Howard Dean on Situation Room today...emphasizes "real reform" with Medicare opt in

Run time: 06:49 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mo6vqM51UeI   Posted on YouTube: March 03, 2009 By YouTube Member: Views on YouTube: 0   Posted on DU: March 03, 2009 By DU Member: madfloridian Views on DU: 2229

 
Excellent interview. Both are gracious.

It will be good to see him back with DFA again. He wiil be based in Vermont and using his old office at DFA.

From the email today:



He will be doing other things as well.



Glad to see him emphasizing the Medicare program as one that could a choice. He keeps referring to Obama's plan during the campaign which does include that option. He is fearful that the health care companies will be able to stop and option. He intends to keep speaking out against to see it included.

And I agree with his take on Obama's health plan leading the way to single Payer, as long as the Medicare option is left in there....which it will, since that is the only way that government can control the cost of health care between the competing plans.

from those around him.

I think Obama will be under great pressure from those who want only the private insurance option.

position of HHS. I still have hope that the Obama admin will find a place for Howard Dean in the future.

that he was?

he was interviewed and had a nice conversation with Emanuel at the White House.

was that he was never considered. Thank you.

Obama's staff was probably only because of the demand from the grassroots.

http://www.johnrussellforcongress.com/page.asp?PageId=37

Home > The Issues > Health Care for ALL > The Solution for Health Care Consumers
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The Solution for Health Care Consumers

* Commence the incremental transition to a National Single Payer Universal Health Care system through a competitive model utilizing a :) Medicare for All approach:) similar to the plan proposed by 2008 Presidential candidate John Edwards..
* Mandate that all health insurers will be required to use a uniform standardized health care claims reporting form.
* Mandate that all health care insurers be required to adhere to a uniform standard set of rules for claims submission for services reimbursement.
* Mandate that there will be a uniform standard of compensation per medical specialty for equivalent services rendered without arbitrary/preferential variation between differing health care providers per a given geographic/locality/region.
* Mandate a 25% federal tax deduction for physicians and other licensed Medicare-eligible primary health care providers based upon parameters established via Diagnostic Related Groups for care rendered to the indigent.
* Increase Medicare reimbursement levels so as to broaden program participation among physicians/health providers.
* Invest in preventative care targeted at known causes of increased morbidity/mortality e.g., Diabetes, Basic Dental Care.
* Increase funding for the National Institutes of Health, which currently performs nearly half of this country's research into new drugs and therapies. The pharmaceutical industry subsequently patents these drugs and sells them to the U.S. consumer. Drugs derived from this federally funded research should then enter the market WITHOUT PATENTS… given the substantial taxpayer investment in the development of these drugs thereby greatly decreasing the cost to government as well as consumers.
* Provide a “Means-Tested” Prescription Drug Plan for those without coverage.
* Improve Medicare reimbursement levels in rural areas.

PROPOSED SOLUTIONS IMPACT

The steps outlined above represent the first steps toward a universal single-payer health care program. It is the “Velcro” lining of the health insurance industry that is the root cause of the massive inefficiencies in our health care system. These solutions adopted wholly, or in part, will increase patient access as well as participation by qualified physicians and health care providers. Additionally by improving remuneration for medical services, we will begin to make medicine and the health sciences more attractive to those capable of enduring the rigors of preparation for these vital careers.

John Russell, MS/ARNP (Acute Care), MBA, Health Systems Management

http://www.johnrussellforcongress.com/page.asp?PageId=37

be a very frank, honest man. One of the few in politics, unfortunately.

:hi:

more annoying Wolf Blitzer or the music. That was 4 minutes of Washington gossip and 30 second of health care reform policy. CNN seems scared of the health care reform. All you hear out of them is it did work last time and it's not he right time now.

Dean got some good points across in spite of Blitzer.

And life is too short to put up with nonsensical crap. Bye.

has contributed ENORMOUSLY to DU over the years and thousands of us have her to thank for her exhaustive research and diligence. You? I don't even recognize your screen name so maybe you can outline for us your specific contributions to DU.

Thanks for the kind words. I can't see what those two wrote, so maybe just as well.

:hi:

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NOT that Kathleen was solely picked for her gender or maybe not even at all but she does have the credentials to help pass and construct the plan the President wants to put forward. I think it is how TyT said it was the more pressure that was applied on him to give Dean the position the more he had to resist and take his own leadership. In the end he has to look like he can make his own decisions but that doesn't mean we still can't help the general consensus move his congress in the right direction. It's all about the activism and little to do with the seats of power if the people get motivated.

Definitely don't want to budge on that. It has conservatives shitting themselves over the thought that it's a vehicle to get us to single-payer, and that's always a good sign.

Glad someone is publicly speaking out about it.....but it is only one person. Have you noticed that no one else is saying a word on TV about it?

positions, preferably HHS Secretary. I don't understand it and it makes me sad.

to call him in for a meeting and lunch for the bad news which I am sure he already knew. I am sure he was properly respectful to them.

I think it was more like Rahm and Axelrod had heard the voices of the public and felt
the need to be seen inviting Howard to the White House to counter increasingly loud
rank and file Democrats who were demanding the end of an obvious public shunning of
Howard by the Obama White House. I think it was more an indication that they are starting
to realize just how many Democrats are royally pissed that Howard is not HHS Secretary.

Once Howard gets back to Vermont, completely unshackled of any obligation to be the team
player he would have to have been as a cabinet member, they may well come to regret their
decision. Howard will be that good angel constantly--and publicly--whispering in their
ear to do the right thing, and there will be plenty of occasions when they will wish he
were their loyal (and restrained by his office) HHS Secretary, instead of an independent
and outspoken people's advocate.

Howard told me last month that if not HHS Secretary, he would probably join some law firm
part time, and use the rest of his time to "raise some hell" about causes he wanted to
fight for. It looks like he is set to do exactly that.

I hope they heard loud voices.

We donated to DFA again yesterday when we got the email.

We no longer donate to the DNC which now does not support women's rights and civil unions.

blues about not being picked for the top job and looking for dissention and controversy within the party. Lke VH1 bullshit cat fighting.

But then that is what Americans accept now.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/3/3/111940/4558/728/704063

On Thursday, March 5, 2009, the White House will host a summit on how to
reform the healthcare system.

The 120 invited guests include lobbyists for various interest groups
including the private-for-profit insurance industry (AHIP), some members
of Congress including Senate Finance Chairman Max Baucus who has already
ruled single payer "off the table," and various others concerned with
healthcare.

No single payer advocates have been invited to attend.

Please urge President Obama to fulfill his promise for transparency and
openness in government

Call The White House (202) 456-1414 or (202) 456-1111.

Tell them to let single payer into the White House Summit on healthcare.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/3/3/111940/4558/728/704063

UPDATE:

"There were several comments asking whether John Conyers, the father of single payer and HR 676 would be at the White House Summit. I made some inquiries and have the following information.

I just received a phone call from a source who wishes not to be identified at this time. He advised that Chairman Conyers was not invited to the White House Healthcare Summit. I was also told that Dr. Quentin Young and Dr. Marcia Angell were proposed as participants, but are also not attending.

You are obviously free to draw your own conclusions."