SEIU launches $75 million universal health care campaign.
By on Feb 4th, 2008 at 3:20 pm
SEIU launches $75 million universal health care campaign.
TNR’s Jonathan Cohn reports that SEIU announced today it will be launching a $75 million election-year campaign for universal coverage. According to the union’s press release, the effort will feature paid advertising to “draw sharp distinctions between the Republican and Democratic presidential nominees’ approach to health care, and what those differences will mean to working families.”
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aaack! copy check! proof read!
February 4th, 2008 at 3:22 pmYeah, I have to agree. Someone really needs to fix this post. It’s horrible.
February 4th, 2008 at 3:23 pmUmmm… what? that needs to be proof’d
February 4th, 2008 at 3:23 pmmoney well spent!
hope they post flyer copy online to print out!
February 4th, 2008 at 3:23 pmelection-year campaign on for universal coverage
But this is still a good effort on the union’s part, on for behalf of their constituent’ses money.
February 4th, 2008 at 3:28 pmI have one thing to say.
Hurry the F#$ck UP !!!!!!!!!!!!
We need that coverage NOW.!
February 4th, 2008 at 3:30 pmRepukian Health Care – I got mine, screw the rest of you.
Democratic Health Care – We are all Americans and we should all stick together to help each other so we can all get the care we need.
Just a little difference between them.
Buck Fush
February 4th, 2008 at 3:35 pmI am all for Universal health care on a few conditions.
1) I can see a doctor just as fast as before
2) The level of care is just as good or better
3) The level of investment in new drugs and treatments is the same or greater
4) It is the same price to me or cheaper.
If any of those conditions can’t be kept, the idea should be dropped immediately.
February 4th, 2008 at 3:46 pmI’m a supporter of letting the free market work to lower the cost. what the government can do is pass “Loser pay” laws in regards to lawsuits. Cut down on the cost of bad lawsuits.
I support capitalism. Capitalism has driven the US medical system to produce most of the medical advancement achieved today.
Capitalism has created a great system in Road Island. Doctors have setup a plan that allows patients to come in for up to 3 visits a month for $30 a month. Now if I had that available to me I would be able to negotiate with an insurance company for cheep insurance to cover catastrophic care. I wouldn’t need coverage for mental health (I know you folks will have fun with that) or addiction issues. Cheep for me and I’m not relying on the government for care.
February 4th, 2008 at 3:52 pmRR
Private health care insurance companies make 35% of your costs just for the administration, ie, UPPER MANAGEMENT.
A one payer plan (government) would not change your ability one bit to see a doctor, it would take the burden off of businesses and would make it easier to compete with overseas (out sourced jobs) companies.
And you would no longer be denied insurance if you had a pre-existing condition, which is way alot of people cannot leave their jobs for better ones.
Just thought you would like to know.
Buck Fush
February 4th, 2008 at 3:54 pmI am all for Universal health care on a few conditions.
1) I can see a doctor just as fast as before
2) The level of care is just as good or better
3) The level of investment in new drugs and treatments is the same or greater
4) It is the same price to me or cheaper.
If any of those conditions can’t be kept, the idea should be dropped immediately.
Comment by Roger_Roger — February 4, 2008 @ 3:46 pm
Never happen. the doctor visit will be like going to the DMV or (God help me) the IRS office.
February 4th, 2008 at 3:54 pmVA Voter, you’re an idiot to believe the crap you post day in a day out.
February 4th, 2008 at 3:55 pmVA Voter, you’re an idiot to believe the crap you post day in a day out.
Comment by Buckie Boy — February 4, 2008 @ 3:55 pm
Ok. Please point out something the government does that is cheaper and better than the free market. The problem with our medical system is the lack of free market.
February 4th, 2008 at 4:08 pmROTFL, you’re DUMB! Medicare is ALREADY MORE EFFICIENT and BETTER RUN than their COMMERCIAL COUNTERPARTS! You’re a MORON!
Comment by republicans hate facts — February 4, 2008 @ 4:08 pm
You obviously have never had to really deal with the Medicare bureaucrats.
February 4th, 2008 at 4:11 pmI am all for Universal health care on a few conditions.
