Dr. Howard Dean’s Rx for Real Health Care Reform

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

Former Democratic Party Chairman Dr. Howard Dean has a new book scheduled for release on July 22, 2009 entitled Howard Dean's Prescription for Real Health Care Reform. Here is a synopsis:

Synopsis

Americans have pondered how to reform healthcare since the days of Harry Truman. But for most Americans, little has changed—except that healthcare costs have soared, health insurance companies have grown bigger and more oppressive to both doctors and patients, and today even those Americans who pay dearly for health insurance frequently find that their policies don't adequately cover them when they need their coverage most.

Something has got to give. In his bold new book, Howard Dean—the physician and former governor widely credited for reviving the Democratic Party after the 2004 elections—tells Americans what needs to be done to successfully reform healthcare. One key, he writes, is to offer Americans the option to participate in a public health insurance program, much like Medicare. "America has had 'socialized' medicine since 1964," says Dean. "It's called Medicare; it covers every American over 65, and they are very happy with the program. The rest of America deserves a similar option."

In this straight-talking guide to overcoming today's healthcare crisis, Dean spells out:

• What Obama's healthcare plan is all about
• How other countries handle healthcare
• Which special interests are standing in the way of progress and why
• How healthcare reform will help American businesses prosper
• Why Americans need choice—between private and public health insurance coverage

Millions of Americans lack health insurance; millions more pay for coverage that doesn't protect them from serious illness; and the status quo leaves Americans at the mercy of corporate interests. This persuasive argument from a passionate political strategist shows Americans how to take back the healthcare reins.

In the meantime, Dr. Dean has been hitting all of the political talk shows hard campaigning for the public health insurance option. Last night Dr. Dean was on 'Countdown with Keith Olbermann' for Monday, June 22 (emphasis mine):

OLBERMANN: If the second poll in a week shows public support for the tandem of public and private health care options nearing three quarters support from all Americans, and a key Democratic senator says she is not sure if her Democratic colleagues will support it, in our third story of the COUNTDOWN, the natural solution here, get new senators.

The new CBS News/”New York Times” poll shows 72 percent of Americans say they want a choice between a government run plan and private one, and that 57 percent are even willing to pay more taxes to get it. The poll also shows Americans trust the government more than private insurers.  Half say Washington would do a better job at providing coverage; 59 percent saying it would be better at holding down costs.

Yet, this weekend Senator Dianne Feinstein called cost control such a problem that the president, even though Democrats have the numbers, may not have the votes.  So today, Mr. Obama began putting pressure on the nay-sayers, bringing back his own campaign slogan, yes we can. He today pulled in AARP CEO Barry Rand to announce a deal with U.S. drug companies to cut prescription drug costs for the elderly, called the agreement a significant breakthrough on the road to health care reform.

And this week, the president begins his pitch to the people, which includes a news conference tomorrow, and a town hall meeting on Wednesday. Let‘s turn now to former governor of Vermont, former DNC chair, and author of “Howard Dean‘s Prescription For Real Health Care Reform,” Governor Howard Dean. Thank you for your time.

HOWARD DEAN, FMR. GOV. OF VERMONT: Thanks for having me on, Keith.

(Continued below the fold with video).

OLBERMANN: If there are two polls in a week that show 70 percent, nearly three quarters, support for some form of government generated health insurance, why is Senator Feinstein encountering resistance from other Senate Democrats?

DEAN: One of the problems in the Senate is it becomes about the Senate instead of what‘s good for the country. The idea that 40 members of a determined minority can obstruct what 72 percent of Americans want is ridiculous.

You‘ve got to put aside this notion that bipartisanship is always good. Bipartisanship is a good thing when both sides want to work together. But they don‘t. The Republicans just want to kill this bill, just like they tried to kill Medicare. And the Democrats have got to stand up to it. If we learned anything in the last four years, you only win when you stand up to obstructionism. And the Democrats have got to get their act together and move forward with this.

A health insurance plan without a public health insurance option is not health care reform.  And they need to get this done.

OLBERMANN: That 72 percent support figure in the CBS poll is everybody. The Democrats surveyed in this poll are 87 percent in favor and nine percent against. Given that, if Democratic senators oppose this, does not the only answer follow, you have to present the threat of new Democratic senators to replace those?

DEAN: That‘s what will happen, but it‘s not a good thing. These senators are good people. What happens when you get in the Senate is you become consumed with what goes on in the Senate, and you lose touch with what goes on elsewhere. This is exactly what I was trying to do when I first got to be the chairman of the Democratic party.

The votes are outside Washington, not inside Washington. It would be a disaster in the midterms and a disaster for the president if we allow this bill to go down in the Senate. There has to be a public health insurance option. Three quarters of the American people want one.

What would happen—and I don‘t think the Democratic senators believe this. But it will look to the American public like these senators supported the health insurance industry, instead of what was good for the American people.

OLBERMANN: Yes.

DEAN: Let the American people choose.  Let them make their choice.

That‘s what they want here.

OLBERMANN: Even in terms of party loyalty, not that you want a bunch of obsequious yes men in every political party a hundred percent of the time. But maybe 10 percent of the time, is that OK? Is there no party discipline? I mean, the Republicans seem to be fairly good at that. Where is a little touch of that when the Democrats need it?

DEAN: It‘s not so much the party discipline. It‘s the spine to stand up to people when they‘re really being obstructionist. The Republicans just appear to be tougher and more disciplined. We have got to stand up and do what‘s right.

Seventy two percent of the American people want the choice, including in places like Indiana and Delaware and states where folks are not — can‘t make up their minds. We need a choice. The American people want—they don‘t necessarily want everybody on Medicare. They just want to choose for themselves. I think it‘s time that the American people get to make that choice, and not the insurance lobby and not the Senate and not the Congress and not the president and not insurance company bureaucrats.

Let the American people choose. That is the message, three to one. And we just—the people in Washington have got to make sure. We worked so hard to get this big majority. They‘ve got to use it and they‘ve got to pass a public health insurance option, real health reform.

OLBERMANN: Yes, 72 percent. By the way, among Republicans, it‘s 50 percent to 39 in favor.

DEAN: Yes.

OLBERMANN: Governor Howard Dean, as always, thanks for your time tonight.

DEAN: Thanks, Keith.