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Yeeaarrahh! Howard Dean Pushes Health Care Rationing

By Matthew Vadum on 4.2.09 @ 3:03PM

Screamin' Howard Dean is back pitching Big Government rationing of health care.

MoveOn.org sent out this email today from the former DNC chairman urging a DMV-style health care regime be forced on Americans:

Dear MoveOn member,

I have an announcement. After four exciting years in Washington, I'm hitting the campaign trail again! Only this time, I'm campaigning to help President Obama win health care for all.

During the election, President Obama proposed a health care plan that would give every American the freedom to choose between keeping their private insurance-if they have any-and choosing a universally available public health insurance option like Medicare.

But for-profit insurance companies and HMOs are already working hard to strip this public health insurance option from any upcoming health care bill. They don't want us to have a choice, and they'll stop at nothing to kill real reform. Trouble is, some in Congress are siding with the insurance companies-and against what's best for the rest of us.

Today, we draw a line in the sand. A public health insurance option is the only way to guarantee health care for all Americans. And to show that we mean business, we all need to tell Congress we won't settle for less.

If 250,000 of you sign this petition, I will personally deliver it to Congress. Clicking here will add your name:

[LINK REMOVED]

Here's our message to Congress: "Give America a choice. We support health care reform that allows individual Americans to choose either a universally available public health care option like Medicare or for-profit private insurance. A public option is the only way to guarantee health care for all Americans and its inclusion is non-negotiable. Any legislation without the choice of a public option is only insurance reform and not the health care reform America needs."

The fight is heating up over whether or not to include the public health insurance option. This is going to be the biggest fight in the debate over health care reform. It would take the power away from the private insurance companies that have driven up costs and denied coverage for years-and they're dead set against it.

But I've seen firsthand what people power can accomplish. And I know I can count on MoveOn members to help lead the charge.

Now is our moment to stand up. Together, we can generate broad-based support for a public health insurance option. We will need to canvass our neighborhoods, call our elected leaders, and arrange meetings with members of Congress in the coming months.

Our goal today is to show Congress that we are many and ready to fight. Can you click here to stand with me?

[LINK REMOVED]

After you add your name, spread the word to your friends, family, and co-workers. Send a personal email and include a link to the website, update your Facebook status to tell people about the campaign, write a blog post about why you support this campaign-we need all hands on deck to win this fight.

Thank you for all you do.

Gov. Howard Dean, M.D.

View all comments (35) | Leave a comment

KevlarKevin| 4.2.09 @ 6:09PM

MoveOn is such a sinister, anti-American organization. They helped Dean be front runner in the 04 race so it only makes sense they are partnering with him now.

JHarpIsATroll| 4.2.09 @ 6:57PM

Yeeaarrahh! ARGH!

Michael Johnson| 4.2.09 @ 8:46PM

I'm glad to see Dean still in the game and still involved in health care. I am disappointed in Obama placing a tax negligent governor (Sebelius) who was health care failure and budget management failure in her own state. Though I have lost faith in Obama, I am glad to see Dean still actively fighting for us.

jharp| 4.2.09 @ 8:59PM

"Screamin' Howard Dean is back pitching Big Government rationing of health care."

And YOU are a lying jackass. And the lowest scum of our country.

What would you post such an obvious lie.

I'm in no mood to put up with any more TAS utter BS. I am going to call you on it. And not in very nice words.

And lying will send you to hell just as fast as stealing.

Larsen| 4.2.09 @ 9:03PM

Good for Howard Dean. Bravo for MoveOn.org. Healthcare for all. Take down the welfare for rich unethical insurance companies. If you ain't Liberal, you ain't American. Liberty Blessed America.

MT| 4.2.09 @ 9:52PM

Yeah, liberals have killed millions of babies--now they're going after the old folks. Look out, granny and gramps; the liberals are comin' for ya!

CH| 4.2.09 @ 10:00PM

Moveon.org--just another propaganda arm of the fascist democrat party.

Chris Hancock| 4.2.09 @ 10:02PM

What about the miserable set of options that is forced on Americans right now? I am repeatedly appalled by the time wasted in my business and my family, negotiating the complicated and chaotic systems of commercial providers. It's bad for everyone's health.

Are you focusing on the scream because you don't have a coherent alternative?

jharp| 4.2.09 @ 10:18PM

MT| 4.2.09 @ 9:52PM

"Yeah, liberals have killed millions of babies--now they're going after the old folks. Look out, granny and gramps; the liberals are comin' for ya!"

Another fake Christian lying right wing hack. The lowest piece of scum inhabiting our great country.

No one. Not a single soul. Is going after grandma and grandpa. And thanks to the great FDR, grandma and grandpa have medicare. And no longer have to eat dog food because of social security.

Really, MT. You are the vilest piece of utter slime that inhabits America. A lying repulsive conservative hack.

