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"I have carried the banner of national health care in two presidential campaigns, in party platform meeting, and as co-author of HR 676, Medicare for All. I have worked to expand the health care debate beyond the current for-profit system, to include a public option and an amendment to free the states to pursue single payer."
On November 7, 2009, despite enormous pressure, he voted against HR 3962: Affordable Health Care for America Act," asking "Is this the best we can do" in a prepared text titled, "Why I Voted No," saying:
"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." Passing "legislation in which the government incentivizes the perpetuation, indeed the strengthening, of the for-profit health insurance industry (exacerbates) the very source of the problem....Clearly, the insurance companies are the problem, not the solution."
On March 17, he reversed himself, saying:
"....after careful discussions with President Obama, Speaker Pelosi, Elizabeth my wife and close friends, I have decided to cast a vote in favor of the legislation.
As this bill passes, I will renew my effort to help those state organizations which are aimed at stirring a single payer movement....I have taken a detour through supporting this bill, but I know the destination I will continue to lead, for as long as it takes, whatever it takes to an America where health care will be firmly established as a civil right."
He later said that not supporting the bill "would destroy Obama's presidency," a nonsensical view given Bill Clinton's success despite his health care program failure and efforts to impeach him. He survived, served two terms, and left office with a 68% approval rating, matching Franklin Roosevelt at the end of his presidency.
On Democracy Now (March 18), Ralph Nader referred to "the latest chapter of corporate Democrats crushing progressive forces both inside their party and against third parties." It's nothing new. It happens every time reform is proposed.
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