The Blue Dog Coalition
Contact these members of Congress and urge them to support the public plan option! These are the Democrats holding us back from the best health care plan possible.
Key Blue Dog Democrats to Contact
- Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (SD), Blue Dog Co-Chair for Administration
- Rep. Baron Hill (IN-09), Blue Dog Co-Chair for Policy
- Rep. Charlie Melancon (LA-03), Blue Dog Co-Chair for Communications
- Rep. Heath Shuler (NC-11), Blue Dog Whip
View the entire list of Blue Dog Democrats….after the jump
**This list will be updated with links to their websites soon.
Blue Dog Leadership Team
Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (SD), Blue Dog Co-Chair for Administration
Rep. Baron Hill (IN-09), Blue Dog Co-Chair for Policy
Rep. Charlie Melancon (LA-03), Blue Dog Co-Chair for Communications
Rep. Heath Shuler (NC-11), Blue Dog Whip
Blue Dog Members
Altmire, Jason (PA-04)
Arcuri, Mike (NY-24)
Baca, Joe (CA-43)
Barrow, John (GA-12)
Berry, Marion (AR-01)
Bishop, Sanford (GA-02)
Boren, Dan (OK-02)
Boswell, Leonard (IA-03)
Boyd, Allen (FL-02)
Bright, Bobby (AL-02)
Cardoza, Dennis (CA-18)
Carney, Christopher (PA-10)
Chandler, Ben (KY-06)
Childers, Travis (MS-01)
Cooper, Jim (TN-05)
Costa, Jim (CA-20)
Cuellar, Henry (TX-28)
Dahlkemper, Kathy (PA-03)
Davis, Lincoln (TN-04)
Donnelly, Joe (IN-02)
Ellsworth, Brad (IN-08)
Giffords, Gabrielle (AZ-08)
Gordon, Bart (TN-06)
Griffith, Parker (AL-05)
Harman, Jane (CA-36)
Herseth Sandlin, Stephanie (SD)
Hill, Baron (IN-09)
Holden, Tim (PA-17)
Kratovil, Jr., Frank (MD-01)
McIntyre, Mike (NC-07)
Marshall, Jim (GA-03)
Matheson, Jim (UT-02)
Melancon, Charlie (LA-03)
Michaud, Mike (ME-02)
Minnick, Walt (ID-01)
Mitchell, Harry (AZ-05)
Moore, Dennis (KS-03)
Murphy, Patrick (PA-08)
Nye, Glenn (VA-02)
Peterson, Collin (MN-07)
Pomeroy, Earl (ND)
Ross, Mike (AR-04)
Salazar, John (CO-03)
Sanchez, Loretta (CA-47)
Schiff, Adam (CA-29)
Scott, David (GA-13)
Shuler, Heath (NC-11)
Space, Zack (OH-18)
Tanner, John (TN-08)
Taylor, Gene (MS-04)
Thompson, Mike (CA-01)
Wilson, Charles (OH-06)
This entry was posted on Friday, July 31st, 2009 at 6:58 pm and is filed under Press Box. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
When will America quit being a corporation, and become a country? One that puts its people first, ahead of big business. The supposedly richest and strongest country on earth, has no problem with 49 million of its citizens not being able to see a doctor. This situation is unique to America, as every other country provides its citizens with healthcare.
And please stop talking about the best healthcare system in the world, because that is only the case if you have money. To more than 49 million of our fellow citizens, we have the worst system in the world, because they do not have access to it.
The Blue Dogs and the Republicans are using cost as a smoke screen. They are really standing up for their campaign donors, not the people who voted them into their cushy jobs, with the best (governbment run) healthcare there is. They have no hearts, putting greedy insurance companies ahead of their constituents.
Of course, I am convinced that we have our priorities here twisted. Instead of asking first, how are we going to finance this coverage for our citizens? The attitude should be, we are going to provide healthcare for all our citizens,as it is our duty to do so, now let’s figure out how we are going to pay for it.
Another smoke screen used to scare away support for universal healthcare, is “don’t let the government get between you and your doctor”. Well as it is now, the insurance company is getting between you and your doctor, dictating what treatment and drugs you receive; the insurance guys are working for their company, with the goal of maximizing profits; the government guys will be working for you, and not seeking to make a profit from your illness.
Shame on you Blue Dog Democtats and Republicans, only in America.
