The ball’s in Reid’s court: Passing the public option

[kpete]

Source: Las Vegas Sun

The ball’s in Reid’s court: Passing the public option

A majority of Americans support the public option, including a slim majority of Nevadans, according to polls.

As the Senate begins the health care debate in earnest this week, these divisions will test core Democratic beliefs and Reid’s ability to devise a compromise that can keep his 60-member caucus operating as one.

“Make no mistake, Sen. Reid, and Sen. Reid alone, controls the fate of the public option and whether or not millions of Americans get coverage without the stranglehold of big insurance corporations,” Jane Hamsher, president of the progressive Firedoglake blog, wrote in a statement. The blog’s political arm is urging Reid, if necessary, to use a procedure known as reconciliation, which would require 51 votes, rather than 60, to ensure the public option stays in the bill.

Read more: http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/nov/29/balls-reids-court-passing-public-option/

[yurbud]

1. email him directly, or call:

DC Address: The Honorable Harry Reid
United States Senate
522 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510-2803
DC Phone: [phone]
DC Fax: [phone]
Email Address: http://reid.senate.gov/contact/index.cfm

[pattmarty]

2. My prediction at 1024/30, is there will be NO public option in the final bill.

My understanding of the "bill" at this stage is, no more pre-existing conditions (good), no more monetary "caps" on policy coverage and that's it. I still don't see where there is anything that will hold the cost of insurance down (no or very weak public option pretty much guarantees cost increases) and am extremely worried about the copay percentages and out of pocket costs. At this stage I am against THIS bill. My opinion what should be done now is covering the companies under the anti trust provisions and the pre existing conditions and "caps". This could be done under relatively small and non controversial bill and we would have at the very least SOME actual reform. If this bill passes the insurance companies will be in an extremely strong position as far as power and wealth and we WILL NEVER PASS Medicare for all. So, go for the important "fixes" now in a non controversial bill and in the future (hopefully when there is a more progressive House/Senate) go for the Medicare for all enchilada.

[h9socialist]

3. I do not envy Senator Reid . . .

. . . he's got problems on the left and right, in a house of Congress notorious for being the graveyard of good ideas. I'm willing to go along with a piece of legislation that constitutes some progress. We can't go through another debacle like Clinton-care in 1994.

Frankly, I want to see something that looks like the British National Health System -- single payer is itself a compromise. Losing this fight will keep healthcare reform on the backburner for another quarter century. Get what can be got and keeping fighting!

[winyanstaz]

4. I won't hold my breath...

I fully expect the American taxpayers to be screwed yet again.