The latest in the health care debate:
U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold has come under fire from the liberal activist group Progressive Change Campaign Committee, which this week launched a $20,000 television ad campaign that takes the Middleton Democrat to task on health care reform.
In a 30-second spot set to air on broadcast television in the Green Bay, Madison and Milwaukee markets, PCCC urges Feingold to vote against any final health care bill that does not include a public insurance option. Feingold last week voted for a Senate bill that does not include a public insurance option despite the fact that he is a strong proponent of the proposal.
I’m guessing that most people on this committee have health care, unlike the tens of millions of people the current legislation will (hopefully) extend it to.
Tags: health care reform, Progressive Change Campaign, Russ Feingold, Wisconsin
December 30, 2009 at 12:14 pm |
Best Feingold quote: “Anybody who’s honest knows that I’ve fought the hardest for this,” he said. “But I don’t mind at all they’re using my name as a way to push on this issue. I welcome it.”
http://www.jsonline.com/features/health/79871907.html
December 30, 2009 at 7:33 pm |
I really think it’s misinformed to imply that the uninsured should be falling over each other thanking Congress for this bill, just as I think it’s wrong to assume that progressive opponents of the bill are all covered, privileged and naive. I, for one, no longer have insurance but still recognize what an obscenity the Senate bill is. In many ways, it would create a situation worse than the status quo – i.e. for reproductive rights, undocumented immigrants, poor people who will be forced to pay penalties or into crappy plans that they won’t even be able to afford to use, etc ad nauseum. I think there are good arguments to be made on both sides of the progressive debate over the bill, but regardless, surely we can all recognize that what Congress is poised to produce is a collossal sell out to the insurance industry. I’m quite sure Feingold wouldn’t disagree with this last point, even if he does end up voting for the final version.
December 30, 2009 at 8:19 pm |
It’s easier to pressure lawmakers to make changes (as well as make emotional appeals to raise funds for lobbying) if tens of millions of people remain without access to health care. Making small incremental changes can make big changes more difficult to achieve. That’s precisely why Ralph Nader bad-mouthed Al Gore and said, given the choice between a provacateur (G.W. Bush) and someone who will make people complacent (Gore), he prefers the provacateur. I’ll leave it to you to evaluate the morality of that position.