Progressive Groups Target Baucus with Ad Backing Public Option

[ProSense]

Progressive Groups Target Baucus with Ad Backing Public Option

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By Dan Eggen

Two progressive groups continue their attacks on centrist Democrats today with an advertising campaign targeting Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.), whose role in attempting to forge a compromise health-care bill with Republicans has raised the ire of many liberals.

The ad from the Progressive Campaign Change Committee and Democracy for America comes as Baucus's Senate Finance Committee prepares to vote on a bill that likely will not contain a so-called public insurance option, which many liberals consider crucial to reform but which is strongly opposed by Republicans and private insurers.

The ad will be run in Montana and Washington, D.C., and features a young, uninsured father who faces more than $100,000 in medical bills because of a congenital heart defect.

"Senator Baucus, when you take millions of dollars from health and insurance interests that oppose reform and oppose giving families like mine the choice of a public option, I have to ask: whose side are you on?" asks Bing Perrine of Billings, Mont.

more

CNN: Baucus targeted by liberal groups in new ad

Full Script after the jump:

BING: My name is Bing Perrine and I live here in Billings, Montana, with my beautiful wife and baby boy. Last June, I collapsed because of congenital heart problems. I need open-heart surgery, but I have no insurance and no company will insure me.

My friends and family have been a blessing. With hearts as big as a Montana sky, they have helped with bake sales and benefits. But my wife and I still owe over $100,000 in medical bills.

None of this debt would have piled up if I had the option of buying into a public health insurance plan.

Private insurance companies need competition. They profit by denying care to people like me.

Senator Baucus, when you take millions of dollars from health and insurance interests that oppose reform — and oppose giving families like mine the choice of a public option — I have to ask: whose side are you on?

[Triana]

1. GOOD. Baucus needs to be smacked upside his vacuum-packed, greedy head with a progressive 2x4. n/t

[polichick]

2. How long before Rahm starts squawking again?? nt

[ProSense]

3. Rahm has nothing to do with this. n/t

[polichick]

4. Yet. He'll trash progressives for it, same as he did last time...

And then the prez might say that he doesn't like to see Democrats going after other Democrats, like he did last time.

(Unless they've finally learned that the progressives had it right all along.)

[SpartanDem]

5. What do you expect him say

you think anyone in would WH publically endorse something like that? Even if they really do feel that way who cares go after them anyway.

[polichick]

6. imo the WH doesn't need to comment on ads like this...

But if they do (say, if they are asked about it), they could refrain from throwing progressives under the bus.

Of course, I agree that it doesn't matter what the WH says ~ progressives should keep on fighting.

[tabbycat31]

7. I got this email about Baucus

Caroline -

Watch the ad and contribute to get it on the air
Last week, Montana Senator Max Baucus released his healthcare bill from the Senate Finance Committee he chairs. And even though Sen. Baucus has claimed he would vote for a public option if it is in the final healthcare bill, his own Senate bill doesn't include one.

That's right; as it stands right now the Baucus bill is a bad bill that doesn't include the choice of a public option.

It's time to turn up the heat on Senator Baucus back home. Our newest hard-hitting ad, with our campaign partners at the Progressive Change Campaign Committee, features Bing Perrine, a young father whose family is struggling with over $100,000 in medical debt because of his heart problems. No private insurance company will cover him.

Bing's story is our story. If we let insurance companies kill real reform, this will continue to happen in America and next time it could be you or me. It's time for Senator Baucus to decide whose side he's on.

WATCH THE AD AND CONTRIBUTE TO GET IT ON THE AIR

The good news is Senators Rockefeller and Schumer have proposed amendments to the Baucus bill which would include a public option. The Senate Finance Committee could start voting on these amendments as soon as tomorrow.

An August Research 2000 poll shows more Montana voters want a public option than oppose it. Senator Baucus can still do the right thing. He could show real leadership and get these amendments passed in committee on a party line vote.

While insurance companies try to buy Sen. Baucus with D.C. lobbyists and millions of dollars in contributions, it's up to us to remind him what's really at stake: Montana families like the Perrines.

This is about the America we all want to live in. Either Max Baucus will stand with majority of Americans and pass a public option, or he'll stand alone for reelection. Tell Senator Baucus it's time to pick a side.

TAKE ACTION NOW

We can only put this ad on TV -- and use it to pressure Max Baucus -- if thousands of folks chip in. Thank you in advance for your support.

Thanks to you, we will pass healthcare reform including a public option this year.

-Charles

Charles Chamberlain, Political Director
Democracy for America