Grayson Embraces KISS Theory for Healthcare

Having worked in quality control for most of my adult life I am a very large supporter of the KISS theory. Keep It Simple Stupid is the entire theory. Basically, anyone should be able to follow the directions you give them if you keep the instructions as simple as possible and if you can't do that then you are stupid.

Congressman Alan Grayson of Florida has embraced the KISS theory, wrapped it up lovingly in the public option, and delivered it to the House of Representatives to deal with healthcare for all Americans once and for all. An opt in if you will plan. Not 1600 or 2200 pages long as most political hacks on the hill would like to propose for health care as they stuff it full to overflowing with pork; Grayson’s proposal is four (the number 4) simple pages long and you can read it for yourself. CLICK HERE

My quick summation is that it allows Medicare access for all citizens and permanent residents. It provides an age bracket for determining premiums. The brackets are: under 19, 19 to 25, 26 to 35, 36 to 45, 46 to 55, and 56 to 64. Beyond that, the existing Medicare age categories apply.

Video Link of Representative Grayson submitting the bill...


Or you can read it in its entirety as it was proposed by Congressman Grayson for yourself seeing that this is a CUT and PASTE HERE:

.....................................................................
(Original Signature of Member)
111TH CONGRESS
2D SESSION H. R. ll
To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for an option
for any citizen or permanent resident of the United States to buy
into Medicare.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Mr. GRAYSON introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on llllllllllllll
A BILL
To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide
for an option for any citizen or permanent resident of
the United States to buy into Medicare.
1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa2
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
3 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
4 This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Public Option Act’’
5 or the ‘‘Medicare You Can Buy Into Act’’.
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2
1 SEC. 2. UNIVERSAL MEDICARE BUY-IN OPTION. (a) IN GEN2
ERAL.—Part A of title XVIII of the Social Security
3 Act is amended—
4 (1) in section 1818(a), by striking ‘‘or 1818A’’
5 and inserting ‘‘, 1818A, or 1818B’’; and
6 (2) by inserting after section 1818A the fol7
lowing new section:
8 ‘‘UNIVERSAL BUY-IN
9 ‘‘SEC. 1818B.
10 ‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—(a) Every individual who—
11 ‘‘(1) is a resident of the United States;
12 ‘‘(2) is either (A) a citizen or national of the
13 United States, or (B) an alien lawfully admitted for
14 permanent residence; and
15 ‘‘(3) is not otherwise entitled to benefits under
16 this part or eligible to enroll under this part;
17 shall be eligible to enroll in the insurance program estab18
lished by this part. An individual may enroll under this
19 section only in such manner and form as may be pre20
scribed in regulations, and only during an enrollment pe21
riod prescribed in or under this section.
22 ‘‘(b) ENROLLMENT; COVERAGE.—The Secretary shall
23 establish enrollment periods and coverage under this sec24
tion consistent with the principles for establishment of en25
rollment periods and coverage for individuals under sec26
tion 1818, except that no entitlement to benefits under
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3
1 this part shall be effective before the first day of the first
2 calendar year beginning after the date of the enactment
3 of this Act.
4 ‘‘(c) PREMIUMS.—
5 ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The provisions of sub6
sections (d)(1), (d)(2), and (d)(3) of section 1818
7 insofar as they apply to premiums (including collec8
tion of premiums) shall apply to premiums and col9
lection of premiums under this section, except
10 that—
11 ‘‘(A) paragraphs (4) and (5) of section
12 1818 shall not be applicable; and
13 ‘‘(B) the estimate of the monthly actuarial
14 rate under section 1818(d) shall be computed
15 and applied under this paragraph based upon
16 costs incurred for individuals within each age
17 cohort specified in paragraph (2) rather than
18 for all individuals age 65 and older.
19 ‘‘(2) AGE COHORTS.—The age cohorts specified
20 in this paragraph are as follows:
21 ‘‘(A) Individuals under 19 years of age.
22 ‘‘(B) Individuals at least 19 years of age
23 but not more than 25 years of age.
24 ‘‘(C) Individuals at least 26 years of age
25 and not more than 35 years of age.
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4
1 ‘‘(D) Individuals at least 36 years of age
2 and not more than 45 years of age.
3 ‘‘(E) Individuals at least 46 years of age
4 and not more than 55 years of age.
5 ‘‘(F) Individuals at least 56 years of age
6 and not more than 64 years of age.
7 ‘‘(d) TREATMENT.—An individual enrolled under this
8 part pursuant to this section shall not be treated as en9
rolled under this part (or any other part of this title) for
10 purposes of obtaining medical assistance for medicare
11 cost-sharing or otherwise under title XIX.’’.

