Olympia Snowe is upset that the healthcare bill doesn’t have the watered down “trigger” version of the public option. In the final analysis, when a bill is passed we’re always going to have to wonder what could have been if the White House and the Senate didn’t spend so much flipping time coming up with a way to kiss Snowe’s ring.
In the final analysis, when a bill is passed…
Counting chickens, I see.
Yeah, you could say I’m measuring the drapes…
Oliver,
You are wrong here. Pulling Sen. Snowe along gives the Conservadems cover for the cloture votes.
You think strong-arming was the way to go. The Nelsons and Conrads would haved balked to look independent and President Obama would have been left holding the bag.
The Public Option can ALWAYS be strenthened in the future. Less talk about bullying Senators and more talking about moving the public option we have now onto the floor to vote.
Drapes huh? I wouldn’t keep that measuring tape raised up over your head for too long. You guys can’t even get all the house members you need, let alone senators.
Another “moderate” exposed as a Norquistian
Government run healthcare is shovel ready:
Government healthcare, anyone?
October 27, 2009 notamobster 1 Comment
Prior to my recent move, my mother moved in with me. That was in April. She is a recovered dope fiend, and ex-convict. She’s been clean since ‘98. She just turned 57 years old, and has been in outstanding physical shape, her entire life (crack probably helped with that). The reason I bring up her brief history is to illustrate why she never had insurance. She has been a waitress her entire adult life.
She’s older now, so I brought her to live with me. She got on Medicare and went to a Medicare (Govt clinic) doctor for a physical. She was given a clean bill of health. In late June she began experiencing pain and numbness in her chest and arms. Her govt doctor said she was having anxiety attacks. She knew differently but they kept sending her home. She told the doc she was moving Michigan with me. He castigated her, as stupid and silly for moving while being treated for her anxiety. During the last month in Louisiana she went to the hospital 15 times. 15 times she was sent home with a clean bill of health.
Upon our arrival in Michigan, she went to the local emergency room where the doctor noted high blood pressure and attempted to discharge her. She informed said doctor that she would be arrested before she left that ER of her own volition. They called a heart doctor. He advised them to observe her over night and he would be in at daylight to run tests. When he arrived at the hospital, he found (to his “horror” — his word, not mine) that she had a 99% blockage of a large artery directly behind her heart. She was life-flighted to Saginaw for emergency surgery and to install a stint.
In direct contrast to the castigation she received from her government doctor, the folks at our sister of mercy, or whatever it’s called were friendly, pleasant, and genuine fun to be around. Everyone was professional while maintaining an atmosphere of caring and genuine concern for the welfare of their patients. I don’t know how the catholic charity hospital is funded, but I know it isn’t run by government bureaucrats. The care received at the various facilities, from various providers, stood in stark contrast to one another. I’ll take charity and private control over government bureaucracy any day of the week and twice on Sunday
Strange how some people can take a single event and make it their truth for life. I have had six sugeries over the years in both public and private medical centers and have been treated in a caring and professionally manner each time.
As long as we’re sharing anecdotes. I had day surgery last winter at a private hospital. A few days before the surgery, the nice lady from accounting called and said it would be really swell if I could could ahead and pay my $800 deductible. That was in accordance with what I had been told, so no problem. Had the surgery on the scheduled day at 7:00 AM. By 3:00 that afternoon was told I didn’t have to go home, but I couldn’t stay there. Since then have paid another $2000 for things Blue Cross decided not to reimburse. Total bill was $28,000, so I’m glad 90% was covered, but out of pocket was still a not minor hit.
Most awesome quote of the day:
“The political beauty of the public option opt-out, in a nutshell: the red states will throw a tantrum & hold their breath — until they turn blue.”
http://wiretaps.typepad.com/warranted_wiretaps/2009/10/holding-their-breaths.html