Al Franken Against A Health Industry Hack

Published on October 24th, 2009

Posted by Uncle Dave in Health Care, Video

This woman is from the Hudson Institute, originally founded by futurist Herman Kahn.

52 users responded in " Al Franken Against A Health Industry Hack "

Subscribe to this post comment rss or trackback url

# 1 Dr Phibes said, on October 24th, 2009 at 4:40 am

Oooo do the fine folks on the right side of the aisle hate when logic and fact support an argument. Why can’t *everyone* base decisions on emotion and allegation?

# 2 Potenza said, on October 24th, 2009 at 4:50 am

Al Franken is impressing me as a Senator so far. We need more people like that in government. This country needs term limits at the Federal level.

# 3 Brian said, on October 24th, 2009 at 5:05 am

Wow, as big a dick as this guy has been he is looking like a great addition. As a real middle of the road guy I was afraid he was just another ultra left idiot. Seems he has some brains.

# 4 thecommodore said, on October 24th, 2009 at 5:08 am

Don’t pee in the pool, Dr Phibes. The people on the left base more of their arguments on emotion and feelings than the right does. That’s not the problem, though.

The problem is that the powers within BOTH parties do not have agendas that are based upon serving the public good. There are a few individuals who do, and Franklin seems to be one of them. But whistleblowers tend to get drowned out or dislodged. Let’s see if MN re-elects him during the next round.

# 5 moshguy said, on October 24th, 2009 at 5:09 am

I really love these videos. I would watch CSPAN all the time if all they showed was him verbally putting people in their place.

# 6 Dallas said, on October 24th, 2009 at 5:31 am

Best senator yet.

Compare him to the Joe Wilson republican tool that disgraced the Congress to score points with the Jerry Springer voters.

# 7 oscord said, on October 24th, 2009 at 5:33 am

Israel has highest cancer survival rate. Has been for years.

# 8 Eric said, on October 24th, 2009 at 6:08 am

I disagree with his conclusions, but at least he’s able to call out these idiots who’ve been getting softballs all these years.

# 9 kevinb66 said, on October 24th, 2009 at 6:45 am

Which bankruptcy would you rather risk? Be financially bankrupt or bankrupt of your liberties?

# 10 kevinb66 said, on October 24th, 2009 at 6:49 am

I forgot to ask the question of how many bankruptcies were filed in North Korea last year? Cuba? Mainland China?

Bankruptcy rates is the absolute dumbest thing to look at when deciding health care policy.

# 11 JoaoPT said, on October 24th, 2009 at 7:11 am

This health reform in the US is becoming, like almost everything in the US, spinned to the point of incomprehension.

Look people, it’s oh so simple:
Everybody should have access to medical care.
No society can afford to let people die or suffer out of improper care, otherwise it is NOT a society, it’s just a bunch of people.
The social costs of having reams of people not qualified to get medical care because they are deemed not “profitable” or even the fact that health care cost has risen to the point that some self-employed individuals are, de facto, out of the system, is undermining the liberties, not only of the few, but of the all.
There must be a public health system, not only for those that can’t get coverage, but also for those that can, but it’s simply pinning them down.
Sure this will not be Health nirvana. Sure it will be slow and sometimes injust. But the way things are now, it’s a shame for a 1st world, 21st century country.

# 12 kevinb66 said, on October 24th, 2009 at 7:22 am

If we are worried about access to health care the answer is simple. Use the McDonald’s model. There doesn’t seem to be any lack of access to fast food. There are no fast food consumption created bankruptcies. The poorest of the poor in this country can afford the dollar menu.

Medical care is a service like any other. If we open it up to a more free market system then there will be more than enough for all at every price level. Bringing it under the control of the federal government will only ensure the same level of service we get from every other government entity.

Crap spread out equally is still crap.

# 13 pedro said, on October 24th, 2009 at 7:27 am

#12 The “dollar menu is one of the reasons why American are fat and unhealthy.

Great example…NOT!

Comments about Franken later

# 14 pedro said, on October 24th, 2009 at 7:36 am

I don’t know. A bit out of context. I should try and find more on that whole proceeding.

One thing though, Uncle Dave’s title is spot on. Franken was fully prepared for his attack and the lady was just bare naked there.

