W.T.F. I caught wind of this on The Daily Show last night:

The Senate Finance Committee approved an amendment that would provide millions of dollars to fund abstinence-only programs on a 12 to 11 vote last night. The amendment, sponsored by Senator Orin Hatch (R-UT), would allocate $50 million per year for such programs through 2014, according to the Washington Independent.

All 10 Republicans on the committee and Democratic Senators Kent Conrad (ND) and Blanche Lincoln (AK) voted for the Hatch amendment.

So we can't get a public option, but they can get abstinence only funding even when it's been proven REPEATEDLY that abstinence only doesn't work? Even Bristol Palin knows that, or at least she did before her mother got to her.

Even Texas, one of the most conservative states in the country is coming the the realization that abstinence only doesn't work:

Some Texas school districts are abandoning abstinence-only curricula in favor of abstinence-based programs that also teach about contraception and prevention of sexually transmitted infections, the Austin American-Statesman reports. Many of the school districts, including Austin's, made the change after it became clear that teen pregnancy rates were climbing under the abstinence-only approach, according to the American-Statesman. The change also comes as the Obama administration seeks to shift federal abstinence-only dollars to programs proven to reduce teen pregnancy rates.

More government money has been spent teaching abstinence in Texas than any other state, and it has the third-highest teen birth rate in the country, the American-Statesman reports. A Texas State University study released earlier this year found that less than 5% of Texas districts have comprehensive sex education. The school districts in Austin, Lufkin and some other areas have adopted "abstinence-plus" curricula, which teach that abstinence is the safest choice but also stress the importance of using contraception if teens become sexually active.

If TEXAS can get it, why can't the Senate?

Instead of voting to support something that any non-biased source believes will actually WORK when it comes to lowering the cost of health care, they chose to vote to support a curriculum that doesn't work, hasn't work, and will NEVER work? Where is the logic in that.

In fact, there are a lot of states that don't even bother with the funding, which means there are millions of dollars out there going unclaimed that could be claimed by states that need the money for stuff that actually WORKS:

We also referenced an Associated Press article that confirmed the data noting “that participation in the program is down 40 percent over two years.” States opting not to partake in the program meant that nearly half of all funds for such programming remained unclaimed, this despite the fact that most states were experiencing enormous funding shortfalls.

In fact:

In the most recent study, researchers compared teens who had taken the virginity pledge to those who had not taken a pledge. The researchers found results similar to the aforementioned studies.

First, the rate of the teens taking part in sex was the same. Those taking the virginity pledge were just as likely to have intercourse. The only positive, statistically small, was that those taking the pledge had 0.1 fewer sex partners over the five year study than did those who did not take such a pledge.

However, two other findings were most damning. First, those taking the virginity pledge were less likely to protect themselves. Pledge takers were found to be less frequent users of condoms and other forms of birth control.

Therefore, those youngsters who took the virginity pledge were not only just as likely to have intercourse, they ultimately were more likely to take part in sex in an unsafe manner. This has led experts to conclude that the lessons students take from their abstinence-only education programs is a negative and/or faulty view of contraception.

Instead of listening to the FACTS, the Senators seem to be listening to the batshit crazy "logic" of people like Michele Bachman (R-Crazy):

The bill goes on to say what's going to go on -- comprehensive primary health services, physicals, treatment of minor acute medical conditions, referrals to follow-up for specialty care -- is that abortion? Does that mean that someone's 13 year-old daughter could walk into a sex clinic, have a pregnancy test done, be taken away to the local Planned Parenthood abortion clinic, have their abortion, be back and go home on the school bus that night? Mom and dad are never the wiser.

To be fair, Max Baucus actually did something RIGHT in proposing another amendment which also passed:

Committee Chair, Senator Max Baucus (D-MT), opposed Hatch's amendment and offered his own amendment. The Baucus amendment would create a program that would include information on contraceptive options, abstinence, and life skills, according to the Salt Lake Tribune. The committee also voted to pass the Baucus amendment on 14 to 9 vote.

