WATCH:
1st Lady Michelle Obama
Addresses Health Care Reform for Women

In some states, maternity care is not covered because pregnancy can be seen as a pre-existing condition. Its even legal in some states to deny a woman coverage because shes been a victim of domestic violence. First Lady Michelle Obama looks at where health care policy and people's lives intersect. Two-time cancer survivor Roxi Griffin and HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius join her to discuss how the current system doesn't work for women and their families and why health insurance reform is so needed.

CLICK HERE if video does not appear through server

B4B

Greg Jones B4B NOTE:
Here it comes folks...the start of THE " let's water-down strong public option the way we were lobbied (bribed) to do so so that the health insurance companies can continue to Rape America"...CON GAME !

Article by Sam Stein (HuffPo)

Baucus: There May Be 60 Votes for

" Less Pure' Public Option

Senator Max Baucus (D-Mont.) insisted on Monday that a public option for insurance coverage was very much "alive" as he and two other Democratic senators merged together disparate health care bills.

But in what will surely be a disappointment for progressives, the Montana Democrat hinted strongly that the provision would be watered down.

"This issue is alive and we are looking at it to see what makes the most sense," the senator declared on a conference call with reporters. "The major overall goal here though is to get health care reform that passes the Senate, gets 60 votes, and I just don't know if there is 60 votes for the most pure kinds of the public option. There may be 60 votes for the less pure kinds."

The less pure kinds, Baucus explained, were co-ops, a public plan triggered by economic conditions and an insurance structure that allowed states to opt in or out of a public option. He seemed to find the last option the most intriguing.

"It is new and it is interesting," said Baucus. "Senators are trying to think it through, its effect, what it will do? We don't know yet."

CLICK HERE To Read Rest of Article

CLICK HERE To Read Related Article By Greg Jones:
"Not All Public Options Are Alike...or GOOD !"

Time To FIGHT...Time To DEMAND...
STRONG PUBLIC OPTION ONLY !

B4B

Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/19/baucus-there-may-be-60-vo_n_326197.html

WATCH:
President Obama's Weekly Address
Battling The Insurance Companies
Down The Stretch

As the health insurance reform debate enters into its final stages in Congress, the President denounces the desperate and deceptive last-ditch efforts of the health insurance companies to derail it.

Greg Jones' B4B NOTE: Since all signs show that the health reform bill IS going to include a mandate (law that every citizen must have or buy coverage or be penalized) then it is extremely important that a strong public option be included in the bill to create a lower cost plan for the 47 million hard working Americans who are currently uninsured because they can not afford coverage. If they could afford it they'd have it and not be standing in make-shift free clinic lines for much needed health care like a third world country. If there ends up being a mandate, but still unaffordable plans that Americans are FORCED to buy, then we will simply end up with 47 million uninsured lawbreakers, which totally defeats the purpose of Health Care Reform, all to the benefit of the insurance cartel. It is absolutely PATHETIC that our politicians are using cost as the excuse (health care reform is anticipated to cost $889 billion over 10 years) to continue to allow 46 thousand Americans to DIE each year due to the lack of medical care/coverage, while simultaneously (and quietly I might add) approving the spending of $683 BILLION for WAR (majority went to defense contractors)...with the expectation to need more funding NEXT YEAR !

The key to a strong, competitive public option being in the bill is Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. We Must vigorously contact Reid to DEMAND a Strong Public Option as if our lives depended on it....because one day...it just might !

CONTACT Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid at;
DC: 202-224-3542; Vegas: 702-388-5020; Carson: 775-882-7343;
Reno: 775-686-5750
email: http://reid.senate.gov/contact/index.cfm

Yes We WILL...
Yes We MUST !!!

CLICK HERE if video does not appear through email server

B4B

All 'Public Options' Aren't Alike...
Or GOOD !
A Quick Look at the DIFFERENT
' Public Options '

By Greg Jones
Blacks4Barack

As I watch the debate over health care reform I can't help but notice the caution in the verbiage being used by the proponents of public option. Speaker Nancy Pelosi has declared that " no bill will get through the House without a public option ". Rep. Anthony Weiner has emphasized that it will be difficult to get a bill passed without a public option. When we hear statements of this nature with such conviction we naturally are invigorated with the feeling of " Yes ! "

But there's one seemingly small, but very important problem with this strategic rhetoric that no one is bringing to the attention of We The People, not the Democrats, not the Republicans, and certainly not the media. The problem lies in the harmonious phrasing carefully used by all public option advocates, and that phrase is ...."A" public option.

To see through this one must first analyze exactly what the title ' public option ' means. It simply means ANY health insurance plan available to the PUBLIC as an alternative to the current private health insurance system which would be another choice or OPTION to what exists now. But there are multiple versions all calling themselves public options that vary tremendously in how they will effect health care reform and/or make health care more accessible for all. Keep in mind that the one thing that is certain to be included in the final bill will be a MANDATE or new law forcing ALL Americans to have or buy health care insurance or they will be PENALIZED. So here's a quick look at the different plans all calling themselves
"A" Public Option.

