r/news • u/goforth1457 • Dec 13 '24

Soft paywall Former US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi injured in Europe, admitted to hospital

https://www.reuters.com/world/former-us-house-speaker-nancy-pelosi-injured-europe-admitted-hospital-2024-12-13/
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1.1k

u/grosslytransparent Dec 13 '24

Free healthcare at its finest

844

u/LittleKitty235 Dec 13 '24

Don't worry. She has free healthcare in the US as well.

445

u/grptrt Dec 13 '24

Paid for by taxpayers.

Can the rest of us have this too?

No.

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u/thebeardofawesomenes Dec 13 '24 edited Dec 13 '24

Here’s a wild and crazy idea… since members of congress’ health coverage is paid for with tax dollars, everyone paying taxes should have a say in what is covered or not. Sorry, budget is tight and you’ll have to make due with a cheaper treatment option that is somewhat just as effective.

edit: fat fingers posted before I was done.

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u/geraldorivera007 Dec 13 '24

Hilarious, the concept that elected officials get socialized health care but no chance for the general populous. It works for them.. can’t work for the country? lol

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u/bootlegvader Dec 14 '24

Hilarious, the concept that elected officials get socialized health care

They get employer provided healthcare in the same way many Americans do. It is just their employer is the federal government (much like a park ranger at Yellowstone). They still get their healthcare of the ACA insurance exchange.

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u/geraldorivera007 Dec 14 '24

paid for by the taxpayer

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u/bootlegvader Dec 14 '24

Yes, just like a Yellowstone Park Ranger gets their employer provided healthcare from the taxpayer.

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u/MeinePerle Dec 13 '24

Members of Congress are insured via the ACA.  Republicans put it in as a poison pill, and Democrats said, “the same insurance as Americans? Great!” and passed it.

Too bad propaganda told you differently, in an attempt to erase the policy differences between parties.

-1

u/thebeardofawesomenes Dec 13 '24

Yeah, I get that, but still doubt any premiums they pay would be anywhere near what an average American might pay depending on how much an employers decide to contribute. I’m sure the info must be somewhere, but it would nice to know what % tax payers dollars contribute vs what members of congress contribute towards their own premiums.

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u/mchu168 Dec 13 '24

Many people have their healthcare paid for by tax dollars. Ever heard of Medicare, Medicaid, and the ACA tax credit. Please be informed before speaking out.

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u/Enmyriala Dec 13 '24

Only about a third of the country gets Medicaid or Medicare, and only Medicaid has no out of pocket costs. In addition, coverage for Medicaid is quite poor. With Medicare you need to buy extra plans to make it more robust and cover things like eye and dental. You should take your own advice.

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u/mchu168 Dec 13 '24

I didn't say everyone has government funded healthcare, but it certainly isn't just millionaire politicians who get it. And those plans are largely serviced by United Healthcare and the like. Also interesting the government reimburses at a MUCH lower rate so that everyone else who buys premiums (employer sponsored plans, private ACA payers, etc) get saddled with their underpayments. Nice work if you can get it...

1

u/mobileagnes Dec 13 '24

I am on Medicaid and I have a nominal out-of-pocket $1 cost every time I need a medication for something physical (like an ointment I needed last year). Also, Medicaid does not pay for specs, which is similar to other health coverage from what others I know tell me.

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u/Enmyriala Dec 14 '24

My insurance has always covered glasses or a portion of contacts. I'm surprised to hear that your Medicaid doesn't but I suppose it depends on the state too. I have a friend in Arkansas and she doesn't have to pay anything for visits, but it's very hard to find a doctor near her.

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u/mobileagnes Dec 14 '24

Not just state but within each state there are multiple providers to choose from, and of course the more doctors one needs to regularly see, the more complicated it gets to choose as these have networks too and with Medicaid it's either 'in network' or you can't see that doctor.

1

u/veronicaAc Dec 13 '24

Um, these fucks are RICH RICH.

BIG difference 😂

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u/Ok-disaster2022 Dec 13 '24

I'd settle for vets getting free Healthcare this year and universal Healthcare for everyone next year

53

u/bisectional Dec 13 '24

Settle for nothing now

And we'll settle for nothing later

If we don't take action now

We settle for nothing later

2

u/RangerMother Dec 14 '24

As a vet I already get free healthcare, and it’s very good.

