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David Scott: It may be time to give up on health care

6:15 pm January 20, 2010, by jgalloway

My AJC colleague Bob Keefe in Washington spent Wednesday measuring the shivers moving up and down the spines of congressional Democrats from Georgia.

He reports that at least one past health care reform stalwart, U.S. Rep. David Scott of Atlanta, is bucking his party’s leadership. He’s suggesting that it may be time for Democrats to drop their health reform plans and instead focus more on the economy.

“This is a clarion call for us to focus like a laser on the economy,” Scott said Wednesday. “People can’t focus on health care if they don’t have jobs or if they’re being foreclosed on. We’ve got to recalibrate and refocus on jobs.”

Democratic U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson of Lithonia, who is facing what could be a tough re-election primary, said Tuesday’s U.S. Senate election in Massachusetts convinced him and other Democrats that they need to do a better job of reaching out to Republicans and others in his district.

“It’s a wake-up call for Democrats to consider the views of all constituents,” he said.

Even U.S. Rep. John Lewis of Atlanta, whose district is securely Democratic, felt a shudder from the Massachusetts vote.

“I know one thing, I’m going to work my butt off in the weeks and months ahead,” Lewis said, adding that — like top Democratic party leaders — he isn’t ready to give up on health reform just yet.

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39 comments Add your comment

RTR!

January 20th, 2010
6:26 pm

First!

retired

January 20th, 2010
6:50 pm

They need to refocus the job plan, also. Tax cuts to businesses will do more to provide jobs than governemnt hand-outs. And, quit counting jobs saved or gained. Most of that has been a lie!

Joyce M

January 20th, 2010
7:11 pm

I can see why a state that provides health care for its own people would be reluctant to help fund it for the rest of the country. NPR reported this morning that 98% of Massachusetts citizens are covered. Maybe GA should adopt one like that of Massachusetts!

Paul

January 20th, 2010
7:29 pm

They also are running out of primary care doctors, Joyce. Socialism is a good idea; however, you run out of other people’s money….. =/

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/05/us/05doctors.html

Producer

January 20th, 2010
7:46 pm

Maybe people should pay for their own way in this world. It’s not anyone else’s job to pay for anything you need in your life. Medicare, Medicaid, prescription dug care, Universal Health care are all abominations. Those who rob Peter to pay Paul will always have the support of Paul.

yankee

January 20th, 2010
7:57 pm

War good, health care bad. Don’t ya just love the new America.

Bo Doodley

January 20th, 2010
7:58 pm

“It’s a wake-up call for Democrats to consider the views of all constituents,” he said.

DUHHHHHH…..YA THINK?

Bo Doodley

January 20th, 2010
7:59 pm

Sorry yankee, free healthcare isn’t a right….but you gotta feel sorry for the idiots that think it is…

Dan

January 20th, 2010
8:23 pm

Or perhaps Joyce they realize the cluster their health care is

billy37

January 20th, 2010
8:35 pm

“Reform Deform” I say! I don’t know about you, but I think this Health bill is making America Sick. And nobody’s getting any better. And guess what the economy hasn’t recovered, so who’s paying the bill…You know with all this talk of our so called “healthcare Reform” I was wondering what on earth (in a perfect world of course) could actually constitute a good Reform…I guess this kinda got me on the right track though…
http://ketiva.com/Politics_and_Government/a_flawless_health_care_reform.html

RGB

January 20th, 2010
8:47 pm

The Old John Lewis who cared about civil rights and equal treatment no longer exists.

The Current John Lewis is a party hack who marches in lockstep with every terrible notion the Democrat leadership sponsors: Health care deform, climate change, you name it.

He even hopped on a jet (increasing his carbon footprint) to vote for the Cap and Tax legislation which adds, if passed, $3,000 in cost to an average Atlanta family.

What are your priorities for 2010 John Lewis?

Improving the Outlook for Jobs? No.
Improving The Economy? No.
National Defense? No
Defeating Terrorism? No
Reducing the National Debt? No
Protecting Liberty? No

John Lewis only cares about keeping and holding power within the Democrat party.

It’s time for John Lewis to be retired by an Atlanta version of Scott Brown.

Eddie

January 20th, 2010
9:11 pm

I want to pay my way. But, because I work for myself, over 50, have a few medical issues (allergies and asthma), AND live in the State of GA, I am being asked to pay 6 times the base rate (someone 20-30 years old). I love working for myself, but it may soon pay to take a minimum wage job just to get a fair price for medical insurance (if I can get one in this economy). Georgia has done little to level the playing field between self-employed and employed; and it one of the few states that still does not have high-risk pools for those with pre-existing conditions. Illness is the lending cause of personal bankruptcy. I can’t help but think that promoting affordable insurance is better than setting up financial ruin, because in the end nearly everyone will one day be to ill to work.

bank walker

January 20th, 2010
9:52 pm

Speaking as an Independent! Democrats are over the top and the Republicans aren’t too far behind. The only difference between the two is that the Dems have lost their minds! I would love for our country to have people in office that care about this country and the people! The Dems are too dangerous at this point! They have shown their hand and it is too dangerous for this country. They have done nothing but almost cripple this country, so we as a people must not be sucked back into their games again! We must oust the Dems in November, because if we don’t they will eventually succeed in bringing us down! God Bless America, because we really need it!

