Hi Everyone,
I just made the round of calls to Senator Jeff Merkley, Senator Ron Wyden and Representative Greg Waldens offices to lobby for a single payer health care system which I refer to as Medicare for All.
Wyden’s phone line was so busy I got a voice message putting me on hold that eventually disconnected me.
Merkley’s D.C. office answered and the staffer listened politely as I explained my history with health insurance companies, and then lobbied for Medicare for All. She said she’d pass the message along. In addition, I asked for Sen. Merkley to use this “opportunity” to go all in for Medicare for All.
Logic being since Democrats are in the minority and health care is a major topic around the country, use Senator Bernie Sanders’ playbook and say over and over again Democrats want a single payer system called Medicare for All.
Finally, I spoke with a Republican Representative staff member and we had a passionate exchange about how to deliver health care in America. I do want to say she was polite, mostly listened and did give me her time, which was about 10 minutes.
However, the republican Walden staff member launched into the standard republican talking points that Medicare is not working and actually said the only part of Medicare that is working is Part D. I responded by saying nonsense, that Medicare’s been working since it’s inception and the only problem it has, which is well known is that baby boomers are retiring and people are living longer. Thus we have a revenue problem to deal with that bubble and all we have to do is increase revenue to cover the bubble.
I mentioned that $58 billion is a fraction of our annual operating budget and that republicans have plenty of money to pay for Iraq, Afghanistan and other military adventures. She responded by saying we’ll have the ability to negotiate.
Her example was tonsillitis where we don’t know the costs going in and we should be able to pick and choose. I replied that yes that is a good thing, however I had appendicitis once where my appendix was about to burst, and I was in no position to negotiate at that time, I needed help then. I also used a heart attack as another example.
Finally, she said republicans were going to have hearings, talk to doctors and the public and decide on a better plan than the Affordable Care Act. After saying they’ve had decades to create a plan, but especially the last 7 years since the ACA, they better understand that health insurance companies don’t want to cover the sick.
Meaning if left to them the majority of Americans will lose their modest nest eggs to health care needs and that means all hell will break loose because we’ll be working only to pay into and or be in debt to the health care industry in our golden years.
The point to this post is;
Don’t let republicans talk over you. Every single one of them try including this low level staff member. I politely explained that I was talking and do not interrupt me.
Don’t let republicans say Medicare isn’t working. It is, along with Social Security a great government program, and no matter what they throw at you, repeat it over and over again, we want Medicare for All, or a single payer system.
Don’t let republicans say there’s no money to pay for Medicare. It’s roughly $58 billion expected shortfall in 15-20 years is peanuts compared to our roughly $2 trillion annual budget, we have money for wars and tax cuts we have money to care for Americans. Which is another point.
Aren’t Americans worth paying for? Are we not a patriotic nation who cares for each other? We are worth the additional $58 billion aren’t we?
In addition and oddly but bear with me, we’re winning the health care fight and why I think so.
Remember it wasn’t just 8-9 years ago basically all we heard was “how dare you!”“America has the best system in the world!”“Evah!”. “How dare you, you communist America hating weakling!”
But now, you don’t hear that. Including republican Greg Walden’s staffer, she literally said no one wants to go back to where pre-existing conditions weren’t covered”. Also, tacitly by declaring the need to revamp the health care industry, they’re admitting it must be regulated. They’re not saying “let the free market work its magic” anymore.
So as the minority party, Democrats can and should, in my opinion say only this; “we want Medicare for All. Other than that republicans you’re on your own”. Yes, I know the republican plan will suck and will ultimately collapse, but it’s a cycle we have to endure I’m afraid, but make no mistake the actions by Democrats including the ACA have entered the cultural American consciousness and even my ignorant republican base colleagues admit “something must be done”. That’s a huge leap from 8 years ago.
Finally, republican Greg Walden’s staffer tried to tell me the ACA caused health costs to increase and I told her that was nonsense, that her republican Rush Limbaugh base may believe that, but I am informed and the ACA slowed the growth of costs, and that it’s the CRUEL health insurance companies and industry that are raising rates.
Drill down, talk simply, don’t let them talk over you, mention Rush Limbaugh a lot. They’re embarrassed (now) by Rush Limbaugh so link republicans to him.
Also, use the word “Republican” with health care from now on. Brand the word Republican. Tell everyone that’ll listen, republicans say they have a better way, then let’s see it.
Medicare for All.
Thanks and be strong as we endure the Trump/republican years. It’s our burden to bear but now they own everything, everything that happens. When they try to blame the sure to come disasters on Obama and Democrats, just stand your ground and say “republicans are in charge, so you’re saying they’re incompetent?”
One more thing, don’t forget to mention George W. Bush too. Shoot, republicans still mention Jimmy Carter (and Abraham Lincoln) so make sure George W. Bush, Donald Trump, Rush Limbaugh and whatever health care system they create are “republican plans, operatives and policies”.
Thanks — Mustard