Dr Howard Dean Fighting for Health Care Reform in the NYT Magazine

by Texas Nate, Fri Jul 10, 2009 at 05:59:22 PM EST

Nice Q&A with Howard Dean and his new book, Dr. Dean's Prescription for Health Care Reform in this weekend's NYT Magazine:

As a former practicing physician, governor of Vermont and head of the Democratic National Committee, did you write your new book, "Howard Dean's Prescription for Real Healthcare Reform," to appoint yourself as the go-to person on health care policy? What, exactly, is your role in all this?
My role is to try to get the Democratic Party to do the right thing. I believe that if we don't pass the health care plan with the public option, it won't be health care reform, and we'll lose a tremendous number of seats in 2010.

By "public option," you refer to a plan that would give most Americans a choice between their current health insurance and a new Medicare-style public plan. Which is very different from the sort of comprehensive single-payer plan the Canadians have.
You've got to start from where you are, not from where you wish you were. The Europeans have much more comprehensive and cheaper health care plans than we have, but they got there because their health care systems were essentially destroyed during World War II. We grew our private health care system around World War II -- the only way that American employers could give their employees a raise was to enhance health-insurance benefits -- so to change it to a totally public plan is crazy.

Jerome and I are helping Chelsea Green promote Dr. Dean's book. Its critical that progressives seize these opportunities to drive the debate by propelling our books onto the best seller lists which then dramatically increases their exposure in book stores, airports and in the media. Howard Dean is far and away the best and most progressive spokesman we have for health care reform and this book is a key part of keeping him in the forefront of the discussion. He's touring the country doing book signings so see him if you have the chance.




Tags: howar dean, health care reform (all tags)

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Rock on (none / 0)

The advantages are so great. A friend of mine who's studying to be an archives person noted that historically the British not only implemented their system of National Healthcare after World War II, because it was a way of saying thank you - to the returning veterans.

But also because it represented real economic relief. They welcomed it. As it turns out, it helped Britain recover.

Dr. Dean is right on. Anyone who looks at how cool the European system is, has to come back and wonder why we pay so much and end up 48th in the world in terms of life expectancy.


by Trey Rentz on Fri Jul 10, 2009 at 06:10:54 PM EST

Well yes (none / 0)

but the NHS nearly bankrupted the country at first before fees were implemented, but it was meant to prevent healthcare costs themselves from bankrupting the country.

Also European Systems are very different...The Swiss system is not nearly as good as the French or British systems. What we appear to be aiming for is something like the French or German system, which are very similar, but the French system is considered much better.


Keep Yelling, Nobody's Listening -SallyCat
by DTOzone on Fri Jul 10, 2009 at 07:37:37 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Dr Howard Dean (none / 0)

Remind me again. Why isn't he in the Cabinet as HHS Secretary?


Follow me on Twitter.
by Charles Lemos on Fri Jul 10, 2009 at 08:08:09 PM EST

Re: Dr Howard Dean (none / 0)

Is it possible that he is a more effective advocate for public healthcare outside the administration?

He is not hamstrung by being seen as speaking for the President. His only agenda is advocating the healthcare plan he believes would be most effective. This is the right role for him.


Oh Mammy Dear, we're all mad over here livin' in America
by JDF on Fri Jul 10, 2009 at 08:43:28 PM EST
[ Parent ]

disagree there (none / 0)

Sebelius sends out the wrong signals, such as Obama might accept regional co-ops as the public option. We would be better off with a forceful advocate for the public option representing the White House position. Dean speaks clearly and understandably on this issue.


Join the Iowa progressive community at Bleeding Heartland.
by desmoinesdem on Sat Jul 11, 2009 at 08:38:20 AM EST
[ Parent ]

But if he was in the administration (none / 0)

he wouldn't be a forceful advocate because he'd have to sell the White House position of "This is what we prefer, but we'll look at all sides" like Sebelius is doing.

The White House has decided not to repeat the Clinton mistake of forcing their plan down the throats of Congress and instead let the people sell the plan, which is where Howard Dean is coming in handy outside the administration.

He's better off there.


