Howard Dean On Meet The Press: “A Long Way To Go” On Health Reform

video

by Robert Quigley | 8:41 am, December 21st, 2009

» 5 comments

At about 1 a.m. this morning, Senate Democrats prevailed 60-40 in a procedural vote that moved the health reform bill towards final passage this week. But on the eve of that vote, former DNC Chairman Howard Dean continued in his high-profile criticism of the bill from the left.

Speaking on Meet the Press, Dean said there had been “too much” compromise on the bill, and that he “would certainly not vote for this bill if this were the final product:”

Dean had a handful of problems with the health reform bill, among them the fact that it covered 94 percent of the population and wasn’t truly “universal” as such, but he was most rankled by the lack of a public option: “The public option in this bill is allowing the federal government to negotiate with private insurance companies.” Dean said that he was “very disappointed” in the White House over its failure to push for a public option. Still, he said that he would support a final product similar to the health reform bill under consideration in the House: (transcript via RealClearPolitics)

MR. GREGORY: But, Governor, do you really expect the White House to fight for any form of a public option at this stage of the game?

DR. DEAN: Well, obviously we’ve been very disappointed by, by that. We, we don’t think that there has been much fight in the White House for that. Another big piece that needs to be fixed is we–I don’t think we ought to be able to charge older people three times as much as you charge younger people. The House has twice as much, that’s still too much. So there’s a lot of things that need to be fixed. But if they are fixed, you aim–may actually get the foundation of a bill coming out of the House. If most of the House provisions survive, then we could have a bill that we could work with. But this elimination of the public option is a real sticking point, because that, in fact, is how you really save money and bend the curve in expenses.

Last night’s vote was historic, but there are still two more votes to go before the bill becomes law. It remains to be seen whether Senate Democrats keep health reform strictly private, and risk alienating liberals like Dean — or whether they’ll add a public option in conference and risk spooking the centrists.

David Gregory, Health Care, Health Reform, Howard Dean, Howard Dean Health Reform, Meet the Press

BJL411

We needed (and still need) healthcare reform. Sadly when Repugs held court over the Senate and the House for 12 yrs, they did NOTHING. So we now have a bill with a few good points and a bunch of bad points. The idea that some states (I think I counted 12) get special provisions, is fundamentally wrong and insane. Basically those who signed on and stayed in-line got punished for their loyalty and those who were reluctant got special rewards for being obstinate.. that is insane.

Hopefully they’ll revamp this bill once passed and clean up some of the bullsh’t in it. No lib in their right mind should feel proud about this bill – it’s a joke. So we have a choice: The party who didn’t have the strength and the “audacity” to put through a strong bill with universal care and medicare buy-in… or we can support the party of “no” who puts politcs ahead of country… always has and always will.

Wow, what a choice.

I’m proud of Howard Dean for speaking up.
blueblogger

I am proud of Dean also. I was on his team when he ran for president. Damn that scream!!!! Dems need more people with backbones in the party. Otherwise this is all you get even with 60 votes.
raveybaby

I hope the democrats make this health care bill to the liking of the majority of the American people because if they don’t, there’s going to be a lot of angry Americans. I’m all for health care reform but this method of shoving a bill down our throats when the Democrats don’t even know what’s in it, is going against our Constitution. The Will of the majority of the people should be considered. I’ve been raised as a Democrat but I can now know that’s in the past. I’m voting next election as an Independent. the polls don’t even show 1/2 of what the American people would vote. I don’t know of one person that was given a chance to vote on a poll. There’s a long way to go in this country before the Government is going to ” GET IT “. The people are tired of the Government deciding what’s best.
This way of pushing health care reform is insane. The Democrats will pay at the polls next election.
pyrope

I agree that reform in healthcare has been needed for some time, but bad reform is not the answer. I also agree that the Republicans could have reformed healthcare when they held a majority in Congress and were tied in the Senate; now their inaction has come home to roost and ALL American citizens must pay. The bad action of one party and the inaction of another party is precisely why the Tea Party has been making such enormous headway among those citizens with a rational mind. I’m not saying it’s a good thing but the fact is, Americans do not have a real choice amongst the Deficrats and Repubicons. As for Howard Dean, I’m fairly certain that most everyone knows th’ boy is a kook.
ireenawagner

.I think that’s the correct tactic to take. The Democratic Party looks to all like it’s blowing up into a million pieces. The GOP is thrilled. The media is thrilled. Everyone believes the GOP is going to beat us next year even though they haven’t done one single thing for the American people.I admire all those who keep fighting and fighting this Administration, holding their feet to the fire. But I also think there comes a time when we’re going to have to come together, learn from this and keep trying to elect better Democrats each election year. And fight for better legislation even harder.I think that’s probably where Howard Dean is. It’s where I’m at.
extrait de marron d inde