It is interesting that Reid (and possibly Obama – I do wonder if he had any input) now have the ten member committee FINALLY adding some progressive and liberal Senators to the mix.

Joanne, you might like Howard Dean’s approach. His approach was have Medicaid cover everyone under 30 and Medicare (with an improved payment structure – he agrees with you that it’s underfunded) for everyone over 50.

And Scott P., I accept your contrite reflection of the intent of your remarks. But really,(anon too) the “distraction” card was unfair distraction, from this topic of huge impact that needs to be thought through. I think I have a record here of spirited, provocative discourse that should engage serious inquiry and deliberation–and not the knee-jerk response of making this partisan by exclaiming “party of no”, or “distraction”, or for that matter Republican. Trust me, we’re not being sorted in the nursing home, or the hospital, or the lab, so we better get it all together right here. I’m for access w/ sliding fee payment scale, assets assessed, liquidated to pay for the care–as long as no surviving “other” (depending which state you live:), or minors needing care. Do you realize we are approaching the phenomena of 2 generational nursing homes? Yup, grandma and great grandma both there…for years!!!
I suggest a 55-65 year program called Medican’t–too young for Medicare, too rich for Medicaid, just carrying this card for ID–maybe a discount on services:) that falls between Medicaid and Medicare? Or it mandates whatever private insurance I buy is the accepted rate by the provider for those “tween years? Who knows.

Those who truly believe reform is necessary must not fall into the trap of thinking the choice is between a perfect bill and nothing. Yes, there are going to be imperfections and holes in whatever gets passed. Not every issue is going to be worked out in the best possible way. That’s how legislation works. The trick is to get as much as you can and identify the problems so you can address them next time. But without a first time, there won’t be a next time.

I knew, but I was willingly following along because I thought her points needed to be countered.

The original post was about expanding Medicare to 55 year olds

A great idea with a built-in, heavily voting constituency.

I always thought the best public health care would be “Medicare for all” and the way to get there is to phase in one age group at a time.

Health care reform is a large and worthy undertaking, and one that, if done right, will greatly help millions of Americans. Yes, a strong public option would be a huge help, but it’s only a means to an end (cost control) and not an end to itself. If we can only get something like increased subsidies or stronger regulation or expanded Medicare/Medicaid, then that would be something. Let’s make sure we don’t get bogged down in specific details and lose track of the big picture. Thank you. I’ll now get down off of my horse.

Sorry Joanne, America has rejected the conservative vision of a society stratified on economic class divisions.

Publicly subsidized buses exist because the rich need the poor to get to work. Publicly funded nursing home care exists because we want a guarantee our parents will be taken care of with dignity. And if we want that guarantee for our parent we have to extend it to everybpdy’s parents, and not accept a two-tier system. I think that guarantee could be improved.