by Noam N. Levey
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) is trying to rally her caucus behind complex legislation to overhaul the nation's healthcare system, President Barack Obama's top domestic priority.
It has not been easy. Since senior House Democrats introduced their healthcare bill last week, moderates, freshmen lawmakers and others in the party have expressed concerns about provisions to tax the wealthy, demanded more savings and complained about the speed with which the bill is moving.
The legislation would help insure more than 30 million people now without coverage, in part by creating a government insurance plan, or public option. And it would impose a new surtax on individuals making more than $280,000 a year and couples making more than $350,000. But critics contend the bill would not do enough to control skyrocketing healthcare costs.
With the Senate still working on its bill and House leaders trying get a vote on their version before August, Pelosi sat down Friday to talk about the legislation and the challenges of moving such a mammoth measure.
Listen in on that talk, here in the Swamp:
Q: Americans consistently say they are most concerned about the cost of their healthcare. What kind of guarantee can you give that insurance companies or doctors or hospitals won't charge Americans more if this legislation becomes law?
(Photo of Speaker Nancy Pelosi by Alex Wong / Getty Images)
PELOSI: The purpose of the legislation is to lower costs for individuals . . . for businesses so they can be competitive . . . and for the federal government. . . . Putting . . . more people in the mix, as well as improving the insurance coverage for many more people, we believe that will lower the cost. . . . Right now an insurance company can take the premiums it gets and spend whatever percentage on benefits. Under this bill, 85 percent of those premiums must be spent on benefits. . . . .
One of the biggest forces to reduce costs is health information technology, which we started investing in with the recovery package that passed earlier this year. . . . Heath IT lowers costs, improves quality and makes American people healthier. .
The increased number of people who are in the insurance pool who are healthier and younger who have not had access to health insurance -- that volume will contribute to lowering costs, as well. . . . And prevention saves billions and billions and billions of dollars.
Q: Wealthy Americans already pay the most taxes. They may be best able to help lift the economy out of recession. Yet the House bill contains a large tax hike on the wealthy. Is that wise right now?
PELOSI: I'd like to wring more money out of the system . . . but to the extent that this must be paid for, there has to be a revenue stream. The alternative that had been put forward was taxing health benefits. That's a tax on the middle class.
What we are saying is, let's leapfrog over the middle class to the wealthiest people in our country. They've had it pretty good the last eight years in terms of tax policy under President Bush. And we think that's a place you can go.
I'd like to see the tax on income above $500,000 for an individual and $1 million a year for a couple. I think that is an appropriate place. . . . But in order for me to push it higher so fewer individuals are affected, we'd have to get more savings.
Q:: President Obama still seems to be playing the role of cheerleader rather than insisting on specific proposals. Should he be clearer about what he will and will not support?
PELOSI: He has certainly laid out his principles -- lower costs, improve quality, expand opportunity and expand choice. And do it in a fiscally sound way. . . . When we have a bill in the House and when we have a bill in the Senate . . . priorities will have been narrowed. The choices will be clearer. Then he knows what can pass in one house or the other and can weigh in. . . . .
He has advocated for the public option and for passing a bill. . . . We are very receptive to what he wants. Now we just received a letter that said he is interested in a new independent commission to take control of how Medicare pays providers away from Congress. Some in our caucus have been for that, some against. . . . Since it is something he wants, we are trying to figure out a way to accommodate that.
Q: Since you became speaker in 2007, there have been a lot of bills -- on funding the Iraq war, stimulating the economy -- that have been difficult to rally Democrats to vote for. How is the healthcare bill shaping up?
PELOSI: The TARP rescue package for financial institutions that passed in 2008 was probably the hardest. But for me this year, the hardest bill was the Iraq war supplemental funding bill that passed in June, because the members never expected that they had to vote for that again. . . . But it was, 'Let's help the president. This is the last supplemental. Let's do this.'. . .
"There is no easy lift here. But this is what we do.''
Comments
America doesn't have a choice. The Corporations have raided and pillaged our economy. Health-scare Corporations have discarded patients, to bolster their bottom lines. What is their response to our crisis: Spend our money, in the form of, over the top premium costs and out-pocket costs, using it against us, with their advertisement blitzkrieg, not to mention buying influence in the halls of power !! Their greed, along with the other major Corporate entities in America, have left America near bankruptcy, with citizens dying in the streets, for want of any kind of healthcare !! Of course, it is no easy lift !! Look at what the unions had to go through, to get an 8-hour work day or a 5 day work week, many were killed or brutally attacked. We need a real choice, put the government-run option on the table and then let the Health-scare Corporations compete with that option. America is government-run and I haven't heard of anybody calling for its eradication. We need healthcare reform, we demand healthcare reform and we, the People, will have healthcare reform !!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE. NOW.
