Health Reform Draft Bill To Be Released Today
The Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee will (officially) release a draft of its health reform legislation later this afternoon--four days after a version of it leaked on Friday.
According to Politico, Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT)--a senior member of that committee standing in for chairman Ted Kennedy--said the bill would be unveiled later today, stripped for now of its most controversial provisions, including the employer mandate and the public health insurance option.
We'll try to get more details for you (including an explanation for why those details will be missing) later today. Soon after the HELP bill is unveiled, the Senate Finance Committee will release its legislation, and the two will later be merged. More on the politics of that here.
Josh
Matt
Eric
No public option? D.O.A. What's the point?
June 9, 2009 11:53 AM | Reply | Permalink
Seriously. WTF?
June 9, 2009 12:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
Really. A reform-free health-reform draft bill. Why bother?
June 9, 2009 3:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's also a health-free health-reform bill.
June 9, 2009 6:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
Why do we need a bipartisan bill with a 59-40 majority and no filibuster?
Such talk is a way of letting the GOP - and by extension insurance and phama - control the parameters of reform. The Dems get to say they've changed the system and keep the spigot of big-money contributions flowing.
Given the vast popular support for a robust public option, the majorities in both houses, and a Dem president, anything less than a public option is unacceptable.
This moment represents a test for the Dems that I hope they'll pass. Otherwise, I for one will not give one red cent to anyone who passes and signs a bill with "triggers," no public option, etc., including Barack Obama.
June 9, 2009 1:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
"stripped for now of its most controversial provisions, including the employer mandate and the public health insurance option."
As Jim noted, dead on arrival.
June 9, 2009 3:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
He's dead, Jim...
June 9, 2009 3:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
Patience, Grasshopper. Remember, Obama and his staff have proved themselves to be quite competent end-game strategists. There are still many miles to go down this path, and the more momentum, the easier it will be to overcome eventual hurdles.
Obama didn't start out with "tax the rich," but "tax cuts for 95%" Once you get the 95% on board it's a lot easier to run over or push aside the remainder.
June 9, 2009 3:18 PM | Reply | Permalink