Ross was the leader of the group that Waxmen had threatened to circumvent as part of his push to pass some type of deal before recess. his turnabout after voting with Waxmen following come concessions is a significant development and clear evidence that the summer battles have shifted against much of Obamacare.In the Senate, where there's even less support for the idea, hopes for bipartisan agreement hung in the balance. A small group of negotiators on the pivotal Finance Committee prepared to meet in a last-ditch effort to reach consensus on a compromise bill. A draft of the latest proposal calls for nonprofit co-ops as an alternative to private insurance, but not a government plan.
Hoyer prefaced his comments by saying he supports a public option and considers it ''of vital importance.'' But is it a must-have?''I think there is a lot in the bill that is very good in addition to the public option,'' Hoyer responded. ''If the public option were not in there I could still support a bill, because I think there is a lot in there that is good.''
He added: ''In the final analysis, we'll have to come down to see what we can pass.''Hoyer's comments followed a 180-degree turn by Rep. Mike Ross, D-Ark., who took the lead in July in negotiating changes to House Democrats' health overhaul bill to make it more palatable to moderates. He voted for the legislation in committee with a public plan.
But Ross said Tuesday that after hearing from constituents during the August recess he could not support a bill with a public plan.''If House leadership presents a final bill that contains a government-run public option, I will oppose it,'' Ross said.
Obama, who will address Congress and the nation on health care Wednesday night, told a Labor Day audience of union members that it's time for insurance companies to share accountability for problems in the system. The president said a public plan would be an important tool to help check the excesses of private industry. But over the weekend, key White House aides signaled that Obama could sign legislation even if it does not include a public option.
Reading Between The Lines In Joseph Cotto's Article About Why Gov. Scott Walker Should Lose
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Show me a coach who wants to strategically lose a game or two and I'll show
you a bad coach.
FLORIDA, May 17, 2012 — In Wisconsin’s ever contentious guber...
1 week ago
Beware of triggers, co-ops and exchanges.
ReplyDeleteConservatives can continue to make progress by focusing on how this bill will be paid for. Dems are trying to give taxes a new name: Fees. And they're trying to fool voters by taxing health insurance companies, hoping voters won't put 2 and 2 together to conclude that a tax on insurance will come form the pockets of policy holders (i.e. the middle class).