Centrist Dems stake out ground on healthcare

[babylonsister]

We're our own worst enemies...

Centrist Dems stake out ground on healthcare
By Jeffrey Young
Posted: 05/07/09 05:11 PM


Centrist Democrats in both houses of Congress sought to make their voices heard on health reform Thursday as the Democratic lawmakers at the heart of the effort move closer to introducing legislation.

In the House, the New Democrat Coalition issued a statement of principles on health reform that emphasizes strengthening the private insurance market for employees of large and small businesses and for individuals. :eyes:

Likewise, Sen. Ben Nelson (Neb.), the most conservative Democrat in the upper chamber, gave a speech on the Senate floor laying out his position on the overhaul the U.S. healthcare system.

Both the New Democrats, a caucus of more than 50 House members, and Nelson offer support for a variety of policy proposals, such as funding comparative effectiveness research on medical treatments, beefing up America’s health information technology infrastructure, speeding the availability of generic drugs and enacting significant reforms to the health insurance market.

“I believe that two of the highest priorities should be reducing the cost of healthcare and improving efficiency in our delivery system, “ Nelson said on the Senate floor Thursday. “Despite state-of-the-art treatment, some studies still show that Americans receive appropriate care just 55 percent of the time.”

more...

http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/centrist-dems-stake-out-ground-on-healthcare-2009-05-07.html

[Jackpine Radical]

1. Centrist, like hell.

Mislabeled Republicans. Argh!

If we don't get a sane universal healthcare system, or at least something that can reasonably and rapidly evolve into one, the party is dead. If we can't do that much for our citizens with a solid majority in both houses, screw it. I'm going green or something and not looking back.

[rpannier]

2. Their idea of reform

Same ideas wrapped in a blue bow instead of a yellow one

[ClarkUSA]

3. DINOs, indeed. FYI to PA Dems, Joe Sestak is a DLC "New Democrat" ConservaDem.

Is there any difference between this DINO DLC position and Specter's?

[babylonsister]

7. I didn't know that. I need to read up on Sestak. Thanks. nt

[nradisic]

4. We need to help elect more Progressives...

These DINos have to go! Do all you can to help in the next election cycle if they have primary opponents.

[Somawas]

5. Time for Dennis to introduce a single payer bill. nt

[mike_c]

6. like HR 676...?

eom

[The Magistrate]

8. These Wretches Are Making A Very Bad Mistake, Ma'am

Health care cannot be adequately reformed in this country with breaking the private insurance industry; it is the source of nine-tenths of the problems, one way or the other.

If the Congress does not deliver something useful, and does not because of obstruction from nominal Democrats, the Republicans will gain seats, and most of those gains will come at the expense of these 'centerist' types who think they saving their own skins by catering to the insurance people.

[mmonk]

9. I know. I don't care to even talk about it anymore.

All I know is it most likely won't be real reform, just politics serving the same masters.