Upbeat Obama Says Senate Near Health Care Passage

[mcv47]

Upbeat - hell yeah. The plan to turn us in a European style socialist system is moving right along.

[harp1925]

WTF is Leiberman, he should be banned from politics, Obama should be impeached for lying-he is worse than Bush!-I guess the impossible can be done! He lied-there is no change 11 months in-politics as usual, lobbyist running the show, more taxes on the working class, no end to the wars, long live Bush, I mean obama, LOL!

[armyofonerd]

Zero transparency, secret meetings behind closed doors and somehow we are to believe this is "change"? This is worse than Bush! This bill provides for taking tax money now, but 99% of the payout benefits do not start until 2014 to hide the massive 2.5 Trillion cost. We can do better, we were promised by Obama we could view this on C-Span, we were promised transparency by Obama and we were promised a real healthcare bill - all of these have failed by Obama. Now we see the real Obama.

[09reason]

Hey don't be so hard on Obama. He wants Health Insurance companies to accept anyone with pre existing conditions, even if they've never paid premiums. I want Congress to do that for me. I'm going to cancel my homeowers insurance and if my house burns down, I'll call State Farm at that moment and insist on coverage. No prexisting condition for homeowners or how about auto insurance, I'll drop it until I get into an accident then phone my agent for coverage............

[armyofonerd]

I can almost see the dream of the democratic party - everyone is responsible for nothing - just wait for another gov't handout. Of course, we will continue to give more and more of out taxes to them until those that pay taxes falls below 50% . . . wait a minute, are we there yet?? Obama/Clinton - 100 Billion for climate fraud!? Can you imagine how many jobs could be created with that money stolen from us? I think after one year of Obama, people are re-thinking about Bush.

[mcv47]

Some of us saw this more than a year ago. Some of you chose not to listen.

[1911arthur]

This is now a Blue Cross Windfall Bill!

Thanks to a few Senators that have sold out the entire Democratic Party and the President.

It's now, garbage and must be vetoed.

[odnovits]

I hope President Obama isnt to proud of this because this isnt real health care reform its a sell out!!! Very disappointed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[gbhobson]

This Obama Trojan Horse can't be cut down at the knees fast enough. If you idiots that want this really knew what you're asking for, you'd think twice about opening your mouth. Killing this bill on the hill is imperative.

[humaner]

Lieberman is a trouble maker and should leave the office

[Codger45caliber]

Does this mean the Louisiana senator won't get her 100 million dollars?

Only 291 days left until the 2010 election.

[1911arthur]

100% of all Israeli citizens are covered 100%, including dental and eyeglasses, thanks to Joe Lieberman who votes every year to give their citizens Billions of OUR money so they can enjoy the finest government health care in the world!

He SPITS on you Americans, as he votes to kill 44,000 of you just this year because you are poor.

Happy Hanukah!!!

[Orchard6773]

If you have any doubt where you stand with these government programs then read some history, study basic economics - do something different to try to figure out what this is about, which is simply a series of power grabs that fixes nothing and will cause more pain for all of us.

Capitalism and the free market are flawed but our federal government is way more devious and corrupt than any private business could ever be, with Obama and Friends being the worst so far.

[shshshsht]

There will never be a better time(translation: he will lose his majorities in Nov 2010, therefore any leftist bullshit must be raced thru while he can. What a fucking joke.)

[SocialistDemokrat]

The bonuses paid out to those CEO's is ethically wrong and I don't subscribe to it. But it's our economic system and it's vastly superior to socialist and communist systems.

Virtually all the problems with health care in America stem from government interference in the industry. Their back room deals, their anti-trust exemption, forced state mandates in our policies, not allowed to compete across state lines all add up to driving up costs.

More govt involvement is not the solution.

[HemiHead66]

We've never had a choice like that. The company does all the bidding with the providers. I would assume it's in their best interest to get the best rates. Did you look up what the increase was for NC, or something?? I don't really follow it. But I hear about it..