Meanwhile, we get something they call a "quasi-public option":

The Senate Finance Committee narrowly passed an amendment Thursday from Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) that moves the conservative panel as close as it will likely get to a public health insurance option.

The amendment creates a "federally funded, non-Medicaid, state plan which combines the innovation and quality of private sector competition with the purchasing power of the states," according to an overview.

It would be available to people with incomes above Medicaid eligibility but below 200 percent of the federal poverty level -- a very narrow window. However, Republicans fear -- and progressives hope -- that once the plan becomes law there will be pressure to expand it.

The plan would not be free. It is based on Washington state's Basic Health plan, which costs roughly 60 dollars a month, with the remainder of the premium subsidized by the state.

Private insurers would be eligible to participate in the plan, as would HMOs or other networks of health care providers.

Huh? That sounds a hell of a lot more complicated than the actual public options I've been hearing about.

And once again I have to turn to late night news/satire to get the truth:







All three of those clips illustrate how the Democrats are blowing a good thing. They have no more excuses, yet they seem to be doing everything they in their power to fail. They are no different when it comes to working for the lobbyists instead of their constituents.


And with all of this bending over backwards to think more like Republicans than Democrats, they STILL won't get any Republican support:

The Senate Republican leader made clear on Wednesday that his party, despite all its griping over the public health insurance option, abortion-funding or health care for illegal immigrants, is simply and flatly opposed to the "core" of the Democratic health care reform proposal.

Satisfying every Republican demand short of scrapping the entire project, said Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), would still not capture GOP support.

Maybe we should do as Stephen suggests, and have everyone send Max Baucus and the other "Democrats" on that committee our health insurance bills, so he can pay them.

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Just ran into this on the web, and I think we need to make it viral and pass it around. It's Obama laying out his plan for health care in a relatively short video that is easy to understand.



So now, when people say they don't know President Obama's plan, we can just show them this video. Even if they can't hear it, they can read the bullet points conveniently placed on the right.

We have to be vigilent now because the "GOP" is continuing to spread lies about the plan, the latest of which being that the health care will be rationed by RACE (who's not racist again? Sounds like playing on people's racist fears to me).

Bullet points in the video:

1. If you like your insurance, you can keep it
2. No more denial of coverage for pre-existing conditions
3. No dropped coverage when you get sick
4. Eliminates yearly and lifetime caps on coverage
5. Caps out-of-pocket expenses
6. Required coverage for preventative care

If you don't have insurance:
1. A new insurance marketplace, the Exchange
2. New tax xredits for individuals and small business
3. Low-cost coverage for all individuals and small businesses
4. A public health insurance option

For All Americans:
1. Won't add a dime to deficit and paid for upfront
2. Independent medical experts to identify waste, fraud, and abuse
3. Required coverage for preventative care
4. Eliminates the prescription drug "Donut Hole"
5. Immediate medical malpractice reform projects

Video ends with: "The time for bickering is over, the time for games has passed. Now is the time for action. Now is when we must bring the BEST ideas of both parties together and show the American people that we can still do what we were sent here to do. Now is the time to deliver on HealthCare!"

Cross-Posted@ DailyKos


[UPDATE]: While you're at it go to this page on the OFA website to send a letter to your Congress Critter.

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Politico Reports:

“She will do things that fit in with what she cares about, like health care reform and the implications it has for family and kids,” said Camille Johnston, Obama’s director of communications. “She will spend her time focusing on where policy and people intersect.”

For the health care reform push, which got something of a reboot last week with President Barack Obama’s address to Congress, the aim is for the first lady’s imprimatur to put a friendly face and a noncontroversial spin on a complex, highly partisan issue.

