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Blog gets a new home

We’re adding more functionality to our blog by moving it to our uoregon server. Bookmark the new address and subscribe to the RSS feed!

http://uoregon.edu/~colleged/

Max Baucus unveils healthcare bill

After many months of hard work and over a year of planning Max Baucus unveiled today a “passable” health care bill. In his news conference this afternoon Baucus said the bill “can pass the Senate,” which has been the main stalwart in a summer long battle over healthcare reform. So what makes the Baucus bill passable?

First the plan has no ‘Public Option.‘ Instead it relies on member owned cooperatives and a state-run exchange for individuals and small business owners so they can buy into group plans the same way a large company is able to. Many liberal Democrats are disappointed that both the White House and Senate plans don’t provide a ‘Public Option,’ however the bill still contains several important reforms that can help provide affordable coverage to millions of uninsured.

Second, the bill contains policy that has wide support from both Republicans and Democrats alike including: stopping insurance companies from denying coverage based on a pre-existing condition, capping overall costs to the individual at %13 of income, and subsidizing those who cannot afford to purchase a healthcare plan. Clearly one of the most controversial policies in the legislation is the mandate that everyone must have health insurance or face a fine (similar to how people now have to have car insurance if they drive). Insurance companies are generally in favor of mandates because it adds millions more young and healthy individuals to their plans with the effect of offsetting some of the costs associated with covering pre-existing conditions.

Finally, the cost at $856 billion is significantly lower than other bills that have been proposed. By lowering costs and cutting the public option, Baucus and the Senate leadership hope to gain the votes of conservative Democrats and moderate Republicans.

Ultimately the bill is a milestone in the 60 years since congress began debating healthcare reform. While it may be lacking for many liberals, it nonetheless represents a great deal of progress, and will undoubtedly benefit the majority of Americans who either don’t have insurance or face relentless insurance rates with the fear of being dropped once illness strikes.

“Ours is a special slug…”

DeFazio town hall meeting August 18th

Health care reform is being seriously threatened by the Republican party, recently coined the “no” party, and special interests spending $1.4 million dollars per day to stall efforts on comprehensive reform.

Congressman Peter Defazio wants to hear from you. He’ll be here during the August recess to listen to our personal stories, answer our serious questions and address our concerns. Can you give 1 hour of your time to help make universal health care in this country a reality?

When: Tuesday, August 18th from 5:15 to 6:15PM

Where: Eugene City Council Chambers, Eugene City Hall – 777 Pearl Street

Health care effects all of us and for the last 40 years no substantial policy changes have been made while insurance costs continue to rise leaving millions without coverage. The last election proved that the youth vote matters – let us build on this momentum so we don’t have to fight for health care in the future.

Be the voice and presence of change. If you can invite 5 of your friends to attend as well. RSVP via Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/event.php?eid=138991653464

Thank you,

University of Oregon College Democrats

Do you need a ride? Email us at colleged@uoregon.edu

DNC Message on Healthcare

From the DNC

Dear Ryan,

There’s been a lot of media coverage about organized mobs intimidating lawmakers, disrupting town halls, and silencing real discussion about the need for real health insurance reform.

The truth is, it’s a sham. These “grassroots protests” are being organized and largely paid for by Washington special interests and insurance companies who are desperate to block reform. They’re trying to use lies and fear to break the President and his agenda for change.

Health insurance reform is about our lives, our jobs, and our families — we can’t let distortions and intimidation get in the way. We need to expose these outrageous tactics, and we’re counting on you to help. Can you read these “5 facts about the anti-reform mobs,” then pass them along to your friends and family?

5 facts about the anti-reform mobs

1. These disruptions are being funded and organized by out-of-district special-interest groups and insurance companies who fear that health insurance reform could help Americans, but hurt their bottom line. A group run by the same folks who made the “Swiftboat” ads against John Kerry is compiling a list of congressional events in August to disrupt. An insurance company coalition has stationed employees in 30 states to track where local lawmakers hold town-hall meetings.

2. People are scared because they are being fed frightening lies. These crowds are being riled up by anti-reform lies being spread by industry front groups that invent smears to tarnish the President’s plan and scare voters. But as the President has repeatedly said, health insurance reform will create more health care choices for the American people, not reduce them. If you like your insurance or your doctor, you can keep them, and there is no “government takeover” in any part of any plan supported by the President or Congress.

3. Their actions are getting more extreme. Texas protesters brought signs displaying a tombstone for Rep. Lloyd Doggett and using the “SS” symbol to compare President Obama’s policies to Nazism. Maryland Rep. Frank Kratovil was hanged in effigy outside his district office. Rep. Tim Bishop of New York had to be escorted to his car by police after an angry few disrupted his town hall meeting — and more examples like this come in every day. And they have gone beyond just trying to derail the President’s health insurance reform plans, they are trying to “break” the President himself and ruin his Presidency.

4. Their goal is to disrupt and shut down legitimate conversation. Protesters have routinely shouted down representatives trying to engage in constructive dialogue with voters, and done everything they can to intimidate and silence regular people who just want more information. One attack group has even published a manual instructing protesters to “stand up and shout” and try to “rattle” lawmakers to prevent them from talking peacefully with their constituents.

5. Republican leadership is irresponsibly cheering on the thuggish crowds. Republican House Minority Leader John Boehner issued a statement applauding and promoting a video of the disruptions and looking forward to “a long, hot August for Democrats in Congress.”

It’s time to expose this charade, before it gets more dangerous. Please send these facts to everyone you know. You can also post them on your website, blog, or Facebook page.

Now, more than ever, we need to stand strong together and defend the truth.

Thanks,

Jen

Jen O’Malley Dillon
Executive Director
Democratic National Committee

Oregon Daily Emerald – Rehabilitating health care

University of Oregon faculty member Mohamed Jemmali makes the case for universal health care in the United States; his primary argument being that we have an economic incentive and moral obligation to pass major health reform.

Oregon Daily Emerald – Rehabilitating health care

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New Poll: Less Than Half Of Republicans Believe Obama Was Born In U.S.

New Poll: Less Than Half Of Republicans Believe Obama Was Born In U.S.

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Meeting with Senator Merkley

Over the last few weeks I have had the opportunity to intern at a labor council in Washington DC. Although our nation’s capital offers an array of museums to visit and monuments to admire, meeting with Oregon’s junior senator, Jeff Merkley, has without a doubt been the highlight of my visit. After calling and making an appointment with Merkley’s office, I was treated to a private, one-on-one chat with Merkley in his office. Senator Merkley was approachable, engaging and real; apparently the senator and his family live without air conditioning in their DC home, despite the humidity, in order to save money. I thanked the senator for his efforts in lowering health care costs for small businesses, to which he explained his concerns regarding the dismal state of health care in our country. My visit with Oregon’s junior senator may have been brief, but it certainly solidified my confidence in Senator Merkley’s ability to represent the interest of Oregon Democrats.

Jessica Witt
Co-Recruitment Chair

Who do you want to hear from at our first meeting?

With more than 90 students and counting signed up for next years College Democrats, we’re looking to make a big impression on the first day. Over the next week we’ll be contacting keynote speakers from around the country to speak with us about youth engagement in politics or any number of pressing issues. So this is what we want to know, who do you want to hear from? Don’t limit yourself, think big and post a response to this blog post. Thanks to video conferencing the speaker can be anywhere at anytime.