In the nutshell it’s the KISS theory that will put both political parties’ politicians to the test if they can comprehend how to KEEP IT SIMPLE STUPID. If Nancy Peolosi, the Speaker of the House, can't understand the KISS theory or principal then she needs to pass the gavel to Alan Grayson and he will run the hill like it should be run.

Papamoka

Related posts:
Grayson Kicks Big Business Butt
Alan Grayson in Floridas 8th

Remember the Name Dawn Smith

Dawn Smith is a vibrant young woman that has a brain tumor. She also has healthcare from CIGNA that she pays for. And that is the dilemma and problem with our healthcare system. CIGNA takes her premium payments but when the cost of her healthcare is to high, CIGNA just says “NO”! Then they more than double her premiums and nobody can stop them from just saying “NO”! Or can we? My thanks to MoveOn.ORG for sending me this email and video…

Video Link



The whole debate about healthcare isn’t about giving away the treasury of the country but holding companies like CIGNA to the fire when they fail to fulfill the obligation they accepted when they cash people like Dawn Smith’s healthcare premium check. In Dawn Smith's case, the check cleared and she drove off the lot with a lemon when it comes to her healthcare provider.

Feel free to go to MoveON.ORG and sign the petition that is forwarding your comments to the CEO of CIGNA. Then by all means feel free to contact your Congressional member to demand the system get fixed. Without the public option then all insurance companies can chuck the bird at everyone paying a premium for healthcare. Regulation of the insurance industry alone will not fix the system. Competition is the only way and if it comes from the government, all the better.

I wonder how much of a salary the CEO of CIGNA, H. Edward Hanway took over the last few years that was based on how aggressive his company was towards NOT paying out benefits for major illnesses. Better yet, how much in bonuses did he receive over the last few years that were funded by letting people like Dawn Smith fade away in the complaint department or just up and die? Brain tumor, how long could she keep complaining. Las Vegas odds would be with CIGNA on keeping the bulk of her premiums. Stamps are cheaper than an MRI or CAT scan last time I checked.

H. Edward Hanway gets the Papamoka Fundamental Unjust Corrupt Kevorkian Utopian Proffesional award this week. I’ll have to think of an abbreviation or acronym for it. Feel free to send suggestions in the comments.

Papamoka

It's Better to Fight and Lose and Fight Again Tomorrow then Compromise Way Too Much Today

Hello Papamoka Bloggers - I think Governor Howard Dean and Democratic Party strategist James Carville have it right when they suggest that we Democrats should be willing to go it alone on health care/insurance reform, and if the Republicans succeed in defeating it by whatever means, then we should go after them at the ballot box where real issues get sorted out.

I don't think President Obama is right to fight for just any bill. Who cares if the Republicans will call it a loss, or the "end of his presidency." That is all crap and we know it. The kind of reform bill we get is more important.

Dean has been saying it for a while, but Carville is now agreeing with the strategy. Carville's sharp political mind is usually right, and I think Democratic leaders need to listen. Compromising with the Blue Dogs and the Republicans could hurt us more than help us. Half-ass health care reform will not win votes. If anything, it could hurt the party by repressing future Democratic voter turnout.

