Health Care

Baucus to Gang of Six: Time to Fish or Cut Bait

Brian Beutler | September 8, 2009, 7:03PM

Senate Finance Committee chairman Max Baucus says that if the three Republicans and two Democrats he's been working with to negotiate a health care reform want to see changes in his proposal, they better speak up by 10 a.m. tomorrow.

"The rubber is starting to meet the road here. We're gonna have to start fishing or cut the bait pretty soon and I made that very, very clear to the group."

Lot of metaphors in there. But also a hard deadline. We'll see if, after weeks of trashing health care reform to constituents, Republicans Mike Enzi and Chuck Grassley are ready to start playing nice.

Chuck Grassley

New Ad Hits Grassley for Ties to Special Interests, Opposing Public Option

Brian Beutler | August 31, 2009, 11:04AM

The Progressive Change Campaign Committee and Democracy for America are teaming up once again to target a key opponent to the public option. This time, they're going after Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA)

The groups recently teamed up to run a similar ad targeting Democratic Sen. Ben Nelson of Nebraska.

This ad will run 200 times in four Iowa markets and 100 times in Washington, DC over the next week, though the groups hope to extend the run. As ranking member on the Senate Finance Committee, and lead Republican health care negotiator, Grassley has said the public option is a non-starter.

John McCain

TPMDC Sunday Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | August 23, 2009, 1:00PM

McCain Defends Palin, Also Says: "I Don't Think They Were, Quote, 'Death Panels'"
Appearing on This Week, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) defended his former running mate Sarah Palin on her claim that President Obama's health care plan would create "death panels," though he did admit her wording was off. "Look, I don't think they were, quote, 'death panels,' don't get me wrong," said McCain. "I don't think - but on the best treatment procedures part of the bill, it does open it up to decisions being made as far - that should be left - those choices left to the patient and the individual."

Grassley: End-of-Life Provision "Just Scares The Devil Out of People"
Appearing on Face The Nation, Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) explained that he used the phrase "pull the plug on grandma" while trying to assuage fears that people have about the health care bill: "It won't do that, but I wanted to explain why my constituents are concerned about it, and I also want to say that there is an $8 billion cost with that issue, and if you're trying to save money and you put an $8 billion of doctors giving you some advice at the end of life, doctors are going to take advantage of earning that $8 billion and constituents see that as an opportunity to save some money. It just scares the devil out of people."

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Health Care

Maddow Runs Down Grassley's Nefarious Role In Health Care Reform Debate

Brian Beutler | August 21, 2009, 11:24AM

It's hard to keep track of all of Sen. Chuck Grassley's health care machinations. Whether it's pulling the pug on grandma, or saying there should be 80 votes for a health care bill, or demanding Obama denounce the public option, he always seems to be finding new and creative ways to move the line on bipartisan reform closer and closer to the GOP view. Thankfully, Rachel Maddow did a pretty good job of putting it all together last night.

For more on this, too, read Greg Sargent.

Ted Kennedy

TPMDC Morning Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | August 20, 2009, 9:03AM

Kennedy Urges Massachusetts To Provide For Speedy Senate Appointment
Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-MA) has written a letter to Gov. Deval Patrick (D-MA) and state legislative leaders, urging them to change the state's special-election law to allow a temporary gubernatorial appointment. Kennedy wrote that "it is vital for this commonwealth to have two voices speaking for the needs of its citizens and two votes in the Senate during the approximately five months between a vacancy and an election."

Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama will appear by phone on Michael Smerconish's radio show at 1:10 p.m. ET. At 2:45 p.m. ET, he will participate in the Organizing for America National Health Care Forum, at DNC headquarters.

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Chuck Grassley

Grassley: After I Trashed Health Care Reform In Multiple Venues, It's Time To Work Together

Brian Beutler | August 19, 2009, 1:20PM

After saying that Democratic health care reform could allow the government to "pull the plug on grandma," calling the public option a "predator," and saying he'd vote against his own compromise legislation if it didn't have overwhelming GOP support, Senate Finance Committee ranking member Chuck Grassley (R-IA) says its time for Democrats and Republicans to work together on health care reform.

"I've said all year that something as big and important as health care legislation should have broad-based support," Grassley told The Hill.

"So far, no one has developed that kind of support, either in Congress or at the White House. That doesn't mean we should quit. It means we should keep working until we can put something together that gets that widespread support."

Grassley's entreaty may come a bit too late. Senior White House officials, including Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel and Press Secretary Robert Gibbs publicly admitted today that most Republicans aren't interested in health care reform. Taking Grassley at his word, that suggests there's no reason for him to continue participating in negotiations. And taking the administration at its word, it may just be the case that bipartisan health care talks are dead.

