Comments on: Density and secrecy will defeat democracy in Kennedy’s health care bill

By: Allison Kilkenny: Density and Secrecy Will Defeat Democracy in Kennedy’s Health Care Bill | BlackNewsTribune.com

Sat, 02 Oct 2010 15:52:12 +0000

[...] from Allison Kilkenny’s blog. Also available on Facebook and [...]

By: Carnival of the Liberals #93 - Liberal Critiques of the Democratic Party - The Largest Minority

Sat, 20 Jun 2009 13:35:57 +0000

[...] that classic liberal audacity than the issue of health care. Guest blogger and fellow potty mouth Allison Kilkenny takes a look at Kennedy’s health care bill, explaining why anyone claiming to be a representative of the American people who then fights [...]

By: rossbrummet

rossbrummet — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 13:21:23 +0000

I would like to say that I support harsh criticism, right or wrong, of all politicians, especially those damn Kennedys. I therefore salute your post. (Salutes)

With that said I think that while Bernie Sanders argument about doing single payer on a state by state basis is interesting, the comparison to Canada is flawed. Canada got Universal Health Care because they had a third party, The New Democrats, to push the Liberals to accept it.

For instance, take the Saskatchewan example, why did Saskatchewan introduce a single payer system? Was it because the Liberal Party finally decided to grow a conscience? No it was because Tommy Douglas, the founder of the NDP, was their Premier (Governor). This is why Tommy Douglas is called the father of Medicare and was recently voted the greatest Canadian ever — obviously proving how much Canadians loathe their health care system.

Since we don’t have anything resembling a third party in this country, the road to a fair and just health-care system will be a lot more difficult.

(Also a trivial fact, since you guys complain on Citizen Radio about the show 24, Kiefer Sutherland is Tommy Douglas’ grandson. Which I guess means that while the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, it does occasionally get kicked.)

By: Allison Kilkenny

Allison Kilkenny — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 16:29:20 +0000

I don’t doubt that. I’m not saying he’s some horrible, evil man that wants Americans to die because they can’t afford health insurance. What I’m saying is it’s difficult for even the most morally upright politician to make health care reform a reality when PhRMA and insurance lobbyists have such a large presence in Washington. You can’t take hundreds of thousands of dollars in private health care donations without the industry asking for something in return.

By: Brian In NYC

Brian In NYC — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 16:25:55 +0000

Allison I can tell you from my own personal experience that Senator Kennedy’s commitment to the issue is real. I used to be education director for the NY chapter of the American Liver Foundation (I have a chronic liver disease), in relation to that work I’ve had 3 opportunities to work with the senator and his staff. I know first hand that his commitment to this issue is real and I know there are many many Americans who are alive today because of his efforts. It’s fair to question his methods on this issue, I don’t think it’s far to question his motives.

By: Allison Kilkenny

Allison Kilkenny — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 15:35:48 +0000

Good to know! Thanks, Rick, and yay!

By: Rick Ungar

Rick Ungar — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 14:59:54 +0000

You make some great points also. In fact, you’ve by far done I’ve seen on this site arguing for single-payer By the way, the reason you don’t need to call out contributor comments is because they are automatically called out. And I will listen to your program!

By: Allison Kilkenny

Allison Kilkenny — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 14:14:21 +0000

Thanks Brian. You’re not the first to tell me I’m being too harsh on Kennedy. Let’s just say I approach him with cautious pessimism since he has raised nearly $300,000 from the pharmacutical/health care industry.

By: Brian In NYC

Brian In NYC — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 04:27:41 +0000

Good piece Allison, and I pretty much agree with just about everything you say, though I do think you may be a tad harsh on Kennedy. I too long for single payer, but all things considered I think we have to accept we’re just not there yet, but the govt plan will move us a hell of lot closer. I think we have to be careful not to cut off our noses to spite our faces.

By: Allison Kilkenny

Allison Kilkenny — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 02:51:57 +0000

Not exactly. The example was used to illustrate that R&D’s budget doesn’t necessarily suffer because of price-controls (or generic alternatives).

PhRMA also consistently fails to mention the enormous tax deductions they claim for R&D (conveniently).

The key (as always) is regulation. Simply saying “Oh, well, let’s try a public-private hybrid and hope for the best” will result in the same problems we’re experiencing now (price inflation, rejection for pre-existing conditions, etc.) However, an Australian model would work if we also adopted that strict regulation of the private industry you mentioned. I just don’t predict the private industry will ever volunteer to be heavily regulated. Again, that entails PhRMA and the insurance industry placing their own heads on the chopping blocks. There’s just no incentive. The only reason they’re being even remotely cooperative right now is because (as we already discussed,) they’re scared shitless by all this talk of nationalized health care. Once that threat passes, it’ll be business as usual.

Now! Shameless radio show plug Citizen Radio airs every Wednesday at Breakthru Radio. You can join our Facebook group to receive updates of our weekly shows, and our episodes are also available for free download on iTunes (instructions for how to do that are on the Facebook page, too.)

You made some great, compelling points here, man. I really appreciate the comments. I wanted to call-out so many of your responses, but I’ve heard we’re not supposed to do that with fellow T/S contributors