsidies, or taxpayer expense.

Actually, no tax payer funds should be use to subsidize any private for profit insurance plans. So, NO TAX PAYER SUBSIDIES TO PRIVATE FOR PROFIT PLANS. Tax payer funds should only be used to subsidize the public plans. Healthcare reform should be 100% for the American people. Not another taxpayer bailout of the private for profit insurance industry, disguised as healthcare reform for the people.

God Bless You

Jacksmith � Working Class

Twitter search #welovetheNHS #NHS Check it out

(http://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/07/25/why-markets-cant-cure-healthcare/)

Senator Bernie Sanders on healthcare (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSM8t_cLZgk&feature=player_embedded)

American HEROES!! :-) Click replay to play http://bit.ly/j31oU

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbWw23XwO5o) CYBER WARRIORS!! – TAKE THIS VIRAL

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