Bernie admits that Single Payer never had a chance

[Sheepshank]

Of course that doesn't stop him from pretending he can make a go of it this time around. And while previously articulating "incremental changes" suddenly wants a revolution instead. So did he "change"? this man whom we have been told never changes, or is he fooling everyone who feels the Bern?

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/dc/sanders-single-payer-never-had-a-chance

Sanders: Single Payer Never Had A Chance

ByEVAN MCMORRIS-SANTOROPublishedMARCH 10, 2010, 7:26 PM EST

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) reminded the progressive media gathered on Capitol Hill today that single-payer health care reform was dead before it started in the Senate.

"It would have had 8 or 10 votes and that's it," he said, addressing a topic central in the minds of many who the bloggers and left wing talk show hosts gathered for the 4th annual Senate Democratic Progressive Media Summit in Washington reach everyday.

Sanders is among the few in the Senate not afraid to say he supports government-run, universal health care. But his calls for such a program have gone unanswered, much to the chagrin of progressives who still feel it is the best way to solve the nation's health care crisis.
Sanders said it was still possible for single-payer to come to the U.S. eventually -- but he said the road will not begin in Washington. If a state like California or Vermont ever instituted a single-payer system on its own, Sanders said, it would eventually lead to national adoption of universal coverage.

[arcane1]

1. "If at first you don't succeed, give up and let the other side have everything, perpetually"

Women's suffrage went decades without "having a chance".

How many decades did slavery continue before it "had a chance" to be abolished?

Same-sex marriage didn't "have a chance" as recently as a few years ago. Ask Hillary about that!

If you're going to promote the status quo, do it openly. At least then they can maintain some credibility

[thereismore]

2. Which is why we need a political revolution. nt

[Old Codger]

3. Of course it was

No one wanted to fight for it they Obama gave it away before they even started, he was never a fighter was always and still is a "people pleasure" he just wanted wall street and the insurance industry to like him.

[kath]

4. Nice spin attempt, but NO SALE.

[cantbeserious]

5. Roger That - No Sale On That FUD

eom

[Motown_Johnny]

6. The struggle continues.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_health_care_reform_in_the_United_States

^snip^


In the first 10–15 years of the 20th century Progressivism was influencing both Europe and the United States.[5] Many European countries were passing the first social welfare acts and forming the basis for compulsory government-run or voluntary subsidized health care programs.[6] The United Kingdom passed the National Insurance Act of 1911 that provided medical care and replacement of some lost wages if a worker became ill. It did not, however, cover spouses or dependents. U.S. efforts to achieve universal coverage began with progressive health care reformers who supported Theodore Roosevelt for President in 1912, though he was defeated.[7] Progressives campaigned unsuccessfully for sickness insurance guaranteed by the states.[8] A unique American history of decentralization in government, limited government, and a tradition of classical liberalism are all possible explanations for the suspicion around the idea of compulsory government-run insurance.[6] The American Medical Association (AMA) was also deeply and vocally opposed to the idea,[8] which it labeled "socialized medicine". In addition, many urban US workers already had access to sickness insurance through employer-based sickness funds.

[shawn703]

7. Obama didn't run on a single payer platform and had no mandate for single payer

Guess what Sanders will have when he's elected president?

Another failed attempt by Camp Weathervane to discredit SBS. I'll be here all week if you want to try again.

[retrowire]

8. Are you aware that the word "had" implies past tense?

See that article you posted was from a whole 6 years ago. Did you know that?

Happy to help.

[Sheepshank]

9. I've been told Bernie never changes...so there is that. n/t

[beam me up scottie]

10. ...

[hobbit709]

11. At one time abolishing slavery never had a chance

Letting women vote never had a chance
Going to the moon never had a chance
Ending the cold war never had a chance
Should I go on?

[jillan]

12. No We Can't!!!!!! Waaaaaaaa!!

[firebrand80]

13. One of the problems I have with Bernie

Is that his strategy seems to be that if we overturn Citizens United, and/or otherwise "get the big money out of politics" that all the dominoes toward a liberal agenda will start to fall.

I don't think I buy this. Was there a liberal freight train barreling down the tracks that Citizens United brought to a screeching halt? I don't seem to remember one.

[moriah]

14. Actually, the state to watch right now, it seems, is Colorado.

They have a ballot initiative to use the ACA's "state innovation waivers" to prove single payer can work.

The current plan is suggesting that the additional funds needed (after becoming the Original Medicare payee for Colorado, applying for status as a Medicare Advantage payee, along with all the current state and federal funds from Medicaid and the expansion) with a 10% payroll tax split 66/33 between employers and employees, and would make businesses not have to buy into Workman's Compensation for the medical benefits side (not sure how they will handle WC disability).

I hope if it passes and if initial attempts show they need more money, that the recreational stoners there will volunteer for an additional tax to finish the job.

[colsohlibgal]

15. That Doesn't Mean It Will Never Pass

Things can change, the democrats have majorities in both before and will again, and maybe Bernie can inspire people to get and vote in droves during off year elections.

[moriah]

16. Maybe. But I agree that states are doing a remarkable job...

... being, as Hillary said, the "laboratories of our Democracy". And if a full onslaught attempt to get it nationally doesn't work, as long as the ACA is strongly protected the 2017 state innovation waivers provide a path for states with more liberal constituencies and better health care delivery in general to pilot single payer.

I'm sure IT personnel are familiar with the disastrous things that can happen when code is "piloted to chain" -- aka, not tested before going to all systems. That isn't a dire prediction about single payer working nationally, more a dire prediction of the way people "right behind" will react to the idea without first seeing that other states have done it and it didn't lead to rationing, primary care doctors leaving their practices in droves, "death panels", etc etc etc.

So I am more inclined to support what has been working for progressives (state level changes then proving that the rest of the country is wrong, not those states), even if not fast enough for my personal taste, than to waste political capital or the momentum of the first 100 days trying for something more nationally yet than fixing and funding the fix for the current "family glitch". Since the tax numbers were calculated including the family glitch, merely rephrasing the legislation to reflect Congressional intent, as Al Franken (admirably) has been trying to do.... and even that's not going to be easy....

I at least know that Bernie knows about those very waivers, and will not strip the protections we have under it that can lead to single payer once states prove to other Americans it can be done here.