Health Care

Massa: Grassley's "Pull The Plug On Grandma" Line Was An Act Of Treason

Brian Beutler | August 19, 2009, 12:08PM

In a huddle with progressives at Netroots Nation, Rep. Eric Massa (D-NY)--an outspoken Democrat from a conservative, upstate district--says Sen. Chuck Grassley's comments about end-of-life care constitute "an act of treason."

Grassley told a crowd of health care reform skeptics they were right to be concerned that, under Democratic health care legislation, the government would "pull the plug on grandma." Dishonest? Yes. But treason?

Now, on the one hand, Massa is a former military officer, and so should know perfectly well what is treason and what isn't. But he's also a former Republican, and apparently hasn't yet lost the "when in doubt, accuse of treason" reflex.

As a Democrat--and serving in a Republican-leaning district--Massa has eclectic views. He broke with the GOP over the Iraq war and plans to vote for single payer health care. But he opposes the health care plans the administration supports on cost grounds, and supported closing the southern border after the swine flu outbreak was traced to Mexico.

Chuck Grassley

Kyl: Even A Deficit Neutral Health Care Bill Without A Public Option Won't Get Republican Support

Brian Beutler | August 18, 2009, 2:42PM

On a conference call today with reporters, Senate Minority Whip John Kyl (R-AZ) said almost no health care compromise is likely to win significant Republican support.

"There is no way that Republicans are going to support a trillion-dollar-plus bill," Kyl said. "I have no doubt that they can make it revenue neutral to find enough ways to tax the American people, but that doesn't mean the Republicans will support it."

As for the co-op compromise? "It's a step towards government-run health care in this country."

The remarks are particularly significant coming a day after Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA), the lead Republican health care negotiator in the Senate, said he'd vote against his own bill--and all the compromises he's forcing into it--if it doesn't win a great number of Republican votes.

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Chuck Grassley

Grassley Says "Death Panel Controversy" Is Liberal Diversion, Then Doubles Down On Death Panel Controversy

Brian Beutler | August 18, 2009, 11:34AM

Appearing on Fox News this morning, Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) once again called the death panel controversy (which he stoked) a Democratic party diversion...and then noted that the House proposal to reimburse doctors for providing end-of-life care "raises questions."

"What they try to do is divert attention," Grassley said, referring to what he called the House's "miserably poor health care bill."

But then he switched gears, to defend his support for end of life counseling six years ago. "[W]e were talking just in the very narrow area of hospice care...nothing to do with saving money," Grassley said. "And when you get in to what their goals are in the House bill, it's saving money...and we never had anything like that in 2003."

Host Megyn Kelly interjected, "and your concern is the plan to save money and cut costs, coupled with these end of life consultations, raises questions, I guess.'

"And coupled with government takeover of health care," affirmed Grassley.

Health Care

Key House Progressive: It's Time To Ditch Chuck Grassley From Health Care Negotiations

Brian Beutler | August 18, 2009, 10:20AM

Yesterday, I noted that Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA)--the powerful ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee and chief Republican negotiator in the bipartisan Gang of Six--said he'd vote against his own health care compromise if it didn't win more than a handful of GOP votes.

That seems to have gotten the attention of some progressives, one of whom took to the cable channels this morning to suggest that the White House ditch Grassley.

"I don't know what's the point of negotiating with Chuck Grassley, frankly, if he says himself he can't deliver any Republicans," said Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-NY) on MSNBC this morning.

Grassley's been putting on quite a public show of late, falsely affirming the concerns of some health care reform skeptics that House Democrats will create death panels, and then blaming the controversy on liberals.

For his part, Weiner has become a leading public spokesman for robust health care reform, criticizing the administration for its willingness to compromise, and insisting that health care reform will die in the House without a public option.

Chuck Grassley

Grassley: I Won't Vote For My Own Bill Without Broad Republican Support

Brian Beutler | August 17, 2009, 3:26PM

In a rather lengthy telephone interview with MSNBC earlier today, Senate Finance Committee ranking member Chuck Grassley said he'll vote against his own bipartisan health care bill if it doesn't win the support of more Republicans.

In case you don't have the patience to wade through the whole interview, Chuck Todd asked Grassley, "[a]re you willing to be just one of three or four Republicans while 36 or 37 including the Senate Republican leadership...all being against it?"

Grassley responded, "Absolutely not. And I told the President that a week ago Thursday and I told [committee chairman] Max Baucus that over a period of three or four months."