JHarpIsAJackAss| 4.2.09 @ 10:18PM

Only a troll like you, jharp, would consider it a lie. Obviously it entails rationing. Government cannot do anything efficiently. Costs will rise and care will have to be rationed before the budget of the health care program swallows up the entire U.S. budget. Can't the DNC/Organizing for America afford to pay for trolls who aren't complete idiots? I mean they have a huge budget.

Bill Bailey| 4.2.09 @ 10:20PM

Must concur with my learned colleague.

Ran| 4.2.09 @ 10:30PM

Chris, man, you really want single-payer HC and rationing? Really?

Hey, my folks live in T.O. Beautiful city. They can help you get an apartment, Canadian SIN, set you up with an apartment, welfare, the works. One word of advice: Stay healthy, dude.

But don't fret it, man, if you luck-out. If you get really sick, and need an MRI or a new hip socket, hey, there're lots of 'em.

... in freakin' Buffalo.

jharp| 4.2.09 @ 10:34PM

JHarpIsAJackAss| 4.2.09 @ 10:18PM

"Only a troll like you, jharp, would consider it a lie. Obviously it entails rationing."

No. It doesn't. And there is no evidence to support your ludicrous claim.

And you, being the most vile scum on the face of the earth, use these lies to frighten our senior citizens. Or those about to become our seniors.

Words cannot describe how much you repulse me. Let me guess. You're a fake Christian too?

Troll Hunter| 4.2.09 @ 10:36PM

"Really, MT. You are the vilest piece of utter slime that inhabits America. A lying repulsive conservative hack. "

You know, this is probably the soundest argument a liberal has made here in a while. Think about it: It likely contains two truths: MT is a Yank, and he/she is Conservative. That's not bad (considering the emotionally and intellectually-challenged source...)

Daisies| 4.2.09 @ 10:38PM

Socialized health care is great--as long as you are healthy!! Look at poor Natasha Richardson--she died for nothing. If I were her family, I'd sue that lousy piece of crap Canadian health care agency for gross incompetence. She'd be alive today if she had been skiing in the good old USA! I'm so sorry for her kids--no mom now.

MT| 4.2.09 @ 10:41PM

Troll Hunter: I am a she, and a damned proud 'shemale' Conservative at that!!

Angel| 4.2.09 @ 10:44PM

Liberals are going to make sure that EVERYBODYS' health care stinks. The losers can't fight their way out of a paper bag--and they're going to be able to insure 300 million people? What a friggin' joke--a sick joke, at that.

JHarpIsAJackAss| 4.2.09 @ 10:59PM

jharp: Big Government health care has led to rationing everywhere on earth it has been tried. It is inevitable that this is so. If people think of something as 'free' they will demand more of it. Government health care abolishes the pricing mechanism. The Obama plan wouldn't do that immediately but it would create constituencies for 'free' care and costs, because the government can't control them, will careen our of control thus necessitating rationing to prevent the collapse of the system. It is as plain as the nose on your ugly f***ing lying face.

JHarpIsAJackAss| 4.2.09 @ 11:02PM

I notice, jharp, you have not commented at 'Neil Cavuto Clobbers Sponsor of Radical Pay-Limit Bill.' Could it be because you agree the commie Democrat who sponsored the bill is a lying, worthless piece of sh** who even a scumbag like you can't defend? That would be my guess anyway.

bobc| 4.2.09 @ 11:12PM

little-known but disturbing facts about Medicare may change their minds:

Congress prohibits Medicare patients from paying cash to receive treatment denied by Medicare – unless the doctor agrees not to take Medicare payments for two years.

Citizens who refuse to sign up for Medicare Part A (hospitalization) lose all Social Security benefits. Citizens who disenroll must repay benefits received.

Congress is paying Medicare HMOs (Medicare Advantage) 18 percent more per senior than what is paid through traditional Medicare, perhaps to entice seniors to HMOs.

Congress has begun paying Medicare bonuses to doctors who comply with government and HMO treatment directives.
http://www.cchconline.org/issues/medicare.php

Scarce Medicare dollars are used to fund medical education. In 1996, Medicare paid $7.1 billion toward the training of physicians. http://www.cchconline.org/17medicarefacts.php

Heaven help us if we are forced onto a government health plan...if they handle it like Medicare and other programs.

jharp| 4.2.09 @ 11:13PM

JHarpIsAJackAss| 4.2.09 @ 10:59PM

"jharp: Big Government health care has led to rationing everywhere on earth it has been tried. It is inevitable that this is so. If people think of something as 'free' they will demand more of it."

More lies from the vile lying scumbag conservative movement.

No, jackass, single payer systems, used throughout the world, do NOT lead to rationing.

And only a damn dumbass conservative thinks of it as "free". Nothing is free jackass.

"It is as plain as the nose on your ugly f***ing lying face."

No. It is not plain. It is a lie. You lying vile piece of trash. How about it, JHarpIsAJackAss, are you a fake Christian too?

jharp| 4.2.09 @ 11:19PM

bobc| 4.2.09 @ 11:12PM

"Heaven help us if we are forced onto a government health plan."

bobc,

You are an uninformed right wing conservative idiot. And a wingnut hack.

