The Healthcare Crisis Can’t Wait Another Decade For A Solution

Corrupt Blue Dog David Scott represents a big swath of suburban Atlanta south and west of the the city, just below Hartsfield-Jackson Airport. The biggest counties in the district (GA-13) are Cobb, Clayton, Douglas, Fulton, Henry and Fayette. Trump lost the first 5 and won in Fayette County. The PVI is a healthy, unassailable D+20. So what is a district like that doing with a Republican-lite Blue Dog congressman, one who has never-- and still doesn't-- even live in the district? And who has a reputation-- well-deserved-- for long being one of the Democratic Party's most corrupt public officials? Luckily, this cycle a progressive champion is taking Scott on in a primary battle, Michael Owens, former Cobb County Democratic Party chairman Michael Owens, a cybersecurity expert, community activist and Marine Corp veteran. Below, he wrote about a big component of why he decided to run: health policy. Please take a look-- and if you agree that it would be good for Georgia and for the whole country to replace an anti-healthcare corporate shill with a strong progressive, please consider clicking on the 2020 congressional primary thermometer below and chipping in what you can to Michael's campaign.


We Need More Health Care Not Another Health Fair
by Dr. Michael C. Owens
Candidate
U.S. Congress GA-13

Congressman David Scott hosted his 15th annual Health Fair Saturday. It is an annual event where people can get tested for a number of serious conditions including clinical breast cancer exams; prostate cancer; HIV/ AIDS; diabetes; blood pressure; asthma; cholesterol; mental health; sickle cell; vision; Dental; Orthopedic; mental health services for veterans and more according to the announcement.


No one should have an issue with Congressman Scott providing access to testing for so many serious conditions plaguing our communities in the 13th congressional district. These tests are vital to people being able to find care for these serious conditions in time to possibly save their lives or avoid life changing difficulties.

However, therein lies the problem. This is a once a year opportunity to deal with a 365 day a year problem. After 15 years of Health Fairs, the question becomes, when will the people be provided adequate health care. It’s great that people can get screened and can find out if they have a critical illness but then what? What do those that are without insurance or those that have insurance but with sky-high deductibles do to get treatment for serious health conditions they have now been made aware of?

It’s not hard to figure out why someone might need free testing. The congressman’s website provides a picture of what might be driving the need for people to attend his health fair to get critical testing done:

“Since 2018, Georgia has had the fourth highest uninsured rate in the United States-- 5 percent higher than the national average. While 13.4 percent of Georgians are uninsured, the uninsured rate is over 30 percent in some rural counties. Over one-third of the uninsured population in Georgia is concentrated in five counties in the Atlanta metropolitan area, and three of which are in Georgia’s 13th District (Clayton, Cobb, and Fulton counties).” 

And these numbers don’t include people who can’t afford to use the healthcare they currently have for any number of reasons. Regardless of being uninsured or unable to pay an exorbitant deductible out of pocket, anyone who needs medical care after Congressman Scott’s health fair will be faced with the full brunt of our healthcare crisis.

The people of the 13th district need a congressman who will work towards solutions that will provide families year round healthcare coverage. Health Fairs do not provide this and thus far Congressman’s health care policies stop evolving a decade ago. Until yesterday when posts about his outdated politics surfaced on Twitter, Congressman Scott’s healthcare section of his website was from a decade ago and talked about the upcoming implementation of the Affordable Care Act.

Healthcare is a critical part of the current national policy discussion. Yet Congressman Scott is still talking about Health Fairs and decade old policies. Voters in Georgia consider healthcare to be a priority issue. The support for Medicare expansion within the state topped 70% in polling last year. The Democratic Presidential debate centers healthcare as a cornerstone issue defining differences between the huge field of candidates. Most of the candidates frame their differences on policy around Medicare for All vs. some other ambitious plan to provide affordable universal healthcare coverage for every American. Then there are others that do not. Congressman Scott has made the decision not to be on the side of patients but instead, stand with Big Pharma and Healthcare executives.

Rep. Pramila Jayapal’s (D-WA) H.R. 1384 recently gained its 117th House cosponsor, a majority of House Democrats, making it the House Democratic caucus’ official position on healthcare. Congressman Scott’s name isn’t on this list. With all of this focus on the crisis facing millions of Americans and thousands of Georgians, what is David Scott’s position? Host another Heath Fair.