The flaw of Franken’s argument could have been in looking at today’s Switzerland, France & Germany and not at the time when those countries decided to turn their healthcare system into what they are today.

But the broad was just a sitting duck.

# 15 chris said, on October 24th, 2009 at 7:42 am

I’ve seen a lot of people using the stat recently that 40% of corp profits are in financial companies. Another common estimate is that 10% of the entire US economy is healthcare spending.

I’m not arguing those stats specifically, but obviously the combined financial and health industries are a HUGE slice of economic activity.

The commonality between banks, insurance and pharma is that they have been allowed to buy their own regulatory environments.

Can anyone, outside of the CEOs of these companies, really think that the costs and benefits are in balance?

# 16 JoaoPT said, on October 24th, 2009 at 7:53 am

#14
I’m from Portugal.
The health system here has been public, even before the 1974 revolution, and then, under the new Democratic regime, was enhanced to give more coverage to more people (see, one of the goals of the 74 constitution was to “set route towards socialism”, but that’s another issue.).
Since I can recall, the system was always deemed bad by the general population.
Now, people are saying it’s better. Not as good as the French or German ones (but then, these are the best in the world…) but worlds apart of what it used to be. It took at least 25 years to get here, and still is a work in progress. At the same time, private health care, driven by private insurance money flourished, and a lot of companies give health insurance benefits, on top of the public system( that everyone has access to). It is not Nirvana, but Health insurance here costs roughly the same per year as an american would pay per month.
Just saying: having a public base system as reference helps reducing Health costs. Helps keeping it real.

# 17 kevinb66 said, on October 24th, 2009 at 8:01 am

#14 “#12 The “dollar menu is one of the reasons why American are fat and unhealthy.

Great example…NOT!”

Great example… YES!

The point of the example is that there is no shortage and no barrier to access. You want health care for all at low prices then look to our distribution of food.

You want a burger for a dollar you can have it. You want a steak for thirty dollars you can have it. There isn’t even insurance involved!

# 18 Steve said, on October 24th, 2009 at 8:13 am

Most senators back away from using heavy-handed rhetoric against corporate shills like this one. It was nice to see her attempt to deflect attention away from the outrageous cost of medical care slapped down by someone able to stand up and think on his feet. Bravo !

# 19 Dr Dodd said, on October 24th, 2009 at 8:13 am

Franken talks about not cherry picking data and does exactly that?

The real question is will the quality and speed of care be in jeopardy with the public option?

The answer is yes.

And just for the record – dead people in Switzerland, France and Germany aren’t counted as a medical bankruptcy.

# 20 Olo Baggins of Bywater said, on October 24th, 2009 at 8:45 am

Dodd…how many estates in those countries get sued for medical costs after the patient dies?

# 21 bill said, on October 24th, 2009 at 8:47 am

In Europe the mortality rate is 100% !!!!!!!!!!!

# 22 ECA said, on October 24th, 2009 at 8:49 am

yes he cherry picks..
the SUBJECT is cost of medical in the USA and how many have filed bankruptcy AFTER treatment.
Think about 10% of those that got medical attention had bills over $10,000.
That could be allot of money that DIDNT get into the system. Sooo..we change the system for medical.

# 23 smith said, on October 24th, 2009 at 9:11 am

gee Al…how many of those same Govt. agencies are in the positive budget numbers when it comes to their health care depts. can they claim bankruptcy… likely not…they just get more money from a govt. that has no more money… we wouldnt have any medical bankruptcies if the general public could print money and pay form medical cost either….

# 24 Joe said, on October 24th, 2009 at 9:17 am

Who’s the babe sitting behind Franken?

# 25 pedro said, on October 24th, 2009 at 9:17 am

#16 Well, I’ve been there ( four different cities) and the comments of the doctors working in the public health facilities describe them as a latin american public hospital: Outdated & under maintained equipment, long waits both for daily service and to get a schedule.

The private Hospitals on the other hand are the opposite: well equipped a lot of them new & cutting edge, not so much wait time.

But, people from the public system gets attention on these private facilities, which also happens in most places in Latin America.

On top of that, the personnel on the public hospitals are most of the time overworked and under appreciated. The complete opposite on the private side.

#17 The only thing your example brings is that dollar food is crap. As good an example as the one Obama did with the USPS. Good luck with your dollar healthcare, you sure seem to deserve it.

