Kucinich: Why I voted NO

For OpEdNews: Dennis Kucinich - Writer

Washington D.C. (November 7, 2009) – After voting against H.R. 3962 - Affordable Health Care for America Act, Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) today made the following statement:

“We have been led to believe that we must make our health care choices only within the current structure of a predatory, for-profit insurance system which makes money not providing health care. We cannot fault the insurance companies for being what they are. But we can fault legislation in which the government incentivizes the perpetuation, indeed the strengthening, of the for-profit health insurance industry, the very source of the problem. When health insurance companies deny care or raise premiums, co-pays and deductibles they are simply trying to make a profit. That is our system.

“Clearly, the insurance companies are the problem, not the solution. They are driving up the cost of health care. Because their massive bureaucracy avoids paying bills so effectively, they force hospitals and doctors to hire their own bureaucracy to fight the insurance companies to avoid getting stuck with an unfair share of the bills. The result is that since 1970, the number of physicians has increased by less than 200% while the number of administrators has increased by 3000%. It is no wonder that 31 cents of every health care dollar goes to administrative costs, not toward providing care. Even those with insurance are at risk. The single biggest cause of bankruptcies in the U.S. is health insurance policies that do not cover you when you get sick.

“But instead of working toward the elimination of for-profit insurance, H.R. 3962 would put the government in the role of accelerating the privatization of health care. In H.R. 3962, the government is requiring at least 21 million Americans to buy private health insurance from the very industry that causes costs to be so high, which will result in at least $70 billion in new annual revenue, much of which is coming from taxpayers. This inevitably will lead to even more costs, more subsidies, and higher profits for insurance companies — a bailout under a blue cross.

“By incurring only a new requirement to cover pre-existing conditions, a weakened public option, and a few other important but limited concessions, the health insurance companies are getting quite a deal. The Center for American Progress' blog, Think Progress, states “since the President signaled that he is backing away from the public option, health insurance stocks have been on the rise.” Similarly, healthcare stocks rallied when Senator Max Baucus introduced a bill without a public option. Bloomberg reports that Curtis Lane, a prominent health industry investor, predicted a few weeks ago that “money will start flowing in again” to health insurance stocks after passage of the legislation. Investors.com last month reported that pharmacy benefit managers share prices are hitting all-time highs, with the only industry worry that the Administration would reverse its decision not to negotiate Medicare Part D drug prices, leaving in place a Bush Administration policy.

“During the debate, when the interests of insurance companies would have been effectively challenged, that challenge was turned back. The “robust public option” which would have offered a modicum of competition to a monopolistic industry was whittled down from an initial potential enrollment of 129 million Americans to 6 million. An amendment which would have protected the rights of states to pursue single-payer health care was stripped from the bill at the request of the Administration. Looking ahead, we cringe at the prospect of even greater favors for insurance companies.

More at the link.

Thank you for speaking truth, Rep Kucinich.

And this also begs the question: how will they be able to pass any climate change bill now? And this is truly ironic since our environment is the cause for much of our health ills.

We need more politicians like Kucinich !

Absolutely. A REAL Democrat who puts people instead of party first. Republicans and Democrats in Congress alike could learn something from him..

Thank you for being real Congressman. Thank you for doing your job and representing the people. The people of Ohio should be proud to have you.

Agreed, a bill that has an individual mandate but with out a strong public option is almost laughable as reform. I admit it is a step, a small one anyway. But at the same time that step is a bailout for the insurance companies.

This is the problem with the Democratic party. They all have there own definenition of "the only right answer" and are willing to watch the whole program fail if they don't get their way. I understand why people think the health care reform bill doesn't do enough but how would killing the bill help that. I feel like this was a shortsighted and childish move on Kucinich's part.

Let's see if you say that in a year's time. If it continues the same status quo it isn't progress. Voting for a bill just for the sake of having one to say it was a "victory for Obama" is BS. This isn't about him anymore than it was about Bush, and I'm sick of it. No pun intended. Insurance care is not healthcare. And if you do not address the root causes of the health concerns and illnesses we have in this country, you will never have a truly progressive and comprehensive HEALTHcare bill.