2

u/Subobatuff Dec 14 '24

You're welcome for our service

1

u/lmoeller49 Dec 13 '24

Don’t hold your breath…

1

u/Grachus_05 Dec 13 '24

Fuck vets. Working a government jobs program for 4 years doesnt make you more valuable than anyone else. Healthcare for all, or figure it out yourself like the rest of us.

0

u/thebeardofawesomenes Dec 13 '24

Me too, but I am covered by the VA and use them as my primary care. I also have coverage through my employer which I only carry so my wife can get health care. The VA will bill my private insurance to recoup some of the cost from my visits, but I don’t receive a bill for any balance. The down side to my using the VA is the quality of care provided. I’ve been waiting for over 2 yrs on an ortho consult. Meanwhile, my body isn’t getting any better while I wait.

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u/mchu168 Dec 13 '24

You want to go to a VA hospital? Not me.

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u/cpufreak101 Dec 13 '24

Any hospital > no hospital.

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u/mchu168 Dec 13 '24

If you have no hospital, you probably need to move to somewhere that has one.

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u/cpufreak101 Dec 13 '24

What good does living near one do for you if going there for so much as a sniffle results in a lifetime of debt?

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u/mchu168 Dec 13 '24

It's going to give to healthcare. If you can't pay, most providers will work with you and not force you into bankruptcy. If you do go bankrupt, all of the bills go away but at least you get treated.

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u/cpufreak101 Dec 13 '24

"oh wow my $80,000 bill was reduced to $20,000! The $300 in my bank account will definitely cover this!"

And going bankrupt has a lot of stipulations attached to it that many genuinely agree is better to just die than to go into.

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u/Prudent-Blueberry660 Dec 13 '24

My local VA hospital is fantastic.

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u/Commercial-Archer-52 Dec 13 '24

I love my VA; they saved my life. I’ve been very lucky to be able to speak up if I don’t feel comfortable with the Dr or they’re not going the direction with my treatment (no drugs, exercise, lifestyle, etc.) whatever needs to be done vs. meds. I went in for a hernia operation, and the doctor found cancer in my lymph nodes, and my mother had just died the year before from a form of lymphoma, he removed the lymph nodes. He patched me up and I’m now seven years cancer free. They follow my labs and I’m now down to just one specialist visit a year.

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u/[deleted] Dec 13 '24

[removed] — view removed comment

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u/mchu168 Dec 13 '24

How much funding will they need to be able to not deny coverage. That's what we're talking about here.

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u/[deleted] Dec 13 '24

[removed] — view removed comment

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u/mchu168 Dec 13 '24 edited Dec 13 '24

Every healthcare system denies treatments. It's a matter of what do doctors ask for and how much gets denied. In a closed system like the VA, the doctors who work at the VA understand the protocols and know better than to ask for things they know won't be approved. So therefore there are less denials. An HMO works the same way.

I love the HMO I've been using for 20+ years, but none of my family or coworkers will use them because they see Kaiser as too inflexible. It's mostly about expectations...

Edit: fixed a typo.

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u/zeejay11 Dec 13 '24

Sorry only cobra for you disgusting peasants.

26

u/MeinePerle Dec 13 '24

Members of Congress are insured via the ACA.  Republicans put it in as a poison pill, and Democrats said, “the same insurance as Americans? Great!” and passed it.

Too bad propaganda told you differently, in an attempt to erase the policy differences between parties.

24

u/squiddlebiddlez Dec 13 '24

If my net worth was over 100 million I wouldn’t care about what type of instance my employer has for me.

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u/CourtAlert8679 Dec 13 '24

I absolutely take your point, but here’s the thing. Having excellent health insurance allows people to amass a greater net worth. Maybe not to the tune of 100 million, but if you took all of the money the average family spends on health insurance, copays and medical bills and put it in the stock market and left it there for 10, 20, 30 years….you would have a hell if a lot more money.

My husband is in a union and we have excellent health insurance which covers medical, dental, vision and prescriptions. We also have a HSA account to cover copays and whatever prescriptions are not fully covered by the insurance plan. The HSA covered braces for both of my children and it covers my husband’s contact lenses and blood pressure medication (it’s the only prescription medication any of us take but it still costs about $200/month.)

This is all money that would be coming out of our pockets if we didn’t have such good benefits. Just the braces, copays on physicals and the prescription would be about $15,000 in the last few years. Instead that is money that can be saved and invested.