PUBLIC OPTION: (The plan President Obama spoke of throughout the campaign) First, there's the true, strong, competitive public option which is basically a health insurance plan put together by the government to compete against existing private insurers. This would be a national plan designed to generate so many members or participants nationally that the sheer numbers will give this plan the leverage or negotiating power to offer reduced, very competitive rates. This public option would have lower administrative costs since it would not be designed to make a profit and will not have an advertising budget. These savings will help this plan be even lower in cost and more affordable for all. The key to the success of this national plan is the great number of participants.

CO-OPS: Next, there is the co-ops, aka " co-operatives " which will be setup and initially funded by government funds, then turned over to individual non-profits, which will work similarly to the public option mentioned above except instead of being one strong, national program, the co-op plan would be individual statewide plans like 50 'baby public options'. The insurance cartel prefers this plan because it is a much weaker plan since the number of participants and therefore negotiating power would be based on a much lower total number of participants in each particular state resulting, most say, in being non-competitive. The cartel also favors this plan because as co-ops have been tried over the past decade they have basically failed because of being unable to compete effectively. Lastly, in order for a co-op to even get started in a state it would need a minimum of 500,000 participants, a feat insurmountable for a number of states which means those states would not have this 'public option' at all. Bottom line, the co-op plan just won't work (see video below of Robert Reich explaining public option vs. co-ops).

OPT-IN: Then, in a non-stop attempt by our great politicians to come up with whatever means possible to water down competition against the insurance cartel, another brilliant idea has been proposed called OPT-IN. This plan is basically one step weaker than a co-op in that it gives each state the option to offer the public option plan in their state or not...If the state likes it they can OPT-IN...if not, everyone in that state is stuck with the status quo while still being forced by law to pay the current high rates of the insurance cartel....or be PENALIZED !

OPT-OUT: This seems to be the plan that is picking up the most steam lately. In fact, Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), one of the fiercest advocates for public option recently stated as reported by HuffPo that he " left open the possibility that reform would include (and he himself would support) an opt-out clause that allowed states to set up co-operatives in place of the public plan." So Opt-Out means that each state would start out as part of the national, good, strong, competitive public option but would have the right to stop participating in the good plan resorting to the weaker, non-competitive co-op plan. Some politicians feel that this opt-out plan would be successful because state officials would be 'embarrassed' to switch/opt-out from the good public option to the weaker, higher costing co-op. Fact is, the opt-out idea will simply benefit the cartel in states where they have monopolies as in Alabama where 1 insurer has 89% of the entire insurance market. A major concern is that politicians in monopoly states will cowtow to the lobbyists (take bribes/campaign funds,etc.) not caring what they 'look like', to opt-out of the national, robust/strong plan...switching to a state co-op plan which would be pleasingly non-competitive to the cartel...would be of no true benefit to residents of the state...just back to status quo. (and don't forget the mandate)

TRIGGER: Finally, there's this super-brainstorm of a plan which simply says let's just keep things the way they are now, trust the insurance companies to do the right thing and make their prices more affordable on their own, and if things don't get better in like 6, 8 or 10 years from now, THEN we'll start (trigger) the public option. The saddest thing about this plan is that they (our politicians) are actually serious. Pathetic !


WATCH: Robert Reich Explains
Strong Public Option Vs. Co-Ops




So when our Servants of the People say, "....you'll have A public option ", make sure you know exactly what they mean. No Co-ops, no opt-in or opt-out and definitely no trigger. Unfortunately, many of our politicians are more dedicated to aiding and abetting the insurance cartel than they are delivering true, accessible, quality health care for ALL. And if they think that shame is an effective tool, then NOW is the time to

Make Calls...Make Demands...SHAME THEM NOW
To Pass A STRONG,
Competitive Public Option ONLY !

CLICK HERE if video does not appear through email server

B4B

WATCH:
Labor Unions FIGHTING for Strong Public Option
Richard Trumka AFL-CIO Pres. Speaks Out...
"...anyone who blocks it will pay the price "

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

The Time Is NOW...To FIGHT
for the RIGHT to Quality
Health Care For ALL !
(WITH Strong Public Option)

CLICK HERE if video did not appear through email server

B4B

Seeing Through The Democrat's
Health Care CON GAME !

By Greg Jones
Blacks4Barack

" I Can Not Support A Public Option" ! That is the main message that Senator Olympia Snowe has made certain to get across during every one of her barrage of interviews which have taken over the cable news airwaves. Yesterday, Snowe was the lone Republican vote in the 14-9 decision to pass the Senate Finance Committee's version of so-called health care reform. Although this senate plan is actually the very worst out of the five different versions drafted, it is being touted in the media and by various politicians as a great triumphant achievement...as if the passing of the other 4 were absolutely meaningless.

