WSJ - "Business Sours on Overhaul as Legislation Veers to Left" Re Health Care Reform

[TomCADem]

Story on the opposition of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to the Senate Bill. You would think that if they really wanted it to pass, they would stop opposing it, and paying for studies to attack it. The same holds true for AHIP.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125868184657756813.html?mod=WSJ_hps_MIDDLESixthNews

Chances of business supporting the Obama administration's health overhaul are fading fast, after Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's bill took a liberal turn.

The Obama administration has courted small businesses from the start, and at times executives have shown favor toward Democratic plans such as the bill passed by the Senate Finance Committee last month.

But when Mr. Reid decided to include a new public health-insurance plan in his bill and added a Medicare payroll tax increase for high earners, business groups said enough was enough.

"We're disappointed," said Bruce Josten, an executive vice president at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, of the Senate health bill. "If it ends up in that form, I can't imagine the business community supporting it."

Several industry groups are banding together to ask Congress to scrap the current bills and start from scratch on a health overhaul. They are stepping up television advertising against Democrats' proposals.

[DJ13]

1. Not enough, disappointed wont do

I want those bastards demoralized, broken and in a fetal position.

Screw disappointed.

[aquart]

3. Wouldn't object if they held their breath till they turn blue, either.

Which would have the added benefit of keeping them quiet.

[Zoeisright]

2. If industry groups are disappointed, that means the bill is getting better.

Room for hope, at least.

[Naturyl]

6. Exactly.

Whenever business is displeased with something, there's a strong chance it's worthwhile.

[Quantess]

4. Who owns the Wall Street Journal now?

Isn't it Rupert Murdoch? I can't remember for sure.

[nosmokes]

5. Not sure it's fair to say the CoC represents business so much as mega-corporate

interests which are as disparate from Main Street's business interests as it is from Joe and Janet's family intersts on Maple Street.

[Renew Deal]

7. This guy was "disappointed" before any bill was released.

[Marr]

8. The media keeps implying that the Chamber is the voice of "small business". It isn't.

It's owned by the same conglomerate that have been fighting healthcare reform tooth and nail from the beginning.

[TomCADem]

9. Some On DU Imply That The Chamber Supports The HCR Bills - They Don't

It is a constant piece of mis-information that is reiterated on this Board despite the facts to the contrary.