Bill Clinton Urges Senate to Pass Health Care

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Former President Bill Clinton told Senate Democrats on Tuesday to pass a health care bill soon because the U.S. economy can't resist the toxic combination of exorbitant medical costs and nearly 50 million uninsured for much longer. "My argument was that this is an economic imperative," Clinton said after the closed-door meeting.

Posted by Corky at 05:32 PM | 52 COMMENTS | permalink | Comment on This Entry

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Corky

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Joined 2005/05/24
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How sad is it that this is what Corky considers clever? Of course, I flagged this as offensive, and hope that Corky goes back to obsessing on Obama, instead of my private parts, which is just plain creepy.

#1 | Posted by cookfish at 2009-11-11 01:50 PM | Reply | Flag:

-Corky Spanks Monkey

-back to obsessing on Obama, instead of my private parts

Talking about creepy... and self-deluded.

#2 | Posted by Corky at 2009-11-11 01:56 PM | Reply | Flag:

It's creepy that you hang out just waiting for my responses. Does Brittany have THAT many stalkers that you can't even get in line for a lock of hair?

#3 | Posted by cookfish at 2009-11-11 01:58 PM | Reply | Flag:

Hey, good job! That'll be 2 Dumps fer ya now. Care to go for the trifecta?

#4 | Posted by Corky at 2009-11-11 02:16 PM | Reply | Flag:

Hey, good job! That'll be 2 Dumps fer ya now

You always were a nauseating little flaggit, Cork. Try getting funny, or at least interesting, and make it worth my time. You reallly are terrible at this. Worse than Doc, even.

#5 | Posted by cookfish at 2009-11-11 02:22 PM | Reply | Flag:

clinton, you fat fuck, yes the world listens to you!

#6 | Posted by reinsurelaw at 2009-11-11 05:37 PM | Reply | Flag:

Bill Clinton supports health care reform?

That's news. Big news. Bigger news than the back page article about the Obama justice department trying to nose it's way into private online newsite visitor information.

#7 | Posted by LIVE_OR_DIE at 2009-11-11 05:39 PM | Reply | Flag:

Clinton couldn't get it passed in '94 and look what happened. If the Democrats can't get organized, which would be a first, they're gonna get their asses kicked in '10.

If they do pass it, they're guaranteed to be in power for years. We may get Republican presidents, but the house and the senate will be in Democratic hands.

The American people will be dependent upon them.

#8 | Posted by Lee_Atwater at 2009-11-11 05:42 PM | Reply | Flag:

Pass it yourself, Bill. Oh wait.

#9 | Posted by JOE at 2009-11-11 05:47 PM | Reply | Flag:

"I am older than Michelle and I can say I have never been so embarassed by our country."

We are trying to pass healthcare Reform and that embarrasses you more than our unnecessary invasion of Iraq. You're nuts.

#10 | Posted by danni at 2009-11-11 05:47 PM | Reply | Flag:

Pass it yourself, Bill. Oh wait.

#17 | Posted by JOE

Pass it yourself, Libertarian Party. Oh wait...

#11 | Posted by nullifidian at 2009-11-11 05:49 PM | Reply | Flag:

starting today obama is going to focus on saving the airline industry.

#12 | Posted by semtex111 at 2009-11-11 06:10 PM | Reply | Flag:

"My argument was that this is an economic imperative," Clinton said after the closed-door meeting.

Oh Yeah Right...

This effort has all the potential to be even a larger debacle than the one Slick Willy put forth in his day.
.

#13 | Posted by 2008ATL at 2009-11-11 06:13 PM | Reply | Flag:

Bill hopes they pass it and Obama signs it and he's then dead meat in 2012 and Hillary steps in the void.

#14 | Posted by matsop at 2009-11-11 06:19 PM | Reply | Flag:

Our two greatest Presidents of the last fifty years collaborating to achieve a worthy goal! Health care should be a right, not a privledge.

God! It will be so sweet when the Rose Garden signing of the law takes place.

#15 | Posted by moder8 at 2009-11-11 06:24 PM | Reply | Flag:

Our two greatest Presidents of the last fifty years...

