Olympia Snowe

Poll: Snowe Could Lose 2012 GOP Primary In Landslide To Conservative Challenger

Eric Kleefeld | November 10, 2009, 11:07AM

Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-ME)

A new survey of Maine from Public Policy Polling (D) has some dire news for Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-ME), with the moderate Republican potentially losing her 2012 Republican primary against a generic conservative challenger -- and by a landslide, no less.

The numbers: Conservative challenger 59%, Snowe 31%, with a ±4.8% margin of error. It is of course a long way from the idea of a generic conservative challenger to having an actual candidate, but the potential for success by just such an insurgent is certainly there.

Snowe's overall approval is 51%, to 36% disapproval. Democrats approve of her by 60%-29%, Republicans disapprove by 40%-46%, and independents approve by 51%-33%.

The pollster's analysis notes the importance of her vote for a health care bill in the Senate Finance Committee: "Snowe's numbers are steady with independents but down with both Democrats and Republicans compared to three weeks ago, an indication of the perilous political position she finds herself in. Republicans are mad at her for supporting any Democratic bill, while Democrats still are not completely happy with her because of her hesitance to support a public option."

Health Care

Do or Die: The Six Senators Who Will Decide the Fate of Health Care Reform

Brian Beutler | November 9, 2009, 1:46PM

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid faces a number of obstacles to passing health care reform but his main task is to keep his caucus united for not one, but two, supermajority votes, just to get the reform bill an up or down on the Senate floor. Failure to get 60 votes to push past either of those two procedural chokepoints could derail the reform bill. Here are the six key holdouts Reid must wrangle to reach the magic threshold.

Read more »

Health Care

Pelosi To Unveil Health Care Bill This Morning--To Crowd Of Tea Partiers?

Brian Beutler | October 29, 2009, 9:14AM

Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)

As announced yesterday, Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House Democrats will unveil the health care bill they plan to bring to the floor this morning. The long awaited legislation will come in at under $900 billion. Like the Senate bill, its public option will reimburse providers at negotiated rates--though unlike in the Senate bill, states will not be allowed to opt out.

Pelosi had pushed in recent days for a more robust public option, which would have saved more money. To make up for those lost savings, the House bill will lower the Medicaid threshold to 150 percent of the poverty line (it was originally expected to cover everybody below 133 percent of poverty).

The employer and individual mandates will be more robust than in the Senate bill, and, as a result, the bill is expected to cover millions more Americans. The $900 billion will be covered by a mix of taxes on high-income earners, industry contributions and savings wrung from existing government health care programs. That means it will not expand the deficit for at least the first 10 years.

Read more »

Health Care

Baucus Calm In Face Of Lieberman Threat To Health Care Reform

Brian Beutler | October 27, 2009, 5:06PM

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT)

After a meeting of Senate Finance Committee Democrats in his office this afternoon, chairman Max Baucus sought to contain the fallout from Sen. Joe Lieberman's statement today that he'd be inclined to filibuster a health care bill with a public option in it.

"A lot of this now is in Sen. Reid's hands--I certainly would expect [for the bill to proceed to debate]," Baucus said.

I think he's quite close, and there's time yet. I think some senators are not definitely decided because they want to see the CBO report. They want to look at CBO's cost estimates, coverage estimates, effect on premiums, etc., before they make up their minds. Once the CBO report comes out--at some point, hopefully sooner rather than later--it's going to be positive. And once it's positive, I think we'll find a lot more senators inclined to get on the bill.

For a time line of conflicting Lieberman statements on the public option, see here. For a rundown of his previous willingness not to obstruct legislation, see here.

Public Option

AHIP Calls Public Option 'A Roadblock To Reform'

Evan McMorris-Santoro | October 27, 2009, 9:12AM

AHIP, the lobbying arm of the nation's health insurance companies, took a hard line against the public option after Senate Maj. Leader Harry Reid said last night one would be included in a final health care reform bill.

"A new government-run plan would underpay doctors and hospitals rather than driving real reforms that bring down costs and improve quality," the group said in statement posted to the AHIP website. "The American people want health care reform that will reduce costs and this plan doesn't do that."

