For me personally I am an actions over words kind of guy. Nothing about his time in politics is very progressive. It isn’t a coincidence his words got less progressive as soon as the primary was over. And they weren’t very progressive at the start.
I don’t even think that is a criticism of him rather than an accurate representation of reality.
I agree. I am just pointing out the idea he would veto a m4a bill passed by both the house and senate is just silly. That was so obviously a positioning statement for the general election.
I don’t think he would veto it either. I do think him and his ilk would probably go out of there way to make sure it never got to that point behind the scenes.
That is certainly possible.
It isn’t some theoretical soul-searching exercise where we’re squinty-eyed and peering into the heart of Joe Biden when people declare that his progressive statements are lies and his centrist or conservative statements reflect his true beliefs. As Wichita points out, his actions tell us what his true beliefs are and they are NOT progressive, period. Therefore, when he says he will veto M4A, we should believe him–it is in line with the political actions he’s taken throughout his life. The fact that a significant uprising of progressives MIGHT cause him to not do that doesn’t mean he was lying when he said it.
This is true, but Biden is still not vetoing a M4A bill.
Note that this is not the same as saying that a M4A bill will be passed by both chambers, which I think has a roughly zero chance at happening in the next 4 years.
I agree with your post, but I also think it’s worth noting that Biden’s position on M4A is a significant reason why the quoted is true.
Because everything he has actually done in his career is in line with the moderate/conservative stuff and not the progressive stuff. We don’t need to guess as to which is more likely.
Ian Miles Clovis
USA #1
After House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard Neal (D-Mass.) blew up a bipartisan deal to fix surprise medical billing last year that his private equity industry donors opposed, congressional leaders have endorsed a new proposal, and Neal is on board.
The backroom deal was announced Friday night between four congressional committees: the House Energy and Commerce Committee, House Education and Workforce Committee, the House Ways and Means Committee, and the Republican-led Senate Health, Education and Labor Committee. Their plan, which has the blessing of Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer, is to circumvent the legislative process and attach it to the year-end omnibus that must be passed to keep much of the federal government functioning.
The proposal will eliminate most of the expensive bills that get sprung on people when they are unknowingly treated by an out-of-network anesthesiologist, emergency room physician, or other health care provider at an in-network hospital. But Neal got some concessions that will help medical staffing companies, including those owned by private equity firms like Blackstone Group and KKR, maintain many of the profits they have been making by springing giant bills on unsuspecting patients. The cost of the savings Neal secured for the staffing firms will be absorbed by the health insurance companies, which will almost certainly respond by jacking up premiums a bit for everyone.
Why would a sitting Democratic congressman blow up a deal that would have relied on benchmark median rates and then back a deal using arbitration that will likely allow providers to secure higher rates? In a joint statement, Neal and Ways and Means Ranking Member Kevin Brady (R-Texas) said that their preference for an arbitration system over a benchmark rate “respects the private market dynamics between insurance plans and providers.” But another answer might be deference to campaign contributors.
Neal got maximum donations for his 2020 re-election from multiple top Blackstone Group employees including President and Chief Operation Officer Jonathan Gray, Global Head of Tactical Opportunities David Blitzer, Global Head of Strategic Partners Verdun Perry, Senior Managing Director Neil Simpkins, and Senior Managing Director Mustafa Siddiqui.
Nothing ruins the faith in the free market system like saying that transparently parasitic middle men have to get their cut of the profits because of “the free market”
Your avatar is perfect for this post.
What happens when you get cancer in a 1st world country? They catch it early because you can afford to have regular checkups? You’re treated almost immediately and cancer free within weeks and live a long and healthy life debt free?
Just the free markets at work. Gotta love that efficiency!
After working in the Obama Whitehouse, Anita Dunn astroturfed an “advocacy group” called Sensible Food Policy Coalition comprised of all of the largest companies you’ve ever heard of to kill Michelle Obama’s initiative to reduce the marketing of unhealthy foods to children. If junk food for kids can’t get off the runway, single payer would never leave the hangar.
So uh I guess our owner kept me on the company health plan even though I didn’t reply to the email about keeping the same plan for the next year?
Are you still employed? If so you always just go on the same plan (or equivalent) the next year.
Most employers keep you on whatever you had the prior year by default unless you take affirmative steps to make a change through the proper channels.
Off the top of my head, I can’t think of hearing about any employer doing it differently unless they stop offering your particular plan or something along those lines.
Hmm ok I guess it worked out cuz Obama Care was too expensive. But we were bought out by a bigger company but we can’t have their great healthcare cuz reasons. Probably they want to save money.
I was investigating the cost of an abdominal ultrasound in the Chicago burbs bc my stomach has been going nuts lately. Results:
At the main hospital/medical group in my area the cost was $1300 if I go through insurance. I’d be paying this all out of pocket bc my deductible is $8500. Soonest appt: 2 weeks. And 2 months at my preferred (closest) location.
Paying out of pocket, not using insurance the cost is $600. Same wait times.
Note: this does not include the $150 or $200 it takes to see a doctor and get the referral. Plus another $150 for the usual blood tests. Plus more if I do a stool sample.
Instead I went to Mexico and got an ultrasound for $37, next day appointment. Results that same evening.
Our healthcare sucks so bad. This is not the first time I’ve traveled outside of USA #1 for a routine medical procedure. So dumb.