Fact is, if the Senate plan was to actually pass as it is, Americans would be in WORSE shape than we are now. NO Public Option combined with a mandate, guarantees that this Senate Finance Bill will be of great benefit to the insurance industry while simultaneous slapping We The People, the supposed purpose of health care reform...in the face. So why is the worst of the plans garnering such accolades ? Because we are being strategically played like ill-informed fiddles by BOTH the Republican AND Democratic leaders. Just one look at the amounts of money ( legalized bribes) both the top Democrats and Republicans have received from the health industry lobbyists shows exactly who they are loyal to...and it's NOT We The People.

Thanks to the power of the lobbyists, leadership on neither side of the isle really wants any type of TRUE reform that would effect the pockets of the insurance industry (their bribers), but they do want to APPEAR as if they are working so diligently for the much needed health reform (of which 77% of Americans want a strong Public Option). And did I mention the sad truth that the Democrats have received more payoff money than the Republicans ?

So here's their game. The Democrats have enlisted Olympia Snowe to side with them (a move that makes Snowe look good to her constituents who want reform in Maine), knowing, as she has announced maybe 42 times today in her numerous interviews, that she adamantly opposes any type of a strong public option which would create competition for the insurance bandits, although it is the ONLY way to assure accessible, quality health care for all. Now that Snowe has voted for the bill, which would have passed 13-10 without her, the Democrats (along with the aid of the media) are ACTING like they HAVE TO cater to what Snowe wants or the Dems will lose her support. So, as all 5 bills are merged toward one final bill and strong advocates like Senator Sherrod Brown (Ohio) submits his amendment for a STRONG public option, the Democrats will knock it down stating that the inclusion would cause Snowe (and possibly Susan Collins if she signs on...she needs to look good in Maine too) to defect. (NOTE: Currently, there is NOT a STRONG (competitive) Public Option in ANY of the 5 bills. Many erroneously believe the Senate HELP Committee plan contains a strong public option which it does not. Actually, it is more on the co-op side. CLICK HERE for more info on Senate HELP Plan)

In other words, the Dems are lining Snowe up to be their EXCUSE to end up with a final bill that caters to the insurance industry, and against The People ! In fact, Majority Leader Harry Reid is already on TV today saying that "...legislation is the art of compromise..." or in other words...we have to do what THEY want. PATHETIC ! Keep in mind, Democratic supporters across America worked hard volunteering, making calls, door knocking and WON a filibuster proof 60 Democrat Majority in the Senate. 60 votes is all that's needed to pass ANY bill including health care reform with a strong public option. So it's not the Republicans that are the problem, it's the Democrats who won't vote for what the party promised...true health care reform. In fact, if the Democrats REALLY want to pass health care reform with a strong public option than they can just do so with what is known as a 51 person Reconciliation vote...they don't even need 60 ! It is the responsibility and job of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to LEAD his fellow Democratic senators to get on board and do what is right for America. Olympia Snowe ? That's a JOKE !

It is time NOW for Harry Reid to put the health care needs of We The People FIRST...not the insurance companies...not the appeasement of other politicians ! It is pathetic that 47 million Americans are struggling with NO health care coverage at all with millions more who are under-covered. It is absolutely pitiful that 45,000 Americans DIE every year due to the lack of needed medical care. The Democrats must STOP PLAYING THESE CON GAMES ! And Harry Reid is THE KEY !

Contact Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s offices...
all of them – and tell him...

" As Majority Leader We Expect You To LEAD our Senate Majority to PASS a STRONG PUBLIC OPTION BILL...NOTHING ELSE WILL DO...We're counting on (and watching) YOU."

Not a co-op...not opt-in or opt-out...not a trigger (which are all being labeled as Public Options but ALL benefit the insurance companies !)

CALL SENATOR REID TODAY !

DC: 202-224-3542; Vegas: 702-388-5020; Carson: 775-882-7343; Reno: 775-686-5750

Or email: http://reid.senate.gov/contact/index.cfm

Health Care Reform is a matter of Life or DEATH !

We Will NOT Be ROBBED (or fooled) of Our Right
To Quality Health Care For ALL !

Related article: Top House Progressive: Catering To Snowe "A Waste of Time"

B4B

Hoodwink Alert !

Media/Politicians Tout Passing of Senate Finance Committee Bill As GREAT Accomplishment
With NO Strong Public Option;
Actually WORSE Than What We Have NOW !
(WATCH: Video Below)

By Greg Jones
Blacks4Barack

So today, the Senate Finance Committee passed their version of so-called health care reform 14-9 in what is being touted a great positive step toward health care reform for America, even bragging about being able to attract a yes vote from Republican Olympia Snowe. But the FACT is, if this particular bill was to end up passing as the final bill, Americans would be in WORSE shape than we are now.