When Americans are told the truth, a public option (or even single-payer) is the reform most sought-after. The lies and propaganda are effective, but over time the truth will win over voters. Carville is right. Democrats need to stand firm for what is right. Republicans may see defeating health care reform as a victory, but politically it could also be their Waterloo. It's a fact the truth usually wins in the end.

If we lose while trying to pass real reform, the debate will continue since the issue won't just go away. In the meantime, the party of NO will pay the price. They will need a hell of a lot of dirty industry money to keep fighting the fight, and that will come with a high price. If Democrats pass a bad bill that does very little to control costs, or worse increase costs, it could mean a victory for Republicans in the future.

Think about it, if we fight very hard yet lose, it will go a long way to motivate the base for the upcoming mid-term elections. At least that sounds right to me.

I'm no expert, but half-ass reform requiring insurance companies to absorb more risk (by requiring them to take pre-existing conditions and sick people) will probably encourage them to raise rates. Regulations without real reform (controlling costs by reforming the whole system) will probably only add to our problems.

One of my favorite progressive talk radio hosts and political/sociological thinkers is Thom Hartmann, and he thinks we should simplify things by allowing Americans to buy into the Medicare/Medicaid system. The result would be a public option that is already popular with the American people. Republicans and health industry lobbyists would have a tough time fighting against that kind of option. I think that's an idea that deserves more study.

No matter what, I am no longer that angry with our Democratic leaders. I now see just how much they're up against. I see the propaganda, the lies being told every day. I see the amount of money being thrown at the opposition. If anything, I'm angry with the rank-and-file Republicans and their lack of moral fiber.

It's true. Instead of debating the issue logically and trying to learn more about how the health insurance industry is bankrupting America, and how millions of people are dying for no good reason, ordinary Republicans are foolishly buying all the crap that's being thrown at them. They seem so willing to swallow horrible, shocking lies.

Rank-and-file Republicans must think very little of Democrats to think we would want to kill old people or deny people care. They all seem too willing to believe the lies.

Where was their passion in the past? They allowed themselves to swallow billions and trillions in debt-spending when it came to wars and half-ass government reforms (prescription drug benefits) benefiting big pharm under Bush/Cheney, but have practically risen in armed revolt at the prospect of saving AMERICAN lives under real health care reform.

Let's face it, Republican unwillingness to consider any kind health care reform could be considered both immoral and unAmerican, because millions of Americans are suffering and dying every day. When you boil it all down, it's simply about saving lives. That is a moral issue, no matter how you spin it.

I hope our Democratic leaders continue to fight for what is right. I agree more with Howard Dean than Bill Clinton. Clinton and Obama think any reform is good, while Dean says that real reform is the only way to go - win or lose. Sometimes you just have to fight for what is right. Go Dean!!!

Michael Boh
Papamoka's Left Coast Contributor
from Our Rants & Raves Blog

Obama Bails On Public Option

President’ Obama and his spin doctors announced today that they are not blindly tied to the public option for healthcare reform that he fought for during his campaign for the Presidency. The translation of that statement for those of you that do not speak Politicism is that the private healthcare insurance industry has won the battle once more. Fifty million people will still not have health care and the cost for those of you that do will continue to rise unabated.

White House ready to drop ‘public option’? - MSNBC

WASHINGTON - Bowing to Republican pressure and an uneasy public, President Barack Obama's administration signaled Sunday it is ready to abandon the idea of giving Americans the option of government-run insurance as part of a new health care system.

Facing mounting opposition to the overhaul, administration officials left open the chance for a compromise with Republicans that would include health insurance cooperatives instead of a government-run plan. Such a concession would likely enrage his liberal supporters but could deliver Obama a much-needed win on a top domestic priority opposed by GOP lawmakers.