[1911arthur]

President Lieberman and Vice President Nelson gave Senator Obama his Christmas present early this year! Liberman says sorry, We don't believe in Christmas, we just profit from it. Screw You! and of course, the American people.

[HemiHead66]

I live in South Carolina and work in North Carolina.

[HemiHead66]

Coke does all the bidding. When they change providers someone comes down and goes over everything with us on a slide projector in a meeting room. I don't know how you're getting away with this. The top providers even jacked up their rates in the middle of this recession.

[1911arthur]

Scrap this plan as there is no public option or any competition and Blue Cross will continur to jack rates until it costs $25,000 for a health plan as that is what the CBO projects it to be within 9 years.

Remove Lieberman from all chairs and invoke reconciliation and start over.

This bill is now, crap.

It's now just a Blue Cross Bill.

[HemiHead66]

Are you sure your company didn't just pick up the tab? I work in North Carolina, and not only did they raise the rates all those times, the company had to change providers 4 or 5 times.

[1ruskie101]

I love my private health insurance. I would love it even more if the govt would allow the insurance companies compete freely in our capitalist system just like every other company does in this country.

* End their anti-trust exemption

* Pass tort reform

* Allow free market competition

* End insurance policy mandates

* Allow deductions off our taxes for all health care costs

A 2000+ page bill is insane. Our country is going bankrupt. End this spending madness.

[HemiHead66]

If I were you, I'd be careful what I ask for. Someday some moron Doctor might destroy your life and they'll look to hand you a few grand for your trouble. They say 100,000 people die each year from Doctor and staff fuck-up's. It's amazing how the Repubs think some insurance company CEO deserves an 11 million dollar paycheck and a 20 million bonus - but if some jerk-off Doctor fucks-up and kills ya - your stinking ass is only worth a million five. Then they want to cut the lawyers share of that.

[1ruskie101]

No, I'll take my chances with the free market over government run anything any day. If the stock holders of a publicly held company wish to pay their CEO a massive bonus then that's their right. That's how the capitalist free market system works.

There are many government run economies in the world that don't allow private companies to set their own pay. They may welcome you with open arms.

[HemiHead66]

Yeah - Well, that's fine with me. I guess somebody has to pay for their lavish lifestyle. As long as it's not me. Ya know - if those CEO's deserve an 11 million dollar paycheck - I should be making at least 1 or 2 million a year at my job. You should be too.

[dmaul7]

The funniest thing about the whole health care circus is that people are so stupid,they think it will save them money.When your taxes go up to pay for health care,that isn't saving you money.Even if your premiums go down,but your taxes go up YOU ARE NOT SAVING ANYONE MONEY.The same amount,or more money will leave your wallet,and instead of it going to the "evil insurance" companies it will go to the "evil government".

[HemiHead66]

The only thing private insurance has given me is 11 rate hikes in 13 years. Ya know - I don't get you people, at all. When was the last time you saw an insurance company give a shit about anything other than their bottom-line? And now they sold us out on the drugs, too. Did you know the U.S. pays the research and development for the whole friggin world? You'll see when all our jobs are overseas, where they don't have to worry about the land of greed.

[HarveyRex23]

Joe Lieberman is a maggot.

[beancube2008]

We should employ right wing fanatics and use their obstruction and blackmailing as our standard business conduct. Don't forget bomb threats 7/24 protest so FEMA can employ more of us. Join army to obtain single payer health care coverage for your families. Foreclosing as many as possible, especially those forecast surely will go down giant commercial projects for the near future, say for the next 5 years.

[HemiHead66]

Damn straight the bill in the Senate further empowers private insurers at the expense of the consumer. Kill the fucking Bill. You sellout Democrats are in the pocket of the drug companies, just like the Republicans are in the pocket of the insurance companies. It'll be a cold day in hell before the American people see reform from you traitorous heathens. You shit-bag Dems will never live down that drug bill yesterday. Safety my ass. You don't seem to have a problem giving us poison from China.

