Maybe Jindal Backs the Dems Plan, Too

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

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal ® had an op-ed on health care policy yesterday, making the conservative case for reform. We talked a bit yesterday about the ways in which Jindal, who declared the end of the debate on reform, is confused about public opinion. But let's take a closer look at the substance here. Jindal presented a 10-point agenda, which he argued would "increase the affordability and quality of health care," and would "offer a path forward toward significant bipartisan reform."

Timothy Stoltzfus Jost scrutinized several of the specific ideas in Jindal's 10-point plan, and found them familiar.

First he calls for purchasing pools to allow individuals and small businesses to get better deals on health insurance -- that is precisely what the exchanges are, which have been in the bill since the beginning.

Second, portability. Allowing individuals and small groups to purchase through the exchanges with affordability subsidies allows people to continue to be insured when the leave their jobs without undermining our employment-based insurance system. Requiring coverage for pre-existing conditions? Has Jindal read any of the legislation, or listened to the news about it for the past 6 months? Transparency and payment reform -- that's in the bills as well. Indeed, what Jindal is really talking about here is comparative effectiveness research. He needs to have a talk with his fellow Republicans who have been railing against CER as a devious government plot.

Electronic medical records? They are part of this bill and were in the ARRA as well.... Reward healthy lifestyle choices? Again, read the bills, which do provide incentives for wellness and prevention. Cover young adults on their parents policies? Have you read any of the legislation? This is in the Senate HELP bill. Tax credits to purchase health insurance? That is the whole point of the affordability credits. The only issue raised by Jindal not already in the bill is that old Republican whipping horse, tort reform. Indeed, even this is in the Finance Committee bill.

Maybe we should include the Louisiana governor on the (growing) list of Republican who support Democratic health care reform plans?

Ezra Klein took a closer look at Jindal's proposal and reached the same conclusion as Jost: "It's a bit hard to 'lead' on health-care reform when your brand-new proposals are about to be passed by the other party.... At the beginning of his op-ed, Jindal laments that 'a majority of so-called Republican strategists believe that health care is a Democratic issue.' But the rest of his op-ed simply proves that they're right."

Keep a couple of relevant angles in mind here. First, Jindal is one of a small number of prominent Republican leaders who at least seems to take health care policy seriously -- before seeking elected office, he spent nearly all of his career working on the issue -- and considers himself a genuine "wonk." When presenting specific ideas he thinks the GOP can get behind, Jindal ended up pointing to measures Democrats already support.

And second, this only helps reinforce the fact that Dems have embraced ideas that Republicans used to support, before they decided undermining the White House was their top priority.

Democrats, in other words, have already presented an approach that should enjoy bipartisan support. Jindal's piece doesn't present an alternative, so much as it reinforces the value of the Dems' pitch.

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

There are a few Republicans out there that rightfully realize that the Congressional GOP strategery on health care reform is going to hurt the GOP in 2010 and beyond. Too bad that those smart guys are all labeled RINO's by the fundis and fanatics of the party that are maneuvering the GOP into irrelevance.

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

There are a few Republicans out there that rightfully realize that the Congressional GOP strategery on health care reform is going to hurt the GOP in 2010 and beyond. Too bad that those smart guys are all labeled RINO's by the fundis and fanatics of the party that are maneuvering the GOP into irrelevance.

Yep. Centrists views are the ones who have a future. Opposing a solution based on ideological grounds is just making the Far Right look even more out of touch with everyday Americans.

[Joseph & Ana 0]

Jindal has been weak from the beginning. He's no contender for 2012. He's as interesting as a hole in the wall.

There will be no public option.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Jindal has been weak from the beginning. He's no contender for 2012. He's as interesting as a hole in the wall.

As I said...

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

Jindal has been weak from the beginning. He's no contender for 2012. He's as interesting as a hole in the wall.

As I said...

lol...another one thrown under the bus.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Add Arnie, Thommy Thompson, Bill Frist to the list. I specifically like the way Frist tells the Congressional Republicans in no uncertain terms that they lack leadership. Right on the money.

Schwarzenegger Says He Supports Health Care Reform

Posted by Stephanie Condon

(CBS)California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger issued a statement today in support of health care reform, making him the latest Republican to endorse the reform efforts currently underway.

