Look forward to hearing how this plays out, BC. Be sure also to ask about Bernie’s S. 898 (five-state SP demonstration bill) and Pete Stark’s HR 193 (”Americare”; aka public option on steroids).

I asked him what Harry’s position is on HR 676 and HR 1200, and he looked puzzled. He asked what they were

Just wow.

I’m not (and wasn’t) surprised that he didn’t know what they are. Their view (and maybe they’re right, I don’t know) is that single-payer is dead. Health care policy is a long way from the only thing this guy does, so he wouldn’t waste time on something that’s a dead letter.

I’ll be sure to raise the issues, Ralph. Thanks for the heads-up on them.

Wow, that is EXCELLENT work. Hats off. I’m going to link it up over at Silo.

BTW, when you go to meet Bingaman, take a flip video camera. You never know when they’re going to say something you will find useful.

I wish it was Bingaman, it’s his health-policy staffer.

Great, great work BC.

Sen. Udall is making himself available next week. Let’s see what he says.

Where is Udall going to be and when?

Well done BC !

We eagerly await your next post(s)

HI BC, I’m here.

Too long ago (2004 survey date) I planned and conducted a survey on health coverage in New Mexico. I’m going to take the basic coverage displays from that survey and the CPS estimates for insurance coverage in NM from 2000 – present.

After hitting those, I want to talk about the potential approaches (coops, single-payer, straight private insurance w/ gov’t mandates, public/private hybrids) and why single-payer is preferable. If not single-payer, then a strong public plan is necessary to keep the private insurers honest.

Trolls are fun for a little while, but it gets tiring.

Yeah, no kidding …

Does that sound like a reasonable approach? I’ve worked fairly closely with folks on the executive side of government agencies but never directly with a lege aide.

Here’s what I think … this Bill should lay the foundation for Single payer, but with the sense that it won’t be forced on anyone if they don’t want it. It has to be a strong public option and I asked Scarecrow to come by and share his insights. I’m sure others will as well.

Your approach is great, start by addressing the other options and get down to the two most beneficial plans – a strong public plan(which will lead to single player as more people opt for this plan) and single payer.

From what you wrote above, you prolly shouldn’t mention that your public option will eventually lead to single payer.

I don’t know what the staffer’s position or Teague’s position is on single payer. Teague is a really odd duck. He’d fit pretty well with the Blue Dogs, but he’s not signed up.

He’s out of the oil patch, has owned oil-related businesses. But when he was running his businesses, he always took care of his people, paid for college classes for a number of them, helped with health catastrophes.

He remained a D in SE New Mexico long after the R’s had taken over there.

He said, “Oh. Single payer is dead, that’s from Senator Bingaman’s staff.” - from above

That sounds like they’ve put single payer out to pasture. Good to hear that Teague has a heart … you might want to quote some of those stories to his aide. Polishing someone’s ego is a great way to help them see the big picture, esp. for something as important as this.

He gave me no indication of what his thoughts were on single payer. He did clearly say that he was told single-payer is DOA. I’d like to know what his take on single-payer is, actually.

I think that Bingaman (and the rest of the Senate, or most of it) have put single-payer out to pasture.

The thing about the lege (vs. executive) is that everyone can have their own preferred positions on things.

Yes, it would seem that single payer is the least favored option … do you see a way to draft this Bill so that it leads to single payer ? By that I mean, how to offer a public option that is not just for those denied coverage by Private Insurers. I think Waxman & Co. have the right idea but they are going to need a lot of help from the public to get this done.

I’m a statistician, not a lawyer, so I’m going to have to leave the drafting to the committee staffs. But I think that a public option that meets the basics:

– available immediately
– comprehensive coverage
– properly funded from taxes and premiums
– not hamstrung by enrollment limits and/or negotiating prohibitions
– bans on cost-shifting poor risks to the public plan

is going to drive the worst private insurers out of business in a hurry, and the decent ones (Mayo, Kaiser, a few others I don’t know) into joining the public network. We’ll likely have de facto (not de jure) single payer by the time I retire.