One reason, there is NO Public Option of any significance in this 'wonderful' bill, the only means of creating competition against the current gauging of Americans by health insurance companies. NO Public Option means NO way to create truly affordable coverage for the 47 million Americans struggling to survive without health coverage as if this was a third world country, forced to stand in long lines at make-shift free clinics by the thousands for much needed health care. To top things off, this 'great' bill contains a MANDATE, meaning that it will become THE LAW that EVERY (whether you can afford it or not) American MUST buy health insurance or be PENALIZED ! But with NO Public Option, the insurance will still be unaffordable for the 47 million who would have coverage NOW if they could afford it, so this 'incredible' Senate plan will only create 47 million UNINSURED LAWBREAKERS !

Up until now, the uninsured could at least go to the emergency room if their illness got extreme. But under this 'milestone' Senate plan the 47 million uninsured lawbreakers would now be AFRAID to go to emergency, regardless of the severity of their illness, because they'll be afraid of getting CAUGHT without insurance !

This 'historic' Senate Plan is an absolute insult to We The People and the true purpose of Health Care Reform. The ONLY group that this plan helps is the insurance companies who have spent millions lobbying (bribing) our politicians to get what they want. And they certainly are, under this 'super' Senate plan. The bottom line is, if the Senate Plan becomes law we will be in WORSE shape than if they had done no health care reform at all !

Below is a message from former health insurance CEO Wendell Potter whose conscience lead him to become a whistleblower against the corruption of the health insurance industry. Potter explains that any bill that does not include a strong, competitive Public Option is simply A GIFT TO THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY and would be detrimental to the health care needs of We The People.

Don't Be Hoodwinked or Bamboozled !

Our ONLY safety net is a STRONG PUBLIC OPTION. Not just any kind of public option...not co-ops...not opt-in or opt-out...not triggers...those are all WEAK versions of so-called public options frankly designed to benefit the insurance industry ! Only STRONG Public Option will do !!! Please keep in mind that a truly strong Public Option is NOT in ANY version of the bill (which will merge or consolidate during the next few weeks) therefore, someone will have to add it as an amendment in order for a strong, competitive Public Option to even GET IN the bill for consideration.

Unfortunately, due to the absolute greed of our politicians both Democrat and Republican we still have a LONG way to go. And to those who think " President Obama will fix it "...sorry, it just doesn't work that way....which is why he has stated, since day one that he will need OUR HELP ! To All Warriors...Please Help Spread THE FACTS....as if your life depended on it. One Day...It Just Might !

Watch: Wendell Potter




Encourage ALL to FIGHT !
MAKE THOSE CALLS...
MAKE THOSE DEMANDS !!!
Call your Senator...Congressman...TODAY !

CLICK HERE if video does not appear through email server

B4B

DISGUSTING !!!

Insurance Industry Going GANGSTER !

Threatens To Jack-Up Rates if HCR Passes !

Mike Lux (HuffPo)

The insurance industry inadvertently gave health reformers the best argument we ever could have had to pass a public option and the strongest possible regulations on insurers. Declaring that rates will go up dramatically if reform passes, insurers launched a full-scale open assault on the idea of any reform at all yesterday, except I guess a reform plan especially tailored to them and their profitability. What they left out of their little study is that they are the ones who decide when rates go up because the biggest companies have very little competition in most of the markets they are in. There is no federal rate regulation, there is no anti-trust enforcement in insurance (they are specifically exempted from it in the McCarran-Ferguson Act), and unless there is a public option, there will be little competition. They will be the ones who decide if the rates go up, and they have just guaranteed they would raise those rates if we don't stop them from doing it.

It's sort of like the sheriff in Blazing Saddles holding the gun to his own head, and saying "back off or I'll shoot." The insurance industry is saying that if they don't like what's in the bill, they will just decide to arbitrarily raise the rates. But we can stop those rates from going up by checking the insurers' power. That's why a public option, real competition for an arrogant out-of-control, way-too-powerful industry, is so essential. Without it, we are left to their whims, and anytime, for my reason, they will just jack up their rates. If their stocks go down, if they just want more profits, if some regulation they don't like is passed, they will just raise their rates. With a strong, robust, nationwide public option, we can force insurers to the table, and give them real competition.

Personally, I think we ought to repeal McCarran-Ferguson and impose tough rate regulation as well. That would really open up competition and guarantee lower prices. But at the very minimum, we have to have a strong national public option. The insurance industry has just reminded us as to why that is. Thanks for the help in making our case, friends.