Read more »

Health Care

Baucus: I Support Harry Reid And A Public Option

Brian Beutler | October 26, 2009, 4:09PM

Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT) and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV)

Senate Finance Committee chairman Max Baucus, who was reportedly none too pleased when he learned that Harry Reid was leaning towards putting a public option in the Senate's health care bill, is now singing a much more positive tune. "It is time to make our system work better for patients and providers, for small business owners and for our economy. It is time for health care reform," Baucus said.

For more than a year, we've been working to meet the goals of reducing the growth of health care costs, improving quality and efficiency and expanding coverage. There are a tremendous number of complicated issues that go into reform and the public option is certainly one of them. I included a public option in the health reform blueprint I released nearly one year ago, and continue to support any provision, including a public option, that will ensure choice and competition and get the 60 votes needed to pass the Senate. Success should be our threshold and I am going to fight hard for the 60 votes we need to meet that goal this year.

There's still some wiggle room there. (Will Baucus help twist arms to get to 60?) But he seems to be implying that he thinks the public option plus opt-out can clear the threshold--and that's the first clear statement of his abstract support for the provision in quite some time.

Health Care

Reid Hopes To Unveil Health Care Bill Details Next Week

Brian Beutler | October 23, 2009, 6:02PM

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), Senator Harry Reid (D-NV), Senator Max Baucus (D-MT)

These deadlines seem to be made to be broken, and with all the hoopla surrounding the public option still unfolding, it could happen. But a leadership source tells me that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid hopes to unveil details of the Senate health care bill--the merged version of the Senate HELP and Finance Committee bills--early next week.

We know things are still changing. We know Reid has been leaning toward incorporating an opt-out public option in the final package. We know that other public option compromises are under consideration. We know that the White House has been trying to push back against Reid on this. What we don't know yet is what the outcome of all this sturm und drang will be. We may find out sooner than later.

Health Care

Sources: White House Pushing Back Against Senate Public Option Opt Out Compromise

Brian Beutler | October 23, 2009, 3:11PM

President Barack Obama

Multiple sources tell TPMDC that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is very close to rounding up 60 members in support of a public option with an opt out clause, and are continuing to push skeptical members. But they also say that the White House is pushing back against the idea, in a bid to retain the support of Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-ME).

"They're skeptical of opt out and are generally deferential to the Snowe strategy that involves the trigger," said one source close to negotiations between the Senate and the White House. "they're certainly not calming moderates' concerns on opt out."

This new development, which casts the White House as an opponent of all but the most watered down form of public option, is likely to yield backlash from progressives, especially those in the House who have been pushing for a more maximal version of reform.

It also suggests, for perhaps the first time, that the White House's supposed hands off approach, to ostensibly allow the two chambers in Congress to craft their own bills, has been discarded.

Read more »

Health Care

How High Will Public Option Trial Balloon Fly In The Senate?

Brian Beutler | October 22, 2009, 6:51PM

For days there was silence. And then this morning and afternoon, the floodgates opened. Senators began saying, on the record, that Democratic leadership was leaning toward putting a public option--with an opt out clause--in the base Senate health care bill.

But, as a source close to the negotiations told me, there's more to leadership's inclination than meets the eye. Part of the play here is to see whether this news causes Senate centrists to flip out. A classic trial balloon. So far, only Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-ME) has said it will likely cost Harry Reid her cloture vote. Conservative Democrats might not be pleased, but so far they're keeping it fairly bottled up. Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE) voiced some displeasure, but nobody's gone into revolt.

Assuming the calm endures, chances seem pretty good that this is the direction Reid will take. But it won't be set in stone...until it's set in stone. As Greg Sargent has noted, the votes aren't there yet for a straightforward public option like the level-playing-field plan in the Senate HELP Committee's bill. In other words, negotiations will continue.

Tom Carper

Carper: Senate Bill Will Include A National Public Plan With An Opt Out

Brian Beutler | October 22, 2009, 4:00PM

Sen. Thomas Carper (D-DE)

After a meeting with Democrats on the Senate Finance Committee, Sen. Tom Carper (D-DE) discussed the status of the public plan in the Senate health care bill with reporters. Here's what he said:

"I think at the end of the day there will be a national plan probably put together not by the federal government but by a non-profit board with some seed money from the federal government that states would initially participate in because of lack of affordability. The question is should there be an opportunity for states to opt out later on and if so, within a year, within two years, within three years?"

