"Reid Issues Statement On Tentative Health Reform Deal Reached Tuesday Night"

[Clio the Leo]

Reid Issues Statement On Tentative Health Reform Deal Reached Tuesday Night
Versha Sharma | December 8, 2009, 9:28PM

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid made the following statement tonight:

"This has been a long journey. We have confronted many hurdles, and tonight I believe we have overcome yet another one.

"I asked Senators Schumer and Pryor to work with some of the most moderate and most progressive members of our diverse caucus, and tonight they have come to a consensus.

"It is a consensus that includes a public option and will help ensure the American people win in two ways: one, insurance companies will face more competition, and two, the American people will have more choices.

"I know not all 10 Senators in the room agree on every single detail of this, nor will all 60 members of my caucus. But I know we all appreciate the hard work that these progressives and moderates have done to move this historic debate forward.

"I want to thank Senators Schumer, Pryor, Brown, Carper, Feingold, Harkin, Landrieu, Lincoln, Nelson and Rockefeller for working together for the greater good and never losing sight of our shared goal: making it possible for every American to afford to live a healthy life.

"As is long-standing practice, we do not disclose details of any proposal before the Congressional Budget Office has a chance to evaluate it. We will wait for that to happen, but in the meantime, tonight we are confident."

http://tpmlivewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/12/reid-issues-statement-on-tentative-health-reform-deal-reached-tuesday-night.php?ref=fpa

The fact that all of the moderate holdouts (sans Lieberman) have apparently worked out something along with Schumer and Rockefeller is VERY good news. (Lincoln, Nelson, Landrieu)

[ProSense]

1. Well, that settles that:

"It is a consensus that includes a public option..."

[Clio the Leo]

2. "Consensus" ..... "consensus?"

I thought that was a NAUGHTY word on Capitol Hill. :)

[IndianaGreen]

3. staffers kicked out of room when Senators neared a deal

Other news outlets are walking back reports that the public option has been scotched from the Senate health care bill, after Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid insisted the popular provision is still alive.

Apparently the confusion isn't just among the news outlets.

We hear from a Senate Democratic aide that offices are being deluged with calls after the "tentative deal" the health care gang of 10 reached tonight.

The aide tells TPMDC even Reid senior staff are trying to piece it together.

The bottom line is they "swear" the public option is "not dead," the aide said.

"Few outside ten members themselves have details, including Reid," the aide said, adding that staffers were kicked out of the negotiating room when they neared a deal.

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/12/few-know-details-of-health-care-deal-but-aides-say-public-option-not-dead.php?ref=fpblg

[Kdillard]

4. Cool so hopefully the CBO numbers look good and more importantly

The details will make sense for the public. I am comforted that it seems to be soemthing progressives and moderates can live with going forward.

[Peacetrain]

5. Looks better and better as the night goes on

[DrToast]

6. I'll hold my fire because Rockefeller has agreed

If they've convinced him, I'm willing to hear about the deal and give it a fair shake.

I may not like it, but I'll listen.

[Clio the Leo]

7. This could be the dawning of the age of Aquarius....

.... harmony and love will envelop DU ..... at least until tomorrow! lol

[Clio the Leo]

8. White House' statement.....

Progress in the Senate on Health Reform
Posted by Dan Pfeiffer on December 08, 2009 at 10:48 PM EST

Senators are making great progress and we're pleased that they're working together to find common ground toward options that increase choice and competition.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2009/12/08/progress-senate-health-reform

Althought it IS pretty sad that they're applauding two groups on "working together" and BOTH of those groups are Democrats. lol