Breaking News On Big Ed!

[berni_mccoy]

1. Rockefeller affirms there will be a public option. The AHIP PWC report has ticked off plenty of Dems and they are taking it as a threat that the Insurance Industry are about to spike rates.
2. The House is busy drafting legislation that would punish the Insurance Industry for any sort of rate increase prior to the HCR becoming effective. Windfall profit tax, anti-gouging law, etc. They are taking the threat seriously.
3. Rockefeller, Menendez and other Progressive Senators will be on the bill merger committee and will be key in merging the HELP and Finance Committee bills.
4. Rockefeller himself was assured by President Obama after the Finance Committee bill passed that Obama will be putting the pressure on to pass a Strong PO in the Senate
5. Menendez says a PO will be part of the Senate Bill that goes to conference. The President will get a bill on his desk to sign that includes a Strong PO.

Rockefeller's final words to Big Ed were "Keep the Faith!"