As a followup, "If you have--if it's something you believe...if you think this is a good deal, and overall because of the politics of the situation you can't get more Republicans on board, you're going to go ahead and vote against it."

"It isn't a good deal if I can't sell my product to more Republicans."

So Max Baucus has insisted on building a bill that can pass his committee with more than one Republican. For that he's allowed Grassley, along with Sens. Olympia Snowe (R-ME) and Mike Enzi (R-WY), to significantly water down the legislation. But Grassley says, publicly, that if the rest of the GOP is against the final product, he'll turn around and vote against it. Which seems quite likely. It seems to me, that if nominal GOP support is the name of the game, there are other Republicans who will actually vote for the bill they insist on weakening.

Late update: More on Grassley's appearance from Rachel Slajda.

Chuck Grassley

Grassley 'Clarifies' Pull Plug On Grandma Statement, While Spokesman Retracts

Brian Beutler | August 17, 2009, 10:08AM

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA)--one of the most influential health care legislators on Capitol Hill--has an explanation for everybody who groaned when he told a crowd of reform skeptics they were right to be concerned that Democratic health care reform would "pull the plug on grandma."

You see, he says, "[t]he issue is whether end-of-life provisions should be part of legislation that's about controlling health care spending, and which also creates a government-run health care program, as the Pelosi bill does."

Ah yes. End-of-life counseling is a good thing--but when it's written in to a bill that creates a public option (which won't cover seniors, who already enjoy Medicare) and is devoted to cost containment...well, people might begin to think that's a recipe for coerced euthanasia. So paying Medicare doctors for providing end of life counseling should be codified in a stand alone bill. Or something.

I'm going way out on a limb here, but maybe deathers think what they think because people like Grassley go out and tell them they're right to be afraid, despite knowing full well that House health care legislation won't "give the government such authority in deciding when and how people die."

You can read his full statement below the fold.

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Arlen Specter

Septuagenarian Twitter Flame War: Grassley Warns Specter He Never Said "Death Boards"

Brian Beutler | August 14, 2009, 2:07PM

Well, Grassley never picked up. So Specter tweeted all about it.

And Grassley is not pleased.

And in a narrow sense, Grassley's right. He didn't use the term "death boards" or "death panels." He said "There is some fear because in the House bill, there is counseling for end-of-life. And from that standpoint, you have every right to fear.... We should not have a government program that determines if you're going to pull the plug on grandma."

But in the broader sense, Specter's got Grassley pegged.

And in the broadest sense, it's easy to imagine these guys starring in an Internet-themed sequel to Grumpier Old Men.

Arlen Specter

Specter: I'll Call Up Grassley Today And Tell Him End Of Life Counseling "Not A Death Squad"

Brian Beutler | August 14, 2009, 11:55AM

Sen. Arlen Specter (D-PA) just told a crowd of skeptical progressives that he's willing to take up and dispel the death panel rumor with perhaps its most respected proponent: Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA).

Specter said he'd call Grassley from back stage and tell him "it's not a death squad."

Progress. Earlier this week, Grassley endorsed the false rumor that Democrats were proposing a "pull the plug on granny" provision in their health care reform legislation, then turned around and scotched an end of life counseling measure the Senate Finance Committee's bill, alleging that it could be "misinterpreted" by the public.

Late update: Awwww. How sad. Seems Grassley didn't pick up the phone when Specter called him. Wonder if he got tipped off!

Tom Coburn

Coburn Supports Palin And Grassley, Says Dems Plan To Limit Care

Eric Kleefeld | August 13, 2009, 12:55PM

Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK) is now backing up Sarah Palin's "death panel" line and Chuck Grassley's assertion that the Democrats would "pull the plug on grandma," citing as proof that the Democrats shot down an amendment he'd offered for an absolute prohibition on rationing based on comparative effectiveness research:

"Their plan -- they're not gonna speak it, because they know if they speak it, it'll never pass -- their plan is to control costs by limiting options," said Coburn. "That's how England controls costs, that's how Canada controls costs. They give you access to a waiting line. And unfortunately, tons of people die every year."

Death Panels

In Midst Of Firestorm Over "Death Panels," Senate Finance Committee To Eschew End Of Life Counseling

Brian Beutler | August 13, 2009, 11:56AM

Less than a day after Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) validated cooked-up fears that Democratic health care legislation would create "death panels," it appears, according to the Wall Street Journal, that the Senate Finance Committee will not be including a provision to reimburse Medicare doctors who provide end-of-life counseling to dying patients in its bill.

