CBO Scoring Rep Weiner's Single Payer

[cal04]

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/10/20/795269/-CBO-Scoring-Rep-Weiners-Single-Payer:-Update
by Regina in a Sears Kit House

Hello everyone. I just couldn't stand it anymore, so I called Rep. Anthony Weiner's NY-09 office then at their request the DC office.

Me: Is Rep. Weiner's Single Payer amendment going to be scored by the Congressional Budget Office?
Nice person: Let me check.
Nice person: Yes, it's being scored right now. The rumor that the amendment will not come to the floor is not true. Any floor item must be scored.
Me: May I post this on DKos?
Nice person: You bet.
NY-09 Nice person: We sure have noticed a lot of comments about Rep. Weiner on the site.
Me: We like his outspoken support and straight talk about insurance companies and Single Payer.

I told them that it wouldn't surprise me if the cost was the best of all the bills on HCR. They both said they sure hope so.

This is a portion of an email letter I sent this August when we though all was lost...below the fold.


Since then members of Daily Kos have made lists of other possible names:

- Medicare for Everyone
- Medicare for Everyone, who wants it (choice)
- Universal Medicare
- Universal Medicare, opt in
- Americare (let the unpatriotic object)
- Medicare for All
I think you get the idea. There is no reason, your bill should not be the law. You have done a great job.

Can we reframe this? Words matter.

I send You Tube links of your speeches to everyone I know. They sell themselves.

The problems we are having selling this shift are:

- The phrasing and hot button words
- With five bills, no one knows what is going on. We want to help and need focus and simplicity.
Thank you very much. Your staff have been very polite and informed when I have called. Even though I am not in your constituency, they welcome my comments. I wish it was so with every other Senator and Representative especially those on key committees.

This is good news. I thanked them profusely and wished them luck.

I have heard several people such as Jay Rockefeller and Chuck Schumer say that the August teaparty month may have swung the momentum our way. I don't know why I felt that a little more time might help us get our message more focused and strenuous. It seems to be the case. Femlaw's diary encouraging calls today is going great. Check it out and call.

We have been so focused on the Senate, but there is fire from a number of reps in the House, on HCR.

Thank you everyone.

Update: This is my second diary in the world. I think we all need some good news. Would you like a list of all the name options? There are some good ones. I called Rep. Weiner's DC office back to let them know they are getting attention for their work. They are grateful.

[damntexdem]

1. Hmm, how much trust can we put in the CBO?

I mean, I know that they're professionals and all that. But still ............

[hootinholler]

3. Prove them wrong and they can go to jail.

That's how much you an trust them.

-Hoot

[MNDemNY]

2. But the president will likely veto single payer.

He has been a longtime critic of it. gobama.

[hootinholler]

4. Where did you get that bull?

I've not heard him criticize single payer, I have heard him say he didn't think it was achievable.

-Hoot

[MNDemNY]

5. He said it the same day he said he will fight hard for a public option.

[hootinholler]

6. Then how about an actual quote please.

I'd rather not repeat hearsay. Also please provide evidence of the longevity of his opposition to single payer.

-Hoot

[MNDemNY]

7. really??

:o :eyes:

[slipslidingaway]

8. There is no new information, just posted an update here...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=6818878&mesg_id=6819697

I read that back in August, last week the CBO finally returned my calls...
posted here.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=6750922&mesg_id=6750922

I've been told by Weiner's office that it is an amendment, then last week they said it was a bill, now they just told me it is an amendment.

When I asked if there was any new information since last week she said nothing has changed.

It has been sent to the CBO, but as the CBO explained to me last week, they are not obligated to score anything unless it has been reported out of committee.

I think we'll get some estimate, but it will be close to the time of the vote, the Democrats are in no hurry to have this information in the hands of the public.


Tue Oct-13-09 ...

From CBO today, they are only required to give estimates for bills that are reported out of committee.

Weiner may have asked for a score, but unless it is reported out of committee or pushed for a score by committee chairs or someone in a position of authority then many times they are not scored.

She said they try and work with members of Congress on other estimates, but even if they did that the estimate would not be published.

They have a staff of 250 and 50 people have been working solely on HC for months.

In summary someone needs to make it a priority for CBO and that has not been done.


From August 10, 2009

"Rep. Anthony Weiner: 'The CBO is performing a cost analysis of Single Payer over the August recess.'