TPMDC
Is The Real Problem For The Public Option In The House?
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD)
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Progressives are doubling down on their push to have the Senate pass a public option via reconciliation. But are they underestimating the extent to which the House may be as much the problem as the Senate?
The House is currently shy of the votes needed to pass the Senate health care bill, and, according to House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, they're looking to make up the difference among public option foes in the Democratic caucus.
"I think the Senate bill, which is now the center of the President's consideration, I think you had a lot of people who indicated they'd like the Senate bill better," Hoyer said after an event at the Brookings Institution yesterday in response to a question from TPMDC. "It doesn't have the public option that gave a number of people concern. But there's still a way's to go."
By the same token, on MSNBC last night, long time public option supporter Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) suggested that a Senate-passed public option could mess up the math in the House.
"If we have a bill sent to us from the House that does not have the public option here, if we were to add it here, it would sink the whole bill," Harkin said.
Now, it's worth noting that, just last week, Hoyer himself said he still thinks a public option can pass in the House--so clearly it's a close call. But there does appear to be some doubt that the House can pass both a public option and the Senate health care bill. And perhaps that's why House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (once again) took it off the table this Sunday on CNN.
Currently, 30 Senate Democrats have indicated their support for passing a public option in an up or down vote via reconciliation. And last week, in a brief interview off the Senate floor, Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT) said they speak for him as well. "I appreciate the fact that...other members here have expressed my feelings about the issue," he said.
Meanwhile the pressure mounts to get from 30 (or 31) to 50. But are the progressives heading that effort barking up the wrong tree?
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FreeRider
March 2, 2010 9:23 AM
>> But are the progressives heading that effort barking up the wrong tree?>>
YES! But what else is new?
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lousgirl84
March 2, 2010 9:31 AM in reply to FreeRider
Good moring FreeRider. I am in total agreement with your comment on the progs. I am as sick of them as I am of the tea partiers
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Cornelius
March 2, 2010 10:52 AM in reply to lousgirl84
Yea littlegirl18 we're all sick of the progs. I mean, who needs a public option, those progs always carping about competition and cost controls. We don't need the PO. The insurance industry will regulate itself. So what if the gov't mandates health insurance w/o cost controls! And if those "types" don't pay, well, we'll simply have the IRS grab their tax return dollars every April, plus a 2.5% penalty. Gee, what's all the fuss about!
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dtr
March 2, 2010 11:00 AM in reply to Cornelius
Never mind little girl. She just appears when something disagreeable appears and goes yip yip like a snippy Chihuahua.
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Cornelius
March 2, 2010 11:10 AM in reply to dtr
Yip yip to you too!
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Tommy Douglas
March 2, 2010 3:14 PM in reply to Cornelius
I think Rahm has a couple people doing some PR for him on this comment page.
http://dumprahm.wordpress.com/
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VictorLH
March 2, 2010 12:23 PM in reply to dtr
Ignore them, they are a couple of Rahm's aids.
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EastWest
March 2, 2010 11:22 AM in reply to Cornelius
Oh, those darned progressives. Just when everybody thought it was safe to move even further to the right, they come along and mess things up.
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T Groan
March 2, 2010 11:10 AM in reply to lousgirl84
I think littlegirl and free loader are satisfied with mediocrity. Their unquestioning allegiance to power has blinded them to true change.
The last time I saw such fawning and ass kissing was with the devotees of W.
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calchala
March 2, 2010 11:41 AM in reply to T Groan
It's not that. It's that progressives seem obsessed with a public option that WILL have higher premiums than private insurance per the cbo. It will also, in effect become a dumping ground for the sick and those with preexisting conditions. That's the only public option that's possible. If the Medicare one was possible, I wouldn't be contesting this fight. But this public option is NOT worth the fight. Move on to other parts of the bill.
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T Groan
March 2, 2010 12:07 PM in reply to calchala
My perception is that the obama administration doesn't really have their heart in true healthcare reform. They're unwilling to actually make an effort towards true substantial change and instead kowtow to corporate interests to the detriment of the majority of the American people.
According to the polls I've seen the majority of the people want something close to single payer. Imagine if obama had the balls to rally the people to inundate their representatives for single payer? Instead he pushes a cashcow for the insurance companies and shills like freeride cheer. God the unthinking hacks that believe mediocrity is the best that can be done make me sick.
Of course that would mean offending heavy duty contributors towards his increasingly endangered 2nd term and we can't have that!
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calchala
March 2, 2010 12:15 PM in reply to T Groan
Single Payer? Le sigh. That's all I'm going to say about thtat
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NR
March 2, 2010 1:16 PM in reply to calchala
And the only reason we can't get a good public option is because Democrats won't vote for it.
The problem is the Democratic party. They're just as much owned by corporations as the Republicans are. Progressives need to abandon them and start building a true progressive alternative to the corporate-controlled Demopublicans.
