by Mark Silva
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid faces a tough reelection contest back home in Nevada. He faces a liberal wing of the Democratic Party upset with compromise on what the White House and others consider an essential element of health-care reform.
A public option.
Reid (D-Nev.) also faces a 60-vote coalition of Democrats and independents that might be able to get a bill out of the Senate over the objections of Republicans, who have no interest in the public option, with some Democrats saying they won't accept a plan without it.
A public option.
Reid, who has scheduled a 3:15 pm EDT statement today, will announce his support for establishing a government-run health-insurance program allowing states to opt out, Bloomberg News is reporting, citing a Democratic aide as a source.
"Reid's move gives new momentum to the so-called public option as Congress considers the biggest changes to the U.S. medical-care system since it created Medicare, the health program for the elderly, in 1965,'' Bloomberg's James Rowley notes. "The government-run plan, which would compete with private insurers, is among the most divisive issues in the health-care legislation. It has drawn opposition from every Senate Republican and some Democrats in the chamber.''
Politico's Glenn Thrush cites sources as saying that Reid spoke with "virtually every member of his 60-member caucus this weekend'' and "currently has between 56 and 57 votes for the opt-out, which is being pushed by Sen. Charles Schumer.''
Reid has been canvassing the members of his 60-vote filibuster-blocking ranks as he melds the legislation that has emerged from two committees.
Maine's Sen. Olympia Snowe, the only Republican demonstrating a willingness to compromise with Democrats on a bill, has said she would vote against taking a bill with a public option to the floor. Snowe leans toward a "triggering'' plan allowing for a public option only if private insurers fail to lower premiums after time.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who has championed the public option and maintained that a bill cannot pass the House without it, has told reporters that she "didn't think there's much problem" with allowing states to opt out of the government-run plan.
New impetus today for a public option -- for states to opt out.
Comments
This is more bad news for Republicans.
A good health care bill passes = Republicans in the minority for at least a generation.
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Posted by: former Republican | October 26, 2009 2:19 PM
These 36 Republicans Are Better Than You And Me Are - just ask them!
36 Congressional Republicans who receive Medicare benefits, but who oppose a public option in the health care reform bill.
The only logical conclusion to draw is that these 36 Republicans are all much better than you and me. And because they are better than you and better me--better than all of us, really--they get to have a public option, and at the same time they have the responsibility that comes with being better: denying a public option to the rest of us.
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http://mediamattersaction.org/factcheck/200910260002
Rep. Young (R-AK) is better than you and me. Sure he is! Just look at him.
Rep. John Lewis (R-CA) is better than you and me. Absolutely he is! Anybody can see that.
Rep. McKeon (R-CA) is better than you and me. He obviously is. You can see it in his smile.
Rep. Gallegly (R-CA) is better than you and me. He totally is. A child can see it.
Rep. Mike Castle (R-DE) is better than you and me. Honest to Betsy he is. Believe it, it's true.
Rep. Crenshaw (R-FL) is better than you and me. He is so much better. Don't worry, just accept it.
Rep. Brown-Waite (R-FL) is better than you and me. She is just better, OK? I can see it plain and clear.
Rep. Stearns (R-FL) is better than you and me. Yep...better. He is just a finer cut, face it.
Rep. Mica (R-FL) is better than you and me. Yep.
Rep. Young (R-FL) is better than you and me. No question.
Rep. Linder (R-FL) is better than you and me. Absolutely is.
Rep. Deal (R-GA) is better than you and me. You betcha.
Rep. Gingrey (R-GA) is better than you and me. Way better.
Rep. Biggert (R-GA) is better than you and me. Better in every way.
Rep. Manzullo (R-IL) is better than you and me. "B" to the "e" to the "t" "ter."
Rep. Burton (R-IN) is better than you and me. Whoa! Much better.
Rep. Whitfield (R-IN) is better than you and me. Wiser and better.
Rep. Rogers (R-KY) is better than you and me. Super better.
Rep. Bartlett (R-MD) is better than you and me. So much better.
Rep. Ehlers (R-MI) is better than you and me. Betterer.
Rep. Jones (R-NC) is better than you and me. Like...better.
Rep. Foxx (R-NC) is better than you and me. All I see is better.
Rep. Coble (R-NC) is better than you and me. A great big pile of better.
Rep. Myrick (R-NC) is better than you and me. Head and shoulders above better.
Rep. King (R-NY) is better than you and me. Swept back off the forehead and better.
Rep. Pitts (R-PA) is better than you and me. Deep down better.
Rep. Brown (R-SC) is better than you and me. All-year-round better.
Rep. Johnson (R-TX) is better than you and me. A tall drink of better.
Rep. Hall (R-TX) is better than you and me. Amen, better.
Rep. Granger (R-TX) is better than you and me. No question about it: better.
Rep. Paul (R-TX) is better than you and me. Everyone on Digg agrees: better.
Rep. Carter (R-TX) is better than you and me. The brighter side of better.
Rep. Wolf (R-VA) is better than you and me. Heavy duty better.
Rep. Hastings (R-WA) is better than you and me. West Coast better.
Rep. Sensenbrenner (R-WI) is better than you and me. Better on tap.
Rep. Petri (R-WI) is better than you and me. A dish full of better.
Better, better, better, better!
If you were not so much lesser than these folks, I would not have to go through all this trouble to explain to you this plain and simple fact of life: these Republicans are better...ERGO...they deserve better than you.
Honestly people. If you applied yourself a little more, maybe--no promises--maybe you will get to be like them someday:
These Republicans are so much better than everyone else and they get to have the best healthcare plan and--AND--deny it to every one else!
