Dennis Kucinich Loves Health Care Reform, But He's Not In Love with Health Care Reform
Rep. Dennis Kucinich really, really cares about passing health care reform legislation. I mean really, really, really cares. How much does Rep. Dennis Kucinich care about passing health care reform legislation?
So much that he's willing to be the deciding vote against health care legislation. (Man, that guy's serious about passing health care legislation)…
"This bill represents a giveaway to the insurance industry," Kucinich told MSNBC's Lawrence O'Donnell. "$70 billion a year, and no guarantees of any control over premiums, forcing people to buy private insurance…I'm sorry, I just don't see that this bill is the solution."
Asked, "Did we just get a "no" there?" Kucinich confirmed. "If that sounded like a "no" you're correct," Kucinich said.
Pressed further, Kucinich suggested he was willing to be the deciding vote against health care reform. "Every vote counts. I'm one of 435 members of the House of Representatives," Kucinich insisted.
You have to give it to Kucinich. This is an imperfect health care bill going up before the House, and he is proving himself to be a man of principles. Strong, unwavering, stubborn principles. All of America should be thanking Dennis Kucinich for his principles. God knows we can use them.
"Principles" is a synonym for bandages and medicine, right?
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In theory, it's called negotiation. Technically, the whole country is in negotiation with the healthcare industry about how to reform the costs and methods for payment of healthcare. That's why saying No is often used in negotiations because it can create a better deal. So, if Kucinich is THAT powerful that he alone can decide the future of healthcare in America, then it sounds like the industry and their congressional representatives should take him seriously. Maybe take him to dinner in a smoke filled back room. Or, dig up a sex scandal and take care of it that way. Certainly better than sleeping with the fishes, although I'm sure that could probably be arranged. (See the risks he takes!)
In the meantime, fyi in case anyone has any interest in better understanding the bottom line, this link opens a Word doc with a very straightforward, easy to understand worksheet for comparing your own costs for healthcare now versus later with singlepayer, which is the plan that Kucinich supports: http://unionsforsinglepayer.org/files/other/2010-03/Modified_Cost_Sheet-12-13-09.doc
If you collect those numbers (good info can be found on your own paystub, although non-union workers likely do not know how much their employers spend but you can still get the idea). Then click over to the Subsidy Calculator here to estimate your premium AFTER reform under the Senate or House bills: http://healthreform.kff.org/SubsidyCalculator.aspx
You can see for yourself which number looks best (now, single paper, senate or house). But if you're in a rush, you can reasonably take a guess, which is even easier. That's right, the best deal for regular people turns out to be the option that's off the table.
So, here's wishing the very best to the congressman from Ohio.