Ron Wyden is against the health care public option. Wants to get 70 yes votes.

[madfloridian]

And since he wants that, he can not let the public option in. This is amazing. The one working FOR the public option, Howard Dean, is not mentioned in the article from The Hill. Just Wyden, making it sound like he is right. Amazing how our media works.

Wyden is winning over the GOP on healthcare

Indeed he is. He is winning them over by giving up on the option for a government run public option, for a Medicare that is open to everyone. Just giving up so he can get 70 votes.

Republicans are so impressed with Wyden’s bill that some are convinced he represents President Obama’s best chance for getting major healthcare reform signed into law this Congress.

And while Democratic Sens. Edward Kennedy (Mass.) and Max Baucus (Mont.) may chair the committees charged with shepherding the bill through the Senate, Wyden, a 6-foot-4 former college basketball player, has his own advantage: a standing invitation to play hoops with the president at the White House, which may come in handy when hashing out the final details behind the scenes.

For Wyden, the key to passing lasting healthcare reform is finding a legislative solution that can win at least 70 votes in the Senate — and he’s not shy about letting Democrats know that means dropping thoughts of a government-run public plan for the entire nation.

To make his case, he has met individually with more than 80 Senate colleagues to discuss his proposals. He has envisioned his role as neutral broker so vividly that during the height of the Democratic presidential primary, Wyden refused to back either Obama or then-Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.).

On the issue here are Wyden's closest allies.

Wyden counts among his closest friends Sens. Bob Bennett (R-Utah), who is a confidant of Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.), and Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), who is widely respected and has a knack for persuading colleagues to support compromises. Bennett has signed on as the chief GOP co-sponsor of Wyden’s bill and has persuaded two other members of the Senate Republican leadership to join him: Senate Republican Conference Chairman Lamar Alexander (Tenn.) and Sen. Judd Gregg (N.H.).

The blog at Campus Progress points out some other sides to this issue of the public option. It even mentions Howard Dean's efforts which most articles just ignore.

Public Option Enemy #1

Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR), who has been championing his competing health care plan, declared to Politico that a bill with a public option would be unlikely to gain universal support. John McDonough, top aide for HELP Chairman Ted Kennedy, told Congressional Quarterly before Obama even took office that policymakers might have to scrap the public option to pass health reform. Now, Howard Dean is launching a grassroots campaign on the issue, asking voters to sign a petition declaring that “Any legislation without the choice of a public option is only insurance reform and not the healthcare reform America needs.”

Amid the hullabaloo, it’s easy for the non-wonks to get confused. The public option may seem like an unimportant detail, but it’s not. Many health care experts consider it a key component of health care reform resulting in lowered costs and increased access to health care. According to some activists, young people in particular stand to gain from this policy proposal.

What is a “public option” anyway?

The public option didn’t just magically appear in the public debate. Obama’s campaign health care plan and the white paper on health care Senate Finance Chairman Max Baucus released last year are both based on a proposal Jacob Hacker wrote for the Economic Policy Institute in 2007. Hacker’s plan outlines why the federal government should guarantee universal coverage by requiring individuals to purchase coverage (sometimes called an individual mandate) and requiring employers to help their workers pay for it. Of course, Obama’s original plan jettisoned the former requirement, something that earned him criticism from health care reformers during the campaign. The coverage would be made affordable through generous subsidies for those with low incomes, usually those who fall at 200 percent of the federal poverty line or below. Most critically, however, the Hacker plan allows individuals to choose to either buy into a regulated private insurance market and a government-run program similar to Medicare. This has come to be known as the “public option.”

Now even though Baucus talked of the public option earlier, he is now waffling and saying we may need it or not...

Baucus says keep our powder dry

Now is not the time for dry powder. Now is the time to get something done on health care.

The Obama administration and its allies are now scrambling to contain a full-throated ideological debate that some fear could threaten the most ambitious healthcare campaign in nearly a generation.

"Everybody needs to keep their powder dry," Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) said in an interview. "We have a huge opportunity to accomplish very significant health reform. . . . Let's not have any sparks that could light a fire."

That is the opposite of what Dean has been proposing. It is pretty obvious now that the Conservadems and their buddies are lining up against the public option.

Dean says if we don't deliver real health care reform, we will lose seats in the midterms.

Former presidential hopeful and former party Chairman Howard Dean said Monday night that Democrats and Mr. Obama will suffer if they don't strike more boldly on health care.

"If we can't deliver a real choice to the American people and real reform, I think we lose seats in the midterm election. I think we're going to have a hard time getting the president re-elected," Mr. Dean said on a call with MoveOn.org and Democracy for America members, trying to rally support for public health care. "As long as he sticks with us, and we stick with him, I think we're ultimately going to win this."

...""We have a Democratic president, Democratic Senate, Democratic House. There's no reason to trade it away," Mr. Dean said.