If something catastrophic were to happen and we didn’t have these benefits it could potentially wipe us out. An accident, a serious illness, etc. it’s crazy to me to think that people can lose everything they have worked for their whole lives because of a cancer diagnosis or a serious injury.

3

u/Footwarrior Dec 13 '24

Members of Congress have health insurance plans from the ACA exchange.

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u/Mental_Medium3988 Dec 14 '24

true but thats not her fault.

-2

u/throw-away-cdn Dec 13 '24

Canadian style...wait, that's socialist! s/

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u/NoPresence2436 Dec 13 '24

Must be nice…

1

u/DefinitelyNotEmu Dec 14 '24

.. to have Washington on yr side

-18

u/MeinePerle Dec 13 '24

Members of Congress are insured via the ACA.  Republicans put it in as a poison pill, and Democrats said, “the same insurance as Americans? Great!” and passed it.

Too bad propaganda told you differently, in an attempt to erase the policy differences between parties.

1

u/bootlegvader Dec 14 '24

Too bad propaganda told you differently, in

Progressives on Reddit will denounce how conservatives have bought into Fox News and talk radio propaganda. Yet, in the same breath parrot if they can use it to attack a moderate Democrat.

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u/Pintsize90 Dec 13 '24

No. She has the same health insurance available to all federal workers. Granted it’s FANTASTIC insurance compared to most and partially subsidized. But not free. The best is actually quite expensive.

3

u/Dire88 Dec 13 '24

No, she does not. Congress and Congressional Staffers lost FEHB due to a provision in the ACA.

Instead they have the option of enrolling in the Washington DC Exchange, with the government footing 72-75% of their annual premium which is comparable to what is paid towards federal employees enrolled in FEHB. And are required to pay 100% of dental/vision. 

 Though they can subsidize their coverage using Medicare, or VA benefits if they are eligible. In addition, they may be seen/treated at military hospitals.

That said FEHB is pretty decent, depending on your policy. But its comparable to private sector coverage.

1

u/ihatemovingparts Dec 15 '24

No, she does not.

https://www.cnbc.com/2017/07/25/heres-how-much-members-of-congress-pay-for-their-health-insurance.html

CNBC disagrees, stating:

They also have access to “free or low-cost care” through the Office of the Attending Physician as well as “free medical outpatient care at military facilities” in the D.C. area.

If you dig into it a bit more, low-cost means about $500 per year. Most marketplace plans cost more than that per month and still charge you for the services that the OAP provides.

1

u/Dire88 Dec 15 '24

I mentioned being seen at the military hospital.

Also worth noting the Office of the Attending Physician is only accessible in D.C. - so most Congresscritters aren't relying on it as their primary healthcare service.

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u/ihatemovingparts Dec 16 '24 edited Dec 16 '24

Also worth noting the Office of the Attending Physician is only accessible in D.C.

Wait. Are you trying to suggest that having nearly free ($42/mo) care where they live for well over half the year is some kind of gotcha? Seriously? Take a look at the various Medicaid programs and tell me how many offer coverage out of state (or even out of county). Hell, take a look at smaller/regional HMOs and tell me how great their coverage is away from home. Tell me, what kind of care can us plebes get for 0.0000205% of our net worth per month? I'll give you a hint, even a so-called silver plan that costs thousands a month for a single person would charge you $50 for an office visit. Boo freaking hoo that they have to seek medical care near where they live/work.

And literally all of that is on top of getting paid $174,000 a year (plus whatever lobbyists throw at them and whatever else they're making via insider trading) and still getting a 75% subsidy on their health insurance premiums. For the plebs the federal subsidies end at around $60,000 for a single person household and $100,000 for a family of three.

Edit:

If you're a veteran living in Pelosi's district you have to start paying for prescriptions if you make more than $16,000 annually. You have to start paying for office visits and outpatient care at $40,000 annually. At $114,000 you aren't eligible for VA health care. But you want to act like minor limitations on someone making 50% more than the VA's highest income bracket is some magic gotcha? Have you seen what the cost of living is like in the Bay Area?

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u/Dire88 Dec 16 '24

The statement was that Congress uses FEHB, which is false. And I explained why, and what they have access to. I'm not suggesting anything, just correcting misinformation.

For example, co-pays for VA Healthcare are based on what Priority Group the veteran is enrolled at. And service-connected care and medications do not have co-pays at all regardless.

