The top Senate Democrats writing a health care reform plan and President Obama appear aligned in support of a public or government-run insurance option setting up a potential standoff with Senate Republicans who say they wont back such a measure.
Sen. Max Baucus one of the chief Democrats writing a health care reform plan as chairman of the Finance Committee said Thursday that he doesnt anticipate the Senate passing a bill without the public or government-run insurance option.
I think a bill that passes the Senate will have some version of a public option Mr. Baucus Montana Democrat said after a meeting between committee members from both parties but suggested there could be restrictions that would limit the governments role.
The public plan would be a program similar to Medicare that would cover all Americans who did not have private insurance. Republicans say they still hope for a bipartisan bill but that those hopes are fading quickly if it contains a public option. They argue that a public plan would tip the market and drive private industry out of business. Proponents of the public plan say it would provide insurance to more Americans and that private insurers would remain intact.
Our caucus is very very much against a public option said Sen. Charles E. Grassley ranking Republican on the Finance Committee. Its kind of a litmus test sort of thing.
The public option is the most significant lightening rod in the debate. But there is little agreement over how to pay for it or whether it will include a mandate requiring all Americans to have coverage.
Mr. Obama came out with his first guidance on the particulars of a reform bill Wednesday in a letter to Mr. Baucus and Sen. Edward M. Kennedy Massachusetts Democrat saying he strongly believed in a public option and was in favor of a mandate as long as it had exclusions for the poor and small businesses. But he also stressed that he wanted a bipartisan bill.
Mr. Grassley Iowa Republican said the letter did not help bipartisanship.
It wasnt helpful he said. Words make a difference and that made a difference.
Mr. Kennedy chairman of the Senate Health Education Labor and Pension Committee the other panel drafting a reform plan is also in favor of a government-sponsored plan. A draft proposal circulated from him included a mandate that everyone carry health insurance coverage. Sen. Christopher J. Dodd Connecticut Democrat is managing the committees work in his friends absence.
Senate Republicans are already forming their defense against a public plan.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has used much of his floor time this week to reinforce the idea that a public plan will lead to government-run health care for everyone.
Eventually Americans would be stuck with government-run health care whether they like it or not he said. Thats when the worst scenario would take shape with Americans subjected to bureaucratic hassles hours spent on hold waiting for a government service rep to take a call restrictions on care and yes lifesaving treatment and lifesaving surgeries denied or delayed.
Senators pointed out Thursday that they are working under a tight deadline. Mr. Obama said if a bill isnt passed by August its not going to happen.
Thats prompted outside interest groups to take action. Organizing for America Mr. Obamas political organization is hosting community events in homes and public venues across the country this weekend to rally support.
Attendees which will number in the tens of thousands according to organizers will watch a prepared video message from Mr. Obama and discuss plans to reach out to members of Congress.
Health care costs are crippling the budgets of families individuals businesses and governments and we will never fix our economy or get our fiscal house in order until we fix our health care system said Organizing for America Executive Director Mitch Stewart. If all this sounds urgent it is and that is why OFA is kicking off this grass-roots activity in all 50 states to get health care reform done and get it done now.
Other groups including Health Care for America Now and Families USA are encouraging their members and associates to attend the events Saturday and planning some of their own for later in the summer.
Health Care for America Now an organization composed of the AFL-CIO AFSCME MoveOn.org NAACP and other groups and unions is planning a massive lobbying day on June 25. The group favors a public plan but is against taxing employer benefits. The Service Employees Union International has an event planned for June 24.
The top Senate Democrats writing a health care reform plan and President Obama appear aligned in support of a public or government-run insurance option setting up a potential standoff with Senate Republicans who say they wont back such a measure.
Sen. Max Baucus one of the chief Democrats writing a health care reform plan as chairman of the Finance Committee said Thursday that he doesnt anticipate the Senate passing a bill without the public or government-run insurance option.
I think a bill that passes the Senate will have some version of a public option Mr. Baucus Montana Democrat said after a meeting between committee members from both parties but suggested there could be restrictions that would limit the governments role.
The public plan would be a program similar to Medicare that would cover all Americans who did not have private insurance. Republicans say they still hope for a bipartisan bill but that those hopes are fading quickly if it contains a public option. They argue that a public plan would tip the market and drive private industry out of business. Proponents of the public plan say it would provide insurance to more Americans and that private insurers would remain intact.
Our caucus is very very much against a public option said Sen. Charles E. Grassley ranking Republican on the Finance Committee. Its kind of a litmus test sort of thing.
The public option is the most significant lightening rod in the debate. But there is little agreement over how to pay for it or whether it will include a mandate requiring all Americans to have coverage.
Mr. Obama came out with his first guidance on the particulars of a reform bill Wednesday in a letter to Mr. Baucus and Sen. Edward M. Kennedy Massachusetts Democrat saying he strongly believed in a public option and was in favor of a mandate as long as it had exclusions for the poor and small businesses. But he also stressed that he wanted a bipartisan bill.
Mr. Grassley Iowa Republican said the letter did not help bipartisanship.
It wasnt helpful he said. Words make a difference and that made a difference.
Mr. Kennedy chairman of the Senate Health Education Labor and Pension Committee the other panel drafting a reform plan is also in favor of a government-sponsored plan. A draft proposal circulated from him included a mandate that everyone carry health insurance coverage. Sen. Christopher J. Dodd Connecticut Democrat is managing the committees work in his friends absence.
Senate Republicans are already forming their defense against a public plan.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has used much of his floor time this week to reinforce the idea that a public plan will lead to government-run health care for everyone.
Eventually Americans would be stuck with government-run health care whether they like it or not he said. Thats when the worst scenario would take shape with Americans subjected to bureaucratic hassles hours spent on hold waiting for a government service rep to take a call restrictions on care and yes lifesaving treatment and lifesaving surgeries denied or delayed.
Senators pointed out Thursday that they are working under a tight deadline. Mr. Obama said if a bill isnt passed by August its not going to happen.
Thats prompted outside interest groups to take action. Organizing for America Mr. Obamas political organization is hosting community events in homes and public venues across the country this weekend to rally support.
Attendees which will number in the tens of thousands according to organizers will watch a prepared video message from Mr. Obama and discuss plans to reach out to members of Congress.
Health care costs are crippling the budgets of families individuals businesses and governments and we will never fix our economy or get our fiscal house in order until we fix our health care system said Organizing for America Executive Director Mitch Stewart. If all this sounds urgent it is and that is why OFA is kicking off this grass-roots activity in all 50 states to get health care reform done and get it done now.
Other groups including Health Care for America Now and Families USA are encouraging their members and associates to attend the events Saturday and planning some of their own for later in the summer.
Health Care for America Now an organization composed of the AFL-CIO AFSCME MoveOn.org NAACP and other groups and unions is planning a massive lobbying day on June 25. The group favors a public plan but is against taxing employer benefits. The Service Employees Union International has an event planned for June 24.
