Specter: Schumer Has It Right On The Public Option

[waiting for hope]

By Brian Beutler - June 25, 2009, 4:15PM

Speaking moments ago to a large and animated crowd of union organizers and health reform advocates in a brewing house just North of the Capitol, Sen. Arlen Specter (D-PA) said he supports a public insurance option.

"Schumer has it right about having a public component," Specter said.

Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has taken a lead role on negotiations over the public option in the Senate Finance Committee, and earlier this year proposed a compromise: the committee's health care bill should include a public plan, he said, but one that competes on a level playing field with other insurers. Such an entity wouldn't be able to use its sheer size to set prices the way Medicare does--but it could nonetheless incur savings in a host of other ways, and in so doing drive down the cost of health insurance in the private market.

Perhaps more importantly, though, the Schumer proposal is in line with the principles of the major reform campaign Health Care for America Now--and, as such, just about every major health care and labor organization in the country.

Before Specter switched parties this spring--and for a brief period afterward--he said he did not support the public option. But as a Democrat he's facing different pressures--notably from Rep. Joe Sestak (D-PA) who plans to challenge Specter in next year's primary--and he's begun tacking to the left as a result.

HCAN hosted today's event, which also included rallying, lobbying, and other town halls with members of Congress. The Pennsylvania forum--which also featured a Sestak appearance--was a standing-room only affair. Both the ground floor and the balcony levels of the Capitol City Brewing Company were filled seemingly beyond capacity, with many guests forced to sit on the staircase or stand in the nearby entryway to the National Postal Museum.


More at Link

Frankly - if Specter wants to support Schumer and a public option, I don't give a rat's ass that he is an opportunist, at least he is realizing what the public wants.

[PM Martin]

1. Does this give you an additional vote towards passage

of the bill?
:shrug:

[waiting for hope]

2. Yes - it's the Senate that is holding things

up - with the Conservadems out to block this and the Republicans surly blocking, it's another vote.

[mdavies013]

4. I live in NC...I know Burr is against...but can't seem to get a straight answer from Kay Hagan's ...

office. She hasn't made up her mind. I'm starting to believe one of Dole's ads were right about not knowing where she stands...oh God...talk me down.

[mdavies013]

7. I have become a single issue voter on this...I would support Burr in re-election if he voted for....

a public option. Only once... I think I just threw up in my mouth.

[waiting for hope]

12. Get some mouthwash! Burr surprised me, once.

I got a letter back from him about three years ago when the stem cell stuff was up for a vote, I had fired letters off to all of them and writing back, he said supported it and voted for it. Like I said, though, he surprised, once. It looks like McIntyre may go for his seat.

[Dinger]

3. Go Joe Sestak!

Woo-hoo!:woohoo:

[JerseygirlCT]

5. Can someone explain something to me?

Why would it not be a good thing for the public option to use its size to set lower prices?

I don't understand this. It seems like when they did the drug thing, but didn't allow the gov't to demand the best prices.

[mdavies013]

6. Because it will hurt the insurers...and the shareholders...and we can't have that.

[JerseygirlCT]

10. That's what I was afraid of - but

what's the rationale given to cover up that fact? They must have some sort of argument about why that would be good.

[bobbolink]

8. I'm araid it's to set it up to fail. :( Yes, I'm cynical in my old age. :(

All of this is NUTZ!!!

HR 676 or bust!!

Call and express your displeasur.... I'm a-gunna!

[mdavies013]

9. I have called and have drawn my line in the sand...

If Senator/Representative/President supports REAL Public Option - I will donate time, money and vote for them for re-election.

If not - not one dime, not one minute and not one vote...EVER

[bobbolink]

13. thank you for your integrity!

If we would all take that stand, we might have a country again.....

Thanks!

ps....I assume John Kerry is off your list, given his 10-year "trigger"?!!!

What a load of crap! So long, Kerry!

[Zavulon]

11. Specter could come out and say that Jennifer Aniston should sleep with me and I still

wouldn't care what he says. He's a political whore of the worst kind, and regardless of the numbers I wish the Republicans could have kept him. Go, Joe, go, and give us a real Democrat in that seat the next time.

[politicasista]

14. Oh, I get it

People are praising him for his stance, yet a good liberal Dem's stance on this issue is distorted and people piled on it.

I guess no one, but two flamewars on him or "This is why I supported ______ for president" or other name calling, revisionist history spin.


Just sayin.