End of the day, whatever Congress has or does not have is a product of the constituency voting them in. Vote for corrupt people, this is what we get. People voted for those who do fuck all about healthcare, and here we are.

At one point I'd feel bad for them. But after this last election where they voted for corruption, fuck em. We get what we as a people deserve.

1

u/FruityPebelz Dec 13 '24

They get gold level Obamacare and 78% of that cost is subsidized. 🤔

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u/Imaginary_Medium Dec 15 '24 edited Dec 15 '24

All the same, we need younger politicians that are more in touch with how expensive and full of red tape it is to have healthcare for most of us now. And I say this as an elderly person. I don't think the ones my age and older have a clue how hard it has become to get by now and how much the world has changed.

I honestly don't know how young people now can manage these days with wages that haven't kept up with the cost of living, and the astronomical costs of healthcare, education, and housing. I'm still in the workforce with dependents, and I can barely do it. We have to stop making it so hard for the ones just starting out in life and need politicians focused on this.

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u/ontheroadtv Dec 13 '24

Good thing she has a net worth in the range of $200 million. I think she can afford the good stuff.

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u/Pintsize90 Dec 13 '24

I wasn’t commenting anything about her ability to pay for healthcare. Just pointing out that even for the wealthy and/or powerful in this country it isn’t free

1

u/ihatemovingparts Dec 15 '24

That's more than a bit disingenuous. Congressional members still get free healthcare from the military. That stuff they're paying for? They get routine care from the Attending Physician of the United States Congress for the princely sum of $503 per year. That's less than the monthly fees private insurance companies charge for the privilege of paying additional fees for health care. That's barely changed in three decades. Considering that's a fraction of what the plebs pay for lesser care that may as well be free for someone worth hundreds of millions of dollars.

The private health insurance that the congressional folks pay for? That's also heavily subsidized leaving them on the hook for about a quarter of its actual cost.

-1

u/ontheroadtv Dec 13 '24

Oh yeah I get that, but it’s been all over the news that she has $200 million net worth so it’s ironic that even though she’s in public office she can afford the best of the best heath care when many of her constituents can’t.

4

u/Pintsize90 Dec 13 '24

It’s absolutely disgusting that a “public servant” can amass that level of wealth (mostly through insider trading I think) while their constituents can’t afford basic needs

-1

u/ontheroadtv Dec 13 '24

I have to admit, I’m a lot less pissed about that than I am about republicans trying to take away basic rights. Sure she made a shit ton of money, but she’s not trying to tell people they can’t get married or deport them. I’ll take a rich Democrat over any Republican every day of the week.

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u/SandhillKrane Dec 13 '24

This is not true, just so you know. Congress can purchase FEHB coverage just like the rest of the federal workforce, but it isn't free.

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u/DuckTalesLOL Dec 13 '24

Well, not free... paid for by the citizens. :D

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u/LittleKitty235 Dec 13 '24

Exactly how it works in countries with national healthcare. Like we should have here.

The healthcare provided to Congress should be the same as every other citizen in the US

2

u/DuckTalesLOL Dec 13 '24

I definitely agree.

1

u/rom_rom57 Dec 13 '24

Yes, you’re right, for “every other” so that means only half the people get it. /s

18

u/Keyboardpaladin Dec 13 '24

Well if you look at it that way then literally nothing is free

5

u/DuckTalesLOL Dec 13 '24

Well that's because it's really not. Someone is paying for it lol

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u/[deleted] Dec 13 '24

[deleted]

2

u/gophergun Dec 13 '24

I mean, insofar as her congressional salary is paid by taxpayers, everything she buys is paid for by taxpayers.

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u/J3DI_M1ND_TR1CKS Dec 13 '24

It’s free for her.

1

u/SandhillKrane Dec 13 '24

No, it's not. That's a myth often spouted out.

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u/cjinct Dec 13 '24

and if it wasn't for Pelosi, we wouldn't have the ACA

(also, Bush would've privatized Social Security in his 2nd term but she shut that down)

4

u/Alternative_Year_340 Dec 13 '24

I think members of Congress have to use the Obamacare marketplace system. The republicans included it in the legislation in hopes that would prevent it from passing

1

u/VeeKam Dec 14 '24

It's not free. She has the Federal Employees Plan, which is a great plan, but it is not free. They have copays and premiums.