Keep Yelling, Nobody's Listening -SallyCat
by DTOzone on Sat Jul 11, 2009 at 12:55:29 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Lets not get our hopes up (1.00 / 1)

There is probably a 20% chance at best of getting a universal healthcare bill through at this point.  Congress continues to delay and delay and the insurance companies are just too powerful.  http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/heal th-reform-in-jeopardy-as-house-delays-ac tion-2009-07-10.html

We are probably going to have to settle for something bite-sized like greater tax deductions on purchases of insurance or allow children to stay on their parents health insurance for longer periods of time.  


by Kent on Fri Jul 10, 2009 at 08:40:18 PM EST

Re: Lets not get our hopes up (none / 0)

While any positive change is a good thing I really think we are going to see movement on this before the midterms... passing Healthcare with a public option would be so big for the Dems and it is not the sort of thing that would provide a major rallying cry for the GOP at this point. I am all for getting this done quickly, but if it is times well it could really  boost our chances in 2010 as well.


Oh Mammy Dear, we're all mad over here livin' in America
by JDF on Fri Jul 10, 2009 at 08:45:39 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Lets not get our hopes up (none / 0)

I dont think a public option is a realistic goal in this country.  We are going to have to take what we can get I am afraid.


by Kent on Fri Jul 10, 2009 at 08:49:42 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Are you confusing (none / 0)

the public option with single payer? Single payer is not a realistic goal at this point, but no healthcare bill is going to pass the House with a public option, and it doesn't look like it'll pass the Senate either.

So we get a public option or we get nothing.


Keep Yelling, Nobody's Listening -SallyCat
by DTOzone on Fri Jul 10, 2009 at 08:58:32 PM EST
[ Parent ]

What we will likely get is no healthcare bill (none / 0)

Because the House and Senate likely wont pass one with a public option adn they wont pass one without one.  


by Kent on Fri Jul 10, 2009 at 09:01:16 PM EST
[ Parent ]

ok whatever (none / 0)

I guess we fail then.


Keep Yelling, Nobody's Listening -SallyCat
by DTOzone on Fri Jul 10, 2009 at 09:10:08 PM EST
[ Parent ]

I would bet my life savings on it (none / 0)

Because there is about an 80% chance of that happening.


by Kent on Fri Jul 10, 2009 at 09:15:51 PM EST
[ Parent ]

You remind me (none / 0)

of this guy;

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/7/10/ 0048/34081


Keep Yelling, Nobody's Listening -SallyCat
by DTOzone on Fri Jul 10, 2009 at 09:22:07 PM EST
[ Parent ]

you're being a despair troll (none / 0)

I hope you're getting paid by the insurance companies because you should be for spewing this defeatist crap.


by Texas Nate on Fri Jul 10, 2009 at 09:22:42 PM EST
[ Parent ]

I have been burned too many times (none / 0)

We were promised universal healthcare in the 40's under Truman, in the 70's under Carter, and I thought we would certainly get it in the 1990's under Clinton.  We didnt and I see the same pattern playing out again.  


by Kent on Fri Jul 10, 2009 at 09:26:47 PM EST
[ Parent ]

So then why do we bother? (none / 0)


Keep Yelling, Nobody's Listening -SallyCat
by DTOzone on Fri Jul 10, 2009 at 09:31:39 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: So then why do we bother? (none / 0)

Because it feels good to hope/look forward to something, even if it isnt very likely to happen.  


by Kent on Fri Jul 10, 2009 at 09:38:25 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Did someone shoot your puppy? (none / 0)

I guess we should just shut down the blogs and go home...why bother, nothing we want is likely to happen anyway, right?

Think of all the extra time we can spend doing other things instead of politics.


Keep Yelling, Nobody's Listening -SallyCat
by DTOzone on Fri Jul 10, 2009 at 09:41:45 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Did someone shoot your puppy? (none / 0)

We cannot move an unmoveable object and that is what the current healthcare system is.  Reform had to be done quick and now it appears that the clock is running out.  


by Kent on Fri Jul 10, 2009 at 09:48:31 PM EST
[ Parent ]

This doesn't make any sense (none / 0)

if you can't move an unmoveable object, doing it quickly isn't going to make it more moveable.


Keep Yelling, Nobody's Listening -SallyCat
by DTOzone on Fri Jul 10, 2009 at 11:00:33 PM EST
[ Parent ]

You ARE that guy! (none / 0)

Lets not get our hopes up (1.00 / 1)

There is probably a 20% chance at best of getting a universal healthcare bill through at this point.  Congress continues to delay and delay and the insurance companies are just too powerful.  http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/heal th-reform-in-jeopardy-as-house-delays-ac tion-2009-07-10.html

We are probably going to have to settle for something bite-sized like greater tax deductions on purchases of insurance or allow children to stay on their parents health insurance for longer periods of time.