How would this plan work? "Among the things that's important," Carper said, "is, one, that this not be a government run, government funded enterprise, two, that there be a level playing field so that this non-profit entity that would be stood up would have to play by same rules basically as for-profit insurance companies--the idea that secretary of Health and Human Services [will be] running or directing the operation of this--no way.

We ought to have a non-profit board--it could be appointed by the President but a non profit board. They'd have to retain earnings, create a retained earnings pool, so that if they run into financial problems later on the financial needs of the plan could be met by the retained earnings, not by the federal government.

Carper suggested that a state's ability to opt out could be determined by the effectiveness and competitiveness of its insurance market. "There should be some standard--how do we say to a state, 'No you've got to participate in it right from day one,' and if so should there be an opportunity later on for you to say, 'Well, it's not working, we don't want to continue to be a part that,' and to opt out."

I pressed Carper on whether this entity would be accountable to taxpayers. He didn't answer directly--clearly there's some interest in de-emphasizing the government's role in the insurance market--he did sugest that the public option, though run by a non-government entity, would answer to the government.

And that would appear to bring it into line with the demands of the largest health care reform campaign in the country.

House of Representatives

New GOP Health Care Attack: Obama Administration Slams Its Own Plan

Brian Beutler | October 21, 2009, 6:39PM

This afternoon, the Associated Press reports ominously: "A new government estimate finds that the nation's health care tab -- already the biggest of any advanced country -- would increase even more under health care overhaul legislation in the House."

And it's true. The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services has found that the version of House legislation passed by the Ways and Means Committee would cause national health care expenditures to grow. So naturally, the GOP is jumping all over it.

"The American people have never fallen for the Democrat spin that a government takeover of health care would lower costs," said Rep. Tom Price (R-GA), chair of the Republican Study Committee.

Now, the Obama administration has confirmed that the Democrat plan would actually grow the slice of the pie consisting of American health care spending. With the country already struggling under the flawed economic policies of this administration, the last thing we need is to strain Americans' ability to pay for their health care.

With the administration affirming that H.R. 3200 is bad medicine for the American economy, I hope House Democrats will take heed and pursue a different approach to reform. It's time for Speaker Pelosi to toss this costly legislation and start over with bipartisan ideas that empower patients to control their own health care decisions.

So, obviously, there are a number of caveats.

Read more »

Health Care

HCAN's Kirsch: We're Glad To See Strong Support For Public Option...Let's Do It

Brian Beutler | October 21, 2009, 10:58AM

Health Care for America Now is the largest reform campaign in the country. It's also the group that set the parameters for the public option that have defined the debate over the provision for months. Today, HCAN campaign director Richard Kirsch sees Pelosi's push for a "robust" public option as a validation of both the politics and policy of the popular measure.

"We're glad to see, as the Speaker points out, strong support [for the robust public option] over 200 members," Kirsch says.

"This is not just an ideological battle," he adds. "At the heart this is a battle about quality of care...it's also about saving money, for making health care more affordable. A strong public option will save $110 billion."

Read more »

Health Care

Pelosi Whipping House Health Care Plan--Including Robust Public Option

Brian Beutler | October 21, 2009, 9:07AM

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)

As I reported last night, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is making a concerted push to pass a health care bill with a robust public option. In previous weeks, Pelosi maintained that House health care principals were still hashing out whether the public option in the bill would pay providers Medicare-like reimbursement rates, or whether those rates would be negotiated by administrators.

But a favorable CBO report seems to have settled all that, and Pelosi's decided to go all in for a public option.

House Majority Whip James Clyburn's operation will be in full swing today, rounding up the last of the 218 votes needed for passage. Rural Democrats and some Blue Dogs are not likely pleased, and many will surely oppose the bill--we'll be keeping an eye on their actions today.

