John Podesta: Why I support the health care reform bill

John Podesta, Chief of Staff in the Clinton White House offers his support, differing with Howard Dean (who I trust will no longer head up the Democratic National Committee as soon as a sufficient jolt of electricity passes to his toilet seat). Appalling spasm of ultra-leftism that has the head of the party stabbing its Congressional leadership in the back.

Here is Podesta's analysis. Excerpts follow:

The Senate health care bill is not without its problems. But if enacted, it would represent the most significant public reform of our health care system that Congress has passed in the 40 plus years I have worked in politics. The bill will give health care coverage to a record 31 million Americans who are currently uninsured, lay a foundation that will begin to lower costs for millions of families, and provide all Americans with the access to adequate and dependable coverage when they need it most.

All of us are anxious to see the final language from the Senate. And a final bill must ensure that the subsidies provided are sufficient to make insurance truly affordable for working families. But based on what we know, here are my top ten reasons for why progressives should support the Senate passing the bill:

1. Largest Expansion Of Coverage Since Medicare’s Creation: Thirty-one million previously uninsured Americans will have insurance.

2. Low/Middle Income Americans Will Not Go Without Coverage: For low-income Americans struggling near the poverty line, the bill represents the largest single expansion of Medicaid since its inception. Combined with subsidies for middle income families, the bill’s provisions will ensure that working class Americans will no longer go without basic health care coverage.

Image: John Podesta and Howard Dean in happier days.