Vote for the people , AND WITH YOUR HART YOU KNOW PUBLIC PLAN OPTION IS RIGHT…………………………………..THANK YOU
Are you kidding??? A public plan is not what this bill is designed to do. It is obvious that you have not read the bill at all. Fix medicare, medicaid and the vets program without touching the private sector. The dems are the ones standing up for their campaign donors (UAW, SIEU), not the people who voted them into their cushy jobs, with the best (not a government run) healthcare. Their cusy jobs will be exempt from any government run healthcare program. The dems are the greedy and power grubby ones and are demonizing the capitalistic nature of insurance companies. These reps and senators represent the people. The people who have the right to exercise their voice in opposition.
my name is Bessie, I am a woman who is without health insurance because I cannot afford it! I have heart problems and do not expect to live much longer but I am old and it does not matter that much to me anymore! but what about young poor people who are sick ,please stop fighting your leader, and taking sides with those racist republicans, or we will be wondering about YOU!and will do everything in our power to get rid of YOU!
It is amazing that people are not willing to allow a public plan
U.S. pays 17% GDp on health which is about double other countries
Our life expectancy is 45th in the world
we have great – before death care – not health care
I guess the conservative religious right is afraid to go to heaven
France by the way is the highest rated by WHO
OH well
well, animals as pets is surely a great responsibility.Giving them care like our own.By giving food and shelter surely we are giving the best care.i get my dog a pet gate so that some places are safe from his running activities.:)
It is absolutely ridiculous what happens in this country that supposedly should have the best care system in the world.
There is no civilized country in the world to have such a “joke” insurance system. I was 5 years in Germany, paid 120 DM per month for my entire family, never seen a charge coming to my house. We had to go for annual check up and than based on the needs.
Here I pay $ 110 per week for myself only, another for my husband, my daughters, students have their own, from colleges. Last week I had a generalized rash and I got an appointment to the specialist for September 29 (after had to go to family practice, and wait for “referral” took one additional week). I know I have psoriasis, but I can’t get diagnosed due to always waiting and when I finally get the appointment, the skin is getting better and the doctor doesn’t recognize it. My husband had to wait one year here in USA for a sinus surgery. Are you kidding me? In USA we do not have to wait? Stop the lies, and recognize the problem.
Poverty and corruption like in USA, can’t be found in any European civilized country. I travel a lot, and trust me USA is not a DREAM.
Shame on Politicians and yes I voted for OBAMA but I will not vote for him anymore, he didn’t handle the changes as promised and he is not strong enough, he doesn’t keep his promises. One of the reason we elected him, was that he promised public option. I am very disappointed by the democrats and their DOGS. They are HYENAS not DOGS.
What a shame…
You need to add my congress critter here Bill; Et Al….
Earl Pomeroy (Blue-D D) ND
i’ve been to his (Kent Conrad’s & Byron Dorgan’s) office(s), written, faxed, phoned and emailed continously! i will keep it up and be in Kent Conrad’s face with my “Single Payer/Medicare 4 All” gear at MANY meetings starting the 16th… WooHoo!!
THANX!!!
the stup republicans are so behind the time CHANGE HAS COME TO WASHINGTON: STOP THE CRIMINAL COMMENTS -RIGHT WING -HATE GROUPS -this is real sad the Republicans hve lost control of themselves and have assulted the dignity of the Presidents and his Wife and now his children….federal and state criminal charges are in order for making such a comment against a child under ten is a clear case of child abuse ….the man should be placed in a mental facilty for a very long time….look at the person who shot the guard at the Jewish holicast building just under a few months ago..!!!
more crazy people who will stop at nothing to incite fear and intimiadation against a whole nation and a SITTING -PRESIDENT AND HIS FAMILY-
justice must be served I know I could never have been able to explain away those words or actions if I made them against anyone…..
[Reply]
Ani-When the Public Option DOES get passed are you going to change your mind and vote for Obama again? He is strong and he knows when to hang back and let these rabble rousers show their true colors. Just you wait and see…this is going to get better with all of us working together!
Great headline. If your cookie has a bite-sized action and your reader completes the action, I think two things happen. Their self-confidence goes up (which feels good) and their trust in you increases.
A few Blue Cross Democrats should be advised that the Democratic party will NOT be providing any funds or support to their campaigns, and that primary challenges WILL be made.
I suspect the remaining Blue Cross curs would get the message.