What it all comes down to is yet one more politician that happens to be the President selling out the millions of people that fought so hard for him to get elected. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton were the only ones with workable plans for a public option for health care during the election and that is why it was basically a battle of the super stars of politics right down to the actual vote in the presidential primary. And a public health care option is why so many people worked to elect a Democratic party lead congress in both houses.

As a Democrat, and now somewhat progressive in thought person, I feel like I just got stabbed in the back. If President Obama wanted the full healthcare bill passed then he could have simply negotiated with his own political party to get the job done. It makes no sense to me why he is even considering Republican debate on this at all. Or could it be that the healthcare insurance industry saw the potential to be knocked off like a Soprano character if a public option was passed by the congress and used its own negotiating powers to kill it instead? That sounds more logical. I find it unbelievable that the political party with all the votes to get real healthcare reform passed was or is being handed its head on a silver platter courtesy of the opposition. I’m not just upset with my President either, my political party ran for cover at the first sign of trouble when it came to healthcare. Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, and Senate President, Harry Reid may have said they were behind the President on healthcare reform but neither was willing to fight for it in the congress.

In the end the health care insurance industry will be handed free money by the government courtesy of the GOP as long as they (wink, wink) promise to cut cost to consumers. Ten years from now there will be not 50 million but 100 million Americans without healthcare but the government subsidy checks to the insurance companies will still be cashed. Isn’t that the way it always works, the little guys get screwed and the money gets doled out to the people screwing America over anyway!

Healthcare reform is officially a dead issue. Without the public option it is just another meaningless spending bill for special interest groups that have bigger teeth than John or Jane Doe in America. And that would be the way it is simply because John and Jane Doe don’t have healthcare insurance.

Papamoka

Health Care Debate Violence

It doesn’t surprise me that this simple discussion about healthcare for all Americans has become violence prone. All sides of the debate are getting pissed, miffed, angry, and riotous and it makes no sense. Is it not fair to say that the argument on the right is being fed misinformation from organizations that just don’t want healthcare for everyone? There isn’t a Republican I know that would walk away from someone that was injured or bleeding on the street. Same goes for any Democrat, Green, or Independent that I know. Democrats are not being told the whole truth either given the White House’s recent backing off of a deal with the pharmaceutical companies that would have negotiated prescription drug pricing for people on Medicare.

I find it stupefying when you see people estimate healthcare for all Americans at one trillion dollars but leave out the fact that that is a Washington budgetary term that is in fact spread out over ten years. So the discussion should move to what can be cut in the federal budget to pay for health care for everyone? Can we cut tax subsidies for oil companies that are basically having a freebie on oil leases on public land and seas? Or can we even go so far as to cut the spending for maintaining a military presence in Iraq and Afghanistan and bring our troops all home and hopefully in one piece?

One thing is certain, America needs to fix its health care system and it will not get fixed when everyone is yelling and screaming at one another. It certainly won’t fix itself or even remotely heal with violence breaking out at Town Hall meetings to discuss health care. It’s one thing to discuss an issue, it is entirely another when violence becomes the high point of any political reporting on what the changes of our health care system are or can be.

When you really look at America, we have a diverse culture and collection of people. We can be best of friends on Facebook or Myspace and yet not recognize one another and become violent with one another over healthcare? Does that make sense to you? In the end, if the violence wins the day and kills healthcare for all Americans, what has the political movement on the right really won? David Frum has his opinion on that…

Makes me wonder if outside influences and special interests on both sides are pushing the buttons to force matters and discussions regarding healthcare into a violent end. Otherwise, I think we can all agree that Kate Smith had it right with her inspirational rendition of God Bless America. At the end of the day, we are all still Americans and we can not and should not ever forget that.

Video Link



Papamoka

Public Option Health Care

I'll let this one stand on its own. Thanks to the FarLeftSide.com for the picture...

America's Weak Link in Health Care Reform

Good Morning Papamoka Bloggers! When it comes to health care reform it appears the House of Representatives is doing a great job, especially my Congressman Henry Waxman. The weak link so far appears to be the United States Senate, and that's where WE THE PEOPLE have to apply pressure to make sure we get a viable public option.