By the way, it's not just me who thinks this. Voters do not support being forced to buy health insurance unless there is a public option -- at that point, as the polling clearly documents, voters are fine with an insurance mandate. As long as there is real competition with a public option, voters are fine with being asked to buy insurance. Sometimes I think regular voters are smarter than the politicians they elect to govern them. (Thank You HuffPo)

Greg Jones'
B4B NOTE:

While over 47,000 Americans are dying each year due to lack of coverage this Sic threat by the insurance companies PROVES that we MUST have A STRONG PUBLIC OPTION.....The Insurance Companies are openly threatening that if The HCReform Plan does not benefit THEM then They Are Going To PUNISH All Americans By JACKING UP THEIR RATES !!!!!
We Will Be Like SITTING DUCKS...


This is TREASONOUS AGAINST AMERICANS !!!!

We MUST DEMAND...DEMAND...DEMAND...

A STRONG, VERY COMPETITIVE

PUBLIC OPTION !!!!

(The ONLY Safety Net)

Anything short (i.e. co-ops, opt-in/opt-out, triggers etc...which are all WEAK) would result in higher rates from the gangster insurance companies and NO true, competitive alternative for We The People, topped off with a MANDATE (law forcing everyone to buy high-priced, unaffordable coverage or be penalized) !

ANY...Yes ANY POLITICIAN who sides with these gangster insurance companies should be charged with TREASON !!!!

TIME TO FIGHT....NOW !!!!
Please encourage ALL to Help Fight
For Our RIGHT To Health Care !

B4B

MUST SEE VIDEO:
Bill Moyers Exposes Max Baucus' Advisers
And Corruption of our Senatorial System

Greg Jones' B4B NOTE: It is absolute TREASON the way our elected 'officials' both Dems and Republicans, cast aside the true needs of We The People....the people they were elected to serve, choosing instead to pass laws to financially benefit the corporations they were well bribed by. This is legalized, organized crime against Americans and it must be stopped ! NOW is the time to
Make Those Calls...Make Those Demands...
Shame Them into Doing The Right Thing !

I email Mr. Moyers occasionally and noticed he used my slogan here....I like that.

Don't JUST Get Mad...
GET BUSY !

CLICK HERE: If video did not appear through email server

B4B

Congratulations
President Barack Obama !
2009 Nobel Peace Prize Winner
(Watch Video of Announcement)

Greg Jones
(Blacks4Barack)

Today it has been announced that President Barack Obama has won the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize which is an incredible declaration of the worldwide appeal for our new President. Since early in the presidential campaign, Barack Obama was criticized by some for his desire to use diplomacy and talks as an initial means of settling disputes with foreign powers, a far cry from the style of the previous administration.

Yahoo News reports, " Obama's election and foreign policy moves caused a dramatic improvement in the image of the U.S. around the world. A 25-nation poll of 27,000 people released in July by the Pew Global Attitudes Project found double-digit boosts to the percentage of people viewing the U.S. favorably in countries around the world. That indicator had plunged across the world under President George W. Bush."

Following the Nobel announcement, the right-wing instantly began ginning up negative responses further displaying what a pitiful and pathetic group of anti-Americans they truly are. Also, the media has initiated it's standard negative spin on this obviously incredible honor. Despite the ignorance, once again, chalk up another one for our President !

WATCH ANNOUNCEMENT



America is Proud of
President Barack Obama !

B4B COMMENTER SPOTLIGHT:
Philip Calderone, Filmmakers for Obama

It was amazing to wake up to this news today. The "too early" argument actually highlights the fact that this president has accomplished in months what many presidents have failed to accomplish in years--breaking the me-first cynicism and helping people realize that we are one human race now facing problems too large for any one government, superpower, alliance, or country to handle.

And yet again, the argument that his popularity comes from merely Kool-Aid drinking celebrity status is incorrect, ignoring the egg for the chicken. Obama is hugely popular because he promotes opinions and policies that most of the world supports. His popularity demonstrates that there are more kind, decent people in the world than those who are not. Finally now we have a spokesman with extraordinary eloquence, intellect and respect for others to help us see this.

Congratulations President Obama. It is a great accomplishment for him, our country, and the billions who applaud him around the world. May your accomplishment be an inspiration to the rest of us as we strive to make this world a better place for us all. Time to get in line and give this man the tools to turn his great words into great actions.
( Philip Calderone, B4B Commenter SPOTLIGHT )

B4B

Strong Public Option
" Very Close " says Pelosi

By Jeff Muskus/HuffPo

House leadership is still hedging its bets on what version of the public option will make it into the unified House health reform bill, but Speaker Nancy Pelosi told reporters Thursday that Democrats are nearing the 218 votes needed to pass a strong public option tied to Medicare reimbursement rates.

"It's very close, it's very close," Pelosi said of majority support for the so-called "robust" public option, which she personally supports. She did not commit to getting the strong option into the bill, however. "We're in a good place, because we have many good options," she said.