# 26 chuck said, on October 24th, 2009 at 9:26 am

How a Republican Senator makes a decision:
listens carefully to whatever lobbyist pays him the most and does exactly what he’s told.

How a Democrat Senator makes a decision:
listens carefully to the facts and arguments, doesn’t understand any of it, flips a coin and votes accordingly.

# 27 ECA said, on October 24th, 2009 at 9:30 am

26,
DUH!!

Those that know better then to get into politics, tend to be LED by those with less knowledge that WANT the job.

# 28 filosofixit said, on October 24th, 2009 at 9:30 am

#12

That’s a great example! McDonalds “job” is to serve the public food.

They make shitloads of money on serving crapfood to the poor/uneducated and only the rich/educated can afford healthy food which are expensice to make.

In norway we have universal healthcare, government pays for treatment abroad if they can not provide the treatment needed, our government taxes unhealthy food, tobacco, alcohol, and has low/zero tax on healthy food (vegetables etc). If this is taking away our right so fu*k it, I don’t want a right to kill my self slowly and cheaply.

Even a moron can see that these government regulations are not hurting him. It’s hurting Mc’Donalds though

# 29 JoaoPT said, on October 24th, 2009 at 9:42 am

#25
Yes Pedro, but my point is:
If you have an ALL private system, not everyone will be able to get Health service. And the price would go up, and up.

You see, here we realize this: Private health care is good if you have an urgent situation, and the diagnostic tools are better. But if you have a complicated, long recovery or dangerous situation they hand you over to the Public system.
Also, the private sector is focusing on comfort, speed and conveniency, not on heavy duty surgery or life support equipement. These are things that only can be bought on public budget because they are not “profitable”.

All I’m saying is that you need a Public system to establish a base, or a reference of service that the private enterprise can build upon: be it more efficient, faster or more convenient. Otherwise the private, profit oriented system will not care for the general population.

# 30 uteck said, on October 24th, 2009 at 9:47 am

But are the European health care ‘companies’ all quasi government industries? And as such are immune to bankruptcy since the government will just give them more money?

# 31 Jägermeister said, on October 24th, 2009 at 9:55 am

This guy knows how to direct his research assistants and read up on their reports before entering the arena. Qualities that will take him far. Unless he has a Zionist agenda, Al Franken will become the President of the USA one day.

# 32 ECA said, on October 24th, 2009 at 9:55 am

IF business ISNT doing the right thing..
GOV has to FORCE it back to the correct way.
IF Corps arent COMPETING then the GOV must do something.
IF we arent ADVANCING, the gov. MUST PUSH and force it to happen.

Corps/business DOES NOT like to pay with THEIR OWN MONEY. WHICH is a BAD mentality. MONEY has to keep moving in BUSINESS/consumerism/comercialism/.. MONEY is the SELECTOR of whats BEST, what WORKS, and what WE WANT.
When companies FEED us CRAP products and we have NO CHOICE..
we either DONT BUY or we EAT CRAP..
The problem is WE DONT SEE the options, and WHAT we could have.
There are some restrictions from the MPAA/RIAA/and a few others.
Do you REALLY think that you are getting a FREE cellphone or a REDUCED price on a cellphone?? NOPE…NEVER.. In other countries the cost of these phones is SUPER CHEAP and we end up paying AT LEAST that price if not $$$$ MORE.

THINK HARD PLEASE.
A company decides to have a product made.
Its made OUTSIDE this country at 1-10% of RESALE.
SHIPPEd to this country and we get charged 10-100 TIMES is cost to make.
THE USA corp gets the money..
ITS THE USA @#%$@#%@ ITSELF. WE(the corps) are screwing US/we(ourselves).
do you think a USA corp could charge the SAME in other countries?? NOT on your LIFE.
Its the SAME business practice that the Insurance companies do..
PART of the problem comes from the STOCK MARKET. AS to Issue STOCK and have OTHERS buy it, means you HAVE TO make the stock rise.. IF Stock holders cant see an INCREASE in value, they will leave.
Another problem is CORPS dont want to INVEST in themselves.. they want OTHERS to give them money to MAKE something, as its TAX DEDUCTIBLE EXPENSE.. AND when THE CORP invests in OTHER companies ITS DEDUCTIBLE.. Investing in YOURSELF, isnt deductible..(only a certain % is deductible)..
How many companies INFLATE numbers for STOCKS at TAX time?? MOST, as its a deduction to SHOw a PAYOUT.. THEN they DROP after, to make a profit on the stocks.
GAMES GAMES GAMES…its all it is. HOw to beat a system.