As I've said in my earlier post, a viable public option is necessary to drive down costs and to ensure fair competition in the health care market. Did you know that health care, along with baseball, is one of the few industries exempt from anti-competition, anti-trust laws? That's one of the main reasons why the costs are so high. It's well known that health insurance companies conspire and collude to drive up costs for sick Americans.

Did you also know that health care and pharmaceutical companies are some of the largest givers to national elections? Our representatives appear to be bought-and-paid-for these days thanks to a lack of reasonable campaign finance reform. It also seems that money creates a perfect storm of DC greed and corruption, making it very difficult for the American people to find a fair solution to this problem.

Forget the Republicans, for they are so deep inside the industry's pocket it's disgusting. Rank and file Republicans should be offended and repulsed by their leaders, but instead they seem to follow their every lead. Supporting our unfair, broken system seems to come natural to the GOP. It's beyond my reckoning. Personally I'm stumped why they support such an unfair system!

Now, for the Democrats. There are still a few that are undecided - probably due to big money contributions. We need to make sure they know what WE THE PEOPLE think. See the list below to identify the uncommitted Senators along with the industry money received so far - to see who you can lobby.

1. Mark Warner, $69,000
2. Harry Reid, $78,800
3. Kent Conrad $78,800
4. Joe Lieberman, $72,000
5. Blanche Lincoln, $91,000
6. Tom Carper, $58,450
7. Evan Bayh, $66,100
8. Michael Bennet, 2,000
9. Dianne Feinstein, $44,000
10. Mark Udall, $43,500
11. Max Baucus, $141,250
12. Ron Wyden, $40,750
13. Mary Landrieu, $38,000
14. Mark Pryor, $30,000
15. Ben Nelson, $106,123

I already wrote Senator Feinstein a strongly worded letter. I hope you do the same if you see your own senator on the list, Yes, I'm asking you to please TAKE ACTION! WE THE PEOPLE need to step-up and make sure our elected officials do not abandon us during our time of need. Here is the tally for the entire Congress so far:

House 195 YES/6 NO/239 DON'T KNOW
Senate 37 YES/40 NO/22 DON'T KNOW
Combined 232 YES/46 NO/261 DON'T KNOW

What you see here means that we have a good shot at getting the legislation passed, but it also means we need to start lobbying the Senate hard NOW! We worked hard to get Hillary and Barack elected, along with dozens of other new Democrats, so why can't we use that same spirit to pass comprehensive health care reform? It's important for us all to do something!

If you still have doubts about the public option, despite all my rantings, you should take time to look at all the great sources available. One of my favorites (and it's honest, based on the primary candidate legislation now moving through the House Energy and Commerce Committee) is Stand with Dr. Dean - by Chairman/Governor/Doctor Howard Dean.

The site FAQ section is a great source for finding out everything you need to know - in easy to read bullet form. I also encourage you to sign the petition on the homepage.

This is one of the most serious issues I've ever been involved in. It's critical to the well-being of the American people, American families, and to the American economy. I beg you not to listen to the lies and the propaganda out there. They are deceiving you. Many of our own elected officials are hard at work deceiving us. Don't trust anybody! Do your own research.

All I'm asking is that you look at a variety of sources for information. If you do figure it out, and see that it will lower costs, create a better system, and help the economy, then please TAKE ACTION and contact one of your elected officials and make sure they know how you feel. We all need to do everything we can to make sure that we get legitimate health care reform and a viable public option.

Michael Boh
Papamoka's Left Coast Contributor
From Our Rants & Raves Blog

Editor's Note: If you wish to debate me personally on this subject, be sure to visit Our Rants & Raves blog where I will be hosting my own debate.

PS - There is information about how to contact our national elected representatives in the right margin of Our Rants & Raves blog. I hope you decide to help out. Thanks - Michael