"As governor, I have made significant efforts to advance health reform in California," Schwarzenegger said in a statement passed on by the White House. "Our principal goals, slowing the growth in costs, enhancing the quality of care delivered, improving the lives of individuals, and helping to ensure a strong economic recovery, are the same goals that [President Obama] is trying to achieve. I appreciate his partnership with the states and encourage our colleagues on both sides of the political aisle at the national level to move forward and accomplish these vital goals for the American people."

The White House also made note on Monday of the praise former Bush administration official Tommy Thompson gave for the health care legislation under development in the Senate Finance Committee. Thompson, the former Health and Human Services Secretary during the Bush administration and former governor of Wisconsin, released a statement with former House Majority Leader ####### Gephardt.

"The bill that the Senate Finance Committee will vote out for consideration by the full Senate this week is another important step toward achieving the goal of health care reform this year. It moves us down the path of providing affordable high-quality health care for all and expanding coverage for millions," the statement says. "Failure to reach an agreement on health reform this year is not an acceptable option... We urge our former colleagues in Congress to work with President Obama and leaders in both houses and both parties to hammer out a final agreement this year based on common sense principles to ensure that quality care is affordable for every American."

Meanwhile, former Republican Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist told Time magazine on Friday that while he does not approve of all the proposals Democrats have included in health care legislation, he would ultimately vote in favor of reform.

"I would end up voting for it," he told Time. "As leader, I would take heat for it. ... That's what leadership is all about."

Frist said he is in favor of stricter regulations on insurance companies to protect consumers as well as a mandate for all Americans to acquire health care. He said, however, that the legislation currently under consideration does not do enough to control costs.

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, a former Republican now registered as an independent, put out his own statement.

"The health reform proposal that Congress will shortly consider is shaping up to merit broad, bipartisan support, incorporating Republican ideas and earning deserved support from Republican leaders," it says. "The approach has great potential to reduce costs for families, businesses and government at every level over the long term, while extending coverage to many millions of the uninsured and investing in proven, cost-effective public health strategies."

Bloomberg, who is running for re-election, won the endorsement today of John Podesta, CEO of the liberal think tank the Center for American Progress and Mr. Obama's presidential transition team leader.

[Joseph & Ana 0]

The people you mentioned are all weak. They were never thrown from any bus because they were never on the conservative bus to begin with. If you consider any of them conservative then you don't know what a conservative is.

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

The people you mentioned are all weak. They were never thrown from any bus because they were never on the conservative bus to begin with. If you consider any of them conservative then you don't know what a conservative is.

Bill Frist was Senate Majority Leader. You're making a fool of yourself here.

[Joseph & Ana 0]

How does Bill Frist being senate majority leader make him a conservative? You're making a fool of yourself by not making any sense.

He's always been weak.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

He's so weak that Dennis Kucinich could roundhouse kick him into submission.

And he's so Republican that he'd probably get off on it.

[Joseph & Ana 0]

He's so weak that Dennis Kucinich could roundhouse kick him into submission.

And he's so Republican that he'd probably get off on it.

Whatever gets your jollies.. He was just weak.

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

How does Bill Frist being senate majority leader make him a conservative? You're making a fool of yourself by not making any sense.

He's always been weak.

So when you say weak, what you mean is that he is too Centrist for your Far Right taste?

[Joseph & Ana 0]

How does Bill Frist being senate majority leader make him a conservative? You're making a fool of yourself by not making any sense.

He's always been weak.

So when you say weak, what you mean is that he is too Centrist for your Far Right taste?

Right to @#$@^ liberal. Which means he is not conservative, which means he was never thrown from the conservative bus, which means the bus comment is moot.

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

How does Bill Frist being senate majority leader make him a conservative? You're making a fool of yourself by not making any sense.

He's always been weak.

So when you say weak, what you mean is that he is too Centrist for your Far Right taste?

Right to @#$@^ liberal. Which means he is not conservative, which means he was never thrown from the conservative bus, which means the bus comment is moot.

So which Republicans are Centrists and not liberal wolves in sheep's clothing?