The website set up to push the public option is now updated, and there is a blog with comments.

Stand with Dr. Dean

Here are the latest figures.

340,953 are standing with Dr. Dean

Add your name and stand with us!
223 Members of Congress support a public option

Where do your Members of Congress stand?

My congress folks are either against it or won't answer.

[rockymountaindem]

1. Good grief

Well, there's always the next generation...

[Wetzelbill]

2. It's pathetic

My senators are McCain and Kyl, no way they would ever be for it. I'll have to check my Rep's position on it.

[DonCoquixote]

3. With democrats like Bell Nelson and Max Baucus

Who needs the gop?

[MzNov]

4. Wyden wants to TAX our health coverage from our employers

as if it were income. The unions are strongly against this craziness. Once again, take more from the middle class. Not the rich, not the corporations.

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/05/unions-pressuring-liberal-dem-senator-wyden-from-the-left-on-health-care-plan.php?ref=fpc

[madfloridian]

8. I noticed that. Taxing health care benefits.

A long time Republican policy now being pushed by our democrats.

[MzNov]

9. Who needs publicans. We have the Democrites! :-(

:-(

[avaistheone1]

26. Well the DLC is pretty much running the Democratic party. You get what you pay for.

That is alway the common denominator in Washington.

[earth mom]

40. This kind of shit adds insult to injury. I am PISSED at Wyden.

:puke:

Just when did he go over to the other side?! :wtf:

[sandyd921]

5. Public option won't go anywhere

I have been watching the approach that much of the progressive movement seems to be taking with dismay. They seem to think that they can start negotiating from the position of advocating for a public option while still preserving the private insurance companies. While that might be a compromise position down the pike, it is not where we should be starting. It seems to me that unless there is a very strong movement for true single payer health care we're going to get sold down the river.

Healthcare Now! is a group that is organizing people to create a real voice and pressure for single payer. We won't end up with even a real public option if there is not a strong movement on the progressive left.

They're organizing a Nationwide Day of Action on May 30th. We need a groundswell of people to turn out for this.

Go here to find a location near you: http://www.healthcare-now.org/

[madfloridian]

6. You think we can get single payer now?

I would like to think so, but they are not even at the table.

Articles do not even mention Dean's efforts.

Public option is more likely than single payer right now, and I doubt we have a chance at either.

Single payer leaves the insurance companies out in the cold. Do you really think they will tolerate that? Public option gives both insurance and the government plan a space.

[sandyd921]

11. We need to push for single payer

as the starting point. It appears that the starting point of most progressive groups is a public option while preserving private insurance. Where is there to go from there? All I'm saying is that you don't start advocating from your compromise position. Like you said we probably don't have a chance at either. So what do we have to lose if progressives put all their marbles into advocating for what we really want? If the Senate and Pelosi look at a public option at all it will be so watered down it will be meaningless.

[madfloridian]

13. We will lose both if we split on the two too much.

I think public option is more likely because the Dems will never ever choose an option that will hurt the insurance companies too much...and single payer would eliminate them.

Good idea, but won't work.

[defendandprotect]

22. We ned to push much hard -- much, much harder -- for Medicare for All --

it's not reinventing the wheel -- it's all set to go --

And, keep insisting that insurance companies and health care providers should be

off the table in any health care reform.

[madfloridian]

28. Yes, Medicare for all is set to go.

If they will only allow it.

[Faryn Balyncd]

32. The most politically feasible route to Single Payer is to allow a Medicare opt-in Public Option.

[defendandprotect]

52. DU should be selling some "Medicare For All" buttons or baseball hats, or somethin' . . .

I'd wear a button on my tote bag --

[subterranean]

10. Thanks for the link. I might go out to the Seattle rally.

I don't think single-payer is the only approach to universal health care, but I do think it's important to let our representatives know that we will not accept whatever watered-down bill they think will pass muster with Republicans (in other words, a giveaway to the insurance industry).

I really wish we could do what Taiwan did a few years ago: Study systems from various countries, see what works and what doesn't, and take the best aspects of those systems to create the optimal system for America. Unfortunately, that is quite clearly not what is going on in Washington.

[sandyd921]

12. That's right.

What do we have to lose if we tell them what we want? I can't understand why so many progressives are afraid of this.

[Vadem]

7. Remember during the primaries, all the Dem candidates stated...

I want Americans to have the same health care that I have as a U.S. Congressperson! Medicare for All! Yay Yay!!!! We all believed it, didn't we?

Whatever the hell happened to that promise???



BTW, I signed Dr. Dean's petition when he first proposed it.

[defendandprotect]

19. We should all be strongly support Howard Dean and his work for us . . .

Let's hope they don't get to him -- !!!