[Somai82]

Who cares about millions more getting healthcare. as long as Humana CEO's get their new gulfstream jet. now that's 'American freedom'..I got mine, fuck you..

[beancube2008]

Strip all govt their tax payers paid single payer health coverage so all govt employees have to battle insurance tycoons like the rest of us.

Their salaries are too expensive for tax payers of this country. They can't accomplish anything for us anyway. All govt have to take pay cut 50%. Speculations, frauds and corruptions are the only ways everybody can be rich anyway.

Stop all subsidies to Israel, start it at this moment. People have to start full scale war with those Zionist lobbyists.

[SocialistDemokrat]

Why are the left-wing radicals so against free market reforms? The only reason why health care costs keep rising is govt involvement. Imagine how expensive cars would be if you were only allowed five choices and the options were mandatory.

Allow private insurance companies to compete freely in any state, pass meaningful tort reform, end state mandates and allow tax deductions for anyone who purchases health insurance.

With a $12 trillion deficit, more govt involvement is the last thing we need

[1ruskie101]

Finally, this nightmare brought to us by the the far-left of the democratic party is coming to an end. Thank You Joe Lieberman for standing with the American people against liberal fascism and authoritarianism.

[phibes2]

Thank you Joe Lieberman for not giving in to the radical progressive democrats. Maybe they'll be some real bipartisanship next time and the focus will be on free-market reforms instead of more govt involvement.

[r32faisal]

does this mean obama is a nigger?

[DillonX]

Joe Lieberman is pure scum.

He works for the Insurance Companies & has made certain costs will not be reduced.

[mdryden02]

He says we are on a precipice? Who writes this stuff? That means that we either learn to fly or we're gonna fall into hell.

Go figure the odds of learning to fly.

[TheLiberalssuckdick]

Its unbelievable how the fucking morons really belief that the democrats really care about their health. FUCKING STUPID BRAIN DEAD SON OF A BITCHES.

Big ass power grab.

[themarycity]

Why would Republicans be upset by this? This bill is so weak! They would only be helping the insurance companies by letting 55 and up on Medicare.

[AnarchoCannibal]

Obama is a lying fraud.

[Asymmatrix]

Obama needs to be impeached. This basically criminal.

[urbanprophet777]

As long Chuck Norris is against it,it will never pass.LOL

[BlameRepublicans]

Right wingers have the strangest heroes. "Warriors" who never saw combat or even service, "rugged self made" wealth builders who were born rich. I guess they like fake b/c that's all they have in their lives. WWF, Jesus, etc...All fake lies.

[BeautifulGirlByDana]

Heath care will destroy your county , you people have no balls , fight for your freedom before its to late !

[BlameRepublicans]

LOL! Wait - do you mean health care will kill our coutnry or lack thereof?

[Ed76638]

We are fighting for freedom: Against the WHORE insurance companies.

[tim23z]

I think people are still holding the 'officer Crowley/Harvard professor' thing against the President.  It would have been better for him to have people meet behind the scenes to work that out instead of commenting at his news conference months back.

[OBAMASTINIAN]

I think they just believe he is a lying fraud,empty suit.Bent on ruining our country.

[hikonejo]

WTF?

Ok, the U.S. Senate plans to pass a "Healthcare Bill", but it lacks NOTHING of "Reform".

In fact, our (YES WE CAN) U.S. Senate plans to just pass the "Status Quo"?!?!

- Status Quo.

Basically, they plan to pass what we already have: A Droken Down, Over-Rated, Over Priced, P.O.S. Healthcare Plan!

Does absolutley NOTHING to help the uninsured.

And that's it folks.

There's your Healthcare "Reform".

[teapartyman]

When you compare us to the rest of the world, we have the best healthcare available. Leaders from other nations leave their own countries when they are sick.. and guess where they come to get treatment.. that's right, America! Obama needs to listen to the Republicans. They have a plan a better plan that works with the free market. More government is not the answer~it's the problem!

[edenskid]

Yeah, right. We have the best health care as evidenced by high insurance costs, denied insurance, uninsured ... as compared to the rest of the developed world.  Yeah, you are right.