Tom

January 20th, 2010
10:06 pm

How about putting Americans back to work so they can buy their own health insurance? Why push national health care for people who are out of work? What good is that going to do?

I’m unemployed, but I least I have health insurance! Only a simple minded person would think this. What a joke.

Dumb Democrat

January 20th, 2010
10:28 pm

Nooooo!
It is full steam ahead.
We need to ram this through.
It does not matter what the people think.
We democrats know what is best.

Craig

January 20th, 2010
10:42 pm

Hey Obama, Pelosi, & Reid, it’s the economy stupids! Two of you are gone in the next 2 years. Pelosi’s district is to damn stupid to vote her ugly mug out. Massachusetts was just the beginning. You think Bush got pushed around his last two years? You ain’t seen nothin’ yet people.

W

January 20th, 2010
10:53 pm

You did a heck of a job Brownie!!

awantwin

January 20th, 2010
11:15 pm

Health care reform has been in the news.

Pam

January 20th, 2010
11:16 pm

WHY DID SCOTT BROWN WIN ?? Because of the huge government healthcare bill…..the bill that will require $500,000,000,000 in cuts to Medicare…..the bill that will add four trillion to our deficit…..the bill that hits me with a 40% insurance tax that members of the UAW don’t have to pay….the bill that will strip my mother of her “Medicare Advantage Program” but will allow retirees in one state only (Florida) to keep that program….the bill that will increase my state taxes for Medicaid expansion but one state (Nebraska) won’t have to pay for Medicaid expansion.

This bill is JUNK. It should DIE. We need to get out a blank sheet of paper and start all over on this bill.

Thank you David Scott for focusing on jobs instead of this health care crraap.

Drew

January 20th, 2010
11:34 pm

Oh, Eddie. Don’t drag the conservatives down by being living proof that working hard and playing by the rules goes unrewarded.

Otherwise, everyone, read Paul’s link. Everyone in Massachusetts can now afford to see a doctor, oh noes! Many now receive treatment rather than suffer illness, oh noes! Clearly, this is a reason to keep the current system, where access to care is rationed to the luckiest, healthiest, and wealthiest Americans.

Wounded Warrior

January 21st, 2010
12:07 am

David Scott is a political hack. He is another self proclaimed preacher. Let’s face it, if he wasn’t Hank Aaron’s brother-in-law, he couldn’t get elected to dog catcher. Go Scott Brown!!!! We need someone who is in tune with the voters on Scott’s district.

Pete

January 21st, 2010
12:35 am

Response to “Producer,” January 20th, 7:46 pm, who thinks . . . Maybe people should pay for their own way in this world . . . Medicare, Medicaid, prescription dug care, Universal Health care are all abominations.” Mr. Producer, can you really pay your own way? I doubt it. If you are unfortunate enough to get cancer, let’s say, and your treatment costs $500K, you are going to be relying on “healthy” individuals in your insurance plan to pay your bills.So why are you such a low life that you can’t pay $500K for your own medical treatment? Medicare, Medicaid . . . same thing, just on a different scale.

OBummer

January 21st, 2010
1:32 am

Well, Scarlett, looks like the PEOPLE are beginning to SPEAK! Now, regarding comments above about Lewis and other needing to retire.
Absolutely! As I look at my Republican friends, Zaxby and Johnny, you two think this was about OBummer, Pelosi, Reid, etc. and NOT you! Well guess again fellows! As I review your records, i can NOT find one thing, not one, that either of you have done to make my life better, easier, or safer! However, you LOVE to talk! Whatever the hot photo op topic of the moment is, you’re both in! Linder too. So, here’s an example for you, All of you, and I do mean ALL, have just loved to get up and talk about Social Security and Medicare, and what trouble those systems are in. Zaxby, you’ve been doing it lip service for 15 years. WHAT HAVE YOU DONE to FIX IT? You ALL LOVE to talk about our dependence on Foreign Oil, WHAT HAVE YOU DONE to FIX IT? You are ALL simply photo oping it to retirment. Retire with full pay, cadillac benefits, and live happily ever after! I any of you have done anything BUT sell stupid books and get photo ops to get reelected, PLEASE post it here so we can know more.
Soooooo, that little whooping last night was about ALL of you pork barrel, politics as usual, lifer politicians! LOOKING FORWARD TO SOME REAL CHANGE IN THE NEXT TWO ELECTIONS! ALL of YOU!