On both counts, the Speaker's assessment seemed more optimistic than that of Progressive Caucus Co-Chair Raul Grijalva, who suggested to the Huffington Post that progressives might scuttle a bill that forces the public health exchange to negotiate its own reimbursement rates with insurers -- the policy favored by conservative Blue Dog Democrats. Grijalva estimated Wednesday that the strong public option had the support of 160 to 170 Democrats, a number significantly lower than the whip count his co-chair Lynn Woolsey has reportedly bandied about.

Though she declined to cite a precise number of supporters for the robust plan, Pelosi was confident enough to say that while the strong public option was only one of three public insurance exchanges the House has sent to the Congressional Budget Office for cost analysis, scores on the two weaker options -- both of which would require the new exchange to negotiate its own reimbursement rates -- were requested simply to give conservative Blue Dog Democrats another chance to make their case.

"In all fairness to those who believe that the negotiated rates work better for them in their district, we're trying to get from the Congressional Budget Office how we could have more savings out of negotiated rates," Pelosi said. The strong public option would save $110 billion over 10 years, she said, compared to $25 billion for an option with negotiated rates according to preliminary estimates. "That's a big difference."

For the first time since their 1995 inception, the Blue Dogs have found themselves out-organized by their liberal counterparts, and their commitment to decoupling the public option from Medicare has been slipping. While progressives have united behind a strong public option, conservative Democrats are concerned variously with addressing regional disparities in Medicare reimbursement, keeping the bill's final cost below $900 billion and waiting to see what the Senate does.

Bridging the gap in savings between the weaker and stronger public options won't be easy for Blue Dogs, and they won't like one possibility that Pelosi confirmed has been floated in a "very preliminary" form: a windfall profits tax on income for health insurers. "I have asked Chairman [Charlie] Rangel [D-N.Y.] to ask his staff to see what is in it for us," Pelosi said. "Let me say that I believe that all of the participants, whether it's insurance companies or the pharmaceutical industry, have much more they can put on the table to help reduce costs." (HuffPost)

NOTE from B4B's Greg Jones:

More News You DON'T Hear in our 'Great Media'.

This past Tuesday, Congress approved a $680 BILLION DOLLAR DEFENSE BUDGET. Yes...$680 BILLION !!! In the midst of our 'great' politicians making a major ruckus over spending $90B per year for 10 years (total $900B) for Health Care Reform to SAVE AMERICAN LIVES...they (quietly) pass this gigantus defense budget with such ease you would almost think they were paid (lobbied/bribed) to pass it. The Time Is NOW for our politicians to get America's priorities in the right order. We MUST have a strong, competitive Public Option (which simply means another Choice or alternative to the gauging of current private insurers). ANY politician who would deny Americans the right to CHOOSE an OPTION to stay alive should be removed from serving the people !

Make Those Calls...

Make Those DEMANDS...

We Must SHAME Them Into Doing the RIGHT THING !!!

B4B

Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/08/strong-public-option-very_n_313947.html

( A Positive Step...Now Time To PUSH For Strong Public Option )

CBO: Determines Senate Finance Committee
Health Care Plan Would SAVE $81 Billion

Congressional budget experts said Wednesday that the sweeping health care overhaul bill awaiting a vote in the Senate Finance Committee will cost $829 billion over the next 10 years.

The preliminary report, released Wednesday by the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office, said the committee's health care reform package will not add to the national deficit -- and will save $81 billion over the next 10 years.

"Our balanced approach to health reform has paid off yet again with the news today that the America's Healthy Future Act remains fully paid for, begins to reduce the federal deficit within ten years and makes significant reductions in federal debt over the next several decades," Sen. Max Baucus, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, said in a statement Wednesday.

The CBO said that the bill would reduce rolls of uninsured by 29 million over the next 10 years -- ensuring that 94 percent of Americans will be covered.

The report paves the way for the Senate Finance Committee to vote as early as Friday on the legislation, which is largely in line with President Obama's call for the most sweeping overhaul of the nation's health care system in a half-century.

Congressional tax experts say the proposed legislation would require health care industries to pay $121 billion in taxes over 10 years -- about $29 billion more than originally thought.

Finance Committee Republicans have been arguing the measure contains too many new taxes.

The committee's proposal, which calls for co-ops instead of a so-called "public option," has to be blended with the version approved by the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, which does include the public option. Only then can it be considered by the full Senate.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid will face a difficult task in merging the two bills into one -- and presumably one that includes the government-run insurance plan that he and other liberal Democrats have steadfastly backed.

The Finance committee voted last week to strike two amendments that would establish a government-run insurance plan to compete with private insurance coverage. But the bill created in July by the Health Committee includes a public option and requires employers to offer insurance to their employees.