It is the same price to me or cheaper.
If any of those conditions can’t be kept, the idea should be dropped immediately.
Comment by Roger_Roger — February 4, 2008 @ 3:46 pm
Sometimes the selfishness of the right is so naked it’s frightening.
February 4th, 2008 at 4:17 pmOk. Please point out something the government does that is cheaper and better than the free market. The problem with our medical system is the lack of free market.
Comment by VA Voter — February 4, 2008 @ 4:08 pm
ROTFL!! DUM BASS, that’s a COMPLETE LIE!
Comment by republicans hate facts — February 4, 2008 @ 4:11 pm
I’ll count that as no answer.
February 4th, 2008 at 4:18 pmVA Voter – sorry asswipe but it has been posted and written in many articles, and really, you are just too ignorant to respond to anyway.
February 4th, 2008 at 4:18 pmEver notice how the trolls and the righty pundits try to make “universal health care” sound like the death of the medical profession?
We don’t have a crisis in medical delivery in this country — we have a crisis in medical INSURANCE.
And obviously, VA VA VA VOOM has never had to deal with the bureaucracy of a medical insurance provider when they don’t feel like covering a test or procedure your doctor says is important.
February 4th, 2008 at 4:20 pmYa just really can’t take much stock in posts from someone who can’t even spell Rhode Island correctly.
February 4th, 2008 at 4:22 pmYou obviously have never had to really deal with the Medicare bureaucrats.
Comment by VA Voter — February 4, 2008 @ 4:11 pm
I have and Medicare denial practices are considerably better than the insurance industry. One thing to remember is that with Medicare, there are absolutely no prior conditions to deal with.
February 4th, 2008 at 4:23 pmYou obviously have never had to really deal with the Medicare bureaucrats.
Comment by VA Voter — February 4, 2008 @ 4:11 pm
PROJECTION. It’s YOU that’s OBVIOUSLY never had to DEAL WITH BOTH for a REAL COMPARISON!
Comment by republicans hate facts — February 4, 2008 @ 4:11 pm
I have and I know what works for me and most people.
February 4th, 2008 at 4:23 pmThe “free market” doesn’t work with respect to medical insurance, for two very simple, interrelated reasons: once the premium has been paid, the insurer has almost no incentive to honor claims, and the consumer has no real option to take his business elsewhere.
the “free market” principle depends on competition between businesses, This competition depends on the ability of the consumer to choose one vendor, another vendor, or no vendors. The playing field for medical insurers almost completely eliminates that condition.
If a consumer develops a serious medical condition, and the insurer decides it’s not going to pay for certain treatments, the consumer has one option: file a lawsuit. He can’t go to another insurer, because his “pre-existing condition” will not be covered.
But righties don’t even want consumers to have the right to sue their insurer.
Some free market.
February 4th, 2008 at 4:26 pmI have and I know what works for me and “MOST PEOPLE”.
Comment by VA Voter
Throwing in your little lie there a$$wipe, just pulling fake facts out of your butt again? You are a vile, ignorant asswipe.
February 4th, 2008 at 4:28 pmI would prefer to hear the words Single Payer instead of Universal Health Care as universal health care STILL includes the for profit insurance companies.
February 4th, 2008 at 4:31 pmIt would be a better world if we had government run health care insurance = single payer… medicare for all…. but too many are bought off.. maybe in time.
The “free market†doesn’t work with respect to medical insurance, for two very simple, interrelated reasons: once the premium has been paid, the insurer has almost no incentive to honor claims, and the consumer has no real option to take his business elsewhere.
Comment by ralph the wonder llama — February 4, 2008 @ 4:26 pm
the issue is that the industry was driven to group care. If medical insurance were left to the individual (like car insurance) then you would se the free market work
February 4th, 2008 at 4:31 pmBut righties don’t even want consumers to have the right to sue their insurer.
Some free market.
Comment by ralph the wonder llama — February 4, 2008 @ 4:26 pm
I never said they wouldn’t have the right to sue. But if they sue it should be for a good reason. You shouldn’t sue for millions of dollars because a possible (yet warned) issue happens during surgery and you now have a slight problem that doesn’t prevent you from living a normal life.