Congressman Scott appears to be aligned with that very small wing of the Democratic Caucus that is committed to maintaining a system where the right of private insurance and prescription companies get to continue to set the rules for American healthcare policy with the goal of ensuring their cut of the healthcare profit “pie.” Congressman Scott defines the majority of his positions based on priorities set by his donors, almost all of whom do not live in our communities in the 13th district. David Scott’s pay to play politics are out of step with the majority of congressional Democrats, out of step with the majority of Americans, and out of step with his constituents in Georgia’s 13th congressional district.

I support Medicare-for-All without qualification. I support the majority of the Democratic Congressional Caucus in demanding affordable and accessible healthcare for ALL. I support an end to the corporate stranglehold on healthcare that prevents Americans from accessing the care they need to thrive not just survive. I support policies that will lower the cost of prescription medication and I support the right for American women, children and men receive quality healthcare as a right.

I am challenging David Scott because the people in the 13th District need an advocate who will prioritize improving the health of people over the profits of insurance companies.




The Same Reasons Why Primaries Are So Important, Are The Reasons Anti-Democracy Creeps Like Cheri Bustos Hate Them

On Monday, Georgia progressive Michael Owens penned a post for Daily Kos on a topic that should be familiar to all DWT readers by now-- DCCC Incumbent Protection Policy Threatens a Progressive Congressional Race in Georgia. The DCCC policy of stifling primaries isn't new, but under Cheri Bustos they're pursuing it openly-- and with a vengeance. Vendors he needed for his campaign are refusing to work for him in fear of DCCC retribution. His district has a PVI of D+20. No Republican is going to ever come close to winning that seat. Yes, it's Georgia but Trump only took 26.6% of the vote there. Obama won it both times he ran. But the fake-Democrat occupying the seat is David Scott, a Blue Dog who supports Republican legislation, Republican ideas and even Republican candidates! The DCCC should be helping Owens get rid of him; instead, they're trying to destroy him. "The DCCC," he wrote, "should promote democracy and not stifle it. As it relates to Democratic primary elections like mine, the voters of the district should to decide who their next congressperson is, not the DCCC."

The entrenched political class hates primaries because primaries are a way for voters to hold them accountable and because of primaries, candidates out of synch with their constituents are forced to take positions they would rather not. We talked about that in early May when Ben Ray Luján-- a 100% Pelosi puppet who never strays from her demands-- was forced to endorse the Green New Deal because his Senate primary opponent, New Mexico's progressive Secretary of State, Maggie Toulouse Oliver, has been vigorously campaigning on it-- and making traction because of it.

Yesterday I found a press release in my inbox. This was the giant, bolded headline:

Luján Co-Sponsors Medicare for All Legislation

It's news because who would ever imagine this stooge would go against Pelosi, who opposes Medicare-For-All. Ah... but that primary. One of the top planks of Maggie Toulouse Oliver's is... yes, of course, Medicare-For-All.

Pramila Jayapal and Debbie Dingell, who wrote the bill, asked for co-sponsors on February 27. On that day 106 Democrats signed on. As expected, Luján refused. In march, April and May, more Democrats became co-sponsors. And here we are in June and... the magic if a primary kicks in:

"Since my very first days in Congress, I’ve strongly held the belief that health care is a fundamental right for all, not a privilege for a few. No individual should ever be denied care or worry about costs when sick. But, for far too many Americans today, that is not the reality. Despite the incredible progress we’ve made because of the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid expansion, we continue to see Americans crushed by the health insurance industry and health care remains a right that far too many New Mexicans and far too many Americans struggle to gain. It’s why I’m proud to announce my support of Medicare for All-- bold legislation that will greatly enhance the ability for Americans to receive care. After working with Congresswoman Jayapal’s office to ensure veteran and Native health concerns were properly addressed, I am proud to add my name to the legion of patients, activists, and lawmakers who’ve endorsed Medicare For All.”

What a bullshitter! Maggie handled it gracefully on Twitter a couple of hours after his bug announcement.

Heather Brewer, Oliver's campaign manager, told me that for the sake of New Mexico they're "glad that the congressman is joining Maggie in supporting Medicare for All. We were surprised by his change of heart given that he’s had more than a decade in Washington to advance bold healthcare initiatives, but he has already followed Maggie’s lead and changed his longstanding positions on the Green New Deal and accepting corporate PAC money. Voters care about progressive issues and policies, but more than that, they want a real progressive leader, like Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver, who stands on strong progressive values.”

This is what Maggie has had to say about impeachment. Everyone is wondering how long will it be before Ben Ray jumps onboard too?