Read more »

Health Care

Pelosi Prepares To Move Ahead With Robust Public Option

Brian Beutler | October 20, 2009, 8:09PM

Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)

New CBO numbers may have sealed the deal. Speaker Nancy Pelosi is preparing to move ahead with a "robust" public option--one that reimburses hospitals and providers at Medicare rates, plus five percent--in the House's health care bill. She is briefing her caucus about the plan's savings tonight, and, pending the approval of a sufficient majority of members, will adopt the measure as part of the complete reform package.

The analysis finds the reconstituted House proposal to be deficit neutral, and require less than $900 billion (reportedly around $870 billion) in new spending, over ten years.

The bill remains nominally more expensive than the Senate Finance Committee proposal, but would cover 96 percent of all Americans, providing greater bang for each federal dollar spent. And, aides note, the bill that comes to the floor of the Senate will be a hybrid of the Finance and more expensive HELP Committee bills, so the price is expected to rise.

Read more »

Health Care

Dems Keep Quiet As Leaders Hash Out Key Health Care Details

Brian Beutler | October 20, 2009, 6:35PM

Senator Harry Reid (D-NV); Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel; Senator Max Baucus (D-MT); Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT)

Another day, and still a dearth of details. Senators and White House officials were almost comically tight-lipped throughout the afternoon on the progress of health care reform negotiations, even though it's clear by now that the people in the room hashing out the Senate's bill are getting down to the nitty gritty.

During a weekly caucus meeting, Democrats were briefed on the details of last night's health care powwow, yet, afterward, none were forthcoming with details.

"What I'm especially pleased about is that we're not rushing," said Sen. Tom Carper (D-DE). "I'm sure there's some who are impatient."

"It wasn't a townhall meeting at all. It was more like a prayer meeting," said Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE), who declined to divulge any specifics.

"We got into it a little bit, not a lot," added Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI). "[Leadership is] extremely open and working with everybody."

In a moment of coyness gone awry, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid told reporters, "we're leaning towards talking about the public option." Last night his spokesman Jim Manley said, without going into detail, that Senate and White House negotiators discussed "the public option, affordability, and other key issues," during their evening scrum.

Read more »

Chris Dodd

Health Care Negotiations Between Senate, White House Continue Tonight

Brian Beutler | October 20, 2009, 10:06AM

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), Senator Harry Reid (D-NV), Senator Max Baucus (D-MT)

The intricate process of turning two very different health care bills into one will continue tonight, as Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid hosts Sens. Chris Dodd (D-CT), Max Baucus (D-MT), and a number of high-level White House officials in his offices tonight.

Last night, Reid spokesman Jim Manley said the health care bill will come to the floor just as soon as a CBO cost estimate is available. Before negotiations got under way in earnest, Reid suggested that the Senate would begin debate on a single piece of legislation on October 26, but aides now caution that we're more likely to see action in the first or second week of November.

Before that time, negotiators will have to make some potentially monumental decisions, including whether or not the bill that comes to the floor will include a public option. We'll keep tabs for you.

Health Care

White House, Senate Principals Discuss Public Option, But Reach No Decisions--Talks Continue Tuesday

Brian Beutler | October 19, 2009, 7:36PM

Senator Harry Reid (D-NV); Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel; Senator Max Baucus (D-MT); Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT)

Senate health care leaders, and White House officials including Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, Office of Health Reform Director Nancy-Ann DeParle and Sens. Chris Dodd (D-CT), Max Baucus (D-MT), Harry Reid (D-NV), met behind closed doors for over an hour in a leadership office Monday night to discuss and negotiate the merging of two different health care bills.

A spokesman for Reid was mum about the details, except to say that the group discussed the public option, affordability and other issues at the heart of the plan to reform the nation's health care system.

The same officials are expected to huddle again Tuesday to continue the talks.

Health Care

Baucus: The Public Option Is Alive...We're Just Not Sure What Type

Brian Beutler | October 19, 2009, 2:52PM

Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT)

On a conference call with reporters moments ago, Senate Finance Committee chairman Max Baucus said that the public option is still alive, adding, in a familiar refrain, that the question for Democrats now is what kind of public option can get 60 votes.

