HILL: D.C. Dems Back Off Health Care Promises

Join the book club for David Sirota's upcoming book, The Uprising, due out on 5/27.

In a stunning - if predictable - story, the Hill Newspaper reports that congressional Democrats are now saying that they will effectively thwart any effort to create a national health care program. Here is the key excerpt:

"Congressional Democrats are backing away from healthcare reform promises made by their two presidential candidates, saying that even if their party controls the White House and Congress, sweeping change will be difficult...Sen. Charles Schumer (N.Y.), a member of Senate Democratic leadership and a key Hillary Clinton ally who also sits on the Finance Committee, said he is 'not sure we have the big plan on healthcare.'...'Healthcare I feel strongly about, but I am not sure that we're ready for a major national healthcare plan,' Schumer said...Rep. Kendrick Meek (D-Fla.), a Clinton supporter who sits on the House Ways and Means Committee, said "the money is not necessarily there right now" to enact the plans."

There's a lot to unpack here.

First and foremost, to those in Washington who say the nation should just wait for Washington to act on health care and wait for Democrats to win control of Congress and the presidency, this story exposes the glaring failure of that strategy - especially as states move forward into the breach. Health care reform has to be a dual effort - at the federal level and at the state level. And most likely, real reform is going to start in the states - in part, because Democrats in Washington are so afraid of their own shadow and bought off by Big Money interests that they are now acknowledging that they are not serious about fulfilling their health care promises.

Second, you'll notice the right-wing arguments being made by Democrats in this piece. Schumer, like a reliable Fox News anchor, tells us that America isn't "ready" for national health care plan, despite polls over the last decade showing strong support for such a concept. Likewise, Meek - playing right into the Grover Norquist "drown it in the bathtub" mantra, claims the federal government doesn't have the cash to pay for a health care overhaul - even as Congress continues writing blank checks to fund the Iraq War.

Finally, this reminds us of the need for progressives to focus on building a social movement, rather than exclusively on winning elections. Democrats are effectively saying that no matter how many elections are won, they will not move forward on the most pressing domestic issue. That's because there isn't yet a powerful social movement putting constant pressure on both parties - and instilling fear in both parties. The infrastructure that has been built in recent years is largely partisan rather than movement-oriented - that is, aimed at buttressing the Democratic Party, regardless of what it does. If we are to get health care reform, it will require a movement - not a party.

•  Tip Jar

  by davidsirota on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 06:43:02 AM PDT

•  In other words the insurance lobbyist checks

  cleared the bank so never mind.. Just go back to what you were doing and all is well.. We'll get to health care someday as soon as soon as the lobbyist say it's okay.. ugh

  by ebbinflo on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 06:45:09 AM PDT

•  This is just obvious

  Though I like HRC's health plan more than Obama's, voting for her over him because of this issue is idiocy.  Her plan would never get passed in the current political climate.  Anyone who thinks she could muscle it through without the plan being gutted and watered down is just not being realistic.

  Similarly, though I may personally support severe restrictions on handgun ownership, I realize that no politician could ever push through national legislation addressing the issue.

  One thing about health care - I think Democrats make a mistake when they discuss it in terms of morality.  If they discussed it in terms of economics, and if they made an issue of the fact that a majority of DOCTORS want universal health care, then they would be in a much stronger position to negotiate.

  by billysumday on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 06:46:49 AM PDT

•  The problem is that the money that

  could have supported a national healthcare initiative has been wasted in Iraq. I have been very disappointed in the congressional Democrats. The states alone cannot solve the healthcare crisis. Mandating junk insurance is not the same as providing healthcare. It is the most pressing issue facing this country.

  by blue jersey mom on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 06:46:55 AM PDT

  •  I agree in part, however we already spend

    more on health care than almost anywhere in the world and get less for our money.

    Unless accountants, MBAs and shareholders start taking a smaller slice of every dollar spent on health care and doctors and nurses a larger share, even the Iraq money will be insufficient to given everyone quality affordable care.

    K Street is the larger enemy here rather than George W. Bush (Iraq).

    by Bill White on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 07:03:45 AM PDT

    •  I think the problem is

      we have to kick the accountants, MBAs and shareholders out of the process. Their job it to make as much profit as they can. It just happens to be profit from the health and suffering of other Americans, but profit above all else. A hell of a concept if you ask me.

      Therefore:

      - Healthcare for profit is the problem.

      - Politicians being bribed and swayed by huge contributions from lobbyists representing select industries are the problem.

      - More then half of the federal funds being doled out to military contractors and adventurism is the problem.

      - People not being well enough informed of the facts are the problem.

      - A corporate news industry that won't give people the facts is the problem.

      Each one is a brick wall that needs to be broken down before any real change can occur on any level. And a true grassroots movement is the only way. I don't see a FDR rising up out of the ashes this time.

      by Pescadero Bill on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 08:21:32 AM PDT

      •  And this is why lobbyists are our biggest enemy

        by Bill White on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 08:38:36 AM PDT

•  Fine... Just give us a list of the name of those

  who don't support Universal Healthcare so we can start supporting the candidates who do.  

  I think it is a great idea to find out who is against UHC now.  We can get to work electing better dems to take their place.

  by blueocean on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 06:51:43 AM PDT

  •  top of list Chuck Schumer

    n/t

    by pollwatch on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 07:16:12 AM PDT

•  The truth of the matter is...