No one. Not a single soul has propsed or has promised to propose any reform that "will force you onto a government health plan". Though you are a brain dead mron to think that would be such a bad thing.

It's good enough for America's finest, our veterans, but conservative imbeciles think they are above getting the same treatment as our veterans.

Are you are fake Christian too?

JHarpIsAJackAss| 4.2.09 @ 11:58PM

jharp: What does religion have to do with this? Why are you bringing up something that has nothing to do with this discussion? Do you have issues? Oh wait, that's obvious.

jharp| 4.3.09 @ 12:07AM

JHarpIsAJackAss| 4.2.09 @ 11:58PM

"Do you have issues?"

Yes, I have some big issues. And it has to do with the conservative movement hiding behind Christianity to justify their lies.

I believe there is a special place in hell for you and your ilk.

Good God. Lying and frightening old people over health care policy is the lowest, most vile, detestable, and scum sucking thing I can think of.

CH| 4.3.09 @ 12:23AM

Old people should be frightened--the death lovin' democrat fascists are coming for them. Incompetent corrupt garbage liberals are useless.

Daisies are Forever| 4.3.09 @ 12:27AM

Not only will we forced to partake of a 'death care plan' at the hands of the liberals, we won't be able to pay for better care. The nazi liberals will make sure of that. They don't love their country--they are haters of all that is good and decent. Pure evil.

jharp| 4.3.09 @ 12:30AM

CH| 4.3.09 @ 12:23AM

"Old people should be frightened--the death lovin' democrat fascists are coming for them."

Class. All class. You vile repulsive scum of the earth. An outright lie that preys on America's most vulnerable. Do you have any conscience at all?

I detest you and your ilk and will do everything (legal) within my means to keep you lying wingnuts exactly where you find yourselves today.

A powerless and meaningless minority. Soon to become more powerless and more meaningless because of lying jackasses such as yourself.

jharp| 4.3.09 @ 12:33AM

Daisies are Forever| 4.3.09 @ 12:27AM

"Not only will we forced to partake of a 'death care plan' at the hands of the liberals, we won't be able to pay for better care."

Another lie from the lying party of fake Christians.

Their is a special place in hell for you. You lying vile repulsive and loathsome scumbag.

JHarpIsAJackass| 4.3.09 @ 12:41AM

jharp| 4.3.09 @ 12:07AM
Yes, I have some big issues. And it has to do with the conservative movement hiding behind Christianity to justify their lies.

I didn't write anything about Christianity and do not practice any religion. You appear to be an obsessive, any person with serious neuroses, like Obama, for instance.

JHarpIsAJackass| 4.3.09 @ 12:42AM

jharp| 4.3.09 @ 12:07AM
Yes, I have some big issues. And it has to do with the conservative movement hiding behind Christianity to justify their lies.

I didn't write anything about Christianity and do not practice any religion. You appear to be an obsessive, angry person with serious neuroses, like Obama, for instance.

Bill Bailey| 4.3.09 @ 12:43AM

Socialized medicine guarantees an excruciatingly painful death for sick old people and DMV type treatment for the rest of us. If you support socialized medicine you are not a patriotic American. Period. Move to Sweden.

JHarpIsACompulsiveWanker| 4.3.09 @ 12:48AM

jharp| 4.3.09 @ 12:07AM
Good God. Lying and frightening old people over health care policy is the lowest, most vile, detestable, and scum sucking thing I can think of.

Kind of similar to what you liberals do to maintain support for Social Security, right?

JHerpesIsASicko | 4.3.09 @ 1:06AM

Fear is what liberals are all about--like that candy azz ballerina Emanuel saying 'never waste a good crisis'. Talk about scum-sucking pieces of garbage. Treasonous whores should be frog marched to the sea.

Frances Griffin| 4.9.09 @ 2:19AM

A lot of these comments make no sense and show a really mean disposition.
I have Medicare and it is way way better than any health insurance I ever got through my employment. It's not socialized medicine. I see the same providers who do not work for the government. But now I have vastly more choices and don't have to deal with the HMO "delay and denial" employees.
I am very careful to save the system money when and where I can. Hey, now if I get a bad cut in the evening or on a Saturday and need the wound taken care of I can go to an urgent care doc instead of the ER. This saves a ton of money, but was not an option when I had an HMO. When I had to have surgery, I picked a hospital that was outside my immediate area because I knew they had a set up designed to reduce infections. My brother had the same surgery in his HMO hospital and had to spend a long time in the hospital and have another surgery because he got an infection. I saved the system a lot by having a choice.

A word to the wise: study the facts instead of listening to talk radio.

Phil Micali| 5.5.09 @ 11:50AM

I am happy to see Governor Dean once again at the forefront of the healthcare issues. He is extremely knowledgeable and factual about the care and finance associated with what we all call health care. As a physician and former CEO (Governor) he brings enormously useful perspectives that all of us should ponder.

Thank you, Governor Dean, for taking this on.