# 33 Greg Allen said, on October 24th, 2009 at 10:06 am

>> Dr Dodd said, on October 24th, 2009 at 8:13 am

>> The real question is will the quality and speed of care be in jeopardy with the public option?
>> The answer is yes.

And from which orifice did you just pull that answer?

>> And just for the record – dead people in Switzerland, France and Germany aren’t counted as a medical bankruptcy.

We know the body-county of dead Americans every year because the conservative health care system denies them treatment: 45,000. (Every year! And the conservatives want to keep it that way.)

Do you know how many Swiss, Germans or Canadians die every year for lack of treatment?

Al Franken probably knows!

# 34 Dr Dodd said, on October 24th, 2009 at 10:45 am

#33-Greg Allen

The government has a long track record of good intentions that always, always result in destructive consequences for society.

If you think fraud is bad now, just wait until a total government socialist health care system is the only game in town.

Even calling it a health care program is a lie. It’s no less than a straight-up political power grab with the topic of health care as the Trojan Horse.

# 35 kevinb66 said, on October 24th, 2009 at 11:06 am

#25

Don’t be so obtuse. It’s the principle.

Utopia doesn’t exist. Human nature takes care of that fantasy.

# 36 emhodew said, on October 24th, 2009 at 11:10 am

Mr. Franken,
1) Does Switzerland, France or Germany have the same kind of government we have?
2) Does Switzerland, France or Germany have the same kind of bankruptcy laws we have?
3) Does Switzerland, France or Germany have the same kind of health care system as you are backing?
As the answer to all three question, especially the last one, is no, WHAT DOES IT MATTER?
If Switzerland, France and Germany switched to the same kind of Health care system you are backing, would their bankruptcies increase? Probably.
If the highly survivable cancers are less survivable, I think that is a real problem.
The reason the person he was grilling did not have the answers to his trick questions is; it doesn’t matter.
(By the way, did anyone actually confirm Mr. Franken’s facts?)
We used to be the shinning example for how to run a country. As the liberals have taken control, first in our school system, now our government, are country has plummeted. America has to stop thinking government is the answer. The founding fathers new government was the problem. That is why they set up a limited government.
Hitler showed us how to take over a country. (Same with Stalin). First you put all the power in one place. Then you limit the number of people making the decisions.
Our government has been consolidating all the power into Washington for several decades now. We have been letting them.
Americans need to wake up and see this takeover for what it is. It is a power grab. It is taking choice away from the citizens of this once great country and putting it in the hands of the elite.

# 37 Jeff said, on October 24th, 2009 at 11:47 am

Gotta agree with Joe. The really important item is the librarian hottie in the background!

# 38 atmusky said, on October 24th, 2009 at 12:02 pm

Seeings people kept bring up Germany, France, & Switzerland. Lets look at a few key facts like life expectancy and health care cost.

Life expectancy first CIA data

France 80.98 yrr. ranked # 9
Switzerland 80.25 yrs. ranked #10
Germany 79.26 yrs. ranked #32
United States 78.11 yrs. ranked #50

Now Health care Costs as % of GDP(2004)

United States 15.4% ranked # 1
Switzerland 11.5% ranked # 6
Germany 10.6% ranked # 9
France 10.5% ranked # 10

So lets see Switzerland, Germany, & France spend significantly less money on health care then we do and get better results.

But of course our system is better because everyone knows that spending more money to get worse results is better.

Bull Shit.

# 39 Mark T. said, on October 24th, 2009 at 12:13 pm

Cherry picking of cancer survivability rates? WTF? That should be apples to apples. Testicular cancer survival rate in the U.S. versus in France. What is so incomprehensible about that?

The whole question sounds like it is silly to begin with. There are no bankruptcies in France due to medical costs because the government pays for them all. And EVERYONE knows that governments can’t go bankrupt. Right?

