Now that the Democrats have apparently capitulated to Sen. Joe Lieberman's latest demand to do away with both the public option and a Medicare buy-in, how about trying a new course -- escalate.
Let's urge the Senate to act on Sen. Bernie Sanders' Medicare-for-all, single-payer Sanders Amendment No. 2837.
That would be the strongest signal we can to send to Lieberman, his insurance industry benefactors, and all those who apparently think they need to pass a bill no matter how weak it is.
What can you do?
Make the calls to Sen. Harry Reid TONIGHT:
• Washington, D.C., office: (202) 224-3542
• Las Vegas, NV, office: (702) 388-5020
• U.S. Capitol Switchboard: (202) 224-3121
As several organizations, including the California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee and Progressive Democrats of America are urging in e-mail alerts:
Tell Senator Reid in no uncertain terms that a full debate and vote on Sen. Bernie Sanders' Amendment No. 2837 is absolutely essential.
Senator Sanders' amendment, cosponsored by Sens. Sherrod Brown and Roland Burris, gives states the power to enact single-payer programs with federal funding. It has everything a state single-payer bill needs: one plan that covers health, mental, dental, vision, and long-term care.
Why? What Sen. Lieberman's escalating demands, and the continued appeasement of his demands suggest, is that it is just going to get worse.
mcjoan has it right:
What's Lieberman's next demand going to be? My guess is Medicaid subsidies have to be removed.
What else will he demand?
An end to any regulation of the insurance industry? Lieberman is already a lock to get lots of money from the insurance industry when he runs for re-election, maybe they can rename their buildings for him as well.
No money for public health? How dare they deprive any private corporations of additional profit? And who knows where that might lead?
Maybe we can scrape the faces of the Presidents off Mt. Rushmore and replace them with the CEOs of Aetna, United Health, Blue Cross, and Humana.
A big vote for Sen. Sanders' amendment is the best response the Senate could send. A vote that says, we're tired of all the compromises and concessions to the right.
And, by the way, a vote for the one reform that actually gets the insurance companies out of the way. Plus it is more cost effective, more universal, and is Joe Lieberman's worst nightmare.
Please call Senator Reid tonight