"There is more than enough evidence to move forward with impeachment. It’s time to hold this president accountable. We can both hold this President accountable and push for our progressive priorities-- and don’t let anyone tell you differently. Even as we investigate the president,we can continue to fight for bold ideas like Medicare-for-All and a Green New Deal, expanding voting rights, protecting a woman’s right to make her own healthcare decisions, and fighting our student debt crisis. I’ve never backed down from a fight with Donald Trump before and I’m not about to start now."

Blue America Has Some News For Cheri Bustos Today

Corrupt Blue Dog David Scott represents a big swath of suburban Atlanta south and west of the the city, just below Hartsfield-Jackson Airport. The biggest counties in the district (GA-13) are Cobb, Clayton, Douglas, Fulton, Henry and Fayette. Trump lost the first 5 and won in Fayette County. The PVI is a healthy,  unassailable D+20. So what is a  district like that doing with a Republican-lite Blue Dog congressman, one who has never-- and still doesn't-- even live in the district? And who has a reputation-- well-deserved-- for long being one of the Democratic Party's most corrupt public officials?

David Scott's voting record has earned him a solid "F" from ProgressivePunch. People who watch closely though say he isn't really much of an ideologue. "He's just one of the most corrupt members of Congress and every lobbyist in town knows he sells his votes," said one Capitol Hill staffer who asked for anonymity in order to speak freely. "Scott votes for financial legislation that directly hurts his own voters in return for big annual payoffs from the Wall Street banking community. Some should look closely at where those funds he collects go. It's an open secret here in DC that his family walks away with an awful lot of it... On top of that-- and as if that weren't enough-- Scott is one of only the smallest handful of Democrats in Congress who endorses Republicans over his fellow Democrats and contributes to their campaigns." I've never heard Cheri Bustos or Nancy Pelosi complain about his checks to Republicans. Have you?

This morning, David Scott drew exactly what he has earned-- a progressive primary challenger: former Cobb County Democratic Party chairman Michael Owens, a cybersecurity expert, community activist and Marine Corp veteran. Over the next few months I hope we will all get to know Michael very well and come to understand how he came to support the populist, progressive agenda espoused by leaders like Bernie, Ro Khanna, Ted Lieu, Elizabeth Warren, Barbara Lee, AOC and Pramila Jayapal. I asked him to jot down a few words in way of a guest post and introduction. If you like what he has to say, please consider helping him in his campaign to replace David Scott by clicking on the Primary A Blue Dog ActBlue Page on the right. Any contribution is appreciated and every contribution helps get the job done. If you want a suggestion, Blue America usually requests contributions of $20.20 this cycle.


A District To Flip In 2020: GA-13... From Blue Dog to True Blue
-by Michael Owens

I am running to represent the people of Georgia's 13th  congressional district, people who deserve a Congressman who is in touch with them and will be an advocate for their needs and be a champion for their family's legitimate opportunities. We need someone who is aligned with today’s Democratic Party and the grassroots organizations that continue to fuel our growth. Georgia is locked in the fight for our future. Voter suppression, veteran issues, clean air and water and lack of healthcare options have hurt my district and our state.  We have been a deep red state that is on the cusp of turning purple... but it will not happen without the support of proven progressive democratic leaders. The congressman for GA-13 must be a progressive leader who will fight for more bold policies that will better the lives every American. I’ve spent years fighting for principles that will improve the lives and situations for those who need it most. If I win, I will bring to this seat the opportunity to help each and every person by being an advocate and champion for healthcare, economic mobility and empowerment, job development and creation and supporting efforts to close the racial and gender wage gap while increasing the minimum wage for everyone. These are not talking points for me. As a small business owner and executive with fortune 500 companies, I have always put people first.

• I commit to representing the people of my district and not corporate PACs.
• I commit to having town halls and to live in the district I represent.
• I commit to holding Republicans accountable.

I’ve proven my leadership as a past chairman of the Cobb County Democratic Committee where I grew the organization into the largest county party in the state of Georgia.  During that time, I was in the trenches leading the effort to organize thousands of volunteers to successfully flip seats from school board to U.S. Congress over the last three years. Remember the #FlipThe6th effort from a couple of years ago even before we were able to replace Karen Handel with Lucy McBath? I created 6th Congressional District Taskforce, coined that phrase and led that effort. From that time, I’ve been able to build a coalition of supporters, volunteers, and activists from across the state without compromising our progressive values, ideals, or principles. It’s as simple as this. I will provide a consistent, strong Democratic vote in a deep blue district where we currently have a Congressman that votes with the Trump agenda far too often. I will support progressive polities that can help move this country forward. I will not be parroting Republican and corporate lobbyist talking points and I absolutely will not be endorsing Republican candidates at home or anywhere in the country.