JFK and Reagan? That is news.

#16 | Posted by Lee_Atwater at 2009-11-11 06:39 PM | Reply | Flag:

It will be so sweet when the Rose Garden signing of the law takes place.

#23 | Posted by moder8 at 2009-11-11 06:24 PM | Reply |

For your sake I hope you have a good supply of
Xanax on hand when this current monstrosity goes down in flames.
.

#17 | Posted by 2008ATL at 2009-11-11 06:43 PM | Reply | Flag:

#23-----"it will be so sweet when the Rose Garden"---whatever is signed will not be what it was at the beginning and not what you would wish. Obama will sign the bill, smile, and call it a success even though the changes will be around the margins of current healthcare.

#18 | Posted by matsop at 2009-11-11 07:29 PM | Reply | Flag:

#19 | Posted by nullifidian at 2009-11-11 05:49 PM | Reply | Flag: Officially Out of Material

#19 | Posted by JOE at 2009-11-11 09:27 PM | Reply | Flag:

#19 | Posted by nullifidian at 2009-11-11 05:49 PM | Reply | Flag: Officially Out of Material

#27 | Posted by JOE

That was really weak, Joey Zoom-Zoom.

#20 | Posted by nullifidian at 2009-11-11 09:40 PM | Reply | Flag:

Joe's big brother...

www.youtube.com

#21 | Posted by nullifidian at 2009-11-11 09:42 PM | Reply | Flag:

Our two greatest Presidents of the last fifty years collaborating to achieve a worthy goal!

#23 | Posted by moder8 at 2009-11-11 06:24 PM | Reply | Flag:

Amazing to what lengths the Messiah will go to to AVOID actually lobbying Congress. He has to ask Grandpa Bill to do his politicking for him.

#22 | Posted by vernon at 2009-11-11 11:40 PM | Reply | Flag:

I think if Bill really wanted to help he would be far more useful holding some town hall meetings in the states of the "moderate Democrats" and show those "moderate Democrats" what it is that the people really do want. Bill should be selling the Public Option not capitulating before debate even begins. This has been the most poorly managed bill I have ever seen, sometimes I honestly wonder if the Dems really want to pass anything significant or if it is just "abortion" for Democrats. The promise, never fulfilled, that we can fight for forever.

#23 | Posted by danni at 2009-11-12 12:25 AM | Reply | Flag:

"Bill Clinton Urges Senate to Pass Health Care"

Oh yeah, like that's gonna wow 'em on Capitol Hill.

#24 | Posted by MaryTylerWhore at 2009-11-12 01:25 AM | Reply | Flag:

Actually Clinton on Capitol Hill will wow them. Having Clinton remind the Dems about what happened the last time they didn't pass health care reform might get the ones who want to remain in their jobs, in their chairmanships, in power off the dime and onto the side of the party of YES.

You can say this was mismanaged, but this is the most important piece of legislation in a generation. There are lots of competing interests and tons of money being thrown at this. There are lots of whores in the senate who get lots of health care money. Getting to 60 will be like herding cats!

If it gets through, no matter what the bill looks like (trigger, opt out) as long as there is the prospect of a public option, it will be a success. The Dems just don't have the votes for the plan that the public (as shown in poll after poll) and progressives really want with a robust public option. So, the trigger is probably the best bet, hold a more robust public option over the heads of the insurance companies. In less than a year they'll fuck up, go back to business as usual just like we're seeing in the banking industry, and bang, we'll shove a robust public option up their ass!

The Dems and Obama are hurting in polls right now, because they're not doing what the public wants, they're not getting health care passed and they're not getting us out of Iraq and Afghanistan. If they get this bill passed, as we start drawing donw in Iraq, and Obama puts his foot down and starts getting us out of Afghanistan, big success in 2010 and 2012 as the Party of YES.

#25 | Posted by _Gunslinger_ at 2009-11-12 02:59 AM | Reply | Flag:

Let's hope and pray that we get this thing passed and it includes a Public Option. The Private Sector had their chances to get shit straightened out and they failed miserably. Is it too much to ask of the Federal Government to take care of it's lesser citizenry???