  ...that "We the people" don't have the money to support our PRIVATE insurance.

  by carver on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 06:54:31 AM PDT

  •  Single payer is the only affordable option

    Anything less? Deck chairs on the Titanic

    by Bill White on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 07:04:53 AM PDT

•  Why

  am I not surprised?

  by Downtowner on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 06:55:56 AM PDT

•  Your Insurance company lobbyists at work!

  by irate on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 06:59:06 AM PDT

•  K Street is why . . .

  Affordable universal health simply cannot happen unless medical providers (doctors, nurses etc . . .) are paid a larger percentage from every medical dollar spent and the middle-folk (accountants, MBA-types, shareholders) are paid a smaller percentage of every medical dollar spent.

  K Street is being paid big bucks to make sure that never happens.

  Medicare D (for example) was a boondoggle for Big Pharma with only modest benefits for ordinary people.

  by Bill White on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 07:00:59 AM PDT

•  deal breaker for me

  I was a life long Democrat changed to Independent this spring; but this is the deal breaker after the next state special election I am registering GOP; the Democratic party is gone there is nothing they can do for American citizens they throw us under the bus every four years;

  http://thehill.com/...

  EXCERPT

  04/23/08
  Congressional Democrats are backing away from healthcare reform promises made by their two presidential candidates, saying that even if their party controls the White House and Congress, sweeping change will be difficult.

  It is still seven months before Election Day, but already senior Democrats are maneuvering to lower public expectations on the key policy issue.

  by pollwatch on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 07:04:00 AM PDT

  •  I watched Chuck Schumer shrug and chuckle at

    the 2000 convention - who cares its not that important don't break a sweat Schumer ( why bother there is only one party and that is the plutocracy party he is the smart money backing that only Democratic representative because is necessary  retail label to get votes in NY state)

    once again he is leading the who cares contingent and I am done with it;

    by pollwatch on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 07:15:23 AM PDT

  •  Registering GOP?

    You're talking about one Party lowering expectations compared to the other -- the GOP -- which will continue the full on mugging of The People.

    The Grand Old Party is K Street and they don't even try to hide it. The Dems a least keep up the pretense they're not.

    by Pescadero Bill on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 08:00:35 AM PDT

    •  I am talking about

      doing what I can ( small way ) to destroy the Dem party that is just one thing;

      by pollwatch on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 08:06:36 AM PDT

      •  kinda like a naderites naderite

        by pollwatch on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 08:10:47 AM PDT

•  Think HRC Would Enact Health Care Reform?

  Do you think her lobbyists would let her?

  Think again.

  by bincbom on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 07:19:31 AM PDT

•  2010

  http://en.wikipedia.org/...

  It looks like he is up for re-election 2010

  Committees
  Schumer is Chairman of the Joint Economic Committee. He also currently serves on the following Senate Committees:

  Senate Committee on Finance
  Subcommittee on International Trade and Global Competitiveness
  Subcommittee on Social Security, Pensions and Family Policy
  Subcommittee on Taxation, IRS Oversight, and Long-term Growth
  Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
  Subcommittee on Financial Institutions
  Subcommittee on Housing, Transportation and Community Development (Chairman)
  Subcommittee on Securities, Insurance and Investment
  Senate Committee on the Judiciary
  Subcommittee on Administrative Oversight and the Courts (Chairman)
  Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights
  Subcommittee on Crime and Drugs
  Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security and Refugees
  Subcommittee on Terrorism, Technology and Homeland Security
  Senate Committee on Rules and Administration
  Joint Committee on the Library
  Joint Economic Committee (Chairman)

  by pollwatch on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 07:20:51 AM PDT

•  I think what they're really afraid of is

  that in order to pay for it they would have to cut back on military defense spending. A disgusting and obscene amount of money.

  The screaming banshees of the right would go into full chorus of "The Democrats are putting America in danger!" in an effort to protect their masters.

  We are a sick nation, sick in that we would allow so much of our money to be wasted on bogus national defense rather then easing the financial burden of private health insurance from people and businesses alike.

  The pols in Washington don't protect and work for the people any more, nor have they for quite some time. The tentacles of big money corruption have a firm grip on both parties.

  by Pescadero Bill on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 07:30:27 AM PDT

•  three health care issue diaries today

  Leading Neocon Democrats stifle hope of healthcare reform
  nyceve's diary 4/24/2008

  HILL: D.C. Dems Back Off Health Care Promises
  davidsirota diary  4/24/2008

  Health Series Success: Bloggers Save Medicaid!
  by TheFatLadySings  
  Thu Apr 24, 2008

  crossposted from Bloggers Save Medicaid:

  can you put your skills and contacts together on the emerging issues of SCHIP re-authorization scheduled for this fall ( the Dems- political football which will fail ) and the information in the two diaries today that was published in THE HILL that the lobbyists are playing with their Senate puppets to take the issue of national health care OFF THE TABLE through CYA Congress 'discussions and committee meetings'

  all of these issues and activists need to be networked into one coalition;

  if you look at the big picture the SCHIP re-authorization games this year allowed GOP rule changes that shift costs to states and some of these medical rule changes you are working to stop were slipped into SCHIP; the lobbyists are sticking a fork into the citizens' movement for universal healthcare happening through the Dem candidate campaigns; the lobbyists and Schumer/ and Schumer types have organized to kill the movement;

  all these issues need to have overlapping citizen activity organizations to build up the movement for universal health care; SCHIP, Medical rules; universal health care all need to work together regularly;

  by pollwatch on Thu Apr 24, 2008 at 05:33:11 PM PDT