The BBC has a write up this morning regarding the U.S. House of Representatives plan to overhaul healthcare in America. I think they did a pretty good job of capturing the main points as well as pointing out who the detractors are and what scare tactics they are trying to use to undermine the idea of a public option.
More below
From BBC:
Democrats in the US have unveiled their healthcare proposals, pledging to meet President Obama's goal of passing legislation before their August break.
The plan from Democrats in the House of Representatives would make healthcare a right for all Americans.
snip
Mr Obama said the US had no choice but to change a "broken system".
In the House of Representatives, the chairman of the Energy and Commerce committee, Democrat Henry Waxman of California, said:
"We cannot allow this issue to be delayed. We cannot put it off again.
"We, quite frankly, cannot go home for a recess unless the House and the Senate both pass bills to reform and restructure our healthcare system."
I like the way Henry Waxman is approaching this legislation. By stating that the House and Senate cannot go home for a recess until this legislation is inacted, Congressman Waxman has President Obama's back by helping pump up the volume as to the degree of urgency that must be placed on healthcare refore NOW! By extension, President Obama has OUR, the American people's backs, as he is stating that a public option is necessary to compete with insurance companies and that this reform must happen BY the August recess. Keep on message, Democrats!
"There's going to be a major debate over the next three weeks," President Obama said in Warren, Michigan.
"And don't be fooled by folks trying to scare you saying we can't change the healthcare system. We have no choice but to change the healthcare system because right now it's broken for too many Americans."
President Obama wants both houses to pass legislation before the August recess to slow rising costs and extend coverage to some 50 million Americans without insurance.
President Obama is tellin' it like it is here. Don't be fooled by those trying to scare you. Exactly, Sir!
Changes in the legislation may satisfy a group of moderate and conservative Democrats who have so far withheld support, correspondents say.
But the 1,000-page bill is unlikely to attract any Republican backing, and business groups and the insurance industry say it will undermine jobs.
Yes, Americans. If we are to compete with the insurance industry by adding a public option to our healthcare choices, it could undermine JOBS! How, we aren't told, but it could.
It could also add many jobs in an industry that is now understaffed as more people come to the realization that they have insurance and can now go to the Doctor and have that preventative treatment that they simply couldn't afford before. Think of all the new Doctors, nurses, X-Ray techs, MRI techs, administrators and more that would be required to actually offer the needed healthcare to all Americans! Think of the uptick in the need for pharmacutical manufacturing here in the USA that would need to be in place to cover those new patients entering into preventative treatment programs prescribed by their Doctor!
Please, everyone. Fight for this like you have never fought before. Here is a chance for our generation to leave a legacy of health for our children, our grandchildren and generations to come. Don't let this moment pass without fighting tooth and nail.
Call your Representatives today. E-mail a follow up. Do it every day and tell them how important this is to you and to Americans everywhere.
Now, go get 'em!
US Senate Contact Numbers
US House Contact Numbers