"I want to get a plan passed that will cover everybody": Dean on CSPAN

I just listened to him at Sen. Harkin's forum, and he conceded that a single-payer system would be superior, but pointed out that every special-interest in American health care would oppose it--- and he's right. He said quite simply that the first goal should be to get everyone insured, and then to convert to a single-payer system when that becomes politically viable.

I thought he defended his position quite credibly.

I've heard people say that many would not be covered under his plan. Which is it?

;)
Just joshin around, but thats what people say to us. :hi: red
I want health care for all too.

He is getting nods as being an honest, thoughtful, practical guy.

I think he will take it all, but folks nervous about the military thing (against an AWOL/Deserter than ran to UTAH? on 911 but sounded calm a few days later as he planned his Iraq war) will want second looks at Kerry and Clark for a few more months.

Kucinich's plan resides in fantasyland.

But we must disagree. Dean's plan seems too similar to Hillary's, so I think it will face the same fate.

Dean's plan is incremental.

Kucinich's plan is akin to Repubs promising to outlaw abortion in thier first term.

:)

The thing Kucinch readily admits is that his plan would require a mandate from the people. He advocates lobbying the electorate to elect downballot Democrats so that there is a clear agenda and congress understands the will of the people.

And comparing it to outlawing abortion is misleading. Most of the country doesn't want to outlaw abortion. But most of the country DOES want single payer, cradle to grave coverage.

Some of you may be lucky ... but, having had worked in corporate America for almost 18 years before disability, I know most people who have seen corporations ruin healthcare and healthcare choices, and are fed up ... HMO'd to death, etc. ... and, are likely conditioned beyond incremental-ism and some of the fears of others as fars as stepping on "special interests'" control over their lives and the system ...

Leadership against corporate special interests is what this country needs now, not allowing special interests control or steer the needs of our people and infrastructure. The people have the power to win on this issue.


Americans Concerned on Health Care, Jobs

January 19, 2004 01:59 PM EST


WASHINGTON - Worries about the cost of health care have grown in the public's consciousness over the past two years and now rival their concerns about the economy, an Associated Press poll found.

Concerns about the overall economy have dropped during the past year, mostly in the last months of the year, according to the poll conducted for the AP by Ipsos-Public Affairs. Unemployment has edged up slightly as one of the nation's most important problems over the last year.

~snip~

Health care costs were mentioned by 19 percent in the poll, up from 11 percent a year ago and 5 percent two years ago. Unemployment was mentioned by 14 percent, up slightly from 9 percent a year ago.

Twice as many women (26 percent) as men (13 percent) cited health care costs as a top problem.

~sni~

http://start.earthlink.net/newsarticle?cat=1&aid=D8062I100_story

that doesn;t mean they couldn;t get coverage if they wanted it, but that they likely will make the choice to keep what they currently have instead of opt into the new system.


still confused?

This means they would still be covered, not that they would remain without coverage. So that must be a lie, then.

Because what I've heard is that some will remain with no coverage under Dean's plan. Not that they'll have coverage under an existing plan, but that they'll stay with no insurance.

Healthplan: You have said that in the next economic downturn you expect employers will either drop health insurance coverage or give employees a defined contribution so they can purchase their own coverage. What role do you see managed care playing?

Dean: I think that will push Congress toward (a) single payer (system), which I do not support. First of all, I would hope we would be able to keep the private sector involved, getting managed care companies in the individual market-and in a community-rated state that shouldn't be too difficult. Secondly, allow uninsured individuals to aggregate in some way so they can buy health insurance directly from HMOs and other insurance companies, so that we do not end up relying on government programs.

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/405541

Tired of this man who doesn't know what the right solution is and changes his views around from year to year.

He supports it in theory, but is enough of a realist to know that it will NOT pass at this time. Should I reword my initial post to make that concept more clear? :eyes:

I am so sick of this then, now, growth, evolving. I have heard so many variations on Dean's position on this. Fact is, he implemented HMO's in Vermont for Medicaid. He flat out said he didn't support single payer and was a fan of HMO's. Said this to doctors, which is significant. He's a panderer.