Companionship Care for Elderly

January 21st, 2010
3:27 am

You are doing an awesome job!
Companionship Care for Elderly

Wackolibhack

January 21st, 2010
3:45 am

It is Bush’s fault that Brown won. I hate Bush.

TnGelding

January 21st, 2010
5:11 am

It was a bad bill, but no need to give up. Just work with Brown to fix it. And Olympia. And Susan. And push yourselves away from the table. Good grief! The obesity in this country is sickening (literally). Not to mention the smoking, drinking, promiscuity, drug use, etc.

Just think where the economy would be without the stimulus package. When corporate America wakes up unemployment will go down. But we as individuals are going to have to better prepare ourselves to compete in the global work force. Shedding the NASCAR mentality is step number one. And does it really matter who wins the Super Bowl? Nothing is more rewarding than hard work.

Bitter EX democrackkk

January 21st, 2010
5:30 am

When everyone, except the indigent/disabled, pays THEIR FAIR SHARE of THEIR OWN healthcare insurance, then the system will correct itself. Until then, we ALL suffer. NO ONE can EXPECT to have completely FREE MEDICAL CARE!!! Healthcare is NOT a FUNCTION of OUR government!!!

Bloggist Formerly Known as RJ

January 21st, 2010
9:02 am

Why is paralyzing fear the only state in which politicians listen to their constituents?

DCA

January 21st, 2010
9:23 am

If the party leadership and the President had been listening to the views of all constituents IN THE FIRST PLACE, they wouldn’t be in this pickle. I remember President Obama’s promises during the campaign about a new kind of politics and complete transpanancy, and there is nothing of the sort coming from D.C. Both parties need to stop listening to the wing nuts on their outer edges and remember that they are there to GOVERN this country, not destory it over partisan jealousies. Is that TOO MUCH to ask for?

DCA

January 21st, 2010
9:24 am

…yeah, it is probably too much to ask for. Dang.

Our District...

January 21st, 2010
9:25 am

Mr. Scott better remember the ppl in his district and not the national climate.

James Carville

January 21st, 2010
9:51 am

It’s JOBS and the ECONOMY you morons (in my best Cajun speak)!!!

Jeffrey8569

January 21st, 2010
10:53 am

Hank Johnson reaching out to Republicans in his District-BULL when pigs fly.He, HATES Republicans and would not listin anyone that is a Republican

StJ

January 21st, 2010
11:12 am

When people fear the government, you have tyranny.

When government fears the people, you have liberty.

Right now we have liberty, and a temporary reprieve from this monstrosity of a health care bill that really isn’t about health care. Let’s keep them afraid…of early retirement. Then maybe we’ll get something meaningful done.

James

January 21st, 2010
11:30 am

I am in support of affordable health care services and products for ALL Americans for preventative care and treatment on the front-end and needed care on the other. I would like to see an end to the practice of insurance denial and thus denial of care for pre-existing conditions. I also want people to choose the doctors they want, the plans they want, the facilities they want. I do not want everyone funneled into one public one-size-fits-all plan, rather I want everyone to have SOME option for needed care. Others with more resources should be able to enahnce their plans for different levels of service. I want my country to be one that is populated by a citizenry that making some level of care available to all is the right and just thing to do.

That said, I could care less about the means in that I would like to see more proposals from our representatives AND from the private sector. I could care less if it turns out WiIlly Wonka has a solution to provide these outcomes.

William

January 21st, 2010
1:49 pm

I do agree that healthcare reform is much much needed, however I blame the President and the dems in control for all this confusion that has been caused, they sat there quietly as republicans and fox news spreaded all these lies about the health care bill that has deeply divided this country. If they would have stepped up and opened their mouth to each and every lie that republicans and fox news put out about this bill then we would have a passed bill by now and they could have moved on to creating jobs and the economy, they played right into the republicans hands by sitting idle while all these lies were spreaded and now majority of the american people are against it because they don’t know the true facts of the bill and it is too late to try and get them to listen to what really true.

Rat

January 21st, 2010
4:49 pm

I think it is time to give up on David Scott as well…..Scott Brown was just the beginning….

Robert

January 23rd, 2010
6:59 pm

Obama, Reid, Pelosi parody song

Washington Hillbillies

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UR75PodzQgo

What now? Options for health reform after Massachusetts

February 15th, 2010
3:08 pm

[...] of Congressional Democrats are saying that in the wake of the Massachusetts election, Democrats should drop health care for now to focus exclusively on jobs and the economy.  Political theorist Bill Galston, who argued [...]