* [new] Republicans control the agenda (1+ / 0-)
Recommended by:Mike Taylor
They dont want healthcare reform and we wont get it.  We are going to have to start working on piecemeal reforms like greater deductability for individual insurance premiums and a allowing children to stay on their parents insurance for longer periods of time.  Anything that seriously competes with insurance companies is probably a non-starter.  

by UpstateDem on Fri Jul 10, 2009 at 10:45:44 PM EDT

You ARE UpstateDem...lol...hey, that thing you said yesterday on Dkos about how Clinton's Presidency was a failure, try it here, see how far it gets you.


Keep Yelling, Nobody's Listening -SallyCat
by DTOzone on Fri Jul 10, 2009 at 11:40:26 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Then who are you? (none / 0)

Clinton advocated many small healthcare programs like coverage for poor children and portability that I am now arguing for.  I am just saying taht we should focus on getting things done that are realistic(I.E. will garner Republican support) rather than setting ourselves up for more dissapointment.  


by Kent on Fri Jul 10, 2009 at 11:50:31 PM EST
[ Parent ]

I'm nobody there (none / 0)

they don't let me post there anymore since I liked Hillary and that was a no-no

But I still read it occasionally...btw, I especially enjoyed it when you said we should never have won the last election. What was that diary you wrote;

Oh right; 2008: An election not worth winning;

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/2/4/6 93320/-2008:An-election-not-worth-winnin g


Keep Yelling, Nobody's Listening -SallyCat
by DTOzone on Sat Jul 11, 2009 at 12:03:27 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Lets not bring diaries between blogs (none / 0)

It is in bad taste.


by Kent on Sat Jul 11, 2009 at 12:13:05 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Go to "Hillary is 44" (none / 0)

There are people there that hate Obama so much that they are hoping Republicans take over Congress in 2010.  A lot of those people were ones who posted here during the primary.  


by Kent on Sat Jul 11, 2009 at 12:15:52 AM EST
[ Parent ]

That's nice (none / 0)

I don't see how they're relevant...what's your point?

you are notably overpessimistic and wrong. Weren't you the one who suggested we give up on Obama in September and "save our majority in Congress?"

Weren't you the one who wrote him off in the primaries?

You are always wrong and you are always predicting doom...and your erroneous predictions are repeatedly thrown back in your face when they're proven wrong.

If you don't think we're getting a public option, then we almost certainly will be.


Keep Yelling, Nobody's Listening -SallyCat
by DTOzone on Sat Jul 11, 2009 at 12:22:51 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Don't like to be outed, do ya? (none / 0)


Keep Yelling, Nobody's Listening -SallyCat
by DTOzone on Sat Jul 11, 2009 at 12:23:39 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Lets not bring diaries between blogs (none / 0)

Ouch.


Howard Dean is my go-to guy
by lojasmo on Sat Jul 11, 2009 at 06:21:58 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Garner Republican Support? (none / 0)

LOL.


Oh Mammy Dear, we're all mad over here livin' in America
by JDF on Sat Jul 11, 2009 at 01:30:39 AM EST
[ Parent ]

We're going to see movement on this (none / 0)

before the Fall.


Keep Yelling, Nobody's Listening -SallyCat
by DTOzone on Fri Jul 10, 2009 at 08:57:26 PM EST
[ Parent ]

I certainly hope so (none / 0)

If we dont get a bill into law by Christmas, we can simply forget about getting this done, probably forever.  


by Kent on Fri Jul 10, 2009 at 08:59:55 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Lets not get our hopes up (none / 0)

Where are you pulling this percentage from?  


Watching capitalism gun down democracy, It had this funny effect on me I guess
by selfevident on Sat Jul 11, 2009 at 04:45:20 PM EST
[ Parent ]

fighting for the correct option (none / 0)

im glad dean is fighting for the open access pub opt. many say they want a pub opt. they shouldnt. they should say-open access pub opt open to any american who wants it. the senhelp bill doesnt provide this and now the blue dogs are likely kinng the house open access version. im growing unhappy with this whole deal . dean gets it. sanders does.


by art3 on Fri Jul 10, 2009 at 09:26:44 PM EST


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