Thanks!

Becky

Deep Muck Big Rake

I WISH I could.  I have a doctor's appt that day where I will be a tad indisposed.  :(  But I have to say I have had  ton of outreach from one of his staffers, who is great!

PunditMom

aka Joanne Bamberger

BlogHer News & Politics Contributing Editor

Sorry to have missed this week's call, but I've got this one carved out on the calendar.

karoli

odd time signatures (life)
bang the drum (politics)

But I just wrote a blog post about what they (and we) are up against, trying to work on Health Care reform.

http://www.blogher.com/big-pharma-called-me-and-now-im-pissed#nofollow

Ask him how he and his office tell the difference between spontaneous expressions of public sentiment and astroturfing.

http://www.blogher.com/blog/she-who

 My suggestion:  In order to help the low income obese, target their weaknesses- for example: Here's an economic stimulus that would boost sales and promote healthier lifestyles at the same time: I would propose a Healthfood Lottery: Instead of cash, winners would be issued a Healthfood giftcard, ( Approx. $50- $500)  redeemable for food items at all Healthfood stores in each State: It's a win-win situation: Healthfood stores would gain new customers and increased sales, the Lottery commision would receive added revenue from the ticket sales, the Government could tax the added healthfood stores' profits, and the winners would be getting nutritious, healthy food they most assuredly wouldnt have bought otherwise.

and I'd like to ask the Chairman about the public option, and how he intends to make sure we get one. 

Politics & News Contributing Editor Queen of Spain

I'm curious about process and strategy -- once the bill comes out of the Senate, probably some people will think it's over.  What's next -- how does the House handle it and what issues does he think will come up that will have to be addressed?  Does he have a sense of the timing of how long it will spend on the House side?  So many people are desperate for see true health care reform -- will they have to wait much longer?  End of the year?  After?

PunditMom

aka Joanne Bamberger

BlogHer News & Politics Contributing Editor

Looking forward to the opportunity to being on the call tomorrow with Rep. Miller. I'd also like to ask him about his thoughts on the likelihood of seeing a public option and purchase mandates.

BlogHer Contributing Editor PopConsumer Beyond Help

I would like to join in and ask the Congressman about what his battle plan is for protecting the public option during reconciliation with the Senate bill (assuming the Senate produces a bill without one).

No promises that I'll actually be able to make it work properly, but I'm going to try!

http://overflowingbrain.com

Nancy Watzman invited me to participate.

By way of introduction for my maiden voyage on BlogHer, I'm a long-time political blogger-turned-journalist. I'm the editor of Unbossed.com (a muckraking tribute to Shirley Chisholm that focuses on public policy issues) and a freelance investigative reporter for RH Reality Check, among others.

Glad to be here.

Are there still spots? I'm interested in what the tri-committee is going to come up with now that the Senate Finance Committee is done with their markup.

Heather B. 

No Pasa Nada: www.nopasanada.org

BlogHer: http://www.blogher.com/blog/heatherb

If you have NOT received it, please contact me at erin.kotecki.vest@blogher.com 

There is still room, so add your comment on this post to join us and I will contact you! 

Erin

Politics & News Contributing Editor Queen of Spain

I'd like to know whether Rep. Miller will support efforts to ensure that insurance companies won't be able to deny insurance to victims of domestic violence.

Kim
BlogHer Contributing Editor|KimPearson.net|

Currently our system is built on a model of sickness, not wellness. I have health insurance, and it hasn't done jack for me. For example, it took years for me to find a doctor who believed my symptoms and was responsive enough to get me into physical therapy. By then, I was told that I was considered "disabled," and that despite the fact that I improved by leaps and bounds after several sessions, I was considered impossible to rehabilitate. I was therefore blacklisted from having any more physical therapy sessions. Ever. Unable to turn to my health insurance, I therefore have paid out of pocket for complementary and alternative medicine, well over $150,000 over the past decade plus. That in addition to my useless $700 a month health insurance. What will it take for us to get on a system where I can go into any doctor I want or any bodyworker I want and get the treatment I need, conventional or CAM, without being treated as if I'm trying to pull one over on the system? Loolwa Khazzoom, Dancing with Pain -- http://www.dancingwithpain.com

Chair Miller:

Without sounding dismissive of your excellent chairmanship of the House Education and Labor Committee, how much influence do you think you -- and by extension other House members -- will really have on this process?

Given the political make-up of the Senate, aren't we likely to see a lowest common denominator bill in order to get the 51 votes needed for passage (assuming a motion to proceed with attached cloture vote)?

In light of the House's limited sphere of influence, what do you see as your roll post-passage with regulation writing, HHS decision-making and so on?

Hi everyone, 

If you turn on CSPAN you can see the House is voting right now on 

http://edlabor.house.gov/blog/2009/10/temporary-extensions-of-the-ch.sht...

This has the Chairman tied up. If he is late for our call we would love to discuss 

http://edlabor.house.gov/blog/2009/10/temporary-extensions-of-the-ch.sht...

with our community members. The call will take place as scheduled and we will do our best to hold a thoughtful, important discussion as we wait for Rep. Miller. 

Thanks everyone, 

Erin 

Politics & News Contributing Editor Queen of Spain