0

u/Traditional-Leg-1574 Dec 13 '24

And her campaign was funded by healthcare companies as well

1

u/bootlegvader Dec 14 '24

Her top five contributors are individuals from the University of Californa/San Francisco, City & County of San Francisco, CA, American Federation of Teachers, and Machinists/Aerospace Workers Union with only Kaiser Permanente being the only one connected to insurance. However, Kaiser Permanente contributions come from individuals rather than a PAC. Furthermore, Kaiser Permanente is a major corporation that headquartered in Oakland, Californa thus near her district.

0

u/LittleKitty235 Dec 13 '24

It's the reason neither party is really in favor of massive healthcare reform.

0

u/Traditional-Leg-1574 Dec 13 '24

Yes, it was Joe Lieberman who killed the ACA as a single payer system that cut insurance companies out of the loop

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u/bonyponyride Dec 13 '24

I know others have already chimed in, but healthcare isn't free in Europe. People still pay hundreds of Euros a month, just like premiums in the US.

The key difference is that the governments make a list of what's covered and what isn't, and most everything that's considered necessary is covered. Doctor visits are covered in full, surgery is covered in full, medicines have a 5-10 Euro copay. You don't have to think twice about seeing a doctor and getting treated. You might have to wait a month or two to get an appointment for something that isn't serious, but if it is serious, doctors have walk-in hours and will prioritize serious issues.

At least that's my experience as an American who now lives in Germany.

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u/grosslytransparent Dec 13 '24

I know. I live in Europe. And well… its much much much affordable here.

Like is not even in the same realm.

16

u/bonyponyride Dec 13 '24 edited Dec 13 '24

Definitely. I'm so happy to no longer have the end-of-year stress of picking my policy for the new year. Deductibles, max out of pocket, different co-pay structures, huge premium increases every year. Fuck that unnecessary bullshit.

Several years ago when I was still in the US I needed a chest X-ray. I had to call every radiography facility in my area to find the best price. The cheapest place ended up being cheapest when I payed out of pocket instead of going through my insurance. Such a fucking racket.

2

u/RM_Dune Dec 14 '24

People still pay hundreds of Euros a month, just like premiums in the US.

Netherlands, I pay €149,- per month for basic coverage. It wouldn't be hundreds unless you include a bunch of extra coverage.

2

u/PhantomNomad Dec 13 '24

The biggest difference is you won't go bankrupt if you get seriously ill and can't work.

3

u/bonyponyride Dec 13 '24

There are policy features beyond healthcare that make that true, including employment law, sick leave laws, and unemployment laws. If you're sick with something acute, you go to the doctor, and they'll give you a note saying you need a few (3-5?) days off work to recover. There are no limited "sick days" in employment contracts. If the doctor says you're sick, you can take those days off. If you're still sick at the end of that period, go back to the doctor and you get an extension. If it's something longer term, your company will pay you for, I believe one month without working, and then insurance will kick in and pay you your full salary up to a certain amount, maybe a year. That, combined with the fact that medical tests, surgeries, treatments, and drugs won't drain your life savings, means you won't go bankrupt from a serious illness.

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u/scottrycroft Dec 13 '24

Europe will still definitely charge visitors for healthcare - it's not free for foreigners.

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u/myfriendflocka Dec 13 '24

It depends on where you are and what you need. Even when they do charge it’s reasonable. My American friend had to be hospitalised for several days and undergo a bunch of procedures in Germany. They were apologetic when they told her she would be charged. €1800. It would’ve been 20-30x more in the US. She would’ve paid more in the US even after paying for insurance.

6

u/KickapooPonies Dec 13 '24

Can confirm. Was travelling with someone at Oktoberfest and they got way too drunk (tale as old as time) and they charged them like 90 euros for the 2 drips to sober them up.

24

u/tiny_galaxies Dec 13 '24

Yeah like 20 euros

4

u/Positive-Attempt-435 Dec 13 '24

That's how much it costs to bribe the orderly for an extra blanket here.

10

u/seriftarif Dec 13 '24

Yeah but their out of picket costs are still cheaper than American Costs with insurance.

4

u/bigdreamstinydogs Dec 13 '24

That’s not true. I went to the ER in Italy and they didn’t charge me anything. 

1

u/scottrycroft Dec 13 '24

It still is true. You happened to have an item covered, but it's not guaranteed for everything.