The question over whether Reid will push for a government-run insurance plan in the final legislation remains to be answered. Reid has said a public option is essential to reform, and other leading Democrats like House Speaker Nancy Pelosi have stressed its importance in expanding coverage to the millions of uninsured.
FOX News' Trish Turner and the Associated Press contributed to this report.

NOW...Time To FIGHT for Public Option !

B4B

WATCH:
President Obama Weekly Address
Health Reform Urgent for Economy

An Open Note from B4B's
Greg Jones to The President:

Dear President Obama;

Greg again,

I sincerely hope that you are not desiring to make health insurance a mandate for the uninsured working poor through the so-called 'affordable' plan by way of tax credits. The working poor do not have excess monthly funds to be able to pay any sizable bill out of pocket they are forced to buy...if they had the cash...they would already have bought insurance (and not be standing by the thousands, in long embarrassing RAM lines for much needed free health care). They just won't have the cash and will still be forced to be uninsured. Therefore this plan would simply create uninsured 'lawbreakers' (possibly 46.5 million) who would then be afraid to go to emergency, even when vitally necessary in fear of getting 'caught' without coverage....and to think that the working poor can wait until tax time to receive the 'benefits' of this 'affordable' plan is respectfully, just plain wrong.

I, along with literally millions of others sincerely hope that you will make certain that this 'affordable' plan for the working poor is NOT based on tax credits. And don't forget Sir, we used this mandate effectively against the opposition during the campaign so if you choose to go that route it must be very conducive to the realities of the working poor....or it will end up making things much WORSE !

Once again,
Thank You Mr. President,

Much Love to our 1st Family,

Greg Jones
Blacks4Barack
National Director

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B4B

WATCH:

Fla. Congressman Alan Grayson
Dems New Health Care Reform Fighter
Tells it Like It Is ! A Dem With GUTS !

CLIP #1: First, Grayson explained the Republican Health Care Reform Plan
" If you get sick...DIE QUICK "

CLIP #2: Then, the GOP requested a Grayson apology.
This is my kind of apology !

CLIP #3: YES ! Then Rep. Grayson went on CNN
and spanked the Repubs with TRUTH !

Time To Get FIGHTING MAD !

B4B NOTE: To think that our politicians can end the thousands of senseless deaths per month due to our failed, corrupt health care system with SIMPLY A VOTE...but WON'T DO SO...makes me feel that EVERY politician who votes AGAINST a strong Public Option AND accessible health care for ALL...
should be CHARGED with aiding and abetting !

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B4B

Lobbyists Donating Twice As Much

To Democrats As Republicans !

NOTE: After today's Senate Finance Committee, disappointing double NO vote

AGAINST Public Option this bit of info is VERY enlightening.

By: Jenna Staul (HuffPo)

The Wall Street Journal reports that lobbyists have donated twice as much to Democrats as Republicans this year -- a direct result of Democratic control over both Congress and the White House.

Corporate political action committees spent 60 percent of their contribution money on Democrats, who have in turn raised $153.5 million in the first six months of the 2009-2010 election cycle. The Center for Responsive Politics reports that in that time Democrats have raised a staggering 62 percent more than Republican candidates.

Meanwhile, lobbyists have made 70 percent of their donations to Democrats, up from 37 percent in 2006.

From the Wall Street Journal:

Spokesmen for the companies say they donate to politicians who support their priorities. Ron Rogers, a spokesman for Merck, said that the company donates more to Democrats now because "there are more Democrats that there used to be."

Republicans, however, may have some reason to hold out hope for the 2010 midterm elections: The Republican National Committee raised more than the Democratic National Committee last month.

****

B4B NOTE: Unfortunately, it is obvious that the well bribed Dems and the Just Say No (also paid) Repubs are working in concert AGAINST the needs of We The People. The ONLY way we will achieve a strong Public Option with truly accessible quality health care for all will be through the Power of each one of us...bombarding the politicians with phone calls/letters and emails letting them know...

We DEMAND Public Option AND Quality Health Coverage

FOR ALL !

B4B

Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/09/29/lobbyists-donating-twice_n_303246.html

Con. John Conyers-Barney Frank
Call For Congressional Investigation of
ACORN Defunding


Question Un-Constitutionality of Defunding

CLICK HERE To Read Complete Filing

*******

This Illegal WITCHHUNT Must Be Stopped !

B4B

THIS IS MAJOR !

CBO Determines:
Liberal Public Option Plan to
SAVE $85 Billion MORE
Than Conservative Plan !

By: Ezra Klein

According to Congress Daily, the CBO says attaching the public plan to Medicare rates will save even more money than originally thought:

In a bid to wrangle concessions from the Blue Dog Coalition on healthcare reform, House leaders Thursday released CBO estimates for liberals' preferred version of the public option that show $85 billion more in savings than for the version the Blue Dogs prefer.

Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin, D-S.D., a Blue Dog co-chair, said any possible new momentum toward a public option tethered to Medicare rates is, in part, "because of the cost issue" and the updated CBO score.

The original House bill required the public plan to pay providers 5 percent more than Medicare reimbursement rates. But as part of a package of concessions to Blue Dogs, the House Energy and Commerce Committee accepted an amendment that requires the HHS Secretary to negotiate rates with providers. That version of the plan will save only $25 billion.

In total, a public plan based on Medicare rates would save $110 billion over 10 years. That is $20 billion more than earlier estimates, a spokesman for House Speaker Pelosi said.

In other words, the conservatives want to spend $85 billion more than the liberals do. Moreover, the CBO is estimating savings to the government. That is to say, the $85 billion reflects reduced federal spending on subsidies because premiums in the public plan will be lower. Savings to individuals and businesses paying lower premiums will be much larger than $85 billion, and politically, much more important.

Meanwhile, a new New York Times poll shows that the public option is still a good 20 percent more popular than health-care reform in general.

The Time Is NOW !

We Must FIGHT For The Right To
Quality Health Care
FOR ALL !

B4B

WATCH:
President Of THE WORLD ?
President Obama Addresses
World Leaders At U.N. Assembly

President Obama Addresses the UN General Assembly from White House on Vimeo.

It's A NEW DAY !

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B4B

WATCH:
The Obama Health Plan in 4 Minutes

Learn/Share

Together, We WILL Make A Difference !

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B4B

WATCH:
1st Lady Michelle Obama Speaks
Powerfully For Health Care Reform

" Very Much A Women's Issue...
It's Unacceptable For Women To Go Without Insurance "
Stresses the suffering of uninsured Americans.

WATCH: Part 1



WATCH: Part 2

Together, Yes We WILL !

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B4B

Michelle Obama To Get Busy(er)
on Health Care Reform

From: POLITICO

Pushing for health care reform didn’t turn out so well for the last first lady in a Democratic White House.

But with a retooled staff and an under-the-radar summer behind her, Michelle Obama plans a packed autumn that aides say will include a “dedicated focus” on health insurance reform — the same issue that brought such headaches to Hillary Clinton.

“She will do things that fit in with what she cares about, like health care reform and the implications it has for family and kids,” said Camille Johnston, Obama’s director of communications. “She will spend her time focusing on where policy and people intersect.”

For the health care reform push, which got something of a reboot last week with President Barack Obama’s address to Congress, the aim is for the first lady’s imprimatur to put a friendly face and a noncontroversial spin on a complex, highly partisan issue.

She won’t get into the weeds on health care, pushing specific details or plans as Clinton did. Instead, she’ll make the soft, soccer-mom sell, highlighting the need to eat healthy, exercise and get preventive care. On Friday, Michelle Obama will appear at an event where women and families will talk about the health care system, and she will deliver remarks that will “amplify the president’s message on the need for health insurance reform,” according to the White House.

And she’ll most likely have a receptive audience.

Over the past eight months, Obama has been quick and strategic in introducing and branding herself — she’s graced magazine covers from Iowa to Italy and dazzled Europe, and even Prince Charles asked about her garden.

She’s also amassed a great deal of goodwill — something her husband and his administration can certainly use in the fractious, rancorous health care struggle.

Recent surveys had her favorability ratings in the mid-70s, reflecting the general likability that most first ladies enjoy. Carroll Doherty, of the Pew Research Center, said Obama’s ratings could have declined given her husband’s sliding poll numbers, but likely only near the margins.

So far, she’s largely steered clear of policy, most likely contributing to the high marks.

“I think she has been a very good representative. She is very popular, very well-liked; she’s planted the garden, done a lot of traveling — but it’s a much more ceremonial activity. It’s more of a traditional role,” said Myra Gutin, a first lady historian at Rider University. “Now, we are eight months in, the kids are settled; it would seem to me that if she was going to undertake a project, then it’s time. But she is still clearly growing into the office.”

The fall could offer the biggest growth spurt for Obama, who has in some ways been slower out of the gate than her predecessors in settling on a signature issue — her bio on the White House website still lists three key issues: work-life balance, military issues and community service.

On the health care front, she has in her first months in some ways been an accidental ambassador for better self-care — a self-identified fitness freak with buff arms that launched a thousand workout routines.

Yet health care, with the specter of Hillarycare, could present something of a stumbling block for the first lady, who has so far soared above partisanship, garnering Oprah-like appeal.

Some past White House veterans agree and say there is no comparison.

Dee Dee Myers, press secretary for former President Bill Clinton, said the decision to put Hillary Clinton in charge of selling health care and the controversy that ensued is “very, very different than the circumstances that Michelle Obama finds herself in.”

Read rest of article:

B4B

Thank You President Jimmy Carter
Speaks-Out Regarding Racism in America

WATCH VIDEO:

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

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