The goal, Baucus said, was to include something in the bill that keeps premiums down and keeps insurance companies honest. "We just need to find ways to help reach that goal, in addition to the provisions in the bill," Baucus said.

Baucus cited several permutations of public option proposals under discussion, including what he described as "Medicare light [the robust public option], even playing field [proposed by Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY), there's co-ops--that's private, not public--there's opt in, opt out," Baucus said.

Read more »

Health Care

Pelosi Aims to Squeeze Skeptics on Public Option With Cheaper Bill Than Senate

Brian Beutler | October 19, 2009, 12:41PM

Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) with Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV)

The House health care bill is getting cheaper, but Democrats aren't boasting just yet. Because when they ultimately break silence the hope is to present conservative Democrats in both chambers with a bill that will walk the walk of fiscal responsibility--including a public option, which is projected to save the government billions.

As always, the legislative process is unpredictable, and the Senate is operating in isolation from the House. But with the public option potentially in the balance, Speaker Pelosi's goal is this: present conservative Democrats in both chambers with a Hobson's choice between a public option bill and a potentially more expensive Senate bill that may have no public option at all.

On Friday, the Washington Post ran with leaked CBO numbers, showing that House health care leaders have reduced the price tag of their bill by at least $100 billion. The numbers were preliminary--not reflective of the current state of the legislation, which is changing constantly--but they showed a definite downward trajectory in the overall cost of its reform plan.

Still, leadership was not pleased.

Read more »

Health Care

Conrad Settles Into Familiar Role: 'Hard To See How A Public Option Gets The Votes'

Brian Beutler | October 15, 2009, 1:44PM

Sen. Kent Conrad (D-ND)

Before members of the Senate Finance Committee were forced to go on the record about the public option, Sen. Kent Conrad (D-ND) refused to state a personal opinion on the question calling it "moot," and focusing all of his efforts on advancing a system of private, non-profit co-operatives instead.

Since then, though, Conrad's message has changed slightly, though he still says a public option will be a hard sell in the Senate. In response to a question from TPMDC, Conrad said it's "hard to see" where the public option gets the votes.

Read more »

Health Care

Wyden Calls Baucus Bill Exchanges 'Unacceptable'

Evan McMorris-Santoro | October 15, 2009, 12:42PM

Speaking with ABC's Rick Klein just now on the Baucus health care reform bill he voted for Tuesday, Sen Ron Wyden (D-OR) took aim at conservatives and said there is "more do do" before the bill is complete.

Wyden said he voted in favor of the bill in the Senate Finance Committee because he "felt it was important to move the issue forward." He said Democrats had to push the bill past "far right" senators who "want to prevent any health care reform" from passing this year.

Wyden also jabbed White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs for saying so often the president wants a final bill with choice and competition. Wyden says the exchanges found in the Baucus bill will exclude 90% of people from participating within seven years. He favors exchanges for all like the ones available to members of Congress, who can switch among providers and plans when they wish. In the interview with Klein, Wyden called the Baucus exchanges "unacceptable" and said the White House claim that exchanges do provide choice and competition is "not going to pass the smell test."

A spokesperson told TPMDC later Wyden will vote against the Baucus bill if it includes the exchanges as written.

Late Update: Wyden appeared on ABCNews' TopLine webcast (video not available yet).

Susan Collins

Associated Press Overplays Likelihood Of Collins Support For Health Care Reform

Brian Beutler | October 14, 2009, 1:29PM

Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME)

As the Associated Press has it, "[a]nother Republican senator says she's open to voting for a sweeping health care overhaul this year."

Reflexively, it makes sense to assume that Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) might be a gettable vote for health care reform. She's the moderate Republican besides her Maine colleague Olympia Snowe to vote with Democrats on major agenda items. But, as Greg Sargent notes, that's almost certainly not going to be the case on health care reform.

Her official statement in response to the passage of health care legislation on the Senate Finance Committee was to lambaste it in pretty clear terms. AP appears to be basing their headline on her final words:

Read more »

Health Care

Rockefeller On Reid And The Public Option: It Comes Down To Who You Are

Brian Beutler | October 14, 2009, 1:09PM

Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV)

Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) suggested today Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid ought to act his conscience on the public option, and include it in the health care bill that comes to the floor.