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, IL | July 19, 2009 8:19 AM
And all you flatliners call Sarah Palin stupid.
I would pay to see a Pelosi-Palin debate. Palin would kick her botoxed butt back to the bay city.
Posted by: Terry | July 19, 2009 8:19 AM
Posted by: Terry "And all you flatliners (good people) call Sarah Palin stupid."
Not stupid, Terry; just ignorant. Oh, and maybe a nutcase.
Posted by: rupert | July 19, 2009 10:59 AM
Pelosi is a sad joke. Anyone find any logic in her rantings?
Posted by: spec4 | July 19, 2009 11:54 AM
#1 Health IT lowers cost, hmmmm. I know it puts money into the democratic party. I know the company that owns it also owns CBS, therefore the great coverage on Obama. I know it will put my personal medical information all over the web, with no guarantee's it will be safe.
#2 Insure an additional 30 million people and send them to see what doctor? Maybe if they weren't in such a rush to pass it, they would notice the logistical problems.
#3 Why don't they just reform it, legislate to the insurance companies what is in this bill. Tweek the medicare and medicade system, and see what that does before they overhaul a system most americans do not want. Yes we want reform, not another goverment takeover of an industry.
Posted by: barb | July 19, 2009 11:58 AM
Then maybe the skank and liar should not attempt to cram this horrible "health care" plan down a nation's throat where the majority of the nation doesn't want it. And while she is at it, STOP GIVING FREE HEALTH CARE TO ILLEGALS!!!
Posted by: BDD | July 19, 2009 12:05 PM
Stewie's stuffed animal,
Ignorance has a cure, stupidity is permanent - sorry Speaker Dimwit
Posted by: Terry | July 19, 2009 12:30 PM
I thought there were 47 million people uninsured. Her "solution" only covers 30 million. Aren't the remaining 17 million worthy of bureaucratic health insurnace? What happens to the cost numbers when another 17 million are added to the equation? Answer: It becomes an inequality.
Posted by: Terry | July 19, 2009 12:34 PM
"Nancy Pelosi: Healthcare 'no easy lift'"
Pelosi is obviously an expert on lifts. And nips. And tucks. Very scary-looking, empty-headed creature.
Posted by: That guy | July 19, 2009 1:05 PM
Pelosi is a joke. An embarrassment....she is just on a power trip.
Posted by: Ranch | July 19, 2009 1:22 PM
All you staunch Republicans seem to forget that starting with Ronald the god Reagan's tinkle down economics and George w. bush's war its your party that had gotten us into this mess. If they threw out the lobbyists from DC and put all the politicians on medicare, medicade and social security like the rest of us, we wouldnt be having problems
Posted by: bronellione | July 19, 2009 2:18 PM
If Universal Health Care is so great, how is it that there is an amendment that exempts Congress and all federal employees and, from what I have heard, unions will probably be exempt too, from participating? Payback from Obama for their support of his policies? Guess it's good enough for the proletariat but not for the "ruling class".
Posted by: SKM | July 19, 2009 2:31 PM
rong Tax Structure Here.
Healthcare is an investment in national security. It should be on par with the Defense Budget, or be a part of it. So take some of the $1.0 trillion Defense Budget and pay for healthcare.
Tax on Net Worth: Intangibles Tax up to 3% for Net Worths over $10.0 million. Exempts over 99% of Americans and would pay for a substantial part of the cost. Net Worth would include all investment property, art collections, personal trusts, off shore accounts, etc.
Income Tax is wrong at this point. You don't want to hit the middle class with another tax right now.
Posted by: Acetracy | July 19, 2009 2:47 PM
It is a shame that some Americans are so gullible, to the outlandish propaganda and lies spat in the newspapers, television and radio about Obama’s health care agenda. They have demonized the British, Canadian and other worthy plans. Hidden under a sub-rosa undercover, these radical entities are determined to keep the special interest organizations in absolute power. Comprising of the money-draining profitable insurance companies and their rich stockholders. They don't want any changes to the broken system of medical care, because it will hurt the status quo. I was born in England, in the county of Sussex and until the inception of the European Union and the European Parliament dictating to Britain. That they must accept millions of foreign workers, the nations medical system was exemplary. I never had to wonder if I would have to file bankruptcy, to pay my medical bills, or listen to the incessant ring of debt collectors on the phone.
