Landrieu On Health Care Reform: 'Doing Nothing Is Not An Option'...Unless, Perhaps, It Includes A Public Option

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

Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA)

By Brian Beutler, TPM

In the stately Mansfield room, where Democrats meet for their weekly caucus lunch just off the Senate floor, Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA), appeared this morning alongside Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) and a number of entrepreneurs from around the country, at an event dedicated to the idea that health care reform is crucial to the survival of small businesses in America.

It was at once fitting and unusual for Landrieu to appear at this pro-reform event. On the one hand, as chair of the Small Business Committee, how could she miss it. But on the other, she's one of a handful of conservative Democrats openly suggesting she might support a Republican health care filibuster, particularly if the public option in the Senate bill isn't affixed to some sort of trigger mechanism.

About nine minutes in Landrieu channeled her inner Democrat. "While we may not yet completely agree on all of the specific details," Landrieu said, "one thing we can all agree on is doing nothing is not an option."

A breakthrough? A signal that she'd been won over by a majority of senators and the vast majority in her caucus who support the reform effort? She didn't want to stick around to clarify. Moments before the Q&A session was set to begin, Landrieu slunk out the side door, leaving Harkin at the podium with the dozens of assembled guests.

Of course, most of the reporters in the room had already left, and were running down the hallway to catch up with the Louisiana senator before she'd reached the elevators down to the subway and the safety of her office.

As it turns out, she's not actually ready to commit to giving the bill an up or down vote. "That's the goal of this, is to give people more affordable choices, not just one, you know, government subsidized program, but more affordable choices in the private sector."

The public option proposals in both the House and the Senate would actually be prevented from receiving a government subsidy. Landrieu supports Sen. Olympia Snowe's proposal, to trigger a public option as a fall back if private insurance doesn't succeed at lowering premiums without public competition. Liberals in both the House and Senate deplore that compromise, but Landrieu says, "I wouldn't count it out."

The exchange highlights the uncomfortable position conservative Democrats find themselves in as health care bills makes in both chambers approach the floor. The different public options in each proposal have already been substantially watered down, and, though conservative Dems are skeptical of the idea, they may find themselves faced with the question of whether a small measure, extremely popular with the Democratic base, is worth tanking the entire, months long effort.

I asked Landrieu whether she can imagine going from "doing nothing is not an option" to voting to filibuster the final bill. "I can imagine fighting hard for what those people in there want, which is many affordable choices."

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/11...t.php?ref=fpblg

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Hey, if they can figure out how to give us affordable options entirely within the private sector, more power to them. I am skeptical and continue to believe a public option is necessary, but I've been wrong about most things.

[rebeccajo 14]

Hey, if they can figure out how to give us affordable options entirely within the private sector, more power to them. I am skeptical and continue to believe a public option is necessary, but I've been wrong about most things.

The question is - what is affordable? What is 'affordable' going to be without an employer subsidy? Most people could not afford the insurance they have now if their employer wasn't paying most of the premium.

I really have my doubts that the private sector is going to offer 'affordable' premiums to straight-out buyers. Not for decent coverage anyway. I think all we will possibly see is wider promotion of catastrophic plans.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

I think all we will possibly see is wider promotion of catastrophic plans.

In combination with more primary health clinics, that might not be such a bad thing.

[Kevin and 10]

We have to deal with insurance companies who are beholden to share holders or .GOV who are beholden to companies and lobby groups. Neither one is out for our best interests.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

My solution: Green cards for any doctor who wishes to move to America to teach medicine. Let's have a doctor in every family!

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

My solution: Green cards for any doctor who wishes to move to America to teach medicine. Let's have a doctor in every family!

Just imagine what this would do to the world population growth. I mean all the poor suckers in the third world wouldn't have doctors available anymore and would just die off in large numbers. More room and resources for the worthy, I suppose...