Rep. Weiner: Obama Admin “Half Pregnant” with Insurance Industry

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    Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-N.Y.) said on Tuesday that the Obama administration is “half-pregnant” with health insurers and pharmaceutical companies, which may jeopardize the success of reform.

     The congressman — who is a leading liberal voice in the healthcare reform debate — said that rumored deals the White House has struck with big pharmaceutical companies and insurers may guide them to abandon key elements of reform, such as a public health insurance option.

    “The Obama administration is trying to be, I don’t know how to put it, half-pregnant with the insurance industry and the pharmaceutical companies,” he told WNYC Radio today. “They’re to some degree the source of our problem.”

TheHill.com

Bold added by diarist

    I for one APPLAUD Rep. Anthony Weiner’s knee jerk Truth Telling. Face it, President Obama has NOT done ANYTHING to fight for a Public Option, without which this is the subsidize and mandate private insurance bill, NOT the Health care Reform that would give Americans Universal coverage that we NEED.

     Without a Public Option you can pretty much throw cost containment out the window, and until I hear the Obama Administration say something, ANYTHING about it, they are very much a part of the problem.

    The goal here should NOT be to hold a historicish signing ceremony so the President can enjoy a 5 point bump in the polls for three months, the point was, I thought, to change the system, but maybe I was misled somehow.

     And if I seem pissed off, it is because I am. I am this close to being homeless and can not find a job for the life of me, so yeah, if I get sick I am as good as screwed. I am a broken leg away from being destitute, and if these Corporatists and so called Democrats won’t fight FOR me, they will have to fight AGAINST me.

    Now show me some fight, President Obama. I am rooting FOR you as long as you are working FOR me. I can tell that Rep Weiner and Alan Grayson aqre fighting for me. I can tell that Senators Schumer, Brown and Sanders are fighting FOR me. But what about Obama?

    I WANT Obama to WIN, but I want America’s people to win too. If Health Care Reform DOES NOT have strong competition for the private insurers that ensures cost containment, the people who did not speak up for a Publiic Option will be just as responsible as the who fought against it.

    So where does Obama stand? According to Representative Weiner, Obama’s Admin is Part Of The Problem. When they become Part of a solution that includes a public option, then I will cheer. Until then, I will fight, and to hell with anyone who gets in my way.

For what it is worth, I stand with Representative Weiner. We did NOT get Single Payer, we didn’t even get the chance. This IS The compromise. No more, and no more excuses.

    You can donate to Anthony Weiner, Alan Grayson and other Democrats with GUTS here with Act Blue

    And, in the spirit of FULL DISCLOSURE: What is wrong with me is I am UNINSURED, my job disappeared in Feb and if I get sick I am FUCKED, if there is no Public Option I am FUCKED, and I REFUSE to be fed to the private insurers that FUCKED ME AND MY WHOLE COUNTRY OVER FOR THE LAST 80 FUCKING YEARS.

    I know the Public option won’t kick in for years, but I know that the private insurers will jack up prices ASAP. Without competition coming down the road, we are in deep shit, and the party that passes a FUBAR bill without a Public Option will have 55-65% of America ROYALLY PISSED AT THEM.

    The fact is, if we can’t get a Public Option with the Presidency, 60 Senators and a HUGE House Majority AND 55-65% approval in the public, our democracy is seriously FUCKED UP.

    I want Obama to do the right thing. I hope he does, but I WILL hold his feet to the fire for it. I urge others to do so too, and I will appluad those who will do so like Rep Anthony Weiner.

    51 Dems with GUTS are worth more than 60 excuse making sell outs any day of the week in my book.

    It is time for President Obama to STAND THE F UP and YEll Louder. If not now, then when?    

Crossposted at The Progressive Electorate.com