As you watch all of this over time, it become very clear that TPB are refusing

to let any kind of leadership arise --

They really knocked Dean down when he was Prez candidate --- very forcefully!

They're always watching for an opportunity.

[LWolf]

38. Well, I believed DK.

He has the record to back him up.

The rest of the bunch? Not so much.

For good reason, as it turns out.

[rucky]

14. At this rate, by 2010, we'll need 110 votes in the Senate to get anything passed. n/t

[PassingFair]

15. For REAL...why do we need 70?

WTF is up with SEVENTY.

Is it a magical number or something?

Why wouldn't 60 be enough?

Why wouldn't 51 be enough?

It's not like Obama will VETO it!

[subterranean]

17. No meaningful reform will get 10 Republican votes.

If Republicans will vote for it, I don't want it.

[PassingFair]

21. We don't need 10 republican votes.

We just need ALL the dem votes, yes?

[subterranean]

23. Yes, but the Dems only have 60 seats in the Senate.

If Wyden wants to get his 70 yes votes, we'll need all of those plus 10 republicans. But you're right, we don't technically need them to pass the bill.

[PassingFair]

36. But WHY does he need "70"?

Why pick 70 as the number of votes he needs.
It seems completely arbitrary.
Why not 90? or 65?

[madfloridian]

43. He just wants to be "bipartisan" "post partisan".

He wants the Republican minority to have a louder voice than we do.

[pnorman]

16. I'm more confused on this important issue than I am of almost any other.

I'm posting this, solely to be able to find this thread again for careful study.

pnorman
PS: Although he's not my Senator, I've come to hold Wyden in high regard.

[defendandprotect]

18. I'm just begining now to catch up with familiarity with Senate/USHR . . .

and members . . . it takes a while --

I've been without C-SPAN II and III for almost two years -- and tuning in

via internet doesn't work.

Anyway . . . re RON WYDEN . . . I'M SHOCKED!!!

Wyden used to be a favorite of mine . . . and then sometime back I noticed he

was changing -- not for the better! I wasn't sure, but I am damned sure now!!!

That is awful!!!

[Sebastian Doyle]

20. Kaiser Permanente getting their money's worth, Ron?

corporate health care makes no more sense than a corporate fire department.

[defendandprotect]

25. THIS is certainly a different Ron Wyden from the guy I used to have respect for . . .!!!

And, this situation points up why we all have to be concerned about someone

like Wyden opposting Single Payer so strongly.

You might have Senators who are supporting -- but, like many times before,

progressive change is blocked by Senators from other states.

It doesn't matter if the opposition isn't in your state -- you have to pay

attention to it --

and we all need to work against Ron Wyden for betrayal like this!

Campaign BRIBERY has to end --

FAIR ELECTIONS NOW ACT - HR 1826 -- NOW IN THE WORKS ...

Common Cause has gotten my Repug Rep to sign a "pledge" to vote for it --

They're looking for help in getting more Senators/Reps to sign pledges --

and to sign on as sponsors.


KEEP in mind . . . even if we got public financing, we would have to fight

to have public control the campaign questions . . . "when, where, how, how long,

how much -- TV?" We could use our highschools and local TV for visits by

candidates, etc.

After public financing we need IRV voting -- to create more OPTIONS --

Cripes, we have a private corporation running our presidential debates!!!

[MarjorieG]

27. Remember that Nixon snippet in Sicko, how Kaiser onto something. Getting money and not having to

deliver services. beginning o our HMOs.

[defendandprotect]

29. Yes . . . every American should see that clip of Nixon -- !!!

Every American should see the movie -- SICKO! -- Thank you, Mike!

[Hippo_Tron]

24. Why the fuck does he want 70 votes? It only takes 51

I thought they were going to use reconciliation.

[Sebastian Doyle]

31. Well, Spineless Reid wasn't willing to do anything without 60 votes.

now that we actually have that number (in theory) somebody had to raise it up higher to keep the excuse going.

Fact is, all we really need are 51 Democrats who will VOTE like Democrats

[Faryn Balyncd]

30. We need to stand with Howard Dean & DEFEAT the Wyden/ Bennett /Alexander /Gregg / lobbyist bill!

K & R

[madfloridian]

33. Some single payer advocates will not work with Dean.

That is my understanding that many won't sign the petition and take part in the activism because their only option is single payer.

[Faryn Balyncd]

34. Within 10 years, the skyrocketing rates for Wyden's mandatory insurance will CRUSH the middle class

[Wednesdays]

35. K&R

:kick:

[LWolf]

37. Wyden says

the public option "won't fly with Republicans."

Oregon's newest senator, Democrat Jeff Merkley, supports a public option.

Merkley has no problem opposing republicans, thankfully.

http://www.bendbulletin.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090514/NEWS0107/905140415/1001/NEWS01&nav_category=NEWS01

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jeff-merkley/words-designed-to-kill-he_b_199373.html

I'll drop another line to Wyden.