There is too much 'evolving' going on.


I'm still confused and wish that someone who remembers the details would show up.

Wasn't there some conference on healthcare where the solid facts about the different candidates' plans were evaluated? If anyone remembers where that is, please share a link. :)

What's his position this week on the IWR again? :eyes:

When the evidence is in that your idea didn't work, a sane and sensible person would go with the evidence. Bush NEVER does that. He alters the evidence.

It is clear now that HMOs are not interested in providing good health care, just cheap care. A single payer national health plan has become the only option because of unrelenting corporate greed.

They had their chance and blew it.

I true hope that CMB is on the team to advise on a single payer system. I liked her plan.

Health Care – 96% of Vermont’s children have health care coverage thanks in part to Governor Dean’s Dr. Dynasaur program, and an additional 3% are eligible for coverage.

* Access – Governor Dean expanded health care for children in low to middle income families. Children 18 or under, whose families are at or below 300% of the Federal Poverty Line, are eligible for insurance at virtually no cost.
* Mental Health – Howard Dean was the first Governor in the nation to sign the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Parity Act. This bill guarantees coverage for mental illness and substance abuse at the same level as severe illness.
* Women’s Health – During Governor Dean’s tenure, the breast and cervical cancer rate went from slightly above average to below the US average, thanks to Vermont’s comprehensive screening system. Vermont’s Medicaid program was also expanded to cover treatment for women diagnosed with breast and cervical cancer.
* Teen Pregnancy – Under Governor Dean, teen pregnancy rates dropped 49%, to the lowest rate in the country.
* “Healthy Families Visionary Leadership Award” – Presented by Prevent Child Abuse America.


http://www.doctorsfordean.com/healthcare.html

I support him

The spin on this seems to be that Dean took advantage of federal programs.

Was there significant effort at the state level to enhance those programs?

I'm geniunely curious. I've seen and read so much on these topics that I'm totally clueless as to what the reality on the ground is.

by making the qualifications much less restrictive.

He used them to provide prescription drug help to the poorest seniors.

He used them to increase child coverage and coverage of the poor.

He used them to invigorate an incredible young child program.

I'd say he enhanced the programs plenty.

about the benefits across different age groups and what he thought could be accomplished...and he shared his state plan.

This needs further detail and grinding it out with DC reality.

is a pragmatist, and has already done it in VT.

Good. I'd love to see Dean's sensible federal/state expansion versus Bush's privatization plan.

More rhetoric again?

TWL

Proof of that assertion, please.

but that's their choice to make.

I'm sick to death of that disinformation that it 'leaves 10 million uninsured'....

His healthcare plan would actually get passed. We COULD NOT get single-payer passed unless we had a solid Democratic majority in both Houses of Congress. Maybe someday, hopefully, but not now. Dean's plan is not like Hillary's (which is employer-mandated coverage - what Gephardt supports), it consists of expanding the federal and state programs we already have, namely Medicare, SCHIP, and the federal program that your congressman has, to cover all children and everyone up to 185% of the poverty level, as well as reducing the amount of money you pay on your healthcare premiums.

a big issue and I'm glad to see him bring it to the front burner.

We might not get it. The special interests have their hooks in a goodly number of Dems as well.

We can't change America until we clean house in Washington.

going to hit until 2006...there is time..his experience here is proven.

time will tell

I think Dean is doing the exact right thing.

Get everyone covered, then deal with reform.

How many people will need access while we try and force a huge reform that will probably get blocked?

its just adding more money into the health care system for the private sector. Companies get addicted to their revenue streams. You give it to them and they will fight like crazy to keep it. Expanding a private sector plan just adds to the problem not helps it.

Dean has said all along - he'd love to have a single payer plan, but he'll go for what gets the most people covered and will pass thru Congress, and it can be refined from there. Makes sense to me.

No Child Left Behind would be great if we can get it funded and restore Headstart funding.