She won’t get into the weeds on health care, pushing specific details or plans as Clinton did. Instead, she’ll make the soft, soccer-mom sell, highlighting the need to eat healthy, exercise and get preventive care. On Friday, Michelle Obama will appear at an event where women and families will talk about the health care system, and she will deliver remarks that will “amplify the president’s message on the need for health insurance reform,” according to the White House.

This is great for two reasons.

1. It's tough to protest Michelle, she's more popular than her husband is right now (and contrary to popular opinion, he's still pretty popular), and she's not actually IN office. Sure there will be some assholes out there who try to start something, but it won't be nearly as bad as the jerks that go after Obama. Also, I think the backlash would be A LOT worse if they go after Michelle, especially since she won't be wading into the weeds on the policy and legislative stuff.

2. She's a GREAT person to pitch what her husband's health care plan will mean to the average person. Anyone who saw her give speeches during the campaign knows that she just has this ability to connect to people (and she tends to NOT use a teleprompter). She can (and apparently will) break it down so the average person can understand how the reforms will affect them which will more likely ADD to the level of support Obama's plan has now.

I think this further cements the fact that President Obama is planning to finish out health care by treating it like a campaign, which as someone pointed out on MSNBC last Saturday is the best way for him to go about it because we KNOW he's a kick-ass campaigner. Michelle will be another way for President Obama to talk PAST/OVER the talking-heads and straight to the American people.

All in all, I'm excited we'll get to see more of our First Lady! I guess now that the girls are back in school, she's got to have something to fill her time :o)

Cross-Posted@ DailyKos

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Dear President Obama,

Look, we all like the idea of bipartisanship, it's a lofty goal. However, I think when it comes to health care, bipartisanship needs to go out the window. Stop worrying about Repubicans and get the Blue Dogs in line. Besides, we all know when health care passes and starts working for folks, the Republicans will take credit for it anyway so maybe people will believe it was a bipartisan effort down the line.
Yesterday, you had this to say about Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa:

Now, I think that there are some of my Republican friends on Capitol Hill who are sincerely trying to figure out if they can find a health care bill that works -- Chuck Grassley of Iowa, Mike Enzi of Wyoming, Olympia Snowe from Maine have been -- (applause) -- yes, I got to admit I like Olympia, too. (Laughter.) They are diligently working to see if they can come up with a plan that could get both Republican and Democratic support.

So imagine my surprise when I read "'Grassley Endorses "Death Panel" Rumor: 'You Have Every Right To Fear'" on the Politics page as the headline on the Huffington Post.


So I followed the link and came upon this

WINTERSET — Americans should be scared of provisions in a health care bill currently in the U.S. House because it will allow the government to have a say in end-of-life decisions, Republican U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley told a crowd of more than 300 Wednesday morning.

“In the House bill, there is counseling for end of life,” Grassley said. “You have every right to fear. You shouldn’t have counseling at the end of life, you should have done that 20 years before. Should not have a government run plan to decide when to pull the plug on grandma”

Really? Like seriously? THIS is the guy you cited as really "sincerely" trying to work out something on healthcare? Forgive me if I'm not convinced. And this isn't the first time he's shown a willingness to promote the talking points of the far right that are being used to derail ANY type of health care reform:

This isn’t the first time Grassley has used debunked rumors during the health care debate. Last week he said Democratic U.S. Sen. Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts would not receive quality care for his brain tumor under President Obama’s health care plan because the care would go to a younger person who can “contribute more to the economy.”

So President Obama, I implore you, please stop wasting your time and effort on these people. We may not like Blue Dogs, but at least they aren't endorsing BS rumors like the "death panels"

Sincerely,

Muzikal203

P.S. Maybe you should watch this video from the Colbert Report, Johnathan Cohn does a good job of dealing with the "deather" crap:



P.P.S. I get that you needed to at least make the effort, the sane people in this country saw you make the effort, it's safe to move on and get something passed now without them.

P.P.P.S. Give my love to Michelle and the girls :o)
Cross-posted at DailyKos

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