Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania is on board with the public-option plan sketched out by Sen. Chuck Schumer

[one...two...tree 2,762]

By Brian Beutler

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.

"Health care is a right," Specter said. "Your presence here has a big effect. You will get health care this year."

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/06...n.php?ref=fpblg

[Sofiyya 1,687]

The president, justices and the members of Congress have a brilliant and generous health care plan, which our tax dollars pay for. They will exempt themselves from the public one. If they don't want the plan they write for others for themselves, why should their constituants want it? Obama skirted around the question about if he would use his considerable resourses to get proper care for a family member that was not available under the public plan. He can't bring himself to admit that even after his plan would be implemented, there would still be no fairness in health care delivery.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Let's define "fairness in health care delivery" if we want to talk about that. I don't think that there has been a debate or proposal that suggests that everyone will have the same access to anything and everything available in the medical field today. That's not what health care reform is about. People with vast resources will always be able to afford more than others - that isn't going to change. I think what we're talking about is affording access to a reasonable set of medical care options to everyone.

This isn't some experiment or new territory - this is done today in every other developed country at a far lower per capita cost than what is currently afforded to only parts of the population of this country.

[Down With PMP 0]

This isn't some experiment or new territory - this is done today in every other developed country at a far lower per capita cost than what is currently afforded to only parts of the population of this country.

But this is America, the shining city on the hill. Things are different here. We do our own work in America, pull our own weight. Why, last month I surgically removed a tumor from myself with a kitchen knife while on a conference call for work.

If you want a European-style nanny state where you go to the fancy-shmancy hospital and get sponge baths by busty european nurses, please go to your nearest international airport.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

This isn't some experiment or new territory - this is done today in every other developed country at a far lower per capita cost than what is currently afforded to only parts of the population of this country.

But this is America, the shining city on the hill. Things are different here. We do our own work in America, pull our own weight. Why, last month I surgically removed a tumor from myself with a kitchen knife while on a conference call for work.

If you want a European-style nanny state where you go to the fancy-shmancy hospital and get sponge baths by busty european nurses, please go to your nearest international airport.

Thank you for your thoughtful contribution to this discussion. Much appreciated.

[Down With PMP 0]

Sucking on some government teat is a known therapy for crankiness.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Sucking on some government teat is a known therapy for crankiness.

Again, your thoughtful contribution is appreciated.

[Sofiyya 1,687]

Edited June 27, 2009 by Sofiyya

[HYENA 4]

Specter...isn't that the ghost of Chrismas past? Isn't he supposed to be demon possessed?

Maybe I shouldn't take a job in PA after all! (I'm running to hide under the covers)