[bundlesjr]

Actually its the complete opposite. Why do people go to India for surgeries and Drive to Canada just to buy drugs? Our healthcare is a rip-off no matter how good it is. The free market is the reason our jobs are in Mexico and China right now. You can bet that they care less about you than the government does because all they see is GREEN MONEY.

Do your your homework, our healthcare system is ranked 37th among the rest of the world.

[Mars2O84]

Thanks for demonstrating the ignorance of the Tea Party movement, teapartyman. "Leaders from other nations leave their own countries when they are sick." LEADERS. How many countries do you lead? The astroturf tea party movement protects the elite at the cost of average Americans. You've been manipulated to work against your own interests.

[jer4703]

Joe sucks ass!!!!!

[tim23z]

Why is Lieberman flip-flopping all over? Is he so in love with McCain that he turns his back on core principles that he and other Democratic members have fought hard for for decades? Why does he seem to be letting his personal feelings get in the way of reform?

[armyofonerd]

It would appear that "you lie" is in fact correct. This will give every illegal alien insurance in this country and still deny insurance for over 20 million American citizens at a cost of 2 trillion dollars. Please, if you think this will cost the original estimate of 900 billion, please tell us one gov't program that has run while staying within it's budget? NONE! It will be like going to the post office in December except you will pay more and get less with bigger lines.

[bundlesjr]

Dont remind me of the cost. The War in Iraq is nearing 1 trillion dollars with several lives lost on top of that. I'd rather have flopped on a healthcare bill than this....

[tim23z]

@armyofonerd, What page of which bill are you getting this from. Please provide page, section, etc. No talking points please.

[armyofonerd]

To my knowledge they have not even released the entire document to those who will vote on it - correct?? However, how do you understand this: H.R. 3200 does not contain any restrictions on noncitzens—whether legally or illegally present, or in the United States temporarily or permanently—participating in the Exchange? This is not a "talking point" or "snippit", but a simple fact. Answer this, where is all that "transparency" that was promised? Healthcare debate on C-Span from Obama?

[armyofonerd]

Another aspect of this "bill"; The only other immigration-related clause in the health care bill protects nonresident aliens from being taxed for not having acceptable health care coverage. Section 59B in Title IV states that any individual who does not have acceptable health care coverage (as defined in the bill) will face a tax. But this tax or, more appropriately, fine does "not apply to any individual who is a nonresident alien."

Or, Citizens fined, illegals given pass. Obama Fail!

[lenny380]

Name one thing the public at large is going to benefit from this?? This is simply a tax increase. Their is no public option, there is no free healthcare, there is only an immediate tax on the private sector to pay for God knows what. Just loony.

[mdryden02]

We need to know what we have, besides 4000 pages. We need a reliable synopsis by an outside agent.

[tim23z]

@mdryden02, Maybe they should use someone like PriceWaterhouse to 'score' the bill. I think an independent agency scoring might not be a bad idea.

[rentnation]

It's gonna pass

It's gonna pass

It is so gonna suck without a public option

but, it's gonna pass

Ha ha hahahahahahaha

Then you will wish you had a public option. Socialism for Insurance companies is gonna pass. People will pay a trillion in co-pays and still get jack. But it's gonna pass with or without Joe the Hoe. We have assured no competition for insurance companies. Ha ha ha ha Connecticut rules....we screw the rest of the country like third world pimps....Happy days are here agin

[Leonnidik]

The problem isthe $75 a patient pays for a Tylenol,$80 for a glucose count, $95 for a shot of insulin, $879 for an MRI etc.

[cocoapuffin]

That's a great point...why have we not addressed the fact that the cost of medical care is not affordable. Instead, we leave that alone, and just let the govt. pay for it. I agree with the fact that we need cost reductions, more affordable clinics nationwide, tax incentives for those with healthy lifestyles, more efficiencies made in terms of interoffice communication with medical records, diagnoses, etc,, and better regulation to reign in the insurance companies.

