Paging Heath Shuler

Western North Carolina's conservative Democratic representative is trying to make a name for himself by attacking the liberal House leadership of his party.

Dude, here's a much better target for you. Do something with it if you really care about your constituents and your party.

Harris spent months condemning the idea of Americans being entitled to taxpayer-subsidized health care coverage. Now that the election's over, Harris suddenly feels entitled to taxpayer-subsidized health care coverage -- and wants it immediately. (For the record, Harris and his family will probably rely on COBRA to stay insured until his coverage kicks in. COBRA, of course, is another government program that the right opposed.)

That Harris apparently sought a public option for him and his family just makes the whole story that much more hilarious.

Just to clarify, I don't actually blame the far-right congressman-elect. He wants coverage for him and his family, and doesn't want to have to worry about a 28-day gap in which he, his wife, and his kids would have no protections if they get sick.

I do, however, blame the far-right congressman-elect for failing to realize that millions of American families want the same peace of mind he's seeking.

Harris wants to know "what he would do without 28 days of health care"? I don't know, Andy, what have tens of millions of Americans, including millions of children, done without access to quality health care for years? Why are you entitled to government-subsidized health care, but they're not? What will those families do after you repeal the Affordable Care Act? Wait for tort reform to magically cover everyone?

What an embarrassment.

Continue reading Paging Heath Shuler

Best health care system in the world

AP:

David Beckham says he hopes to make a "swift and full recovery" from his torn left Achilles' tendon after leaving Monday for surgery which will keep him out of the World Cup.

"I am on my way to Finland to see a specialist and have a scan on the injury," Beckham said in a statement posted on his Web site. "I am upset but (want) to thank everyone for their messages of support. I hope to make a swift and full recovery."

Continue reading Best health care system in the world

Just askin'

Wonder if Kay Hagan is thinking she could have gotten a better deal for North Carolina a la Ben Nelson if she had played hardball with her vote for health care reform?

And speaking of Ben Nelson, now that he's under attack by the right-wing noise machine, is he going to be asking for liberal groups to support his re-election campaign? Because that would be teh funny.

Continue reading Just askin'

Dear Chris Dodd

You wrote to me just now:

There's a long debate ahead of us, and the continuing support that you have shown our reform efforts are helping us face the relentless attacks from the Republicans. Thank you so much.

So, y'all have finally kicked Ben Nelson and Joe Lieberman out of the Democratic caucus?

Continue reading Dear Chris Dodd

The real miracle

The real miracle of the Belgian coma patient is that his government run death panel failed to do its job for 23 years.

Continue reading The real miracle

Democrats

Meh.

We busted our asses between 04 and 08 to get a solid Democratic majority in the NC Congressional delegation.

I hope Larry Kissell remembers how much money he raised for his two campaigns from progressives all across the state when he tries to figure out how to replace it in his re-election campaign next year.

And don't get me started on Democrats who voted for the Stupak "Women are second-class citizens" amendment. Fuck Heath Shuler and Bobby Etheridge.

Continue reading Democrats

Dear Senator Hagan

You have correctly identified the problem. Why are you so afraid to implement the solution?

Premiums for employer-provided coverage have doubled in the past nine years, growing three times faster than wages. Health insurance costs for self-employed workers, many of whom own small businesses, have risen 74 percent since 2001. On our current trajectory, health care premiums for the average family will rise to nearly $25,000 by the year 2016. North Carolinians are struggling to afford health insurance coverage, and one in five North Carolinians has no health insurance. Our nation's unprecedented economic crisis has made it even more difficult for working families to manage medical costs while making ends meet. Without a doubt, our health care system is in dire need of repair.

. . .


In order to ensure that the Community Health Insurance Option competes on a level playing field, I insisted that it meet federal and state solvency requirements, that payment rates be negotiated, rather than tied to Medicare as some suggested, and that doctors and hospitals be free to choose whether to participate.

You see, for Kay Hagan, the important thing is that the playing field be level for the insurance companies that have been fucking us over for the past 20 years. Not that all Americans have equal access to high quality health care, but that the insurance companies, who along with Major League Baseball enjoy exemption from US anti-trust laws, not be forced to compete with a large insurance pool managed by the government in a not-for-profit fashion.

Thank you Senator Hagan for so clearly stating your priorities.

While I support the Community Health Insurance Option as a backstop insurance option for individuals who do not otherwise have access to affordable coverage, some have suggested alternative plans that may acheive the same goals. In particular, there has been a lot of discussion regarding establishment of non-profit health insurance co-ops or withholding the establishment of a public option unless health insurance costs meet specified reduction targets. I believe these ideas deserve full consideration as possible solutions.

What the fuck does that even mean? Withholding the establishment of a public option unless health insurance costs meet specified reduction targets? In a year where Social Security has announced no cost-of-living increases, NC BCBS has already announced an 11% rate increase. I'll be hearing from my insurance carrier at work within the next 3 weeks how much my premiums will be increasing next year. I can't imagine it'll be less than 10%, and possibly another 20%. I've been at my current job 13 years. When i started, all of my premiums were included in my benefits, and i only had to pay to cover my kids. Was about 100 bucks a month. My current premiums, for myself only, are $160/month, or just under $2k a year. Figure at least another 25 bucks a month this go 'round. Health insurance is a license to print money for the insurers. Kay Hagan sees no reason to change this arrangement. And she's a Democrat. One of 60 in the Senate.

Again, thank you for contacting my office. It is truly an honor to represent North Carolina in the United States Senate, and I hope you will not hesitate to contact me in the future should you have any further questions or concerns.

Well, if you don't start, you know, representing, you won't be having this opportunity after your first time expires.

Continue reading Dear Senator Hagan

Blue Cross Blue Shield

Those fucks.

Looks like they're spamming their mailing list with pre-printed, pre-paid postcards (hey, it's not a bad technique. I've used it before) to Senator Kay Hagan, urging her to oppose meaningful health care reform. There's some suspicion that if they are indeed using their customer base as a mailing list, they're in violation of some law or other. But they run the risk, as the NCGOP did the other day, of giving the other side a means of getting their message across.

>Here's Mrs. D's response to BCBS:



Did you get one of these? How did you respond?

Continue reading Blue Cross Blue Shield

I love my health insurance company

As soon as i saw the headline, i knew this would be about United Health Care.

At least one major insurer is urging its employees to participate in tea parties.

Last week, UnitedHealth Group--the second largest health insurance company in the country--sent out a letter to its employees urging them to call UHG's United for Health Reform Advocacy Hotline to speak with an advocacy specialist about health care reform. The advocacy specialist, according to the letter, is there to help UHG employees write personalized messages to elected officials, and to arm them with talking points to use at local events in order to better oppose the public health insurance option.

Glad to see my premiums are being put to good use.

Continue reading I love my health insurance company