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http://mediamattersaction.org/factcheck/200910260002
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Posted by: Kung Fu Panda | October 26, 2009 2:48 PM
The Wingnut town hall screamers liked to wail about Cogresscritters going on the public option if it is passed. Their corporate overlords must have spoon-fed them that line.
People should be allowed to choose whatever plan is best for themselves and their family based upon the income and job. It is the American way, right?
Of course, the public option does exactly that.
Posted by: Linus | October 26, 2009 3:05 PM
Republicans are pathetic.
Health Care Reform will pass this time, Democrats will make history and Repubs are terrified because they know it wil be a game changer.
Posted by: David Van Kampen | October 26, 2009 3:08 PM
OK then Kung fooey, Van Kamerling, Linus the looney!
You forgot the long list of Democrats that oppose a public option.
It is very apparent that the idiot's around the swamp who are brainwashed dummycrats either forget that many democrats in Congress oppose what Pelosi & Reid are trying to push or are just too stupid to read the real news.
In any case, the Democrat Controlled Congress is still fighting amongst themselves, fighting like good little dummycrats between each other for what???
Why haven't they passed anything yet?? They don't need no stupid Republicans to pass Health care legislation now do they!
Nope, these brainiac's have ALL THE POWER yet they can't pass gas without arguing over whose smells the worse!
And you nutjob democrats on the swamp call the republicans dummies? at least they are sticking together in order to be heard and trying to keep the dummycrats from totally taking this country down the hell hole of massive debts for the sake of creating more entitlements and dependant citizens for future votes.
Posted by: springfield | October 26, 2009 3:39 PM
A $9,000,000,000,000 deficit and it will only get larger since there has never been a gov't run social program that has come in under budget and has met the customers' needs.
Posted by: Terry | October 26, 2009 3:42 PM
Today's "civility" update:
The usual Leftwing posters above (who, as can be seen, can't spell simple words like "will") label Republicans "pathetic" and "terrified" "screamers" who are "spoon fed" their lines by their "corporate overlords."
Mark, a couple weeks ago you promised to crack down on uncivil postings here. What happened?
Posted by: Civility | October 26, 2009 3:48 PM
Media Matters. Now there's a nice non-partisan grassroots organization NOT!
Posted by: Bobbie Mobbie | October 26, 2009 5:40 PM
Think about this as all you loons want to create yet another large gov't bureacracy.
http://www.usdebtclock.org/
Posted by: Terry | October 26, 2009 6:17 PM
Media Matters. Now there's a nice non-partisan grassroots organization NOT!
Posted by: Bobbie Mobbie | October 26, 2009 5:40 PM
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
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Teresa,
Why don't you try refuting what Media matters says? You know, with facts, times and dates etc.....we're waiting.
You can't do it because, as usual, you're full of right wing crap.
Posted by: Kathy | October 26, 2009 7:40 PM
Think about this as all you loons want to create yet another large gov't.
Posted by: Terry | October 26, 2009 6:17 PM
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Why should they? You Wingnut goons never cared about the national debt.
http://bethesignal.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/meet-john-mccain.jpg
Posted by: Terry is a girls name | October 26, 2009 7:46 PM
Whom will decide if a state 'opts out'??
How will it happen?
Posted by: C.Morris | October 26, 2009 9:10 PM
Girls name,
I believe you lonns let Bush and the GOP have it, rightfully so. Now you are doing the same thing, but on steriods.
Now back to mom and dad's basement.
Posted by: Terry | October 26, 2009 10:24 PM
OK then Kung fooey, Van Kamerling, Linus the looney!You forgot the long list of Democrats that oppose a public option.It is very apparent that the idiot's around the swamp who are brainwashed dummycrats
Posted by: springfield | October 26, 2009 3:39 PM
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Lil' Johnny D-ittohead,
Why don't you tell us who that "long list" of Dems are that oppose the public option?
And while you're at it, why don't you give us that "long list" of "accomplishments" that your beloved Repug party had while they were in power the last eight years.
Posted by: John D lies again | October 26, 2009 11:23 PM
Forty-nine percent (49%) of voters nationwide say that passing no health care reform bill this year would be better than passing the plan currently working its way through Congress.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 39% disagree and say the current effort is better than doing nothing.
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/current_events/healthcare/october_2009/49_say_no_health_care_reform_better_than_current_plan
Posted by: Crooks_In_DC | October 26, 2009 11:36 PM
* * * * *
Posted by: Terry is a girls name | October 26, 2009 7:46 PM
.
So let me get this straight, JohnEEE-boy. You tell us the Repelicans didn’t care about the national debt, and I’ll buy that. But then, from your comments, you seem to indicate that it’s okay if the Democrats in power forget about the debt too. Is that what I’m really hearing from you?
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Let me put it this way: Are you really THAT stupid?!?!?!?!?
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PS - The cartoon is cute, but it’s too bad the cartoonist didn’t know the difference between a deficit and the debt.
Posted by: John W. | October 27, 2009 6:10 AM
* * * * *
“Health Care Reform will pass this time, Democrats will make history and Repubs are terrified because they know it wil be a game changer.
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Posted by: David Van Kampen | October 26, 2009 3:08 PM
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David,
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Napoleon made history at Waterloo too. There is a bad way to make history, and that could be the case the way the health care reform bills are shaping up. If health reform looks or smells like the plans they have on the table, it could be disastrous for the economy. We already can’t afford what the government is attempting to do. The social welfare programs already in existence are already threatening to bankrupt us as a country. It is only by being nearsighted and forgetting the long term ramifications that people can begin to justify this stuff (just like they did with Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid). That is what a lot of people are worried about, regardless of whether they are Repelicans, independents or other. It seems to me that you trust the Democrat leadership (a true oxymoron) way too much. They are needlessly reckless.
Posted by: John W. | October 27, 2009 6:24 AM