Via Avedon Carol, we find that Blue Cross has told regulators one thing and stockholders another. I guess they were too busy dumping stock to get their story straight.

All Eyes Are on Pennsylvania

Name sponsors of the legislation, Senator Jim Ferlo (D) and Representative Kathy Manderino (D) were joined by co-sponsor Representative Bill Kortz (D) in delivering impassioned messages to the rally attendees.

Billed as the keynote speaker, Sen. Ferlo expressed his passion oratorically and physically, pounding the podium for emphasis with such gusto he nearly sent two CS2 cassette recorders flying. He spoke of inclusiveness, advising, “Don’t write anybody off as we build this movement.”

 Read more…

Wondering where I have been? Why I am not posting nearly as often as I used to?
Well, these days I have been talking to the police and following up on my stolen
laptop. Yes, you heard that right. In a dangerous part of town, I turned my
attention away for a moment, and my laptop was stolen right out from under me.
Alas, I did not have the forethought to insure it. It has been a very humiliating
and demoralizing experience.

The recession has devastated my business, so I have no possibility to replace it.
Unless my readers are in a position to assist me. I know these are precarious
times, and you may not be in a position to assist me. I have used Macs for 25
years, and really don't think that I could adjust to a Windows Machine. Replacing

Susie and Atrios have both cried foul on this:

WASHINGTON — Faced with anxiety in financial markets about the huge federal deficit and the potential for it to become an electoral liability for Democrats, the White House and Congressional leaders are weighing options for narrowing the gap, including a bipartisan commission that could force tax increases and spending cuts.

This is disaster capitalism:

step one, pervert the financial system into a kleptocracy, steal everything in sight

step two, use the inevitable crisis as a way of destroying democracy and steal what is left

[So what's the outcome? I've been Googling, checking around, and nada. What's up? -- lambert]

On Monday Pelosi will decide whether or not to restore the Kucinich Amendment as a managers amendment.

If you live in her district you can contact herhouse site.

If you have a YouTube account you can leave a comment at her YouTube Channel.

If you have a blog you can write an open letter to restore the Kucinich amendment and track back to Speaker Blog.

ralphbon, blogging at FireDogLake

According to Tim Carpenter of Progressive Democrats of America, one avenue of appeal remains regarding these efforts:

Democratic House leaders can insert what is called a “Manager’s Amendment” into legislation, even when it is closed to any other amendments. The managers are the majority and minority members who “manage” debate for the bill on each side.

Today, tomorrow, and beyond, we need to call these “managers” and insist that the Kucinich Amendment is restored into the healthcare bill….

The “gang” that holds our future in their hands includes:

* Speaker Nancy Pelosi: Washington, DC, office (202) 225-4965; San Francisco office (415) 556-4862

 Read more…

Letting States Opt-in for Single-Payer

Back in July, the House Committee on Education and Labor did something right, something that could make all the difference in the world to millions of Americans, unless we allow the congressional "leadership" to unceremoniously undo it.

Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio, introduced in the committee an amendment that would effectively allow states to improve on our healthcare system if they choose to, allow them to create state-level single-payer healthcare. There are bills to do this in several state legislatures already. Such a bill has passed and been vetoed in California twice, where a change in governor is imminent.

 Read more…

Kucinich Wins Five Amendments to Health CareReform Bill

The first amendment created an opening for the single payer health care movement by eliminating a federal barrier to stateschoosing to enact single payer health plans. Although the amendment doesnot create a single payer health care system, it removes a major obstacle forany state that wishes to pursue the single payer option. This amendmentbuilds on the momentum of the national movement for single payer health care.

 Read more…

Guess Who's Going To Administer Any Public Option? Insurance Companies.

Via Raw Story, some news that really isn't such a big deal. Third-party administrators are already a cash cow for the insurance industry, but my guess is that this contract will have a lot of built-in cost controls:

 Read more…

Pennsylvania representative asks Ario to probe AHIP, Humana lobbying

The chairman of the Pennsylvania House Insurance Committee has asked the Pennsylvania Insurance Department to investigate health insurance industry lobbying, especially the TV advertisements of America’s Health Insurance Plans, on national health care reform.

Single-payer healthcare reform activists target CIGNA

Single Payer Healthcare Reform In Pennsylvania

via squidoo.com

We rallied for Single Payer Healthcare reform at the Capitol Rotunda in Harrisburg PA on October 20, 2009. (Pictured here is the Rotunda, as seen looking straight up from the inside of that historic building!

Pennsylvania may well be the first State to enact Single Payer in America. The commonwealth wil save 2 plus billion dollars the first year it is put into place.

Check out this thread at the AFL CIO blog. Trumka is getting some serious push back.