On several occasions I ended up in the cottage hospital and their was never a cost applied to it, never a ream of paperwork. No doctor, no hospital or specialist ask me for my Social Security number, drivers license or if I was covered by a predatory for-profit insurer. Today the British Isles is being submerged under a barrage of legal and illegal immigrants, who have never paid into the system, have caused some rationing. Prior to the importation of foreign labor my trips to doctor, to hospital, the eye or a dentist was paid from my taxation. Unless we pass a national health care agenda, Americans will never know what it's like to breeze through their lives, without worrying about paying for health care? Tell your Senators and Congressman you want an alternative to the--GET RICH-- insurance companies, before a Universal health care is killed. 202-224-312 REMEMBER THE INVESTORS AND STOCKHOLDERS DON'T WANT THEIR PIECE OF THE $$$TRILLION$$$ DOLLAR PIE DISTURBED. EVEN SOME POLITICIANS HAVE THEIR DIRTY FINGERS IN THE PIE?
AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO THE PRIVATE HEALTH CARE, A GOVERNMENT SINGLE PAYER SYSTEM WILL ASSIST IN REVITALIZING THE WILTING US ECONOMY.
Posted by: Brittancus | July 19, 2009 3:39 PM
this is emerging as a tactic from our dear leader - proclaim that WE CAN'T WAIT AN INSTANT LONGER - WE MUST ACT NOW!!! and then push the legislation through. Remember the porkulus bill? It was more than 1,000 pages long and it was delivered on Friday and its supporters (and our dear leader) said WE HAVE TO PASS IT RIGHT NOW - WE DON'T HAVE TIME TO READ IT! (a motion to delay the vote for 48 hours so someone could actually READ the bill because NOONE had read it all the way through was defeated)
So our dear leader got what he wanted and the bill was on his desk a few days later and he didn't get around to signing it for a few days.
duhhh
It worked with the porkulus bill but I don't think it will this time - people are wising up.
finally
Posted by: Terry | July 19, 2009 5:18 PM
To the Obama administration the baby boomers equal soylent green.
Can't afford them, give them a death sentence..."take a pain pill, Madelyn."
Posted by: get rid of the expense | July 19, 2009 6:25 PM
AMERICA’S NATIONAL HEALTHCARE EMERGENCY!
It’s official. America and the World are now in a GLOBAL PANDEMIC. A World EPIDEMIC with potential catastrophic consequences for ALL of the American people. The first PANDEMIC in 41 years. And WE THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES will have to face this PANDEMIC with the 37th worst quality of healthcare in the developed World.
STAND READY AMERICA TO SEIZE CONTROL OF YOUR NATIONAL HEALTHCARE SYSTEM.
We spend over twice as much of our GDP on healthcare as any other country in the World. And Individual American spend about ten times as much out of pocket on healthcare as any other people in the World. All because of GREED! And the PRIVATE FOR PROFIT healthcare system in America.
And while all this is going on, some members of congress seem mostly concern about how to protect the corporate PROFITS! of our GREED DRIVEN, PRIVATE FOR PROFIT NATIONAL DISGRACE. A PRIVATE FOR PROFIT DISGRACE that is in fact, totally valueless to the public health. And a detriment to national security, public safety, and the public health.
Progressive democrats the Tri-Caucus and others should stand firm in their demand for a robust government-run public option for all Americans, with all of the minimum requirements progressive democrats demanded. If congress can not pass a robust public option with at least 51 votes and all robust minimum requirements, congress should immediately move to scrap healthcare reform and request that President Obama declare a state of NATIONAL HEALTHCARE EMERGENCY! Seizing and replacing all PRIVATE FOR PROFIT health insurance plans with the immediate implementation of National Healthcare for all Americans under the provisions of HR676 (A Single-payer National Healthcare Plan For All).
Coverage can begin immediately through our current medicare system. With immediate expansion through recruitment of displaced workers from the canceled private sector insurance industry. Funding can also begin immediately by substitution of payroll deductions for private insurance plans with payroll deductions for the national healthcare plan. This is what the vast majority of the American people want. And this is what all objective experts unanimously agree would be the best, and most cost effective for the American people and our economy.
In Mexico on average people who received medical care for A-H1N1 (Swine Flu) with in 3 days survived. People who did not receive medical care until 7 days or more died. This has been the same results in the US. But 50 million Americans don’t even have any healthcare coverage. And at least 200 million of you with insurance could not get in to see your private insurance plans doctors in 2 or 3 days, even if your life depended on it. WHICH IT DOES!
If President Obama has to declare a NATIONAL STATE OF EMERGENCY to rescue the American people from our healthcare crisis, he will need all the sustained support you can give him. STICK WITH HIM! He’s doing a brilliant job.
THIS IS THE BIG ONE!
THE BATTLE OF GOOD Vs EVIL!
Join the fight.
Contact congress and your representatives NOW! AND SPREAD THE WORD!