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calchala
March 2, 2010 2:12 PM in reply to NR
It actually has to do with the Senate in terms of the medicare public option. The problem is the Constitution has given equal representation to states with lower populations, so called "Rural" states. Those states have a disproportionate amount of power as compared to their actual populations.
Now, in those states their hospitals tend to get screwed in terms of medicare funding. It's just the way it ends up happening. Thus, those senators will not vote for anything that screws those hospitals more. And since they have so much power in the Senate, there's no way in hell it will pass.
Of course, since you're you and it's easy to believe dems are corporate owned, then you go with what narrative suits you best.
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cwnidog
March 2, 2010 11:15 AM in reply to lousgirl84
And how's the two-girl cult of personality doing this morning?
I know it's tiresome when people who disagree with you just won't STFU, but try and bear with us, will you? We're not all sure that we have the answers to life, the universe, and everything and like to figure things out on our own rather than just trusting that Obama has a plan for us.
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Rich in NJ
March 2, 2010 11:53 AM in reply to FreeRider
Now is the time for practicality, but the progressive movement is why HCR is finally at the precipice of passing after 50 years.
Keep that in mind while you diss progressives.
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FreeRider
March 2, 2010 12:00 PM in reply to Rich in NJ
I'm not dissing progressives; I'm dissing unrealists.
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Rich in NJ
March 2, 2010 3:27 PM in reply to FreeRider
OK, you quoted the "p" word. My bad.
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Maritza
March 2, 2010 9:34 AM
I think the problem right now in terms of the public option is NOT the Senate where in the end they could probably muster 50 votes but it is the House where they are trying to get 216 votes.
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Politor
March 2, 2010 9:51 AM
I've expressed this before as well. Once reconciliation is on the table, the senate is not the problem for the public option. Sure, there are public option supporters who may defect because of the delicate issue of the use of reconciliation. However, I have always viewed this as an issue with the House: They need to balance abortion and the public option.
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lousgirl84
March 2, 2010 10:37 AM
Some interesting stuff going on right now on the hill between Bunning and Reid and Susan Collins.......
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Indie Pro
March 2, 2010 10:57 AM
The real problem is that HIR doesn't seem to be able to pass
and while the administration continues to focus on the unpopular Senate bill and not work on jobs and the economy, people are noticing.
That leadership can't muster the dems to pass popular, sensible, and deficit reducing provisions like the PO is a shame, and looks bad.
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dtr
March 2, 2010 11:01 AM in reply to Indie Pro
And now already compromising on the Consumer protections. Toothless.
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Indie Pro
March 2, 2010 12:17 PM in reply to Indie Pro
“Bob Casey is on board for the public option.”
he signed the letter today. A good moderate.
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wbgonne
March 2, 2010 12:23 PM in reply to Indie Pro
Hey Indie:
Check out Plumline. You might like it.
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Indie Pro
March 2, 2010 12:27 PM in reply to wbgonne
Greg Sargent's gig. I was sad when he left TPM DC. No doubt it is quality.
Thanks. I'll check it out.
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Why oh why
March 2, 2010 11:08 AM
The real problem for the public option is in the White House.
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Progressive Party
March 2, 2010 11:46 AM in reply to Why oh why
word and to the real problem. 80% + of democrats want the public option...nad the White House deals prevent him from endorsing the push!
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Cornelius
March 2, 2010 11:08 AM
It appears there's nowhere to hide anymore. May we soon see a few profiles in courage? How cool would that be. Crossing my fingers.
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Moose49
March 2, 2010 11:09 AM
Much as I'd like to see the final bill include a public option, IMO the most important thing is to get the damn bill passed in any way possible. If it means foregoing the public option, so be it; had Brown not won in Mass., it wasn't going to be in the final bill negotiated between the House and Senate anyway. Its absence today doesn't preclude adding one down the road. And momentum for one will build if premiums on private coverage offered through the health insurance exchanges increase significantly.
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hoppycalif2
March 2, 2010 11:15 AM in reply to Moose49
I agree, Moose. Furthermore, if we are going to push hard for a public option, let's push for a real one, not just a symbolic one, as the one in the House bill currently is.
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dtr
March 2, 2010 11:17 AM in reply to hoppycalif2
I don;t like it, but I agree with Moose and esp. with Hoppy. What that means, however, is a long fight, and we can't keep sparing the Dems as we've done this round. They have to learn to represent us.
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hoppycalif2
March 2, 2010 2:12 PM in reply to dtr
Blanche Lincoln is learning right as we speak (post), since MoveOn has now raised almost $800,000 in donations to her primary opponent in Arkansas. If the other senators don't notice this they are just a bunch of senile old....oops, they are just that, aren't they.