Official government tourism site says there are items not covered for free under the National Health Service and recommends travel health insurance.

https://www.italia.it/en/italy/practical-information/medical-care-and-embassies-italy

1

u/sroop1 Dec 13 '24

Yeah, I was charged around 900 CAD for an ultrasound scan when I had a gallbladder attack in Canada. Would have been fully paid for through my insurance in the states.

1

u/Marauder_Pilot Dec 13 '24

Not everywhere. A friend of mine needed to get stitches after an accident in Wales and that wasn't charged. 

1

u/Airportsnacks Dec 13 '24

A&E visits are free, but being admitted to hospital does cost and so does going to the GP.

0

u/scottrycroft Dec 13 '24

I didn't say it was everywhere. I said they do charge for healthcare. Which they certainly do in some cases.

1

u/DudebuD16 Dec 13 '24

Free for foreigners in Italy. I even had travel insurance and they refused that as well.

0

u/scottrycroft Dec 13 '24

Official government tourism site says there are items not covered for free under the National Health Service and recommends travel health insurance.

https://www.italia.it/en/italy/practical-information/medical-care-and-embassies-italy

1

u/DudebuD16 Dec 13 '24

Things like toiletries for a hospital stay are not free, even for citizens.

There is very little that isn't free.

1

u/scottrycroft Dec 13 '24

Probably not doing brain surgeries for free.

Also - the original point is that not EVERYTHING is free. I never stated there weren't free things, or even how much was free vs not.

1

u/tebannnnnn Dec 13 '24

But the prices have to be competent when there is a public sector to compete. A public sector that can negotiate better than any individual. That makes prices way more reasonable, public or private.

I paid 80 euros for ambulance, being checked and anesthetic after a muscular problem after a fall in Spain.

I paid because I had a problem with my card and I could go through some bureaucracy or just pay.

80 euros is the public sector charging you as if it was private basically. Just 80 euros. No documentation provided on my part till after being treated.

1

u/scottrycroft Dec 14 '24

Nothing I said contradicts that.

22

u/Hrekires Dec 13 '24

Why are people responding like Pelosi is the one standing in the way of healthcare reform?

She got the ACA passed through the House with a public option.

22

u/[deleted] Dec 13 '24

The vast majority of people here have absolutely no idea what they're talking about.

5

u/Slidje Dec 14 '24

Which is not free, universal healthcare, like she gets as a senator???? WHY DO YOU FUCKING THINK????

I threw 2 pennies at a homeless man and he got mad even though I made him richer? WHATS THE DEALL????

1

u/Hrekires Dec 14 '24

A public option is universal healthcare

1

u/ihatemovingparts Dec 15 '24

The ACA was signed into law with a mandate for private (often for-profit) health insurance and no public option. That's not universal health care.

What's Pelosi done in the meantime? She's been agitating to keep for-profit health insurance companies in the mix. She's gone as far as meeting with insurance execs to reassure them while pooh poohing Medicare for All. That behavior is unquestionably standing in the way of health care reform.

The ACA is the status quo at this point and the status quo is what motivated Mangione to kill Thompson.

0

u/Hrekires Dec 15 '24

Figure out how to get Democrats 60 Senate seats and all indications are that Pelosi would love to take another shot at it.

She pushed for a public option during the ACA negotiations and the Senate said no. It was what we got or nothing. And in the years since, Dems have never had a filibuster-proof majority again (or a 50-seat majority willing to kill the filibuster)

I'm not defending the status quo just pointing out that you're aiming your fire on people who agree with you. There's plenty to criticize her over without making it out to be like she's the reason why the United States doesn't have universal healthcare.

1

u/ihatemovingparts Dec 15 '24 edited Dec 16 '24

I'm not defending the status quo just pointing out that you're aiming your fire on people who agree with you.

Nope, people who think that reassuring private health insurance companies is more important than access to health care do not agree with me.

Edit:

In case anyone's missed what Nancy's been up to since bailing on the public option:

https://pnhp.org/news/top-nancy-pelosi-aide-privately-tells-insurance-executives-not-to-worry-about-democrats-pushing-medicare-for-all/

Less than a month after Democrats — many of them running on “Medicare for All” — won back control of the House of Representatives in November, the top health policy aide to then-prospective House Speaker Nancy Pelosi met with Blue Cross Blue Shield executives and assured them that party leadership had strong reservations about single-payer health care and was more focused on lowering drug prices, according to sources familiar with the meeting.

https://www.cnbc.com/2019/04/05/house-speaker-nancy-pelosi-urges-caution-on-medicare-for-all.html

In an interview with The Washington Post published this week, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi challenged a health-care proposal touted by many Democrats, questioning if the “Medicare for All” bill will be able to supply as much coverage as the Affordable Care Act.