February 4th, 2008 at 4:35 pmI would prefer to hear the words Single Payer instead of Universal Health Care as universal health care STILL includes the for profit insurance companies.
It would be a better world if we had government run health care insurance = single payer… medicare for all…. but too many are bought off.. maybe in time.
Comment by had enough — February 4, 2008 @ 4:31 pm
If we pay for it in higher taxes how is it “Single payer?”
February 4th, 2008 at 4:36 pmIf medical insurance were left to the individual (like car insurance) then you would se the free market work
Comment by VA Voter — February 4, 2008 @ 4:31 pm
How?
Would the insurance companies eliminate the “pre-existing condition” clause?
Would they waive the activation period for a new policy?
What force would cause them to honor obligations that they shirk now?
Please explain how “group care” causes the problems that you see, and how “leaving it up to the individual” would solve those problems?
February 4th, 2008 at 4:36 pmThrowing in your little lie there a$$wipe, just pulling fake facts out of your butt again? You are a vile, ignorant asswipe.
Comment by Buckie Boy — February 4, 2008 @ 4:28 pm
It’s a fact that I have had to deal with private insurance and medicare. You don’t know me. You don’t know my history. All you know is name calling if you don’t know how to debate with a valid point. Hopefully you will learn before you get out of high school.
February 4th, 2008 at 4:39 pmIf trolls would just educate themselves, they’d know that single payer has nothing to do with paying higher taxes, no correlation, nothing.
February 4th, 2008 at 4:39 pmPathetic.
I never said they wouldn’t have the right to sue. But if they sue it should be for a good reason. You shouldn’t sue for millions of dollars because a possible (yet warned) issue happens during surgery and you now have a slight problem that doesn’t prevent you from living a normal life.
Comment by VA Voter — February 4, 2008 @ 4:35 pm
You mean, you shouldn’t sue a chiropractor for half a million dollars in “pain and suffering” because a “botched spinal manipulation” caused you “humiliation due to weight gain”?
Yeah, I agree.
February 4th, 2008 at 4:40 pmIf trolls would just educate themselves, they’d know that single payer has nothing to do with paying higher taxes, no correlation, nothing.
Pathetic.
Comment by RUCerious — February 4, 2008 @ 4:39 pm
I’m sure Obama is educated. He said he would pay for health care with higher taxes.
February 4th, 2008 at 4:43 pm’ll count that as no answer.
Comment by VA Voter — February 4, 2008 @ 4:18 pm
medicare is cheaper and more efficient than commercial, insurance-driven health care. anything else is just a troll lie.
February 4th, 2008 at 4:43 pmI’m sure Obama is educated. He said he would pay for health care with higher taxes.
Comment by VA Voter — February 4, 2008 @ 4:43 pm
and the elimination of insurance payments will more than offset the taxes.
why are trolls so stupid?
February 4th, 2008 at 4:43 pmIt’s a fact that I have had to deal with private insurance and medicare. You don’t know me. You don’t know my history. All you know is name calling if you don’t know how to debate with a valid point. Hopefully you will learn before you get out of high school.
Comment by VA Voter — February 4, 2008 @ 4:39 pm
you’re a liar. you’ve no proof of your assertions.
February 4th, 2008 at 4:44 pmyou wanna fix healthcare? simple solution, get the government out. name for me one thing, other than national defense, that the federal government does well. why in the world would you want them controlling anything?????
February 4th, 2008 at 4:44 pm’ll count that as no answer.
Comment by VA Voter — February 4, 2008 @ 4:18 pm
medicare is cheaper and more efficient than commercial, insurance-driven health care. anything else is just a troll lie.
Comment by Lefty Patriot — February 4, 2008 @ 4:43 pm
Cheaper for who? I pay into Medicare but I never use it. It just cost me money. I can’t use it unless I lose my job and don’t get a new one. that’s never going to happen.
February 4th, 2008 at 4:45 pmyou wanna fix healthcare? simple solution, get the government out. name for me one thing, other than national defense, that the federal government does well. why in the world would you want them controlling anything?????
