public option
If the Senate actually wanted to pass a public option through reconciliation, it could be done, without much of a hot fuss. But (according to the easiest path) that would first require Nancy Pelosi to put one in the House reconciliation package, and she’s like nuh-uh: “‘We’re talking about something that’s not going to be [...]
Look, 20ish senators — including Super Powerful Chuck Schumer — have called for a public option to be passed through reconciliation, which is good policy and good politics, because it shows the opposition that if they’re not willing to offer some votes, more provisions they don’t like will be passed. (Not that they actually care [...]
That sure was a friendly move of Joe Lieberman yesterday, on dance-y silver monster David Gregory’s Meet The Press, to go back on his pledge to support the Medicare buy-in proposal without telling the Senate leadership first, so as to destroy happiness once and for all. It’s especially jarring since a mere THREE MONTHS AGO [...]
Here’s vulgar, fecal replicant Joe Lieberman on this week’s CBS Sunday morning program. It does not take him long to make a unequivocally illogical and terrible argument while patronizing the dirty hippies. He does not understand how the public option has become a “litmus test” for the left, when there are so many other good [...]
If you’re interested in health care reform, and only have time today to get really really pissed off at one Congressional development, check out this bit of “Joementum” sweeping through the news: “Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) told reporters today that he would in fact filibuster any health care bill he doesn’t agree with–and right now, [...]
Maurice R. Greenberg, the impossibly geriatric former head of AIG, has been quietly luring young, unsuspecting insurance execs to his new firm. [New York Times] Harry Reid promised out loud that the new health care bill will have a public option, which means it actually might! [Washington Post] Like half an hour ago, NASA sent [...]
We’ve decided to post Harry Reid’s very lively health care announcement for perfunctory “news update” purposes only. But but but! If the Google Ad cycle is feeling generous, there’s a good chance you’ll be forced to watch an amazing ad from “1-800-FIREMAN,” at the beginning. No promises. [YouTube, Washington Monthly]
HARRY REID TO GIVE MERGED SENATE HEALTH CARE BILL DETAILS AT 3:15: Ooh, Harry Reid is going to announce the particulars of his merged Senate health care bill in a press conference at 3:15! Supposedly it will include a public option with an opt-out plan for states (“modest boondoggle”), which is good, considering the alternative [...]
Unpopular elected official Harry Reid is just all about including the public option on the new health care bill. [New York Times] John Kerry is so busy and fulfilled chairing the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that he totally doesn’t even have time to think about 2004. [Washington Post] A team of pilots flying a commercial [...]
MARY LANDRIEU! OH COME ON MARY: “Opining on the polls showing support for public option, she said it was all about the phrasing of the question. ‘I think if you asked, “Do you want a public option but it would force the government to go bankrupt,” people would say “No,”‘ she said.” ITTTT SAVVVVVVES MUNNNNNIIIIIEEEEEEE. [...]
Sen. Mary Landrieu, a terrible person: “I think when people hear ‘public option’ they hear ‘free health care.’ Everybody wants free health care. Everybody wants health care they don’t have to pay for. The problem is, is that we in governments and business have to pick up the tab and as individuals. So I’m not [...]
After being prodded by basically everyone on Earth, soon-to-be-former President of Afghanistan Hamid Karzai is ready to admit that he did not actually win the re-election. [New York Times] A new poll says that most people think the public option would be a good thing, actually. [Washington Post] Swine flu has spread to this one [...]
THE MOST CHILLING WORDS ABOUT HEALTH CARE REFORM YET: It’s amazing how very vague statements about public policy can ring with such an apocalyptic edge when uttered by Harry Reid: “Remember, a public option is a relative term.” OH GOD there’s not going to be any health care reform at all! Please stop talking! “There’s [...]
Our dear friends in the Senate Finance Committee have voted down the Schumer/Cantwell “less cool but still cool” public option amendment as well, 13-10 (Dems voting no: Baucus, Conrad, Lincoln), so there will officially (we think?) not be a public option in the Senate Finance Committee bill. SURPRISE.
