Reid Signals Support for Public Option Via Reconciliation

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

In a potential breakthrough for the public option, and for saving comprehensive healthcare reform, Harry Reid’s office is saying that if the final decision is made to push helathcare reform via reconciliation, Reid would support including the public option. Greg Sargent:

With more and more Senators signing on to the letter urging Reid to hold an up or down vote on the public option under reconciliation rules, Reid spokesman Rodell Mollineau sends over a statement signaling Reid’s qualified support for the move:

Senator Reid has always and continues to support the public option as a way to drive down costs and create competition. That is why he included the measure in his original health care proposal.

If a decision is made to use reconciliation to advance health care, Senator Reid will work with the White House, the House, and members of his caucus in an effort to craft a public option that can overcome procedural obstacles and secure enough votes.

That’s a fairly big step forward: Up until now, Reid, while supporting the public option throughout the process, had been silent on whether he’d support a reconciliation vote on it.

What still has to happen: support from 50 Dem Senators to use the reconciliation process, and an agreement with the House on sequencing of votes. But this is signficant, as Sargent notes: “for the first time, the Majority Leader’s office has now said that a reconciliation vote on the public option is a real possibilty.”

link

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=243038

not the same, but a related story

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

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=243038

not the same, but a related story

from your article:

Those agreements are likely to be combined as a privileged budget reconciliation bill, which only needs a simple 51-vote majority to pass the 100-member Senate instead of the 60-vote supermajority that has become routine in the Senate and gives Republicans power to block the healthcare bill.

"I believe that's the path we are going to take," a senior congressional Democratic aide said.

It's the only way they can pass health care reform at this point.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

There's still a lot of Senators that need to grow a pair before that happens. I'm not sure that's going to happen. For their own sake, they should make it happen but I don't have a lot of faith in their ability to notice the obvious.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

There's still a lot of Senators that need to grow a pair before that happens. I'm not sure that's going to happen. For their own sake, they should make it happen but I don't have a lot of faith in their ability to notice the obvious.

They might of had a deal, but now the Progressive Caucus wants to rewrite the bill again, to extend Medicare to everyone. That should just about be the last nail in the coffin come Tuesday.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

They might of had a deal, but now the Progressive Caucus wants to rewrite the bill again, to extend Medicare to everyone. That should just about be the last nail in the coffin come Tuesday.

Actually, that's the most popular provision of the health care bill - access to a government-run health care insurance option. This is what will get the progressives out to vote this fall. It's also largely popular with the independents. So, a basic sense of self-preservation should bring about the support necessary to get it passed.

Edited February 21, 2010 by Mr. Big Dog

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Actually, that's the most popular provision of the health care bill - access to a government-run health care insurance option. This is what will get the progressives out to vote this fall. It's also largely popular with the independents. So, a basic sense of self-preservation should bring about the support necessary to get it passed.

Reid, Pelosi, and Obama, penciled a bill they think will get a mere majority in both houses, with no public option. What Woolsey was saying this morning is a game changer, and will give the moderates an excuse not to support the bill. It's the moderates that are hearing the pounding on the door, not the far left with safe districts back home.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Reid, Pelosi, and Obama, penciled a bill they think will get a mere majority in both houses, with no public option. What Woolsey was saying this morning is a game changer, and will give the moderates an excuse not to support the bill. It's the moderates that are hearing the pounding on the door, not the far left with safe districts back home.

The long and short of it is that the public option - a true public option rather than the watered down public option passed by the House which is unavailable to the majority of the public - makes sense since, coupled with basic health insurance regulation, it is the only short term solution for private insurance premium increases. It also remains true that such public option as a competitive measure against PHI is very popular in the country. If the Dems don't get one passed, they'll pay dearly at the polls in November. Their base won't show. And rightfully so.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

The long and short of it is that the public option - a true public option rather than the watered down public option passed by the House which is unavailable to the majority of the public - makes sense since, coupled with basic health insurance regulation, it is the only short term solution for private insurance premium increases. It also remains true that such public option as a competitive measure against PHI is very popular in the country. If the Dems don't get one passed, they'll pay dearly at the polls in November. Their base won't show. And rightfully so.

Whatever passes. if indeed something does pass, it will be a bandaid at best. Obama couldn't even admit yesterday that Social Security will pay out more this year (and the next as well) than they are taking in. He did admit that Medicare is worse shape, unmanageable in fact, and unless healthcare costs are brought under control, then the system is doomed to failure.

You and I both know the answer, but that is not what is on the table. If Woolsey, et al, actually put forth the legislation they really want, then I would support that. But, that won't even get more than a handfull of votes. The Progressive Caucus want to sabotage this bill, as much as the Republicans do.

[Pooky 3,930]

Right now, the President has the right take on this, and his Democrat colleagues in Congress don't.

Obama wants to revisit the legislation and try the bipartisan route to reach a widely acceptable form of healthcare reform. Democrats in Congress want to bulldoze through what they've managed to cobble together on a partisan basis. If they do so, they are quite likely to leave the President facing a Republican obstructionist controlling Congress, a la Nancy Pelosi in the last 2 years of BushBaby, basically hamstringing the last 2 years of his first term, much as the Democrats have done to his first year.

The majority of this country support healthcare reform. They just don't support what's out there at the moment. Doesn't that make you think? Or do you just want to see something done, regardless of whether it's the right thing or not?

[mawilson 2,133]

All they need are 51 votes. Not 60.

If the Republicans threaten a filibuster, call their bluff and let them filibuster until they're blue in the face -

remember that no food, drink or sitting allowed. Let them get up there and read the Bible for 10 hours

straight.