Health Care Summit (Live Thread)

[Not not Mattaru]

Is it just me, or is Pelosi suggesting that health insurance should not be tied to employers?

she just went on a mini-rant about not having time to restart, and then discussed how Americans are "job locked" blaming cost of coverage.

I have no problem with her suggestion that starting over is a bad thing, but she just threw her own comments under the bus.

Pelosi and Reid are not covering any new ground. Boring.

[Zhais]

Is it just me, or is Pelosi suggesting that health insurance should not be tied to employers?

she just went on a mini-rant about not having time to restart, and then discussed how Americans are "job locked" blaming cost of coverage.

I have no problem with her suggestion that starting over is a bad thing, but she just threw her own comments under the bus.

She didn't do a good job of saying... but I thought that was on the issue mainly concerning kids with pre-existing conditions (not going to be able to switch insurance companies easily with that).

[Olo401]

Will - It seems like Obama's settling into a moderator-type role now, but that might be just for the moment to give the leaders on each side a chance to speak their minds. His opening remarks were terrific and sharply pointed. He used prior statements by McCain, Enzi, McConnell, etc. as an example of being partisan and non-constructive.

And yea, Pelosi bores me to no end. Reid at least is making much better and clearer points about what needs to be done, and he's not playing to the camera either - he's talking directly to McConnell and Alexander, trying to at least engage them.

[Acturus]

And I'm sorry. I understand the concept of politicking to the emotions, but I'm friggin' sick of hearing every sob story about Joe Schmo whose life would have been puppies and rainbows if it weren't for some snafu with the health insurance process, much of which is irrelevent to the overall concept of industry overhaul.

It's fucking annoying how much breath is wasted on sob stories. I want more facts, less story.

[Xno Kappa]

Right now is just them cock-swinging at each other over who has the more depressing American story.

[Beckwin]

Pelosi said there needs to be an option that individuals can join so they aren't tied to their job.

also, fuck that GOP guy saying "oh no not the reconciliation! if you take that off the table, then we can talk". Basically: promise you won't use reconciliation and we'll talk, and by talk I mean just NO NO NO everything and then you can't do anything at the end of the day.

also, Bush tax cuts probably cost about a trillion over 10 years... and that's the healthcare estimate (before you factor in gov't savings).

go harry reid for pointing out the GOP uses of reconciliation.

[Not not Mattaru]

And yea, Pelosi bores me to no end. Reid at least is making much better and clearer points about what needs to be done, and he's not playing to the camera either - he's talking directly to McConnell and Alexander, trying to at least engage them.

Once Reid got past pity party it has been getting better.

[Acturus]

Once Reid got past pity party it has been getting better.

I'm a callous bastard, because he said "45,000 Americans die every year because of a lack of health care coverage" and I thought, "is that all?"

That's what, .015% of the population? That's about the same number that die to car accidents annually on American roads.

[Olo401]

Obama speaking again.. to I think the GOP side of the table and saying that they should talk about substance first and put aside worries about the legislative process.. Smart move there, disarm the question of using reconciliation and instead get to the meat.

[Not not Mattaru]

I'm a callous bastard, because he said "45,000 Americans die every year because of a lack of health care coverage" and I thought, "is that all?"

That's what, .015% of the population? That's about the same number that die to car accidents annually on American roads.

While not a lot, I would not say the goal of health care reform is to address those 45000 people alone. So....

What I liked about Harry Reid's bit is pointing some pretty obvious lies/misinformation in the GOP opening.

[Olo401]

Sen. Alexander just got schooled for playing with the CBO numbers.

[sephir]

Is this that mandatory summit that Obama was proposing that the Repubs were all saying "its a trap"?

If so this could be mildly amusing.

[Olo401]

Nothing mandatory about it, but if the GOP didn't show up it would've looked bad politically.

Edit: Sen. Coburn (R-OK) speaking now.. he has some insider knowledge of healthcare since he's a practicing physician. I missed part of what he said, but whatever it was he claims fixing it would lower insurance rates by 15% tomorrow. My guess is it's allowing interstate competition, which was already part of the Senate bill. He also mentioned insurance discounts to those who use prevention methods (i.e. exercise, healthy diet, no smoking etc.), which is in both the House and Senate bills already.

[willriker]

there wasnt anything 'manditory' about it. But, they are pretty much forced to attend. If either side didnt, omg the lulz to be had would be scary. But, to answer the question, yes this is that summit which republicans were calling a trap.

and yes, so far i am finding it amusing.

thanks for the posts guys! What, on both sides, are the funniest ownages so far. There is sure to be tons of pot shots in this summit.

[Acturus]

While not a lot, I would not say the goal of health care reform is to address those 45000 people alone. So....

What I liked about Harry Reid's bit is pointing some pretty obvious lies/misinformation in the GOP opening.

And I agree, but I'm a very critical person, and I feel that giving information like that without some for of relevence or comparison tends to hurt more than help discussion.

[Xno Kappa]

Obama just told Reid to basically stfu lol.

[Not not Mattaru]

LOL if you are watching CNN, there was a commercial dissing the summit running.

[Olo401]

Rep. Hoyer (D-MD, Majority Leader) talking about the recent drastic increases in insurance premiums across the country. I'm surprised it took this long for someone to mention it.

Also, lolCNN. Tho I imagine they're doing a better job than Fox (they're probably doing wall coverage of the Missing Boner)

[Not not Mattaru]

And I agree, but I'm a very critical person, and I feel that giving information like that without some for of relevence or comparison tends to hurt more than help discussion.

I don't disagree with you there.

[Acturus]

Rep. Hoyer (D-MD, Majority Leader) talking about the recent drastic increases in insurance premiums across the country. I'm surprised it took this long for someone to mention it.

Also, lolCNN. Tho I imagine they're doing a better job than Fox (they're probably doing wall coverage of the Missing Boner)

Well, everyone's prepared for 10 hours of discussion in a 6-hour conference, so they have to get their base arguments out and in the open first.

<3 political machines.