A socialized government run health care system won’t “go” bankrupt because the government already IS bankrupt. What a time saver.

# 40 pedro said, on October 24th, 2009 at 12:21 pm

#26 Are you really that naive? Demagogues don’t take kick backs? Were you born yesterday?

#29 I see your point. Is good and valid… but, what I’ve seen so far as healthcare reform in the US is scary.

Not to mention that in your own words, you guys have 25 years trying to get the train running and is just stuttering.

All I see in the end is just bringing false hope by giving crappy healthcare. And then people get mad at the likes of John Edwards.

Believe, I’m more with you on this than you think, only I don’t see the US on the right track. Too many agendas.

#31 So far, I like what I’ve seen from Franken. But if he ever get to the white house, it would be a blast to see SNL make fun of president Stewart Smalley.

#35 Don’t be so naive, the current bill is shite.

# 41 Greg Allen said, on October 24th, 2009 at 12:27 pm

>> Brian said, on October 24th, 2009 at 5:05 am
>> Wow, as big a dick as this guy has been he is looking like a great addition. As a real middle of the road guy I was afraid he was just another ultra left idiot. Seems he has some brains.

How has Franken ever been a “dick”?

Or did you just get that general impression about him from watching Fox? You know those guys just make crap up. Perhaps you can find some isolated instances but I doubt this is a pattern with him, despite what O’Reilly wants you to believe.

I was a fan of his radio show and he certainly had strong opinions — but he was fair to those who opposed him. Even more, he would correct guests and callers who where mis-characterizing the Right. This is a rare but valuable quality.

Especially compared to Glenn Beck, Sean Hannity or Rush Limbaugh who can be such jerks if any caller or guest dare question them.

What I especially appreciated about Franken was that he argued against what conservatives ACTUALLY BELIEVE and what they REALLY DO. Yes, he argued hard and effectively (and thus, maybe was a “dick” if you lost the debate with him) but he argued fairly.

Rush Limbaugh and his army of media wannabes spend their whole careers mis-characterizing what we liberals really believe and do — and then they argue against their own lies about us. At no point is there a real debate.

They are cynically and relentlessly unfair, untruthful and cheap. Franken was not that.

# 42 Greg Allen said, on October 24th, 2009 at 12:31 pm

>> Dr Dodd said, on October 24th, 2009 at 10:45 am
>> #33-Greg Allen
>> The government has a long track record of good intentions that always, always result in destructive consequences for society.

Nonsense!

Total nonsense.

Medicare has greatly reduced poverty and increased life expectancy among our seniors.

The post office has a been a TREMENDOUS INFRASTRUCTURE TOOL for business. (just ask Netflix.)

I personally really like our National Parks and owe a debt of gratitude to my public university education, the fire department, the FAA and the police.

Oh, and defeating the Nazis was kinda cool.

# 43 deowll said, on October 24th, 2009 at 1:48 pm

What health care reform?

Sure we need health care reform. I want health care reform.

All I see is couple of trillion dollars being flushed as the government sets up another underfunded, poorly run program that avoids any measures that might reduce health care costs and exempts unions and such while bleeping over those on their enemies lists.

They don’t even want you to buy meds from Canada. No you have to buy in the states so the drug companies can rob you. There is no tort reform because the tort lawyers have paid their dues to the Democratic Party according to Howard Dean as posted on Youtube.

What do you achieve to reduce medical costs by taxing medical equipment? The health care consumer is going to have to pay the tax.

True the Dems did get mad a the health insurers for not paying the designated extortion and shutting up and are going to revoke their right to fix prices but they should have done that anyway. The reason they are doing it bleeps.

This a totally sold out, bleeped over abomination that is almost certain to increase the amount Americans spend on health care while giving them much less.

Right now _every_ American owns over $340,000 on the dept. I would not be shocked if our far sighted leaders double or triple it again this year given the chance.

The people running this nation are not just handing the next generation bleep on a stick. They are handing most of the younger adults alive now bleep on a stick because I don’t think it’s going to take ten years for the buzzards to come home to roost on this mess.

You guys have fun. Eat drink and be merry today for soon enough the nation will be bankrupt and then you will be lucky to have a can of beans to eat even though you may well be a trillionaire.

# 44 ECA said, on October 24th, 2009 at 4:28 pm

38,
DITTO..