Comment by Swingandamiss — February 4, 2008 @ 4:44 pm
The answer is :Nothing.
February 4th, 2008 at 4:46 pmI’m sure Obama is educated. He said he would pay for health care with higher taxes.
Comment by VA Voter
this proves to me that you are a troll…..I am done with you. If you were here for a discussion you would not make such a devisive statement when you know that it is at the very least a misrepresentation of fact. He might have said he would raise your taxes if you are in one of the big income brackets……I doubt that about you.
February 4th, 2008 at 4:46 pmI’m sure Obama is educated. He said he would pay for health care with higher taxes.
Comment by VA Voter
this proves to me that you are a troll…..I am done with you. If you were here for a discussion you would not make such a devisive statement when you know that it is at the very least a misrepresentation of fact. He might have said he would raise your taxes if you are in one of the big income brackets……I doubt that about you.
Comment by Fred — February 4, 2008 @ 4:46 pm
What is considered “big?”
February 4th, 2008 at 4:48 pmyou wanna fix healthcare? simple solution, get the government out. name for me one thing, other than national defense, that the federal government does well. why in the world would you want them controlling anything?????
Comment by Swingandamiss
well they are not federal but they damned sure are government…..how about your poice and fire protection……bud? How ya rating them nowdays.
February 4th, 2008 at 4:49 pmyou wanna fix healthcare? simple solution, get the government out. name for me one thing, other than national defense, that the federal government does well. why in the world would you want them controlling anything?????
Comment by Swingandamiss
and this dipwad wants to exclude national defense…….oh they suck at just everything except our national defense…..they do the best in the whoole world……
how’s that dual personality working for ya?
February 4th, 2008 at 4:51 pmIf I’m paying out 550 bucks a month now for health insurance, then that same money going to Single Payer Health insurance, what is the difference, other than I can change jobs now and not be denied health insurance.
So you see your Troll statement about higher taxes is BS, take out the insurance companies and their outrageous profits and I more than likely will be paying less.
Man trolls are idiots.
February 4th, 2008 at 4:52 pmname for me one thing, other than national defense, that the federal government does well. why in the world would you want them controlling anything?????
Comment by Swingandamiss — February 4, 2008 @ 4:44 pm
Well, first of all, why do you dismiss the importance of national defense? Second of all, you’re right, the federal government in the hands of Republicans does nothing well — not even national defense.
in the hands of a more responsible party, however, the federal government has done pretty well at expanding civil liberties for all Americans, building infrastructure, administering scientific and disease-related research, providing a safety net for our most vulnerable citizens, setting aside and protecting precious natural areas via the National Park system, instilling environmental protections that polluting corporations have to observe…
anyone else got stuff to add?
February 4th, 2008 at 4:53 pmThe answer is :Nothing.
Comment by VA Voter — February 4, 2008 @ 4:46 pm
So why have a government? Enlighten me.
February 4th, 2008 at 4:56 pmIf I’m paying out 550 bucks a month now for health insurance, then that same money going to Single Payer Health insurance, what is the difference, other than I can change jobs now and not be denied health insurance.
Comment by Buckie Boy — February 4, 2008 @ 4:52 pm
And if you could find insurance that covers you for $120 per month but not through your job would you switch to it?
The real problem with the industry is that you as a person are stuck with the best deal your group can afford. And if it’s the government then it’s just a very larg group. As an indevidual (if insurance worked like car insurance) you would be able to shop arround
February 4th, 2008 at 5:00 pmsee 46 & 47
va voter is just a troll…..after all….not very good at it either.
February 4th, 2008 at 5:02 pmthat’s never going to happen.
Comment by VA Voter — February 4, 2008 @ 4:45 pm
you hope. the fact is, as Bush destroys this country, it’s unlikely that you will keep your job.
Only a republican government is incompetent.
February 4th, 2008 at 5:02 pmMan — the ignorance displayed by VA VO is just astonishing. To think that an individual could get a better deal from an insurance company than a group?
How can someone so unfamiliar with the fundamental principles of market capitalism pretend to support it so fervently? Could it be that VA VO’s devotion to capitalism is built on ignorance?