Maybe you purists would be wise to wait for the final combination of both a Senate and House bill before you begin your incessant criticisms. And while you're waiting, ask yourself "who is really behind this reform's weakness?" It is the money and propaganda of the insurance industry, Blue Dog democrats from conservative states who rely on that money, and Republicans who will go down on their knees in a heartbeat to kiss the ass of any industry in range. Given all that, we will be truly lucky to get any reform at all.

Maybe you should respect others' opinions instead of constantly pushing your own BS and labeling here.

If you remember when Medicare or Social Security were first passed they were mere shadows of what they are today! Getting the huge ship this country is turned in the right direction takes years but the steering wheel has been turned. Laws forbidding special interest lobbying are needed as soon as possible, and that fight could truly bring change faster than any election. Banning Corporate personhood is long overdue that system has corrupted our politics to the point of no return. Sorry things are what they are but any start is better than no start at all, and we have to keep fighting for real change in the system to make government work for citizens. I can envision people demanding mandatory insurance be a thing of the past before it becomes law and we end up doing what the French and many other civilized society's have done and just add a tax too pay for healthcare. It may be the answer in the long run for this too happen as quickly as possible.

This man should be our president. But he doesn't play the "empty rhetoric" game.

I can also see Dennis being a major role player in bringing a true single payer system into place the fight continues and our society of instant gratification will never be truly satisfied with it's right now attitude. We are the government and we need to always remain ever vigilant if want to change anything.

Right now attitude? Talk about placating. We have been waiting for FORTY YEARS. This isn't NEW.

More truth.

Kucinich is the real deal. Democrats-- why do you always chicken out and fail to nominate this guy for president?

They have Jan, in Washington state. It was expected to pass before the combined force of every health insurance agency in the country spent millions on an ad campaign to bring it to a screeching halt. Good luck with that.

The House bill has all kinds of good provisions in there - I don't think had the votes to pass single payer - the House bill is the closest they can come - if they pass this it will be a milestone - don't throw the baby out with the bath water!

I think if the word 'mandate' was to be included into the health care bill, it should have been used to 'mandate' accountability for the insurance industry. 'Mandate' participation for ordinary Americans, once accountability has been brought to bear on the insurance industry. They should be 'mandated' to spend our health care premiums on our health care, not politicians and lobbyists. I truly believe the 'mandate' against the industry should have been the starting point for mandates, then when they get the health care industry healthy, think about mandating participation.

A single payer option will never pass the Senate. Look at how much trouble it had passing the House where Democrats had an OVERWHELMING majority. The only hope IS for individual States to introduce Single Payer. Kucinich was right on to vote no on this joke of a Bill. Why should individuals have to pay for insurance, and then those who can not afford it get a tax CREDIT (which would still make it impossible to get insurance as no one can afford to pay out of pocket and then wait for the credit) which would then ALSO go to the insurance companies. This will only RAISE rates like the Government issuing student loans through BANKS did. This Bill is a joke, and let's not forget how much money Pelosi has been paid by the Helath industry. Kucinich is not a Democrat, and I am fine with that since the Democrats do not care about the people.

I fully agree with Dennis. I am proud of him. If only Joe Lieberman used this rational for blocking the vote in the Senate.

Thank you Dennis Kucinich and thank you Jan for posting this!

Our American Government leaders are just plainly obscene. We should empty the prisons of lesser criminal put there by an injustice justice system and incarcerate corrupt rich corporate politicians no mattter who they are. Do your country a favor and fire all present politicians and replace with all new blood and desroy the rules of congress and Washington established by the good ole boy system and create a new set of ethical rules and laws of the people for the people. Reealizing that our base is filled with ignorant and illiterate people our new system should also look oout for the ignoorant but not like our present two party system does.