And you used a USA source..

Pedro,
you know whats happening. And you are correct.

whats happening is the 1 side has done something that LOOKS GOOD, and the other side is Jealous.

I love these idiots that ask..WWJD(what would Jesus do) AND bitch about socialist/communism and dont understand that SHARING is not commercialism.

IF’ the CORPS dont treat us RIGHT, the GOV has to FIX IT..
If’ you are paying to MUCH for medical GUESS WHO will fix it? THAt is the role of government.

UNDERSTAND…
LESS THEN $10 per hour and LESS THEN 32 hours..in 1 JOB…
NO BENEFITS…
LESS THEN $15 an hour and FULL TIME…STILL NO BENEFITS..you pay them yourself. thats 20% of your MONTHLY PAY..

figure it out.
NO MEDICAL COVERAGE…

# 45 ECA said, on October 24th, 2009 at 4:29 pm

60% of the USA has NO MEDICAL COVERAGE…

# 46 Schleprock said, on October 24th, 2009 at 4:32 pm

The funny thing is that the straw man argument of “trial lawyers” and “junk lawsuits” often gets thrown into the argument.
Say what you will, but it’s a fact that health insurance companies make a heck of a lot more money selling malpractice insurance to doctors than trial lawyers make on malpractice cases. If you then throw in the cases with actual merit and consider the review boards that screen out most of the real junk, it’s kinda’ nice being an insurance company.
Any winner that walks out of a casino thinking that he is the real winner is mistaken. In the end, the casino is the real winner. The insurance companies are casinos who get to look at your cards, take out the ones that will give you a winning hand, and then they let you place your bet.
Fiscal conservatives should see that, but sometimes we allow financial gain from our investments to clowd our eyes. Insurance companies are denying care to people of every demographic you can think of every day. There is a huge monetary cost to that.

# 47 Named said, on October 24th, 2009 at 5:13 pm

30 uteck

But are the European health care ‘companies’ all quasi government industries? And as such are immune to bankruptcy since the government will just give them more money?

You don’t know the answer to the question, so we’ll ignore it. But, I DO know that some private companies like Goldman Sachs and AIG got some serious cash for fucking up the economy… But, since they’re American, Fuck Yeah, it’s OK?

# 48 TJ said, on October 24th, 2009 at 7:25 pm

I don’t really understand how this argument has been framed as healthcare. This is not about healthcare, it’s about health insurance. The government proposes among other things, a national public option for health insurance. I don’t understand how this is constantly misconstrued as A Government Takeover of The Healthcare System or Socialised Medicine. A national public not for profit health insurance option would reduce the cost of competing private for profit insurers. That’s economics. If it sucks you don’t have to buy it, you can buy something else.

The private insurance companies have a lot to lose so they are spending millions on these shills that talk about death panels and these congressmen who cite against public reform. They have successfully framed this as a healthcare debate, when nothing here will change your healthcare. You keep your doctors, you keep your insurance, nothing changes
except hopefully the price goes down.

A sick and bankrupt workforce cannot compete globally and cannot buy products. Preventitive medicine, which can only be done if people
can afford to go to the doctor, will save this country billions if not trillions of dollars. Healthy Americans can be more productive. It’s simple.

# 49 ECA said, on October 24th, 2009 at 8:35 pm

How many of you are old enough to remember State run clinics??
Every little town had one..

# 50 Rick Cain said, on October 24th, 2009 at 11:44 pm

If private industry had the solution to health care costs, they would have implemented it long ago.

They are obviously the problem, not the fix.

# 51 pedro said, on October 25th, 2009 at 2:20 am

#50 Great answer. Now, go back to your DMV cubicle; you’ll get your cheque in the mail.

# 52 Schleprock said, on October 25th, 2009 at 3:49 am

I agree TJ

Leave Your Reply Below...

Comment Moderation is Active, so if your comment doesn't
show up immediately, please don't submit it again.

Special Deals 4U

25% off eHarmony subscription with code EHTECH
12-percent discount forever with code TECH
10-percent discount and free month using TECH10
10-percent or 30 dollars off weekly car rental!
Get 10-percent discount on car rental!
Get 10% off rental cars!
Get 10% off Dollar rentals!
Discounts on domain names!