Kerry at town hall meeting: This is why the public option is so important. (updated)

This is from a live blogging of the Kerry town hall meeting:




Video: Sen. Kerry takes lead on health care reform




Updated to add, the place was packed:

Obama and us.

I like his support of the public option here.

k&r

I'm really glad he reiterated his support for the public option and even better - cited specific reasons and cost savings. Another interesting bit I read over there:

Sorry, couldn't help myself

People have to be comfortable with what we do. Some of the anger comes from misunderstanding, some from fear and distrust of Washtington. People fear the government will make things work.

Ah, John Kerry got started on the public stage by protesting the government and how it didn't work in the war policies in Vietnam. He did a number of very good investigations in the US Senate based on government not working and actively working to deceive. It is a little bit ironic to have him say: People fear the government will make things work.

Just an observation. Life really is full or ironies, isn't it.

Some people cannot afford insurance.

The median income in this country makes $32,000 give or take. I make double that and feel like I am struggling to keep up with the system. If $32,000 is the median, $12,000 for insurance is 3/8 of your annual salary.

How are people supposed to put a roof over their head, food on the table, clothes on their back and pay for school? (Public school is not free).

I don't know how anyone at median income is making it todays America.

I mean hell my personal income is around $140,000 and I still have trouble paying the rent and all my bills here in NYC.

What about deductibles, co-pays, medication and out-of-pocket expenses for things your insurance won't cover? :shrug:


edited: typo :blush:

Here's a link to premium tables.

http://www.opm.gov/insure/health/rates/nonpostalhmo2009.pdf


And the link to the home page:

http://www.opm.gov/insure/health/rates/index.asp

He turned 65 last year. so all those things are paid by coverage added to Medicare, which is prime coverage for him now, as it is for all Americans over 65.

in the HELP bill. Someone making $32,000 would qualify for a subsidized rate.

http://www.boston.com/yourtown/news/somerville/2009/09/mostly_friendly_crowd_greets_k.html

Mostly Friendly Crowd greets Kerry at Somerville town hall

By Travis Andersen, Town Correspondent

Senator John F. Kerry said at his Town Hall meeting on Wednesday night that millions of Americans would lose their jobs in the next five years - among other calamities - if Congress does nothing to change the nation's health care system.

He addressed a mostly friendly crowd of about 2,800 at Somerville High School. Spectators packed the auditorium and gymnasium to hear his pitch for national health care reform.

"We cannot continue to be the only developed country in the world that does not cover everybody," the Massachusetts Democrat said to enthusiastic applause in his opening remarks.

If the uninsured population continues to climb, Kerry said, the nation would spend $7 trillion on health care by 2025; Medicare, the federal health plan for seniors, would go broke by 2017; and the average cost of a family health plan would reach $24,000 by 2016.

Good article. Thanks.

http://www.bostonherald.com/news/us_politics/view.bg?articleid=1195117


Photos:
http://www.bostonherald.com/galleries/index.php?gallery_id=2954&p=0



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