Larry

#26 | Posted by LarryMohr at 2009-11-12 03:39 AM | Reply | Flag:

BTW I hear Conservative Republicans talk all the time about how religious and Christlike they are. Why are they so against helping their fellow Citizenry out with Health Care for ALL. You get the same tired assed claim Well we give to charity. I say to that If You actually give to charity like the bible says to why am I hearing about it?? Shouldn't that be between You and the givee and G-d and noone else?? Matthew 6 verses 1-4. I just think many either claim to give to charity so they can weasel their way out of paying taxes(Good one Nullifidian) or they really don't but want to be seen as caring for their lessers. If You do give to charity GREAT but I shouldn't hear about it.

Larry

#27 | Posted by LarryMohr at 2009-11-12 03:47 AM | Reply | Flag:

Conservatives are not against health care they are against an economic disaster/transfer of wealth program masquerading as health care, woops, health insurance reform. Universal coverage is a good idea, portability is a good idea, what has not been discussed or talked about is how we are going to contain costs. Remember what happened to the untouchable social security trust fund? That's what will inevitably happen to the "public option" trust fund--taxpayer bailout to those who pay no taxes.

#28 | Posted by fixo at 2009-11-12 08:11 AM | Reply | Flag:

If republicans gave as much as they say they do we wouldn't have homeless or hungry Americans. They just lie about it. They aren't generous they are evil and greedy.

#29 | Posted by jackass at 2009-11-12 08:23 AM | Reply | Flag:

That's a pretty general statement to make. I can't quote any statistics, but I'm a republican and my wife is a democrat. Together we give just shy of 10% of my income (she does not work) to charity. I would say that if we were not married, my wife would probably give a higher percentage of her income to charity, but in gross $, I would give more. Of course I would be paying much more in taxes and with the high percentage of transfer payments in government at all levels, it is hard to differentiate the difference between paying your taxes and making a donation....

#30 | Posted by fixo at 2009-11-12 08:35 AM | Reply | Flag:

When you say Charity do you tithe? I don't consider that charity since most of that money actually goes to church upkeep. Taxes are the best way of helping the poor through social programs.

#31 | Posted by jackass at 2009-11-12 08:41 AM | Reply | Flag:

I do't tithe but some of my charitable donations go to our church--that having been said, we house homeless folks in our church, we cook meals for the local shelter in our church and we host blood drives in our church--so keeping the building up is not wasted money. I guess you could say that when I give money to the Amercian Cancer Society, they use some of it to pay for new carpet in the office and the Red Cross uses some of it to pay for attendence at executive retreats etc. Should I consider that charity to? Perhaps they only thing we should consider charity is the time we actually spend helping ohters?

#32 | Posted by fixo at 2009-11-12 09:08 AM | Reply | Flag:

I don't know if taxes are very effective at doing anyting but encouraging poor people to stay poor. Lot's of empiricle evidence that our tax dollars, meant to help others, are really just used to sustain bureaucraices--note the raging success of the "War on Poverty", look how much better our schools are since we established a department of education. What evidence can you point to that the government is more efficient than the Red Cross for example...

#33 | Posted by fixo at 2009-11-12 09:15 AM | Reply | Flag:

HIDE THE INTERNS
AND PASS OUT THE CIGARS

especailly the pudgy ones.

#34 | Posted by afkabl2 at 2009-11-12 11:11 AM | Reply | Flag:

Bill Clinton should take Jimmy Carter and go hide in a cave...

#35 | Posted by Ari at 2009-11-12 12:05 PM | Reply | Flag:

pundits are saying that this move could save health care but I just dont see it.

he supposedly told them that they will lose next year if they DONT vote for it.

and I GUESS that means that clinton is yet another dem taking the protests of americans lightly

GOOD!!!!!!

#36 | Posted by afkabl2 at 2009-11-12 12:15 PM | Reply | Flag:

Following the California model is a smart move, can't wait for my cost of living hit.