Private insurers are going to be driven to the margins providing supplemental coverage for unnecessary stuff like cosmetic surgery, private rooms in public hospitals, etc. That sort of thing is like orthodontic insurance — it’s boringly predictable and really amounts to payment plans for the services.

Oh, one thing we have to have — basic dental has to be part of the deal.

You’re going to get basic dental in the deal ? WOW … that would be amazing !

Great points @ 22 !

I’m not sure when you’re planning on retiring, but I think the Dems will have sizeable majorities until 2020.

Should Green Energy, Health Care and a MidEast peace deal get done in the way that many of us here would like, that will get extended to 2024.

BC, if you would like to contact me further, my emailaddyis *c42ch* at*hotmail*dot*com

You’re going to get voted OUT of at least a working majority in 2010. Mark my words. You heard it here first.

Petro,

We have to get basic dental into the deal, somehow. When you talk to the uninsured, you learn that with a little (in some cases a lot) of good luck they can get by without a physician for years.

But teeth require care. You need to get them cleaned periodically. If something goes bad (abcess, etc.) you need help soon. Losing teeth (especially in the front of the jaw) creates a horrible impression when meeting people, interviewing for jobs, etc.

One of the things that we found in that 2004 survey was that dental is at least as important to the uninsured as medical. That was nothing that anyone who planned the survey had predicted.

Oh I agree that Dental is important, I just never thought you would have even basic Dental as part of the public option … it’d be great to do so.

Hi BC, this is what I know re: Udall (Albuquerque):

WHAT: Town Hall Discussion with Senator Tom Udall

WHEN: Tuesday, June 30 at 12:00 PM

WHERE: VFW Post 401 at 2011 Girard Boulevard Southeast

BC, Rep. Teague has a staffer we know from ABQ. His name is Mike. I think if you can talk with him, he will shoot straight about what Teague thinks he can do.

I can’t make noon in Albuquerque this week — this is the last week of class for my summer course.

If you’re going to Udall’s Town Hall, please report.

you all probably already know this….

as a representative, tom udall was a cosponsor of hr 676 (conyer’s bill for single payer universal healthcare).

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/…..00676:@@@P
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/…..00676:@@@P

I don’t think it inevitably will. It depends upon who is elgiible, what kinds of plans are offered, pricing, subsidy levels and perhaps some other factors.

Ever had a dental emergency on a weekend? Going to the ER doesn’t help since they don’t do dental work.

It’s a problem.

Dental that covers cleaning, x-rays and fillings would take care of most people at not a lot of money. It also would probably improve other health issues, since there’s some evidence that dental bacteria can turn into systemic problems.

I’m sorry, I seem to have misplaced my can of “PoofBeGone”.

Is there a Pup out there with a spare one?

And in being remiss, lemme say a GREAT thread and post BCT. Just another hoss effort from a bunch of hosses and hossettes!!!

I gotta ask, bargain counter, tenor?

Per chance, do you favor blue, new and trad grass parts sangin?

His posted comments are from yesterday, so for the time being at least you have your wish.

I’ve got some nice caustic brass polish, some burned out bulbs and a cracked mirror. Would they help?

P.S., Great job BC.

I’m not a big fan of bluegrass (other than PDQ Bach’s Black Forest Bluegrass), I know just enough to be conversant with it. In the country music vein I’m more a fan of western swing (Bob Wills, Asleep at the Wheel, etc.)

As far as being a hoss, I’m going to reserve judgement on that until I’ve met with the staffer. If I can help move Teague toward a progressive position, I’ll consider it time well spent. I might accept some accolades without embarrassment then.

Bob Wills and Ray Benson are hosses . . . and practice the art of harmony.

So, do ya sing or not? And is tenor yer forte? *G*

Ratfood, Adie, thanks . . . life is good! *G*

I sing some. When I was serious about it, I sang baritone and second tenor in a pinch. A conductor friend who’s into opera said that I’m a lyric baritone, whatever that might be.

My real musical tool is a trombone, particularly the bass trombone.

I’m sorry, I seem to have misplaced my can of “PoofBeGone”.

Is there a Pup out there with a spare one?

I think they replaced it with a new, improved product: TrollBeGone.

Now if anyone’s got a can of that . . .

The best would be a can of ObamaBeGone.