Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

DonViejo

(60,536 posts)
Thu Aug 18, 2016, 08:52 AM Aug 2016

Dems doubtful of Sanders health push

Sen. Bernie Sanders’s (I-Vt.) renewed push for a government-run healthcare plan is getting a tepid reception from Democrats, with some saying he is waging a losing battle.

Long-time “public option” supporters like Sanders believe Aetna’s decision to flee the ObamaCare marketplaces this week proves what they’ve been saying all along: that the time has come for a new government-run healthcare plan in the United States. But on Capitol Hill, Democrats think a fight over a “public option” is nearly impossible to win, regardless of how the November election shakes out.

“The public option was a good idea in 2009, and it’s a still a good idea today. (But) I don’t know that the politics have changed at all on it,” Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a top ObamaCare advocate, said by phone Wednesday.

Democratic leaders were forced to drop a public insurance option from early drafts of ObamaCare, to the deep disappointment of liberals. At the time, it was clear the idea would never garner the votes to pass.

-snip-

http://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/291792-dems-doubtful-of-sanders-health-push

11 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies

Response to DonViejo (Original post)

Blue Idaho

(4,987 posts)
9. It's possible the insurance companies
Thu Aug 18, 2016, 10:45 AM
Aug 2016

Will contribute to their own demise. If they create a vacuum in the insurance pool, it will be filled. Hopefully filled by a "Medicare for all" program. If we can put enough Democrats in office we may be able to push back against the lobbiests. Personally, I don't think the insurance companies can force us back to the bad old days. While ObamaCare isn't perfect it's already had a significant impact on healthcare costs.

kacekwl

(6,993 posts)
4. Bullshit, no one wants to tackle this because lobbyists for insurance and pharmaceutical have
Thu Aug 18, 2016, 10:27 AM
Aug 2016

too much power. They all have health insurance and plenty $$$$ to cover copays drugs etc. WTF do they care.

Recursion

(56,582 posts)
5. Pharma and insurance are on opposite sides here
Thu Aug 18, 2016, 10:29 AM
Aug 2016

Pharma, doctors, and hospitals would like nothing better than to lock in their obscenely high rates.

If you think ACA was a giveaway to insurance, you won't believe how much of a giveaway a public option would be to providers.

kacekwl

(6,993 posts)
8. I'm all for people making a good even great living
Thu Aug 18, 2016, 10:41 AM
Aug 2016

but just because it is a government program does it have to be a endless cash cow for anyone involved.

pnwmom

(108,925 posts)
11. Without majorities in both the Senate and the House, how do you think legislation gets passed?
Thu Aug 18, 2016, 12:06 PM
Aug 2016
 

NCTraveler

(30,481 posts)
7. Sanders needs to work for Clinton and down ticket dems.
Thu Aug 18, 2016, 10:38 AM
Aug 2016

We need to get majorities.

Additionally, writers have really gotten embarrassingly bad. Most of us understand the importance of what Sanders is saying. Most of us also understand it doesn't stand a chance at the current moments. It's getting a "tepid" reception from dems because at this point in time it is pie in the sky bullshit. The attachment to dems in the article is simply an attempt to sow more division.

DanTex

(20,709 posts)
10. To get a public option, we need the presidency, a moderate margin in the house, and probably
Thu Aug 18, 2016, 10:49 AM
Aug 2016

about 62 seats in the Senate (since there are going to be some Joe Liebermans in there). Talking about the public option is useless, the only thing that matters is electing Democrats.

I believe that Bernie understands this, but a lot of people on the far left don't.

Latest Discussions»Retired Forums»2016 Postmortem»Dems doubtful of Sanders ...