Happy Health Care Reform!

Change has finally come to America. Representatives in the House did the right thing by passing health care reform legislation. By now, you have heard all the reasons why. This is not end, but we are definitely headed in right direction. A number of presidents have tried and failed, but President Obama and his administration got it done. Lets work to continue changing America!

Need I say more? Love you, N Pelosi!

Health care reform to jobs

With the recent election of Senator-elect Scott Brown in Massachusetts, the once promising health care reform is probably stalled. As a result of the republican winning, the democrats do not have the supermajority – which is bad news for President Obama and his promises.

As much as I hate that this is happening, the democrats can only fault themselves for taking way too long to pass the bill. Boy oh boy do I dislike the agenda of the Republican Party; however, I can honestly admit - when they did have the majority, they pushed their legislation through, with or without bipartisan support. Democrats failed to deliver. And when November comes around, if the dems have fewer seats, think: health care.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi admitted earlier this week that she does not have enough votes in the House to pass the middle-of-the-road, not-what-was-originally-promised Health Care Reform that the Senate passed. Perhaps these representatives fear that a stamp of approval on this legislation would equate to less votes in the upcoming election. Rightfully so - because several left-leaning liberals, including myself, was depending on those who are seated now to get it right. And they did not.

Several of my friends have either graduated college or is pretty close to graduating. Growing up, our parents placed emphasis on finishing high school and going to college "so that you can get a good job". Okay. It has happened. Where are the jobs? Americans are hurting.

Everyone that can work and wants to work, should be able to work! This Congress definitely needs to step up and deliver. We need jobs (oh, and REAL health care reform, too).

1 year down, 7 more to go!!!

Almost a year-to-date, my friends and I were packing our bags eagerly awaiting to battle the cold weather to witness then President-elect Obama assume the highest office in our nation.

What a difference a year makes!

Although he has been faced with unprecedented events, he and his administration are to be commended. In a year, they have pulled the economy from the brinks of collapsing, made huge strides in overhauling health care (though not completed, yet), have plans to close the never-should-have-opened Guantanamo Bay, restored international confidence with our allies, and the list continues. However, America still has her hands full. As his first year comes to a halt, his to-do list has greatly increased. I look forward to witnessing him work diligently, with or without the Republican slash "do nothing party" slash "party of 'no'" – support, to put America back on the right track.

(PHOTO CREDIT: White House)

Senate Passes Health Care Bill

Today is a good day!

Waking up to the news that the US Senate passed its version of the health care reform was simply incredible. This brings a sense of relief and victory. However, the fight for this passage is not over. The road ahead will take tremendous negotiations - including compromises to retain the 60 senate votes after the conference committee.

In a rare Christmas Eve vote, members on Capitol Hill got it right. I definitely look forward to the "give and takes" that will occur over the next few weeks. Until then, way to go Democrats (and boo Lieberman!).

Final push for health care reform

It has been a minute since I last blogged, but you can rest assure that I have been following this health care debate closely (the house passing its version, the senate voting to begin debate). Although lawmakers took a mini vacation for the holidays, they will now have their hands full since thanksgiving is over.

What's crucial?

The senate has to rally enough support from the blue dog democrats and the few independents in order to pass this health care overhaul. It is literally to the wires. The democrats cannot afford to lose any support on this bill. Senate Majority Leader Reid will definitely have to concede with the public health option (boo) in order to gain the vote of those fiscal conservative democrats. Nonetheless, as long as the bill is not watered down too much from its current version, I am in support. At this point, it is a victory to have gotten this far.

I will have to recant what I previously blogged (that I would reconsider my vote in 2012 if there is no public option). Well, as politics have it, there has to be some compromises. Minor health care reform (stripping away from allowing people with preexisting conditions from receiving health care, et al) will be enough to triumph.

So we will have to wait and see what happens in the coming weeks. Hopefully President Obama will have health care legislation on his desk to sign before February. *crosses fingers*

The wait begins!

Health care (once more)

The Senate Finance Committee is expected to vote on a possible, 10-year massive health care overhaul. Is this what President Obama campaigned for? Yes and no. Will it do for now? Maybe. While this compromise was expected to gain bipartisan support, only one Republican is expected to vote on the final bill once it hit the senate floor (and that's a maybe). Needless to say, I am a little upset with the democrats. I voted for change, and this is semi-change. I understand the process of taking incremental steps to change; however, this bill leaves out the public option that drew much contention from the minority party on Capitol Hill. It would be perfect to give and take if the republicans actually had a crafted bill to give or take from.

Highlights of the Baucus plan (named after the Finance Committee Chairman, Max Baucus):
-within 10 years reduce national deficit by $80 billion
-at least 29 million people will be covered within 10 years
-94% of nonelderly people will be covered

Today will definitely be interesting.

Ron Clark Academy on Health Care Reform

Even the students at the Ron Clark Academy get it – health care needs a reform. With the possibility of one republican crossing the aisle (Senior Senator of Maine, Olympia Snowe), the democrats in Congress are capable of making it happen.

Students at Ron Clark Academy first made national headlines when the students created a video "You can vote however you like" and posted it on YouTube. Since then, students have made nationally televised appearances – from ABC to CNN. At first, the group of students rapped in a nonpartisan fashion. However, their latest video on health care reform seems the students are leaning to the left, which I admire! Enjoy:

Health care speech afterthoughts

The gang has cleared from my space. We gathered to watch President Obama give the health care reform speech to Congress. Now I am here burning the midnight oil collecting my thoughts on tonight's address. Surely my faith in him, his promises and in his administration has been reaffirmed. He gave a speech at a crucial time that will move this issue forward. At a time when some Americans began losing hope, he came - as he always does - to reassure us that he has not given up on the fight that will eventually allow accessible and affordable health care.

I could discuss the hecklers such as Representative Joe Wilson of South Carolina who yelled "you lie" to the President of the United States or Representative Louie Gohmert of Texas who had a sign around his neck that read "What bill?" (that's for a later entry)... However, I will focus my attention on the letter that President Obama mentioned in his speech - the letter that dear Senator Ted Kennedy wrote to him in May. Check it out here.

No public option – No reform

Last summer I worked vigorously with countless of other Obama supporters to help him win the presidency. One of his major campaign promises was to revamp the failing health care system.
If you believe that the current health care system is not supporting all Americans, then I dare you to get on board and rally behind the public option. America needs this – not a “trigger system” that reports indicate that Obama is leaning towards to appease the republicans and blue dog democrats. Fiscal conservatives argue that a public option is too expensive, it’s too massive, and he’s pushing forth a socialist agenda. Give me a break. What is too expensive is voting to fund a war that we should have never entered. Health care is increasing, insurance companies are failing to provide services to those who have preexisting conditions, and millions of Americans are without coverage.

Many of my friends who are either finishing or finished college are participating in unpaid internships without healthcare. There are equal or greater people employed at companies who do not offer health insurance. Most companies have inserted clauses that drop coverage after one reaches a certain age (ie. I was dropped from my parent’s insurance once I reached 23). Thankfully my employer provides reasonably affordable insurance. However, without this public option, I fear that what I’m paying now will double or triple. This is the perfect opportunity to revamp the system and hold insurance company’s accountable to providing ethical coverage.

We elected President Obama to overturn the politics of the past. He cannot afford to break away or concede to those who are unwilling to offer up solutions or compromises. He cannot give in to the insurance lobbyists who are injecting fear and blatant lies into the health care reform discussions nor can he turn back on his campaign promises. This is important. The public option is absolutely necessary and will be a great way of regulating the current prices of insurance.

No public option – No reform.