You are in great form today Bob, with this post. Bravo!

This quote had me laughing and saying "Touche'":

We can only conclude that the COCS are entirely ignoring the will of the American people because they're hiking the Appalachian Trail with the healthcare industrial complex.

This is the tipping moment we need, way to call these guys out and ask the President to step up in agreement.

Hi Bob,

I know you've got your own personal reasons for blogging about this topic, but I want to let you know that you're speaking for me too. Please stay on this, and keep it visible. We/I need our healthcare system to be fixed. I'm totally in agreement with you that it's just a matter of time before my insurance company screws me.

Boy oh boy, Bob,

It looks like our little discussion yesterday left some marks. I couldn't have said it better.

I still think real reform is only possible once lobbyist reform is done, but we'll see. It may come to that anyway.

I certainly can't see our President having his reform defeated and sitting by wringing his hands. If it happens, in the end, I'd bet he attacks the COCS with lobbyist reform, wins it, and then throws down on health care reform again.

Like I said the other day, we ought to make our elected officials wear uniforms, like NASCAR drivers do, that show the patches of their corporate sponsors; the bigger the sponsor, the bigger the patch.

Done and Done.

And second that notion that you are speaking for us. Thanks.

I can't believe I hadn't noticed "COCS" before.
Great post. And, other than the Pres. knocking heads, the media needs to start confronting these idiots with these polls. Is there any info out there about the holdings of these media conglomerates (and, more to the point, the investments/endorsements of their employees and families). 'Cause that's a hell of a conspiracy they've got going there. It's like Dana Carvey's OJ conspiracy, except real.

Here's the reply I received from Sen Warner when I wrote him to express my concern for a lack of true reform; I specifically addressed the need for, at minimum, a public option:

Thank you for your recent letter regarding reforming our nation's health care system. I share your concerns about the need for comprehensive health care reform, especially during this challenging economic time.

Although I do not support a government-run single-payer health care system, I believe we need comprehensive reform to achieve a competitive, cost-effective, and efficient system. This effort should be primarily focused on ensuring that all Americans can get adequate health coverage, and the coverage must be cost-effective and based upon data-driven medical standards. We must ensure that competition remains among health care providers because it is precisely that competition that drives innovation and cost reduction in the industry. Any final reform should also include measures to promote prevention and wellness, senior navigation through the health system, health information technology ("health IT") and telemedicine.

The health care reform debate in the Senate will intensify over the coming weeks, with the Finance Committee and Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions reviewing and amending legislation before the bill is debated by the full Senate. Although I do not sit on those Committees, I am actively engaged in drafting legislation to be included in the final package and in discussions with my fellow Senators on improvements we can make to the current bill. Much of the current controversy surrounding reform efforts has been focused on whether the bill should include a public health insurance option. As evidence that there is room to compromise, several alternatives are being discussed ranging from non-profit regional co-operatives to a delayed public option. I will keep your views in mind as we consider these and other proposals.

Thanks again for contacting me. As health care reform in the Senate takes shape, I value your opinions. I recently convened a task force on health IT, the product of a widely-attended conference at VCU, for the purpose of putting Virginia on the cutting edge of health IT. If you would like information about this initiative or my recently-introduced Senior Navigation and Planning Act, please visit my website at: www.warner.senate.gov. As we move forward, I will continue to seek out the advice and opinions of all Virginians in order to help shape an improved health care system that will be in all of our best interests.

Sincerely,
MARK R. WARNER
United States Senator

Not sure exactly how comfortable I am with his answer, but at least he has answered unlike Sen Webb or Rep Nye.

That's Warner's typical no answer spin bullshit. Remember, he's a rich BUSINESS guy so I hold no hope of him coming through. Webb maybe and Periello I have no clue.

Great article Bob btw. i always wonder if Obama's administration reads these articles.

Good work in the culmination of the recent discussions on your site. We know The President reads HuffPost-or someone on his staff does. (Otherwise why would he call on one of the reporters.) I so hope he gets your well-written post pleading for him to listen to the people and look right through those that are hiding in piles of money

We need to force the replacement of Harry Reid!

How do we do that?

I honestly think we need to oust Harry Reid! But we could hammer his phone!

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

Oh ............... wait, that's email!

Why can't I find Harry's phone #?

If we could/can shame Reid into resigning as majority leader, who's next up?

We really need to think about what to do and how to do it over the next 18 months!

Getting Harry Reid to step aside is job #1!

In the Huffington Post article, it was said that the AMA now supports a public option. I did not take Rohack statement as support at all, but everyone can judge for themselves.

Here is was Rohach actually said;

"Rohack, who recently became AMA president, suggested Wednesday that the Federal Employee Health Benefit Program available to Congress members and other federal employees could be expanded as a public option. That would avoid having to create a new program from scratch, he said.

“If it’s good enough for Congress, why shouldn’t it be good enough for individuals who don’t have health insurance provided by their employers?” Rohack said."

For myself, I take as a sarcastic statement, and not a change in position to one of support by the AMA. Does anyone think that the President of the AMA thinks that the Federal Employee Health Benefit Program would be financially feasable in this context? Does anyone think he is really proposing that plan for all the uninsured in this country? No, that would never fly, this is a gold plated plan reserved for members of Congress and others. The AMA has not changed their position, his statement was one of sarcasm, and a jab at Congress for having their own special plan while at the same time considering a watered down plan for the rest of us.

Bob, I'm with you.

He needs to be spineless, tough, unwavering.

And, if he's not?

His poll number are slipping with Indy's.

We need to see some of the campaign promises
come to fruition.

I'm about to run back to my political roots, and
it's not the Dem Party. (Not R either)

I can't believe I wrote spineless!

Omg! I'm tired.

I meant to write "show some spine".....

Where's the delete feature on this blog?! ;)

Yahoo news has an article headlined Senate bill fines people refusing health coverage Read it - it's a WTF?