Healthcare Debate: What Are the Blue Dogs Afraid Of?

Complete video at: http://fora.tv/2009/07/26/Is_2009_like_1993_A_Conversation_on_Health_Reform

Former legislators Billy Tauzin and Tom Daschle discuss the biggest concerns for conservative "Blue Dog" Congressional Democrats. Tauzin suggests that the Blue Dogs are afraid of being "BTU'd", or forced to vote for an unpopular bill, while Daschle contends that they are concerned with containing the rising cost of healthcare.

-----

Is 2009 like 1993? A Conversation with Former Congressional Leaders on the Prospects for Health Reform and Comparisons to Clinton's Reform Efforts

Healthcare reform, a top priority of the current administration, depends on legislative action. In order to make real progress toward change, how do legislators prioritize the many subdivisions of reform, such as insurance, research funding, or electronic health records? Listen as political leaders explain the process of sharing ideas and getting things done. - Aspen Institute

Thomas Andrew Daschle is a former U.S. Senator and Senate Majority Leader from South Dakota. He is a member of the Democratic Party. He was defeated on November 2, 2004, by the Republican candidate, John Thune, in his bid for re-election. He is currently a Special Policy Advisor at the law firm Alston & Bird LLP, visiting professor at the Georgetown Public Policy Institute at Georgetown University, and a Distinguished Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress.

The Hon. Billy Tauzin was named President and Chief Executive Officer of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) in January 2005. Mr Tauzin came to PhRMA after a long and distinguished career in public service. He began his public career serving in the Louisiana State legislature. Mr. Tauzin made his mark serving the people of Louisiana’s 3rd District, and the American people for 13 terms as a Member of Congress. He served as Chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce. He received a bachelor's from Nicholls State University in 1964 and a law degree from Louisiana State University in 1967.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• congress
• democratic
• republicans
• party
• politics
• gop
• democrats
• pelosi
• reid
• bayh
• obama
• reform
• health
• care
• insurance
• debate
• fora.tv
• foratv
• fora
• tv

[terpis]

Perfect: Billy fucking Tauzan and Tom Daschle... what a broad range of expert opinions represented here.

Two industry shills pretending to struggle toward a consensus. Should've tossed in Pete Peterson too. And what about Rick Scott?

Reminds me of reading recently that Bush era FCC anti-democrat Kevin Martin accepted an Aspen Institute "fellowship". because there's a guy with some innovative ideas. Horribly destructive, but no doubt innovative.

A convention of assholes.

[funkalunatic]

If the blue dogs gave a damn about cost containment, they would be supporting a public option. Instead they've been bought and bubbled by the lobbyists for the industries that are gouging the public. So why is Daschle praising the Blue Dogs for BS reasons? Because he's been paid, too. Follow the money.

[Ladiestreat]

Tauzin should be in prison.  Fucking schill.

[frostywomanfrizz]

Lies. The blue dogs are just rats who will spend your money and tax you to death. Read the news out there and stop watching liberal nuts on the news. Vote smart while you still can.

[grexample]

You're promoting an economic fallacy here! % of total program cost is unrelated to administrative efficiency. For example: If you sell policies only to healthy kids who don't make any claims, your overhead is 100% REGARDLESS of how efficient administration is. These numbers simply show that Medicare's patients are older and sicker than those of private insurers. It's not evidence of government efficiency at all. Plus 96% of Medicare's overhead is unrelated to claims processing.

[skybluesky]

you stand in line at 7am. and if u're the lucky first 15, you get treated.

it's paid for in some cities, like philadelphia's city health clinics through city taxes.

i would hardly call that universal healthcare...

[rannedwards]

No. You shut the fuck up. Neighborhood clinics and hospitals offer UHC? Now who are you shitting.

You get informed and shut the fuck up, because the lies you spread or misinformation could be life threatening or ignorance spreading.

Local clinics do not offer free health care. Those days are long past. Get out of your gated community and stop watching 70's shows.

[chancedagardner]

rannedwards

Universal healthcare is and has been available for many years.

Have you heard of neighborhood clinics and hospitals?

No, of course you haven't.

They provide healthcare to the common man to include illegal immigrants.

Doesn't have to be an emergency either.

It's ignornant people like you that enable our govt to be in every aspect of our lives because you are too lazy to get informed.

Meanwhile you spread your ignorance to others like you.

Get informed or shut the f@#k up.

[rannedwards]

The blud dogs have already sold out to the health care industry and big pharma. Please check the record of donations received by the blue dogs, BEFORE your next defense of them.

[rannedwards]

The republicans are not the only ones that are delusional.

You should monitor your speech, because scream idiot!

You've believed everything you've seen on television haven't you? You have never filtered anything for truth, never checked any of the "facts". You have accepted it all whole-cloth. You are a danger to society and what's worse is you are a danger to yourself.

Wear a helmet and buy some crayons.

[sugarpuddin88]

American stats to consider:

1 in 10 on food stamps; US second only to Mexico in illiteracy & poverty among industrialized nations

USA medicine is ranked 54th in world

Of 50 top world corporations, all but 1 is in Europe!

14 of 20 largest banks are in Europe

1.5 quadrillion in counterfeit derivatives

Gov grows 4 Xs faster than economy

Fed spending grows 16 times faster than economy, (16 fold expansion in control & gov dependence)

The US gov now holds 57% share of entire National Income