He is absolutely right, this is a building block, but the President won't say it's meant as the beginning of 'comprehensive' (single payer) reform.

I think if they were more honest about it and actually defended the merits of single payer instead of trying to make it sound like it isn't any major change, they would have more fervent support, instead of this dude saying "well, settle for it".

Former Cigna VP Potter knows the industry inside and out and is one of the people worth listening to in this debate, and one of the few that make me want the Bill passed when my instinct is, no public option, no mandatory insurance.

His fellow trooper Howard Dean also wants the Bill passed, but says we could get by without the mandates.

I posted this story because I, like most people, have some reservations about the President's proposal. I wanted Single Payer, then I was willing to accept a Public Option but then that became unlikely (though I really don't understand why). So, it left me with doubts but also with the realization that if they do not pass the bill now we will not get another chance for quite some time. Thus, I remembered this guy Wendell Potter and figured his opinion would probably be the most knowledgeable around. After reading his view I now completely support the bill and I hope it passes soon. I also think that passage of the bill is going to have exactly the opposite effect on voters than what Republicans hope it will.

Wendell Potter Says "Take The Deal," Kucinich Says "No Way"

By Ruth Conniff, March 9, 2010

Angell Takes Down Potter on Moyers

"Wendell Potter Says "Take The Deal," Kucinich Says "No Way"

Sadly, Kucinich is being drowned out for being one of the few dems to actually speak the truth about this sham. The insurance companies are the ones who will benefit to the tune of $70 billion dollars, premiums will go up not down, it does nothing to bring down the costs of healthcare, pretty much the same arguments repubs have used.

The desperation to pass this by the Easter recess is proven by Obama going back on the campaign trail, he knows what the polls are, and he knows what the people will say when Congress goes back home.

I saw some of that exchange, Hagb.

But unless she has a way to pass single-payer, which I'd surely listen to, then the industry will stay in place, and if the industry stays in place and we want to cover everyone, then there will be subsidies.

I'd like to wave magic wand and make things the way Dean, Potter, and Angell want them, but Wissy won't give it back 'cause he says it goes so well with his Tinkerbell outfit.

-premiums will go up not down, it does nothing to bring down the costs

The CBO and top economic forecasters beg to disagree.

The Bill is far from perfect, for reasons from both left and right, but, pragmatically speaking, the reform of insurance rules and predicted potential savings are better than the status quo.. which is unsustainable.

#8...
I am only quoting what Kucinich claims the bill does. Is it true the insurance companies will get $70 billion dollars?

The CBO and economic forecasters base their numbers on if everything goes according to plan. Which I understand is all they can go off. But if one looks at SCHIP, the CBO can also be wrong.

Thus, I remembered this guy Wendell Potter and figured his opinion would probably be the most knowledgeable around. After reading his view I now completely support the bill and I hope it passes soon.
* * * *

Translation: I had never heard of him, but since he wrote an article I agree with, I think he's the most knowledgeable person in the world.

The midwestern Dems are telling Pelosi where to go on this. Funny hoe the Dems won back the house in part by having to run pro-life and pro-gun candidates in the Midwest and South. It kind of proves their overall party agenda makes Americans ill.

#10

What a frakking moron.

Anyone, at least anyone on the left, who followed this story the last few years has known about Wendell Potter, famous former CIGNA VP who has blown the whistle on them for many years.

Projecting your nearly limitless ignorance of the facts on others is not unexpected, RisTrite, but it is laughable, so...... thanks.

"Translation: I had never heard of him, but since he wrote an article I agree with, I think he's the most knowledgeable person in the world."

Except that I've posted about him on many occasions so, as usual, you are full of shit.

I beg your pardon. I see the light now.

Wendell Potter is the most brilliant man in the entire world. We need to do whatever he says.

It is tempting to join the "Kill the bill" folks, but it would amount to cutting off our noses to spite our faces. Big Insurance and Big Pharma will not be running out of money anytime soon to spend on manipulating public opinion and influencing votes on Capitol Hill. Part of every premium dollar we send to our insurance companies, and part of every dollar we pay when we pick up our prescriptions, end up in corporate piggy banks that overpaid executives tap to hire armies of lobbyists and PR firms whenever their profits are being threatened. These giant corporations and their trade associations have been saving up and preparing for this debate for years.

sums it up nicely for me.... put the public option back in and Pass the Bill!

News Flash: Wendell Potter is on suicide watch at Mt. Sinai Hospital.