We all know about the 45 million uninsured Americans, including 6 million children (!). What most people don't realize is that there's a very high cost to ALL of us for having so many of our citizens without health insurance.
Today Families USA released a new report called Paying a Premium: The Added Cost of Care for the Uninsured that calculates exactly the price we all pay for the failure of our health care system to cover all Americans. If this doesn't turn you into a big fan of universal health care, nothing will!
Here are some of the report's key findings: (PDF of full report here)
In six states, health insurance premiums for families are at least $1,500 higher due to the unreimbursed cost of health care for the uninsured in 2005. These states are New Mexico ($1,875); West Virginia ($1,796); Oklahoma ($1,781); Montana ($1,578); Texas ($1,551); and Arkansas ($1,514) (Table 1).
(emphasis added)
Well, if the right-wing "Christian" sex police gets its way, women all over America may have to start hoarding their favorite contraceptive before they can't get it at their neighborhood pharmacy anymore:
More after the jump.
The 52-to-48 vote to restore money to the Medicaid program for poor people came on an amendment offered by Senator Gordon H. Smith, Republican of Oregon. His was one of a long string of amendments being deliberated on the $2.6 trillion budget for the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1.
Not only did our caucus (+ Jeffords) hold together, but we peeled off six Republicans: Chafee, Coleman, Collins, DeWine, Smith, Snowe, and Specter. The cuts will probably be partially restored in conference, but there's a small chance this could derail Bush's budget--or so I hear from people more knowledgeable on this than I. With all the bad news coming out of DC lately, it's good to win now and then. I may even have a beer tonight!
Thankfully, there's still some sanity and compassion in the GOP. Sen. Smith (Oregon) will introduce an amendment tomorrow that would strike the cuts from the budget resolution.
Families USA has set up a toll-free 800 number for people to call their senators telling them to oppose the cuts and support the Smith amendment: the number is 1-800-828-0498. Please call, then pass the number around!
From Political Wire:
Not sure what to make of this in terms of what it means to Tim Kaine's chances. Potts is moving to the center, so wil he steal moderates who might've gone for Kaine? Or will he split the Republican vote? Either way, another wrinkle to keep in mind for this very important race in '05.
I had an opportunity to see the speech in person. Here's the passage that grabbed my attention the most:
I find this encouraging because, while "Kids First" might have little chance to pass the House (it may fare better in the Senate), it's a good attempt at playing offense. The bill puts forth an alternative, positive vision, something that has been sorely lacking from Democrats lately. This, along with the opposition to Gonzales and Rice's nominations and Harry Reid's war room, seem like the beginnigs of a more effective Democratic opposition. Being an effective opposition isn't necessarily about whether somehting will pass or not, but about developing a coherent alternative vision you can present to voters in the next election.
However, a lower profile DNC race is going on for DNC vice-chair. Alvaro Cifuentes, Chairman of the Hispanic Caucus of the DNC, is the current front-runner. He's a popular and successful Hispanic leader within the party. And he must be stopped.
More after the jump.
As he was wandering around the Web, staunch conservative Phil Davis somehow stumbled unto my blog, and couldn't help but leave some comments. They form such a concise recitation of the conservative creed that I consider them a perfect opportunity to debate this creed head on. Here are Phil's comments in full:
You liberals really need to get a life and stop protesting the 2004 vote. You expend so much energy that could be used for more useful things.
What you don't get is that people that grew up with midwestern such as myself in Ohio, have moved to other places such as Florida, Texas, Arizona, Georgia, etc. and that is why there are so many red states.
People in Ohio, Indiana, Kansas etc. will never agree with the liberal philosophy that the northeast represents.
We believe in God, family and conservative, traditional values such as marriage is between a man and a woman, less taxes, less government interference, a strong national defense and defeating our enemies, which we know as being fundamentalist muslims.
We don't like the PLO and aren't afraid to call them terrorists. I am glad Arafat died, he was evil.
If the democrats want to keep what little power they have left, they must abandon the far left liberals and start over and get back to the ideals my grandmother held so close.
From a true Patriot,
Phil
· WI-08: Wingnut plans to run as "conservative independent" (desmoinesdem)
· 50 percent of southerners say Obama better president than Bush (desmoinesdem)
· What Yesterday Says About Young Voters (Mike Connery)
· Max Blumenthal on the dysfunctional movement driving the GOP (Mike Connery)
· IA-Gov: Culver launches second tv ad (desmoinesdem)
· Hilarious Vid On Why We Must Vote No On Issue 2!! (Cliff Schecter)
· NY-23: Scozzafava Drops Out! (lipris)
· NY-23: Pataki Goes Rogue, Endorses Teabagger Darling Doug Hoffman (lipris)
· Dunne Considering Run For VT-Gov (Nathan Empsall)
· McGovern Grandson Looks to Challenge Thune in 2010 (Jonathan Singer)
· IA-03: Two potential challengers for Boswell (desmoinesdem)
· NJ-Gov: Daggett Goes After Christie and Corzine (Jonathan Singer)