February 4th, 2008 at 5:07 pmAnd if you could find insurance that covers you for $120 per month but not through your job would you switch to it?
Comment by VA Voter
this argument is so ridculous that yosimity sam and wily coyote wouldn’t try to go with it.
If you go to group insurance to get better deals than you can get with individual insurance……which correct me if I’m wrong but that is the general wisdom……that is why group insurance was created.
If that’s true then the only way you could get cheaper individual insurance….if group didn’t exist, would be if you were young and not so much of a risk or to lower your coverage…..what the hell?
February 4th, 2008 at 5:07 pmSo, the rightwing argument is they’d rather spend a fortune for private insurance that will often times deny coverage than a few hundred dollars more in taxes to have unconditional coverage? With decision making skills like that how do these people surive on there own in daily life? And have any of them ever bothered to actually learn how the Europeans statistically live longer, healthier and better quality lives?
The right’s plan should be dubbed: “Single-Prayer” coverage.
February 4th, 2008 at 5:11 pmhave any of them ever bothered to actually learn how the Europeans statistically live longer, healthier and better quality lives?
Comment by Stupid Git — February 4, 2008 @ 5:11 pm
No. The closest thing they have to a health plan is to recognize that learning facts that conflict with their cherished beliefs makes them crazy. It’s mostly a mental-health plan, but it works for them, I guess.
February 4th, 2008 at 5:16 pm62 I agree, it’s astonishing for these people to come here of all places and try to resell what is not working to us again..,…using fear of things they obviously know nothing about.
Makes you wonder what they think sometimes when you’re looking at them and they’re starin off..into space…..and then they say things like va voter. Do they think the rest of the country is upset about healthcare in America because we don’t understand it as well as they do? It’s a mystery…….I think va voter just has an agenda…..probably works for a pharma……etc.
February 4th, 2008 at 5:17 pmCheaper for who? I pay into Medicare but I never use it. It just cost me money. I can’t use it unless I lose my job and don’t get a new one. that’s never going to happen.
Comment by VA Voter — February 4, 2008 @ 4:45 pm
VA Voter,
February 4th, 2008 at 5:26 pmTo qualify for Medicare payments, you have to be over 65 and not dead. The one exception is elected or appointed members of the US government. They do not pay into medicare and receive full federal medical coverage. So you are either under 65 or dead.
So basically your saying is that you want to charge me more then before for the same level of care. Yup, I know I am voting for that!
February 4th, 2008 at 5:42 pmSo basically your saying is that you want to charge me more then before for the same level of care. Yup, I know I am voting for that!
Comment by Roger_Roger
February 4th, 2008 at 5:57 pmyou just can’t explain simple things to some people no matter how hard you try…..that’s ok rr…..we’ll take care of you
you just can’t explain simple things to some people no matter how hard you try…..that’s ok rr…..we’ll take care of you
Comment by Fred — February 4, 2008 @ 5:57 pm
Beautifully stated, Fred. In one fell swoop you captured both the futility of explaining things to people who are invested in not listening, and the generosity of spirit that is the hallmark of liberalism.
February 4th, 2008 at 6:13 pm69 Well Ralph, I hope you and the libs are running things if I get sick or much older……sure wouldn’t want to have to reach out to rr et al for any help.
February 4th, 2008 at 6:17 pmSo basically your saying is that you want to charge me more then before for the same level of care. Yup, I know I am voting for that!
Comment by Roger_Roger — February 4, 2008 @ 5:42 pm
So basically, you’re saying that you don’t bother to read before you type up the wrong answer, right?
February 4th, 2008 at 7:51 pmSeems that VA Voter was not posting from his mom’s basement, but from Hell instead. Seems that Satan has apparently pulled his WEB account.
February 4th, 2008 at 9:15 pmHas someone got a pressure washer and lots of soap, cus the trolls were here and they made quite a little mess.
Healthcare really brings them out. they didn’t say anything about a UNION putting up the money, so they must have the med-insurance answers ready and raring to go.
Too bad they don’t pick up their messes once in a while.
February 6th, 2008 at 12:06 am