[Faryn Balyncd]

41. We need a public option. Without it, insurance premiums will go through the roof.......

This would be true even if the Wyden/Bennett plan did not MANDATE private insurance purchase.


All we have to do is look at what happened to prescription drug prices after the Medicare Px Drug "benefit" of 2005 (which Republicans, with the help of Baucus and Wyden).

Combined with the drug industry's success at keeping re-importation of Canadian drugs from being legally and easily accessible, with no competition, the "benefit" resulted in the biggest increases in drug prices (for all Americans, not just the elderly) in history.

[madfloridian]

42. Teachers in one county here to have insurance go out of sight.

Rates jacked up while salaries are not going up, deductible raised by 650 or 700 dollars a year.

The insurance companies control us.

[LWolf]

51. What we need is HR 676.

I don't think we'll get what we "need" from all of this posturing. We'll get something the insurance companies like.

The most important outcome, imo, is that the momentum for REAL health care solutions is not lost because the system has a new "plan" that leaves the fox in charge of the hen house.

[area51]

39. Kick. (n/t)

[madfloridian]

44. Wyden says private sector "cannot be saddled with price controls."

"Wyden said Republicans recognize everyone needs to be covered, and that the current system is not cost-effective because the insured are already paying the bills of the uninsured.

Democrats, he said, know the private sector must play “a significant role” to preserve innovation and cannot be saddled with price controls."

http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/wyden-is-winning-over-the-gop-on-healthcare-2009-05-18.html

[Faryn Balyncd]

49. What Wyden meant to say is that Big Insurance "cannot be saddled with COMPETITION" (just like Big...

.....Pharma could not be saddled with the competition from re-importing their own drugs from Canada.)

[madfloridian]

45. GOP's Grassley front and center...He says tax is coming on benefits.

He really sounds like he is officially in charge, doesn't he? Like he can dictate terms.

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20090520/NEWS/90520011/1001/NEWS

"Iowa Sen. Charles Grassley said today he expects a tax on some employer-paid benefits to be part of the Senate bill to extend health care coverage to uninsured Americans.

Grassley, the ranking Republican on the Senate Finance Committee, also said he expects such a tax to be the most controversial tax-related piece of the health care financing puzzle.

"Now, you know it's going to be very controversial because, on a small group of people, there's going to be some people paying more taxes," Grassley told reporters in a morning conference call.

Grassley was headed into a closed committee meeting where members were expected to air questions and objections about the options to pay for a health care bill.

The committee is expected to begin drafting a bill this week and present it to the committee next month."

Sounds like they are thumbing their noses at us.

With our home insurance going up perhaps by 100%, health insurance rates going up and deductible being quadrupled, property tax going up....it seems scary they are having closed door meetings.

We thought with a paid for house and pensions we would be okay.

But now I don't think so.

[librechik]

46. damn this made me cry

I give up.

Those people are crazy. They are not human.

Fuck them. And the little donkey they rode in on, too!

[madfloridian]

47. It's like the party elite are taking over now.

The elite of both parties.

It is sad.

[madfloridian]

48. Baucus, Obama say no single payer. Are they still for public option at all?

How will we know?

http://www.greatfallstribune.com/article/20090519/NEWS01/905190301

"HELENA — At a town hall meeting last Thursday in Rio Rancho, N.M., the first question directed to President Barack Obama came from a woman in the audience who wanted to know why Democratic lawmakers in Washington, D.C. refuse to discuss the idea of single-payer health care.

"Why have they taken single-payer off the plate?" the woman asked to the applause of members of the crowd. "And why is Senator Baucus on the Finance Committee discussing health care when he has received so much money from the pharmaceutical companies? Isn't it a conflict of interest?"

Those are questions single-payer advocates around the country are asking lawmakers this month as the powerful Senate Finance Committee, which Montana Sen. Max Baucus chairs, debates the future of national health care reform.

"The lobbies of the for-profit industries for health care are enormously powerful. They want to keep single payer off of the table altogether," said Marcia Angell, former editor of the New England Journal of Medicine and a prominent single-payer advocate. "Even the president supported the single-payer system back when he was in the Illinois State Senate."

Angell said Obama dropped is support when he arrived in Washington, D.C. in 2004.

"Single-payer is simply considered not realistic for a politician. The medical industrial complex just won't permit it," Angell said."

[madfloridian]

53. "The medical industrial complex just won't permit it," Angell said."

That's what she said about single payer. That is what I am trying to say. That we not divide ourselves on this vital issue.

[Better Believe It]

50. We need to get a new white surrender flag, this one is getting worn out.

Whatever legislation is proposed must be acceptable to the Republicans in the Senate because they are the ones who a really in charge!

Now that's bi-partisanship!

Yippee!