These politicans are a great example of why the status of United States of America in the world, in the manufacturing community and in the educational arena are all in the toilet. All you have to do is look at the world status of United States of America in any category and you will find we are no longer leaders. Ask yourself why? When United States were leaders in all categories they had a strong foundation for the people in this country to make a decent wage, affordable healthcare and a good educational system. Today, this foundation does not exist. If the blue dog’s are the way of the future for the democratic party because they will vote as a block then there is not a democratic party. I will not fork over my money or my vote to the democratic party when they cannot deliver the votes needed to make the country leaders again.
Today I tried to e-mail all of your fellow Blue Dogs at the BlueDog@mail.house.gov communications address that was given and I was unable to do so. I don’t understand why you even put this e-mail address out there if it can’t be reached. Probably because you don’t want to hear what people really have to say. My concern is that you as Democrats are acting more like Republicans in your handling this Healthcare issue. It is dispicable that the people in your districts thought they were electing a Democrat that would go to Washington to help make life easier for all of the hard working, middle class families in this country and instead they got all of you. They say that if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck it must be a duck. Well, you walk like a Republican and talk like a Republican so you must be Republicans posing as Democrats. You are allowing the Conservatives in Washington who are now the minority get exactly what they want and that is to defeat any Healthcare Reform that will make a difference to the American public. You are caving in to the HMO’s, the insurance industry, the drug companies and other groups who are profiting and getting rich from the American people’s need to insure themselves and their families. I have a son who cannot afford healthcare and a friend who has Cancer and may lose his insurance be-cause he works for a Car Dealership which may close due to the problems with the auto industry. What will he do then since he has a pre-existing condition? There are millions of Americans who have similar stories and for one reason of another cannot afford the high cost of insurance. Of course I don’t believe any of you ever stop to think of these people because you are more concerned about yourselves and the large Health industry that you all take money from for your re-election campaigns. I am disgusted, angry, appalled and ashamed of all of you and I sincerely hope that all of you are defeated the next time that you run for your seat. In closing, I can now see why the Republicans get everything that they want, because they speak the same talking points over and over, they stick together on any issue and support the conservative view and they spread lies and fear to further the right wing agenda, whatever it happens to be. I have no faith in any of you or in our government anymore and I plan to register as an Independent after being a lifelong Democrat. I hope that you all will consider changing parties also because you will fit in perfectly with the Republican Party.
I have called several of the congressmen and realized quick they don’t care. Very cold. I am appauled how insenitive they are to the real life issues like preexisting conditions like my son has. What a shame.
PDS
Yes, if Obama keeps his promise on Health care, I would be more than happy to vote for him. He shouldn’t forget the reason he’s President.
I am very disappointed right now, by all the lies and liars, by the media and by us. Why don’t we organize and show how strong support a public option has? We should go on the street and pressure them as the very few Republicans do, as the Europeans do… that is the reason they get things done, pressure the politicians –
Many thanks to Ed Schultz and Howard Dean, Rachel and Bill Press, and everyone being a fighter for the right cause.
Bill –
Hill, Schuler and Ross web sites – you cannot leave an email if you don’t live in their districts (by zip code number – can you post some zip codes for their areas?
these are the same people who think playing to the crowds and the Gun totting yellers will win them votes :
the same as North Korea who thinks if I toss weapons around the Americans will obey me ….Well just in case your placental barrier in your Brains are still in tact you may just want to consider that all Americans are affected by this bill and people are dying and a public health care plan will benifit everyone …
We have been hood-winked by the insurance and Drug industry for 100 yr.-just this once I would like to see so called law makers stop giving special treatment to these Business which has so many Billions to wage war on average americans and caues so much division……………without ever to spend one dime in taxes.
Why should we call them?, So the next time Masters hosts the show he can have a guest on that calls one of the Blue Dogs a “Rock Star”? Like he did Blanche Lincoln?
Thank you Bill Press please don’t stop or give up this cause. I am a nurse. At one time I worked for an Insurance Company and was shocked and sick to my stomach when I had to obey their rules. The docs got their bonuses according to how many claims they denied. It is appauling how hard they make it for people to get their claims paid. Obama should remember how his mother had to fight from her sick bed. IT IS STILL HAPPENING and it will unless he keeps his promises. I also see how the drug reps wine and dine anyone they can to push their products. And believe me they spend LOADS of money. Supposedly it isn’t happening anymore…..don’t bet on it!
Calling these traitors “Blue Dog Democrats” is an insult to dogs everywhere. The #1 trait in a loving dog is loyalty. Something these people know nothing about. Call them what they really are: Blue Cross Democrats.
I am on medicare and my suplement coverage is with Blue cross/Blue shield. My coverage with them has increased from $169 2 years ago tok $240 for 2009. I am not sure if I should continue to carry this supplement because I am low income and it is getting beyone me when I have to pay for medicare and part D for prescriptions.
[...] need to push back hard on these frauds, unAmerican, selfish pricks NOW who would rather dump billions in giveaways to the Insurance industry than reign in run away [...]
The current system of deregulated corporate chemical, biological, military monopolies are draining the life blood from America, and so, their representatives must be removed from OUR Washington and OUR representatives elected to replace them.
I had never heard of Bill Press until I was scrolling through the list of “journalists” listed on the bottom half of Matt Drudge’s website.
I listened to the first two minutes of Press’s recent telephone interview with Fran Drescher where Press tells Drescher what a good friend he and Jane Fonda are. That was all I needed to hear. Anyone who counts Jane Fonda as a good friend is no friend of America.
The scare has not sunk yet because nobody would ever believe that there are groups among the leadership of the country that dream of turning the USA into a third world country whereby life is cheapened and starvation wages exist. Do not think this is a reality? Think again. We are almost there.
I will run against Jason Altmire in my district if no one else will. I may need a little help–estimated cost of a well funded primary battle is $3 million. Anybody got some spare change lying around.
I just want to say to these Blue Dog Democrats that I hope that everyone in your state fire you. Just remember when election time come around how we supported some years ago. Now, it is our chance to turn our back on you.
PLEASE support a healthcare plan with a public option. It is what the American people want and need. It is what President Obama wants.
I sit here in tears as I have just contacted several health insurance companies for quotes on individual coverage. My husband and I have waited until our 30′s to have our 1st child & have the hope of the possibility for me to be able to stay home & raise our son. But because my husband is self employed & our insurance is through my company we may have hit a dead end. My husband is diabetic. The first thought is insulin, medication, & a health risk. But he is healthier then most average people. Through the care of a Doctor he is off all medications & is managing his diabetes through diet & exercise. But he is classified with every other diabetic & will be denied for a pre existing condition. So because of the health insurance crisis in this country we now have to consider giving up raising our own child to daycare or giving up a self made business to return to corporate world. Why are hard working, tax paying americans having to pay the price in the land of so called opportunity. Please, I beg of you, consider the many Americans such as myself when deciding the fate of this healthcare bill. Please include a strong public health option. We are not looking for free or hand outs. We are looking for a plan where we will have affordable access to coverage. We are looking for fair & we are looking to our representatives to stand up for the people who put them there. Thank you for your time & consideration!
Hello Everyone
1st: 47 million Americans being uninsured is a myth.When you eliminate those who can afford insurance but don’t, those who are eligible for medicaid, but haven’t signed up, and those who aren’t Americans you will be left with about 11 million. 2nd: Eliminating profits won’t cut costs, because those profits will be replaced with fraud waste and abuse many times over in a public system. 3rd: Life expectancy isn’t an accurate indicator health care, because deaths are caused by many other things than health care. 4th: Health insurance isn’t a right. You have no right to something someone else has to provide. 5th: A government run health insurance company will be faced with the same problems that private insurance companies face—too much money going out and not enough coming in. themostperfectuniondotcom
Everyone doesn’t seem to realize that the Government sucks at running anything and everything! And I really don’t get it. People are crying cause some Democrats aren’t voting with other Democrats. That’s great. They shouldn’t vote with each other just because they are Democrats, they should make their decision based on THEIR own views and that of the people they represent.
Thank you for voting your conscience. We want healthcare reform – not throw out what we have for the few it affects. To institute more competition, allow insurance companies to sell across state lines. Once the public option is in place, why should my employer continue offering health insurance as part of my benefits package? If employers start dropping health insurance, there goes the competition.
Your all nuts if you think having the government run anything is going help matters. take a look at government run health nedicare broke and corrupt. Medicaid broke and corrupt. why do you think this will be any better? wake up and smell the coffee rules need to be implemented such as no previous illnesses. They need to break down the barriers of insurance companies across state lines to have better competition( something the government installed.) This country was founded on people working together with less government, we don’t need more government and their pork take a look at the stimulus package and where the money has gone and see what the government option would look like. You want socialized medicine go to Canada and see how long it takes to see a doctor.