Speaking to reporters outside the Senate chamber, Rockefeller sounded confident that the public option would be in the final reform package. Asked whether Reid should heed the will of the Democratic caucus (which overwhelmingly supports the public option) or do what he deems is most politically expedient, Rockefeller said it's up to Harry.

"He's got to look at both, but--I think it's sort of the time I think when it comes down to who you are. I mean that was obviously in Olympia's case, right?"

Read more »

Health Care

Flawed Insurance Industry Report Is Rallying Cry For Obama Grassroots Group

Brian Beutler | October 14, 2009, 9:12AM

President Barack Obama speaks at a Human Rights Campaign event.

One of the key dynamics at yesterday's historic Senate Finance Committee hearing was the schism between Democrats and Republicans on the findings of a health insurance industry-designed analysis of the Baucus Bill. While Republicans were cautiously willing to accept the report, Democrats used it to highlight the need for true reform. And now, President Obama's grassroots political organization is attempting some similar jujitsu.

In a letter to members, Organizing for America describes the industry report as "a blatant scare tactic designed to frighten voters and bully Congress...Send a message urging Congress to stand with voters, not D.C. lobbyists, and pass real reform."

You can read the entire letter below the fold. Yesterday, Democratic senators were almost giddy that the unpopular industry had decided to take them on, predicting that the move would actually make reform more likely to pass. Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) even predicted that the report had even improved the chances that the final bill will include a public option.

Read more »

Health Care

Finance Bill Passes With Snowe's Support--So What Does That Mean For Reform?

Brian Beutler | October 13, 2009, 5:10PM

There's no way around the fact that today's Senate Finance Committee vote was a major milestone in the five-month long health care reform saga. That much is not in doubt. But in a way, the outcome had been largely pre-determined, and the public focus--from pressure groups and pundits and reporters--has already turned to the next stage in the process: starting tomorrow, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, working with Finance chair Max Baucus, Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT), Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA), White House officials, and a handful of other people will begin the arduous and crucial task of merging the Senate's two competing bills.

That will likely be a crucial moment for the public option, and that means the story behind the story of the Finance bill's passage is still evolving. We learned today, in a moment of great political theatrics, that Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-ME) decided to support the Baucus bill. What we'll learn in the days and weeks ahead is what that decision means for the substance of the bill going forward.

Here's why it could have significant implications:

Read more »

Health Care

Key Senators React To Passage Of The Finance Committee Health Care Bill

Brian Beutler | October 13, 2009, 3:02PM

Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT)

In the wake of the successful vote on the Senate Finance Committee's health care bill, key senators weighed in on the most hot button issues at the heart of the reform fight: the public option and budget reconciliation. Both Sens. Jay Rockefeller and Chuck Schumer said during the hearing that the final package must include a public option.

But after the vote, in a response to a question from TPMDC, Schumer said, "I'm not drawing any lines in the sand." But, he added in response to a separate question, that the recent AHIP/PwC analysis make the ultimate inclusion of the public option "more likely."

On the separate issue of whether this means Democrats can avoid turning to the controversial budget reconciliation process, Finance chairman Max Baucus told reporters that he's "very confident" that the bipartisan vote today will be able to pass health care reform through the regular order.

We'll bring you more responses as they flow in.

Health Care

Prez Contender Pawlenty: Baucus Bill 'Bad For The Country'

Rachel Slajda | October 13, 2009, 2:23PM

Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R-MN)

Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, a likely contender for the Republican presidential nomination, wrote a column today criticizing the Senate Finance Committee bill as a "a tax and spending bill masquerading as a health reform bill."

Pawlenty has been upping his national visibility with a new PAC, a planned trip to Iowa and other comments on health care reform, including calling the Democrats' plans "a manure spreader in a windstorm."

Read more »

Health Care

Small Biz Leaders Call For Public Option On Day Of Health Care Vote

Evan McMorris-Santoro | October 13, 2009, 11:56AM

Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT)

On the day the Senate Finance Committee is expected to take up its final vote on its version of a health care reform bill, small business leaders are rallying across the country in support of the inclusion of a public option in any reform package passed by the committee.