[tim23z]

@Cocoapuffin, maybe you should run for Lieberman's senate seat (i.e. move to Connecticut). Seems like you make a lot more sense than some in Washington have been making as of late.

[Leonnidik]

CoCoPuffin- Year ago, My father was in hospital dying of cancer,he had terrible acid stomach,we called the nurse for treatment,as she arrived, I asked her what it was..."Mylanta" how much is it? I asked..Said She",$27". "Don't bother, I'll go get him a bottle at the local pharmacy I said" True story.

[cocoapuffin]

When people are standing around with their hands out, they will pretty much give all of their freedoms away. This will lead to medical scarcity, rationing, brain drain in the medical sector, and decreased innovation. Way to go. I do agree that we need to address the idea of social justice, and take care of those who can't take care of themselves, but this is not the vehicle to address this issue. This is just about control of huge amounts of the GDP.

UGGHH.

[pitbullbuda]

what a bunch of FUCKIN idiots

[mdryden02]

How about thieves?

[Roonskii]

joe lieberman is a mass murderer

[artformeandyou]

OOOO = Obama Out Of Office

[Gandhiablo]

oooo

[mapmanic]

You knew they could do it!... turn a longtime neglect of societal responsibility to one another into a giveaway to the insurance industry! Hooray! Hooray! Hooray! For Lieberman, and Connecticut, the home of our soon to be even filthier rich health insurance industry! those great people who are getting rich off of sick people. And they said the American Dream was dead...

[blueshadababy]

Oh my God. You Obama haters are so brain washed by the dogma of the party of "no". Buy a damn economic history book and look at deficits year by year, pres by pres, then come back talking about big spending liberals. Get your facts straights, neophites, before you spout the crap you think is true because its been spoon fed to ya. Wake up and start thinking critically and researching for yourself rather than regurgitating the crap you here on t.v.

[VictoryCough]

How can you defend him? He's out Bushed Bush! He's expanded the wars, driven the dollar down further and this bill does nothing for the out of control prices of healthcare! I think you'll probably change your mind by 2012 when key nations depeg from our dollar.

[RadarGuidedVermin]

Obama has given me hope. I hope he gets hit by a bus.

[witecracker2]

how can one trust a liar from day one???

how can one trust this system that forces agendas for their own gain?

America has been hijacked for the fascist pigs in power,...

[BabybooR33]

The matrix has you!

[Lanceshizzy]

1881: President James A. Garfield (The 20th President of the United States who lasted only 100 Days) states two weeks before he is assassinated,

Whoever controls the volume of money in our country is absolute master of all industry and commerceand when you realize that the entire system is very easily controlled, one way or another, by a few powerful men at the top, you will not have to be told how periods of inflation and depression originate.

[tim23z]

Did Garfield actually say this? Do you think that's why they got him?

[Gandhiablo]

Did anybody get that gobbledygook?

Is anybody else fearful of this snear talker?

Is anybody intelligent left out there?

[Gandhiablo]

PS

I'd like to knock that snear onto the otherside of his face. POW!

[mdryden02]

sneer

[Gandhiablo]

sneer sneer

[witecracker2]

no

yes yes,...

i think,...i don't hardly want to hear a crooked leaders remark anymore,...they are all lies and deceit@!!!

and they know damn well they want to ruin America...RUIN

[Gandhiablo]

Washington DeCeivers

China is ruining the USA and Obeyma is giving it to them. He is putting us deeper and deeper in debt to them. We can never pay it, 'financially'.

Sound crazy?

Learn Chinese, quickly

[Gandhiablo]

PS

Ever wonder why most of the junk we consume is made in China?

Payback

[bekind42]

I'm surprised to see Dems kissing up to Joe after he was ousted by Dems voters.

It's like trusting a bank robber with guarding the bank vault, then come to ask where is the money!!!

[jerdeb4evr]

BOO. A stinkin bum in a suit. Obama will bankrupt this nation. To HELL with him