February 26, 2010 Healthcare Summit

If Airlines Were Run Like Healthcare in the United States

Healthcare Reform Graphic - Choices

Igor Volsky at the Wonk Room presents a basic graphic depicting the options for denying the passage of reform or allowing reform to go through. A simple, but effective, depiction of the choice to be made:

Read more about the graphic here.

Rachel Maddow Discusses Congressman Mike Ross

Rachel Maddow discusses the purchase of Blue Dog Democrat Mike Ross' pharmacy in his home state of Arkansas by a large drug store company. A strange purchase that was so expensive that Arkansas officials even asked the drug store chain whether they wanted to buy the pharmacy. The entire presentation below:

Hollywood Speaks Out for the Insurance Industry

In a satirical and somewhat biased video, various Hollywood stars satirically speak out for supporting and keeping the insurance industry the way it is.

"We're Number 37"

A new video relaying the message that the US, according to the World Health Organization, is #37 for healthcare in the world. The video follows:

Obama and Clinton Speeches on Healthcare

We present below both President Obama's (9/9/2009) and President Clinton's (10/22/1993) speeches on healthcare for readers:

Obama Speech



Clinton Speech

Senator Al Franken and the Crowd

Senator Al Franken was met by a crowd of Tea Party Activists opposed to healthcare reform. And yet he managed to calmly explain his position and avoid a dramatic confrontation. Other Congresspeople, take notes:

Healthcare Reform on Napkins

Dan Roam, author of "The Back of the Napkin: Solving Problems and Selling Ideas with Pictures" presents a slideshow that explains the current healthcare reform legislation. The presentation is an excellent starting point for those interested in learning more:

Healthcare Napkins All

Jon Stewart Fights Back Against Betsy McCaughey

Jon Stewart, host of the Daily Show, interviews healthcare critic Betsy McCaughey who is credited with starting the rumor that the House bill includes stipulations forcing end of life discussions on seniors and limiting their choices for care. We at TuftScope are particularly appalled by this egregious misrepresentation of the legislation and the truth, especially since the idea of end of life counseling has been primarily a Republican suggestion. We present the entire interview for our readers below and acknowledge Mr. Stewart for exposing the falsehoods that have permeated the debate:

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Exclusive - Betsy McCaughey Extended Interview Pt. 1
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Healthcare Protests

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Exclusive - Betsy McCaughey Extended Interview Pt. 2
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Healthcare Protests

Rationing is Real and It Happens All of the Time

Dr. Sanjay Gupta discusses the reality of healthcare rationing on CNN on Anderson Cooper 360 (August 12, 2009):

Standing Up For A Rational Healthcare Debate

Representative Barney Frank (D, MA) stood up at a recent town hall meeting in Dartmouth, MA to expose the vitriloic commentary and attacks by irrational townhall protesters on healthcare reform. The video below:



-Update-

A longer clip of Barney Frank's responses:



Notes
Posted by Michael Shusterman.

Admonishing Opponents of Reform

Keith Olbermann, host of the MSNBC program Countdown with Keith Olbermann, recently (August 3, 2009) presented a strong admonishment to Republicans and Blue Dog Democrats for standing in the way of substantive healthcare reform. Olbermann argues that the significant contributions made by healthcare entities (insurers, drug manufacturers, provider organizations, hospitals, etc.) to members of Congress has skewed the perspective of Congress in terms of pushing for serious reform. His entire discussion is presented below:

"Hitler, Mao, and Secret Plots to Kill Old People"

Rachel Maddow, from the MSMBC The Rachel Maddow Show, discusses the current Republication discussion of healthcare reform (including the now infamous Lewin Group, see our last News Briefs for the revealing Washington Post article). She also interviews Senator Bernie Sanders (Independent, Vermont) who has argued for a single payer option for most of his career in the House of Representatives and now the Senate. The video clip is provided below:

Interactive Healthcare Features

Healthcare Timeline

The NY Times offers an interactive history of healthcare reform timeline. The timeline is a great overview of the major legislation and efforts that have been attempted over the years to modify the U.S. healthcare system (NY Times, July 19, 2009).

Compare International Healthcare Systems

Have you ever wanted to compare healthcare plans of major industrial countries? Now using a handy chart developed by NPR, "Healthcare: An International Perspective" you can do just that. (NPR, July 2, 2008)