‘Health, Money and Fear’ examines health care system

Montanans for Single Payer will be showing "Health, Money and Fear," a documentary created by one of the group Mad as Hell Doctors, on Sunday, Oct. 25.

The showing will be at 1:30 p.m. in St. Peter's Episcopal Cathedral, 511 North Park Ave., Helena.

Admission is free of charge.

If it were really Medicare for Everybody we would just pass HR 676. Whatever they are talking about, it isn't everybody in, nobody out. Do we have a policy expert that can deconstruct this for us?

Senate hopeful withdraws support of healthcare, trade bills

Rep. Kendrick Meek (D-Fla.) on Wednesday abruptly withdrew his support from a controversial trade bill and legislation to create a single-payer health insurance system.

The decision to remove himself as co-sponsor of the two bills suggests that Meek is moving to the political center. Meek is the clear front-runner for the Democratic nomination for former Sen. Mel Martinez’s (R-Fla.) old seat after Rep. Corrine Brown announced she would not challenge Meek for the Democratic nomination.

So who else is in the race? Or do we have a third party candidate?

Business people talk about health care at Glenwood Springs chamber-sponsored forum

Tuschhoff posed a series of key questions surrounding the issue, utilizing electronic devices for attendees at Thursday's forum to give their answers anonymously. Though the results were hardly a scientific polling of the local community, she said it's interesting that many of the responses were similar to those she's gotten at other events she has facilitated.

 Read more…

Indiana Memorial Union Board to present nonpartisan health care debate with IU professors

WHAT: Nonpartisan health care debate at Indiana University
WHEN: Oct. 26, 7 p.m.
WHERE: Whittenberger Auditorium, Indiana Memorial Union. This event is free and open to the public.

Supporters Of Health Care Reform Rally At State Capitol

Hundreds of people from across Pennsylvania gathered in Harrisburg to show lawmakers their support for universal health care coverage.

Hundreds rally in Capitol for single-payer care

It was like a breath of fresh air. Yesterday, in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

Pacific John at Alegre's Corner

A public health expert from Hawaii took his turn in utter exasperation: "We've already run the experiment and come up with the solution! All you have to do is see what we did and copy it!" In short, what Hawaii did was cover nearly everyone, funded by a modest hike in the payroll tax. The last I knew, they offered all people of working age three major options: an HMO for little or nothing aside from the payroll tax, a fee for service plan with very modest premiums, and a version of Medicaid for those who would otherwise fall through the crack. Hawaii would put the private plans up for bid every couple of years, with intense competition for price and quality.

 Read more…

Colo. lawmakers consider support for single payer

DENVER (AP) - Colorado lawmakers are considering a resolution urging Congress to back a single payer health care plan.

The resolution being considered Monday by the Legislature's Health Care Task Force says the current system is "fragmented, costly, bureaucratic and administratively wasteful."

Will Dave Sirota talk about this on his radio show or syndicated column? Don't hold your breath.

Steve Benen

'DELAY, DEFINE AND DERAIL'.... Roll Call reports today on what we can expect to see from the Senate GOP caucus as the debate over health care reform enters the final stretch.

Senate Republicans, acknowledging they lack the votes to block a health care reform bill outright, have implemented a comprehensive political strategy to delay, define and derail. [...]

The Republicans have been very candid that their strategy is to sabotage the Obama Presidency so that things get worse for American and Republicans can get back in power.

Single Payer Action interviews Chuck Pennachio

The Pittsburgh Women's Blogging Society

Healthcare 4 ALL PA Rally in Pittsburgh Tomorrow!
http://www.healthcare4allpa.org/home.php

The Union Edge Talk Radio will be there to cover the story!
Hear the interview October 14, 2009 ShowMary Pat Donegan PhD (Western PA Regional Coordinator) & Chuck Pennacchio (Executive Director) at www.TheUnionEdge.com on the right side of the page.

Rally For Single Payer Healthcare

Join single payer supporters from all over Pennsylvania in the Capitol Rotunda, 100 N. State St., Harrisburg. Supporting State (HB1660 / SB400) and National (HR676 / S703) Health Care Reform Efforts

Tuesday, October 20, 10 a.m. to 12 noon

Single Payer: Pennsylvania is America's Saskatchewan

HealthCare 4 All PA Opens Office on Murray Ave,

9News.com Colorado

"Medicare for all!" yelled one unruly attendee.

"I understand you want Medicare for all," Schrager responded after the situation had escalated.

Police calmly escorted the man out of the auditorium when he refused to sit down and engage in the debate in a civil manner.

Oh those pesky little single payer people, they just refuse to shut up.