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Rick Jones
March 2, 2010 11:21 AM in reply to Moose49
Yep. Pass the Senate bill now. Tweak it through reconciliation along the lines Obama laid out. Come back later with a stand- alone public option or one attached to another popular piece of legislation.
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EastWest
March 2, 2010 11:40 AM in reply to Rick Jones
Agreed, but be prepared for it to get bottled up in the Senate.
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septictank
March 2, 2010 12:32 PM in reply to Rick Jones
Yeah, the pass it, fix it, then do a standalone public option option *should* be a very attractive proposition for a Democratic party that needs to fire up its base in a populist-flavored election cycle (and given that it polls ridiculously well across party lines). But of course, many Dems are idiots.
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hollywood
March 2, 2010 12:40 PM in reply to Moose49
IF PREMIUMS INCREASE SIGNIFICANTLY????? IF????
What planet are you living on? Earth to Moose .... PREMIUMS ARE EXPLODING!
Why are Americans so blind to corporate theft? My premiums have been skyrocketing year after year and now 39% this year! I am so fucking god damned sick and tired of getting screwed by these corporations and NOTHING gets done about it! NOTHING!
The Public Option was the one clear way to keep insurance companies under some pressure to compete with reality but that, despite being hugely popular, is not going to happen. This is not a democracy people ...... it is a corporate empire and getting more so everyday.
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Moose49
March 2, 2010 2:01 PM in reply to hollywood
Premiums are exploding now with no health care reform in place. After a real health insurance exchange is set up with true competition (unlike the monopoly and near-monopoly status that exists in many states right now), the idea at least is that rates will stabilize. Of course, that may not pan out in the real world, which is why a public option is preferable to none. But if when all is said and done a majority can't be built in the House or Senate for a public option, I believe having a health care reform bill without one is still vastly preferable to the status quo, which as you note is a disaster turning into a catastrophe.
One the legislation is in effect, if premiums do keep rising after all -- which in would turn place additional budget pressure on the federal goverment given the subsidies that would be in place -- then there will be growing and hopefully irresistable pressure for enacting a public option at that point.
The bottom line is it will be easier to pass a public option with a health care reform law in place than it will be to start over from scratch and enact a new health care reform bill in years to come.
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hollywood
March 2, 2010 5:30 PM in reply to Moose49
Thanks~ that is all about the truth of it. I am just trying to digest the fact that by the time the exchanges kick in about 2014 or whatever, that my premiums will at this rate have about tripled! The obvious thing is that the corporations are going to rape and pillage us all before they have any incentive to slow it down in the exchanges. The legislation about to pass is just sort of a green light and a road map on how to gouge everyone for the next few years. I guess Americans are just too stupid to ever do anything in their own best interest until it is a complete crisis.
I am really starting to believe that Medicare for Everyone is the best way out of this mess. With no middleman insurance corporation skimming 30% off the top for overhead and profits that might just stabilize this circus of profiteers for awhile. I would also consider just moving the hell out of this dog-eat-dog-corporate-rat-fuck and living the rest of my life in an actual civilized society.
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Eric Jaffa
March 2, 2010 11:15 AM
The House voted for the public option once this year.
If Obama and Pelosi were pushing for it, they could get the House to do so, again.
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Eric Jaffa
March 2, 2010 11:16 AM in reply to Eric Jaffa
Update: The vote was last year.
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calchala
March 2, 2010 11:28 AM in reply to Eric Jaffa
It's different now. Pelosi and Obama need to get folks who didn't vote for the bill with the public option before. That's the problem. Most of those folks are from Mccain districts.
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dal20402
March 2, 2010 11:27 AM
This public option push is coming at the wrong time.
Let's get the distractions out of the way and get the Senate bill + reconciliation package THROUGH already.
The second those votes are in the books, then we start pushing for a public option again.
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jcbhan
March 2, 2010 11:54 AM
The whole public option thing is really all about progressives figuring out who their friends and foes are in the party. its a litmus test, not a policy objective.
either that or its a chit to be used to buy a trigger, opt out or medicare buy in during the compromise. but the idea that the public option is going to somehow pass the house and senate is still fantasy.
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VictorLH
March 2, 2010 12:27 PM in reply to jcbhan
The Medicare buy in is the better choice.
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MzTicketyBoo
March 2, 2010 11:58 AM
Individuals who support the PO should overwhelm their respective house and senate members office phones til the lines crash. If this is an option WE truly want to see enacted before our life time, then blow their sh#t up. I'm sick and tired of all this unfruitful deliberation.
Make a rucus, people.
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Nutter
March 2, 2010 4:20 PM
Hey, all you libs out there, you are fucking hypocrites. When there was a bill that had something like a public option, I still here you guys telling Obama to fuck himself. And now that the public option is gaining support, I am still hearing you guys wanting to bitch slap him.
So which is it?
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