Key Democrats back off public option

[Better Believe It]

Key Democrats back off public option (MSNcom. front page)
Clock ticking on bipartisan health compromise
‘Gang of Six’ meeting today to discuss Baucus’ new proposal
Associated Press
September 8, 2009


WASHINGTON - Prospects for a government insurance plan appeared to be sinking fast Tuesday as lawmakers returned to Capitol Hill a day ahead of a major health care speech by President Barack Obama.

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., told reporters a Medicare-like plan for middle-class Americans and their families isn't essential for him to back legislation. Hoyer's comments came shortly after a key Democratic moderate said he could no longer back a bill that includes a new government plan.

The fast-moving developments left liberals in a quandary. Progressives have drawn a line, saying they won't vote for legislation if it doesn't include a public plan to compete with private insurance companies and force them to lower costs.

Hoyer prefaced his comments by saying he supports a public option and considers it "of vital importance." But is it a must-have?

"I think there is a lot in the bill that is very good in addition to the public option," Hoyer responded. "If the public option were not in there I could still support a bill, because I think there is a lot in there that is good."

He added: "In the final analysis, we'll have to come down to see what we can pass."

Hoyer's comments followed a 180-degree turn by Rep. Mike Ross, D-Ark., who took the lead in July in negotiating changes to House Democrats' health overhaul bill to make it more palatable to moderates. He voted for the legislation in committee with a public plan.

But Ross said Tuesday that after hearing from constituents during the August recess he could not support a bill with a public plan.

Please read the complete article at:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32733321/ns/politics-health_care_reform

[dionysus]

1. if i didn't know better, i'd think that all you do is post articles that make dems look bad. oh wait

that *is* all you do.

[Hutzpa]

14. lol.

[ProSense]

2. Hoyer said this same thing weeks ago. n/t

[DJ13]

3. Key Democrats signal they will welcome a new GOP majority in 2010

These idiots could have had it all, but they sold their constituents out for the money offered by the insurance corporations.

[lamp_shade]

4. This is news?

[Parker CA]

5. Obama, Pelosi, Reid have all reaffirmed their desire for a public option. I'd say those are "key."

[Jennicut]

6. A lot more key the the people in the article the OP posted

[Sebastian Doyle]

7. The DINO Ross never really supported it at all

And Steny WHORE (no offense to sex workers) is one of the corporate backstabbers who will say they're for a public option, but really want some fucking RomneyCare bullshit that will enrich their bank accounts at the expense of those who can least afford it.

[Better Believe It]

8. Key Liberals Willing to Bargain

Key Liberals Willing to Bargain
Sept. 8, 2009
By Tory Newmyer and Steven T. Dennis
Roll Call Staff

Amid fresh signs that the White House is preparing to back a scaled-down health care overhaul that would only include a public insurance option as a fallback plan, several House liberals told Roll Call that they could support such a bill depending on how it was structured.

The “trigger” approach has been considered a deal-killer by liberals on and off Capitol Hill, and the willingness of some Congressional Progressive Caucus members to entertain it reflects a recognition that a bruising August recess has imperiled prospects for reform and redrawn expectations for what is possible.

“This is a way to get a bill,” Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-N.J.) said. “I believe it’s worth listening to because I want legislation that is going to, in some shape or form, expand coverage and bring down the cost of health care.”

“I don’t want to give the impression that I’m so flexible that I’m willing to compromise away meaningful reform,” Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.) said. “But there may be a variety of ways of getting there than the one I originally formulated in my mind.”

In advance of a make-or-break address to a joint session of Congress on Wednesday, President Barack Obama took the temperature of leading House liberals on a Friday conference call. Leaders of the Progressive Caucus, the Congressional Black Caucus, the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus sat in on the call and reiterated their support for a strong public insurance option, Progressive Caucus Co-Chairwoman Lynn Woolsey (D-Calif.) said. Obama did not make any definitive statements and asked for a follow-up meeting today or Wednesday.

“It sounded like he was trying to figure out how he could get something he could call a public option, regardless of what it is,” one staffer familiar with the call said.

Please read the complete article at:

http://www.rollcall.com/issues/55_21/news/38236-1.html?type=printer_friendly

[YOY]

9. How many times can they repeat that?

n/t

[damntexdem]

10. Not just reform seems to be sinking -- so to the Democratic majority.

Not to mention the Obama Administration. I'm still waiting to see whether Obama can pull this one out.

[Dr Fate]

11. Elected DEMS agree with conservatives more than the DEM base? Golly- what a huge suprise. n/t

n/t

[quantass]

12. Without the Public Option anything left in the Bill is a waste of time and could actually hurt nt

[quantass]

13. My God...Why bother voting them in when they end up voting their constituents out...

They each make a minimum of $172,000 each year with free Healthcare and other purks like modern governement vehicles and yet when ti comes to an issue that is backed by a majority of Americans they are willing to dump it out of fear of what i dont know? Your voters want it and you say no...wouldnt taht hurt your chances at re-election?