Grassley is the Finance Committee's ranking member, and one of six senators on the panel working to craft a bipartisan health care bill.

Until a few days ago, the measure--which is included in House legislation--was completely uncontroversial. But with opponents desperate to undermine support for health care reform, high profile Republicans are now equating it to "pulling the plug on grandma," reaffirming the fears of misinformed protesters who are lashing out at this and other misconceptions at health care town halls across the country.

Barack Obama

TPMDC Morning Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | August 3, 2009, 9:01AM

Two Sides Taking Health Care Debate Outside Washington
The Obama Administration and its opponents will be spending the August recess heavily promoting their sides of the health care debate. "Our job is to help folks understand how this will help them," said David Axelrod. On the other end of the spectrum, Sens. Tom Coburn (R-OK) and John Barrasso (R-WY) will be going on the road with their "Senate Doctors Show," warning against the Democratic plan.

Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama will deliver remarks at 11:05 a.m. ET, on the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill. At 12:30 p.m. ET, he will meet with Shaykh Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al Sabah, Amir of Kuwait, and the two of them will be joined by Vice President Biden for lunch at 12:45 p.m. Et. Obama will meet with Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) at 3:30 p.m. ET.

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Health Care

Politico: Baucus Says No Bill By August Recess

Brian Beutler | July 31, 2009, 9:10AM

Senate Finance Committee chairman Max Baucus (D-MT) says his health care negotiations won't bear fruit before the August recess, according to Politico.

The report, if accurate, comes a day after Republicans ground negotiations to a halt out of frustration with pressure from Democratic leaders who want the committee to produce a bill before the end of next week. Sen. Mike Enzi (R-WY), the most conservative Republican at the table, is facing significant pressure from his own party's leadership to slow down the negotiations, or scuttle them entirely. But Baucus is committed to a consensus bill. His counterpart, Ranking Member Chuck Grassley (R-IA) has indicated that he won't sign on to a bill unless a Republican other than moderate Olympia Snowe (R-ME) signs on as well. And as such, they've given Enzi--no moderate he--a great deal of say over the terms of the negotiations.

Late update: Here's Roll Call with the corroborating quote: "It's clear there will not be a markup next week," Baucus said. "That's clear. But nevertheless, we are as committed, if not more committed, to find a bipartisan agreement."

Barack Obama

TPMDC Morning Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | July 31, 2009, 9:02AM

Beer Summit Goes Down Smoothly, Participants Agree To Have Lunch
The "Beer Summit" of President Obama, Harvard Prof. Henry Louis Gates and Cambridge Sergeant James Crowley appeared to conclude successfully yesterday -- with the three of them agreeing to meet again for lunch at a later time. Gates gave this very memorable line: "We hit it off right from the beginning. When he's not arresting you, Sergeant Crowley is a really likable guy."

Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama will meet with business leaders at 12 p.m. ET. He will meet with Vice President Biden and Sec. of State Hillary Clinton at 3:30 p.m. ET. Obama and Biden will host a meeting with member of the Cabinet at 6:15 p.m. ET at Blair House, and they will return to the White House at 10 p.m. ET.

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Chuck Grassley

Obama to Grassley: I'm Interested In Alternatives To The Public Option

Brian Beutler | July 27, 2009, 10:01AM

Sen. Charles Grassley (R-IA)--ranking member on the Senate Finance Committee--says President Obama's insistence on a public option might actually be a public show.

"It would have been good if he had said to the entire country what he said to me privately, that he would look to alternatives," Grassley said. "We have a very good alternative by going with cooperatives."

Critics are suspicious of the cooperative idea in general, but particularly of the sort Grassley has proposed. And since the committee's chairman Max Baucus seems insistent upon winning Grassley over, he is perhaps the greatest obstacle to the creation of a public health insurance option. Grassley does say, however, that the chances of passing health care reform legislation of some sort by the end of the year remain quite high.

Health Care

Grassley Tweets: Obama Speech A Waste Of Time

Brian Beutler | July 17, 2009, 4:49PM

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) must've sat around waiting on President Obama's speech for as long as we did here at TPMHQ.

Obama speech on healthCareReform (sic) Absolutely (sic) nothing new Waste (sic) of time saying we are going to get that done Baucus (sic) and I know that But (sic) doRITE (sic)[.]

As ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee, Grassley's no small voice in the health care debate. But he's also developing a reputation as an ornery tweeter. Last month, he similarly took to the text messaging service to blast Obama. "Pres Obama you got nerve while u sightseeing in Paris to tell us"time to deliver" on health care," Grassley said. "We still on skedul/even workinWKEND."