#37 | Posted by 90c2cab at 2009-11-12 12:18 PM | Reply | Flag:

Bill is one of the best Presidents ever. He's right up there with Obama as a great speaker.

#38 | Posted by BruceBanner at 2009-11-12 12:18 PM | Reply | Flag:

well we know that he can "TALK" his way into the pants of interns now dont we????

#39 | Posted by afkabl2 at 2009-11-12 12:28 PM | Reply | Flag:

I think one of my favorite things on this subject is all the "everyone is in favor of it", look at the polls, the reform that is being considered is favored by 42-45% of the population. When the hell did 45% become the majority? I that new, new math?

Almost every country in the world that has "universal health care" is looking for ways out of it and we are running head long for it, no one finds that a little odd?

And those that are in favor, what has the gov't done so correctly, that you are willing to give them ANOTHER 1/6th of the economy? Medicare, medicade, the post office, social security all run by the gov't. and all FUBAR!!!

The free market you all despise only has the problems it has BECAUSE of gov't meddling. What don't you understand about that?

#40 | Posted by seedeez2 at 2009-11-12 12:59 PM | Reply | Flag:

Buried in Speaker Nancy Pelosi's 1,990-page bill is a provision that provides "incentive payments" to each state that develops an "alternative medical liability law" that encourages "fair resolution" of disputes and "maintains access to affordable liability insurance." Sounds encouraging. Read on, however, and you come to this nugget: The state only qualifies if its new law "does not limit attorneys' fees or impose caps on damages."

Huge contingency fees and damage awards are the mother's milk of frivolous lawsuits. That's why 30 states have adopted caps on awards as the core of their reform, with huge success. Texas imposed malpractice caps in 2003, and the state has been rewarded with fewer lawsuits, a 50% drop in malpractice premiums, and a flood of new doctors. The House bill is intended to discourage other states from doing the same.

The Pelosi bill also provides these incentives only if states adopt watered-down alternatives to existing malpractice caps. Those alternatives include certificate-of-merit rules, which in theory require lawyers to get medical proof before suing but in practice mean that lawyers recruit and finance "expert" witnesses.
---------------------------
I can't wait for the huge savings

#41 | Posted by 90c2cab at 2009-11-12 12:59 PM | Reply | Flag:

#49 | Posted by 90c2cab

There is also a provision that allows a "representative of the state" to enter your home at any time, with or without cause & w/o a warrant to determine how you are raising your child(ren).

You will have no right to deny them access.

#42 | Posted by seedeez2 at 2009-11-12 01:04 PM | Reply | Flag:

-The free market you all despise only has the problems it has BECAUSE of gov't meddling. What don't you understand about that?

www.drudge.com

#43 | Posted by Corky at 2009-11-12 01:07 PM | Reply | Flag:

#34----"the private sector had their chances"---Lar, there's nothing private sector about the healthcare system-- if you really brought free market principles into the healthcare industry you would see amazing changes along with a decrease in healthcare costs-- nothing about the current proposed changes would deal with costs and that is not "HEALTHY" (pun, Lar, pun) for the economy.

#44 | Posted by matsop at 2009-11-12 01:20 PM | Reply | Flag:

If they do pass it, they're guaranteed to be in power for years.
Are you serious. Just wait until the confusion starts when the plan is implemented and people realize how the have been mislead. A hangman's scaffold will be constructed on the capital steps.

#45 | Posted by slicksterWilly at 2009-11-12 01:32 PM | Reply | Flag:

#52 | Posted by matsop at 2009-11-12 01:20 PM | Reply | Flag

But this has nothing to do with providing better health care or lowering cost. It is just a simple power grab...

#46 | Posted by slicksterWilly at 2009-11-12 01:33 PM | Reply | Flag:

#52 | Posted by matsop

Largest buyer of Health Care is the Government yet we have people who think the private sector runs the health care sector.

No wonder we are in trouble

#47 | Posted by 90c2cab at 2009-11-12 01:34 PM | Reply | Flag:

#45----"he's right up there as a great" B.S.er.

#48 | Posted by matsop at 2009-11-12 06:34 PM | Reply | Flag: