Featured ReportingLatest NewsThe BullpenA tectonic shift occurred in the Democratic Party. The Center for American Progress, the powerful center-left establishment organization which sees itself as the Democratic White House in exile, released their new “Medicare Extra for All” plan.In many ways, it is nearly identical to the Medical Insurance and Care for All (MICA) plan put out by Shadowproof last year. That is truly remarkable.CAP’s plan would automatically make everyone eligible for a new and improved Medicare Extra, creating true universal coverage. Employers would have the option to...…Featured ReportingLatest NewsThe BullpenA tectonic shift occurred in the Democratic Party. The Center for American Progress, the powerful center-left establishment organization which sees itself as the Democratic White House in exile, released their new “Medicare Extra for All” plan.In many ways, it is nearly identical to the Medical Insurance and Care for All (MICA) plan put out by Shadowproof last year. That is truly remarkable.CAP’s plan would automatically make everyone eligible for a new and improved Medicare Extra, creating true universal coverage. Employers would have the option to...WW…

CommunityElectionsFDL Main BlogSlowly and reluctantly the Republican base is finally starting to line up behind Mitt Romney now that he is almost assured to (eventually) get the nomination. According to a Gallup daily tracking poll of the primary, Romney now has the support of 40% of the base, his highest level of support yet. From Gallup:Since there remains a sizable anti-Romney vote in the remaining very conservative states, Romney is going to continue losing some primaries to Rick Santorum in places like Louisiana. At this point, though, it appears the sense of inevitability about Romney...…CommunityElectionsFDL Main BlogSlowly and reluctantly the Republican base is finally starting to line up behind Mitt Romney now that he is almost assured to (eventually) get the nomination. According to a Gallup daily tracking poll of the primary, Romney now has the support of 40% of the base, his highest level of support yet. From Gallup:Since there remains a sizable anti-Romney vote in the remaining very conservative states, Romney is going to continue losing some primaries to Rick Santorum in places like Louisiana. At this point, though, it appears the sense of inevitability about Romney...WW…

CommunityJust Say NowI love this infographic from the Brewers Association about the history of breweries because it shows what an immense different a few policy changes can make to an entire industry.After alcohol prohibition ended the rules adopted on beer regulation favored big players resulting in a steady concentration of the market to just a handful of breweries for decades.  But several regulatory changes starting in the 1970’s laid the groundwork for an explosion of new offerings.The big thing President Jimmy Carter did was legalize home brewing, allowing regular...…CommunityJust Say NowI love this infographic from the Brewers Association about the history of breweries because it shows what an immense different a few policy changes can make to an entire industry.After alcohol prohibition ended the rules adopted on beer regulation favored big players resulting in a steady concentration of the market to just a handful of breweries for decades.  But several regulatory changes starting in the 1970’s laid the groundwork for an explosion of new offerings.The big thing President Jimmy Carter did was legalize home brewing, allowing regular...WW…

(photo by holeymoon)The news yesterday was the Harry Reid would include a public option with an opt-out provision in the Senate bill. There has been Reid might not have the votes for the opt-out and might need to water it down to a public option “opt-in,” state-based public plans, or trigger. A public option opt-in and state-based public plans are two very different proposals that many in the media seems to be falsely equating.A true public option opt-in would be a national public option that states would need to actively opt in to. The federal government would create a single public option...…(photo by holeymoon)The news yesterday was the Harry Reid would include a public option with an opt-out provision in the Senate bill. There has been Reid might not have the votes for the opt-out and might need to water it down to a public option “opt-in,” state-based public plans, or trigger. A public option opt-in and state-based public plans are two very different proposals that many in the media seems to be falsely equating.A true public option opt-in would be a national public option that states would need to actively opt in to. The federal government would create a single public option...WW…

Investigations, series, special editions, and reporting by freelance journalists for ShadowproofSingle-payer advocates from center to left are obsessed with figuring out how to fully pay for universal health care. Here’s why that’s bad politics and bad policy.Jon Walker looks at the pros and cons of the ‘Medicare Extra For All’ health care plan published by the Center for American Progress.A tectonic shift occurred in the Democratic Party. The Center for American Progress, the powerful center-left establishment organization which sees itself as the Democratic White House in exile, released...…Investigations, series, special editions, and reporting by freelance journalists for ShadowproofSingle-payer advocates from center to left are obsessed with figuring out how to fully pay for universal health care. Here’s why that’s bad politics and bad policy.Jon Walker looks at the pros and cons of the ‘Medicare Extra For All’ health care plan published by the Center for American Progress.A tectonic shift occurred in the Democratic Party. The Center for American Progress, the powerful center-left establishment organization which sees itself as the Democratic White House in exile, released...WW…

Featured ReportingLatest NewsThe BullpenThe United States spends 7.2 percent points more of our gross domestic product (GDP) on health care than several industrialized countries. That is $1.3 trillion the country effectively wastes on health care without getting better health outcomes.This is such a large amount of money it is almost impossible to wrap one’s head around. But it’s important to highlight just what could be done with that much money.If the federal government could prevent all this wasted spending and capture the savings, the U.S. could provide everyone universal health care...…Featured ReportingLatest NewsThe BullpenThe United States spends 7.2 percent points more of our gross domestic product (GDP) on health care than several industrialized countries. That is $1.3 trillion the country effectively wastes on health care without getting better health outcomes.This is such a large amount of money it is almost impossible to wrap one’s head around. But it’s important to highlight just what could be done with that much money.If the federal government could prevent all this wasted spending and capture the savings, the U.S. could provide everyone universal health care...WW…