The Main Street Alliance -- a coalition of small business owners across the country -- is sponsoring today's rallies, which will bring business owners and lawmakers together in 11 states.

The group says the goal of the rallies is to "urge" members of the committee "and leaders in both chambers to include a public option, true affordability measures, and to replace the flawed 'free rider' proposal with fair employer contribution."

Read more »

Health Care

LIVEBLOG: Senate Finance Committee Votes On Health Care Reform Bill

Brian Beutler | October 13, 2009, 10:01AM

Check in here for continuous updates until the vote, which may not come until the afternoon.

Read more »

Health Care

White House To Portray SFC Vote As Milestone, Forge Ahead

Christina Bellantoni | October 13, 2009, 9:06AM

President Barack Obama

The White House will closely monitor the Senate Finance Committee vote today, but aides say they will forge ahead to the next (and more important) steps in the long process.

A senior administration official told TPMDC they fully expect the Baucus bill to pass the committee, and that they aren't laser focused on whether Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-ME) will back it. (The White House has no idea which way she's leaning.)

The official said once it passes through the committee, White House analysts will pore over it as senators merge it with what passed the HELP committee earlier this year.

"The proposals really need to be analyzed closely, and we need to see how they achieve the goals of choice and competition," the official said.

Also, expect Robert Gibbs and maybe even the president to portray this vote as a milestone - you've heard it before, but they are very likely to remind the world this is the longest a health care overhaul has ever survived.

Health Care

Senate Finance Committee To Vote On Landmark Health Care Legislation Today

Brian Beutler | October 13, 2009, 8:51AM

Later this morning, after tense months of negotiating and arguing, the Senate Finance Committee will vote on its health care reform bill. The package, which is expected to pass on a party-line or nearly party-line vote, will be a precursor to a Senate bill, which will be compiled in the coming days, and reach the floor later this month.

Of the five Congressional committees with jurisdiction over the nation's sprawling health care system, Finance is the last to act, though it began preliminary hearings on the issue about one year ago.

Read more »

AHIP

Senate Finance Committee Slams AHIP Report

Evan McMorris-Santoro | October 12, 2009, 9:20AM

Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT)

The spokesman for the Democratic majority on the Senate Finance Committee pulled no punches in his response to a new health insurance lobby study that's critical of the reform bill drawn up by the committee.

"This report is untrue, disingenuous and bought and paid for by the same health insurance companies that have been gouging too many consumers for too long as they stand in the way of reform yet again," Scott Mulhauser said. "It's a health insurance company hatchet job, plain and simple."

Read his full comment after the jump.

Read more »

Health Care

Finance Committee To Vote On Health Care Bill On Tuesday

Brian Beutler | October 8, 2009, 10:07AM

Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT)

Just confirmed: the Senate Finance Committee will vote on its health care reform bill this Tuesday. The news comes after Democrats and chairman Max Baucus got a boost from the Congressional Budget Office, which found that the legislation would require relatively little new spending, while reducing the deficit and bending the health care spending curve downward.

Sexism

Dem Women: Kyl, McDonnell, Christie Are 'Backward'

Rachel Slajda | October 7, 2009, 5:02PM

Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Rep. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz (D-FL)

In a DNC conference call this afternoon, Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Rep. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz (D-FL) and State Del. Margaret Vanderhye (D-VA) accused members of the Republican party of being "backward" and "out of touch" on women's issues.

The call targeted Republican gubernatorial candidates Chris Christie in New Jersey and Bob McDonnell in Viriginia, as well as Sen. Jon Kyl (R-AZ) and Republicans in general.

"I think we have an outdated view, an extreme view, a lack of understanding of what women's lives are like today and the role of women in America," Stabenow said. She wouldn't, however, use the word "sexist."

The lawmakers cited Republicans' opposition to health care reform as evidence, since women are usually in charge of their families' health care, and are disproportionately hurt by current health insurance policy.

But they also called out the NRCC's statement yesterday about House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, specifically that Gen. Stanley McChrystal "should put her in her place." That, said Wasserman-Schultz, is evidence of "a total lack of respect for women."

Read more »