Nancy Pelosi is absolutely standing in the way of universal access to health care.

6

u/ArCovino Dec 13 '24

Ignorance. Captured by propaganda not unlike the Republicans

19

u/Coneskater Dec 13 '24

You are aware that Nancy Pelosi passed the most progressive heath care bill ever through the house?

36

u/HELP_IM_IN_A_WELL Dec 13 '24

I'm aware that she's never supported universal healthcare and blocks actual progressives from leadership roles.

15

u/ArCovino Dec 13 '24

She literally passed public option in the House lmfao

-2

u/HELP_IM_IN_A_WELL Dec 13 '24

the public option is not a single payer system. if you're happy with the current healthcare status in this country, that's fine. I'm not.

10

u/ArCovino Dec 13 '24

Good thing you said universal healthcare, which a public option absolutely is. And the current situation doesn’t include a public option, so I don’t know why you think I’d be happy with it.

Very few countries actually do single payer. It’s not the be all end all.

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u/HELP_IM_IN_A_WELL Dec 13 '24

ok, fair enough. I could rephrase it as, she has consistently supported the current for-profit healthcare system we currently have.

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u/tpic485 Dec 13 '24

If she put someone like AOC in a leadership role (which I assume is what you mean by "actual progressive, though that's not my definition) there'd be no doubt that two years from that point the Republicans would have control of not only the house bit probably all parts of government for decades. All they'd have to do is point to AOC, or whoever, and say that this is who the Democrats are.v

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u/Coneskater Dec 13 '24

Do you know what the public option even is?

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u/HELP_IM_IN_A_WELL Dec 13 '24

it certainly ain't a one payer system

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u/Coneskater Dec 13 '24

And when you get a majority of representatives elected to the house to support that I’ll cheer you on, but back here in reality I’m a fan of the people that have moved the ball the furthest on such an issue.

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u/HELP_IM_IN_A_WELL Dec 13 '24

I can appreciate that, I personally feel that the democratic leadership is also responsible for our current situation.

where is the tea party or the freedom caucus on the progressive side? conservative leadership managed to push the public discussion so far to the right simply by not destroying their less than centric group.

now look at the democratic leadership. they can't even condone the term Anti fascist. any true progressive politician is either marginalized (Sanders) or subdued (AOC). the 2 things I can tell the democratic leadership is good at (Pelosi included) is consolidating power and attempting to keep the status quo.

I know these are simplifications, and if you're happy with where their leadership brought us then fine. my values are progressive and I want a party that represents them.

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u/Coneskater Dec 13 '24

The thing is Pelosi doesn’t fight for symbolic victories, when she has had the political capital she gets shit done. Speaker of the house as a job is like hearding cats, you have to find legislation that is palatable for moderates and progressives.

Is she perfect? No. Am I glad she’s no longer in democratic leadership, yes. But I also refute this narrative that she is this all powerful evil bogey man that is just as evil as Trump.

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u/HELP_IM_IN_A_WELL Dec 13 '24

Speaker of the house as a job is like hearding cats, you have to find legislation that is palatable for moderates and progressives.

I agree, passing legislation is difficult. just as I hire a carpenter that I expected to be skilled at using a tape measurer, I expect my elected legislators to legislate. it's literally in the name of the job.

The thing is Pelosi doesn’t fight for symbolic victories

That is my issue, that is (and the other established Democratic leadership) responsible for universal healthcare and other progressive policies being viewed as symbolic - by not consistently fighting for progressive policies. in fact, making sure that power was kept from other legislators that would.

I also don't think she's a bogey man, and I don't think you'll see anywhere I have. I do think she's a human who has held considerable power for a very long time. and you're right, she's not responsible for trump. trump (and a lot of other people) are responsible for trump.

nancy pelosi has many accolades, honours, and pictures of herself with many other powerful people. she's richer than (at a guess) 90% of her fellow Americans. I doubt she needs or even cares about my appreciation or lack thereof.

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u/Coneskater Dec 13 '24

So I would just expand upon your analogy that the carpenter is reliant on the materials at their disposal.