(http://action.firedoglake.com/page/s/publicoption) (http://www.actblue.com/page/healthcareheroes)
God Bless You
Jacksmith – WORKING CLASS
Posted by: jacksmith | July 19, 2009 6:28 PM
The bill is over1000 pages long, how many of the elected have even read it? Sure they want to pass it in a hurry, before the elected officials find out who gets the pork. They forgot the old adage,"Follow the Money"
Posted by: mike grant | July 19, 2009 7:33 PM
Hey Don Fitzgerald,
CUCKOO!
Ever notice you are a party of one? You really sound like a brainwashed fool....what MOST of us KNOW as FACT is that we have been very blessed at the hands of American Corps....we share their profits and pitfalls.....and we have a choice to stay or go...your crappy big government pipe dream is nothing more than wasteful and controlling. You are the real fool and truly a party of one.
Posted by: Batboy | July 19, 2009 7:34 PM
Of all members of our government that I believe should be either recalled or impeached, you are looking at her. How, in God's name, did she ever get elected to anything?
Posted by: Banderman | July 19, 2009 9:00 PM
Nancy knows something about lifts too. By the looks of it her next one isn't going to be so easy either.
Posted by: rob | July 19, 2009 9:54 PM
HEY, BATBOY, GET YOUR HEAD OUT OF YOUR @#%!! THE REPUBLICAN PARTY NEVER DOES ANYTHING FOR THIS COUNTRY ONLY DOES THINGS TO THIS COUNTRY!! McCain says the health insurance of workers should be taxed! He doesn't even pay taxes on his 58,000 dollar pension, while I pay taxes on my pension and my social security checks, talk about controlling!! You can sell me auto insurance, life insurance, property insurance or accident insurance! HEALTH INSURANCE IS A RACKET CREATED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANIES!! MADOFF AND ABRAMOFF SHOULD BE IN CHARGE OF THAT RACKET, THEY DON'T SELL HEALTH INSURANCE TO SICK PEOPLE OR INSURE PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS! If the citizen's of this country don't get national health care, then no one should get health care paid for by the citizen's, PERIOD!! That includes teachers, police, firemen, postal workers, federal, state and local government workers, and anyone else that gets health care paid for by the tax payer! PERIOD!! EVERYONE GETS HEALTH CARE OR NO ONE GETS HEALTH CARE, PERIOD!! AND WHILE WE ARE AT IT NO ONE SHOULD BE ENTITLED TO A PENSION PAID FOR BY THE TAXPAYER, PERIOD!! What we need is a SINGLE PAYER GOVERNMENT RUN PLAN. ELIMINATE THE HEALTH INSURANCE BUSINESS WHICH IS A SCAM AND A RACKET, I THOUGHT WE HAD RACKETEERING LAWS ON OUR BOOKS?? BULLDOZE THE EXISTING SYSTEM AND CONSTRUCT AS NEW SINGLE PAYER PLAN IN A FORWARD AND MEASURED PACE, SO AS TO GET IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME, WITH OR WITHOUT THE RIGHT WING NUTS!! whiteagle38
Posted by: R Juneau | July 20, 2009 12:05 AM
Pelosi and Obama deserve each other. The health plan is not an easy fit and neither are her dentures. That said Obama says sometimes you might choose to take a pill instead of opting for surgery, I'm afraid the neither of these people have a clue. Be sides a good number of their own
party don't like the health plan and a greater number of hard working American hate it.
Posted by: Paul | July 20, 2009 7:42 AM
Batchild, you really need to do your homework before you spew your pug talking points here. Don is at least a party of 3 here, which easily proves your most trumped up claim false. Why don't you watch the videos (as I'm sure reading a book is too much to ask) about your hero party.....watch the one about Lee Atwatter, watch the one about "Who Killed the Electric Car", and the many other ones out there before you come here and claim to know something. It is obvious that you know NOTHING about big business or how it works, and how it has morphed into a profits-only based charter with the intent to keep Wall Street Happy....otherwise their house of cards falls apart and they go bankrupt overnight. You just don't get it, and it is obvious.
Posted by: Xcellentform | July 20, 2009 9:52 AM
Holy cow. jacksmith's comment almost sounds halfway logical until you read the parts where it says, "Progressive democrats the Tri-Caucus and others should stand firm in their demand for a robust government-run public option for all Americans,"
and, "If President Obama has to declare a NATIONAL STATE OF EMERGENCY to rescue the American people from our healthcare crisis, he will need all the sustained support you can give him. STICK WITH HIM! He's doing a brilliant job."
Don't give up your guns, and do not vote for a government-run = government-OWNED healthcare program. Socialism is one step closer to communism, and the "common good" is a big, fuggin lie.
Posted by: duesa | July 21, 2009 7:52 PM