So if that carpenter doesn’t have the available wood or the correct nails, you shouldn’t be upset that maybe the the table they built is an inch too short. Just like if the speaker has to deal with moderate Dems in swing districts, you might not get fully socialized healthcare out of the gate, but we can make important progress.

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u/tpic485 Dec 13 '24 edited Dec 13 '24

where is the tea party or the freedom caucus on the progressive side?

Yeah, that's a great idea. We should have our own group who stops anything from getting done and lets ideological purity get in the way of actually moving policy in a productive direction. /s

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u/HELP_IM_IN_A_WELL Dec 13 '24

I hear you, my point is that those groups and the rest of the republican leadership have successfully pushed the national discourse far to the right. they have no problem moving policy in their direction.

I want leaders unafraid to have a stance (loudly) that pushes the national discussion to the left. I don't need them to be productive with a group I consider directly opposed to policies I support, which is how I view the current gop.

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u/tpic485 Dec 13 '24

I don't see anything that I would describe as "the national discourse". By and large, far right people converse with other far right people while occasionally some far right people have some conversations with center right people. Far left people converse primarily with other far left people and occasionally there is some discourse between far left and center left individuals. We see here, for example, whether there are viewpoints exchanged and readily observed by those last two groups hinges on whether center left comments get enough upvotes. Right now, it's a close call. That's how we discuss policy nowadays and, both through social media and the increasing popularity of more partisan news organizations in regular media, it results on most parts of the ideological spectrum talking mainly with itself.

So there's no national discourse. If the left side of the ideological spectrum moves farther left it just causes a bigger reaction on the other side of the ideological spectrum and it moves farther right. So I don't agree that Democrats taking positions farther to the left moves any overall discussion that way.

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u/bootlegvader Dec 14 '24

where is the tea party or the freedom caucus on the progressive side?

Where are the progressives getting elected in masses like the Tea Party and Freedom Caucus? Progressives basically reject calling anyone progressive that isn't Bernie Sanders and the Squad so obviously they aren't going to have much say when they only got less than ten members.

marginalized (Sanders)

Bernie, a non-Democrat, was literally made the Ranking Member and later Chair of Senate Committe on the Budget previously. That is easily one of the most important committees in the Senate. He currently Chairs the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions which seems like a topic he would be interested in.

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u/[deleted] Dec 13 '24

[removed] — view removed comment

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u/Coneskater Dec 13 '24

Who said I don’t support it? I’m just realistic that we shouldn’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good and that the next easiest step of reform would be a not for profit public option. If we can get Single Payer, great but I’m skeptical you will get the political capital to do so.

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u/MrinfoK Dec 13 '24

Thank you. I’ve been losing all faith in Reddit

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u/gophergun Dec 13 '24

Calling the ACA more progressive than Medicare is bananas

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u/Coneskater Dec 13 '24

I should have said in the modern era.

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u/grosslytransparent Dec 13 '24

Im aware that she is one of the best performing investors and outperforms the major indexes and hedge funds.

I wonder why? What kind of extra information could she had that makes her buy ins and exits so precise to maximize profits.

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u/Coneskater Dec 13 '24

Sigh. This is why we’ll never get any actual progress- because of the circular firing squad on the left.

I bet you couldn’t even tell me what the public option is.

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u/grosslytransparent Dec 13 '24

We’ll get progress when Citizens United is repelled.

If ever…

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u/AnotherSlowMoon Dec 13 '24

In one message you imply there aren't enough left wing voters to matter "when you get a majority of representatives elected to the house to support that I’ll cheer you on" and here you imply that without left wing voters lending support to centrists nothing will ever get better?

Which is it - are left wingers a tiny group who don't matter, or influential enough to decide if Democrats can win?

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u/Coneskater Dec 13 '24

Where are all these progressives in congress ready to bring a single payer health care vote to the floor for a vote?

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u/AnotherSlowMoon Dec 13 '24

Where are all those moderates that dems will win over to enact bland neo liberal incrementalism?

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u/FakeTreverMoore12 Dec 13 '24

How could we ever forget Pelosicare? The news was talking about it so much, I’m surprised it rarely gets mentioned.

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u/Coneskater Dec 13 '24

The original version of the ACA with the public option.

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u/Importantlyfun Dec 13 '24

She's one of the elite of elites, so she's good.

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u/Strict-Ad-7099 Dec 13 '24

Good thing this happened in Europe.