Blue Dogs strike deal: No health vote before recess

[sabra]

Source: The Hill

Blue Dogs and House leaders have struck a deal to guarantee that the House will not vote on a healthcare bill before August, a leading Blue Dog said on Wednesday.

In exchange for putting off a floor vote until after Labor Day, the Energy and Commerce Committee may be allowed to continue its markup of the healthcare bill this week even if an agreement has not been reached between committee Chairman Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) and seven Energy and Commerce Blue Dogs over the content of the bill.

Asked if House leaders had told Democrats that there will be no House vote on healthcare before Friday, Blue Dog Co-Chairwoman Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (D-S.D.) said, “I don’t think made public statements to that regard, but my understanding is that that would be part of an agreement, if they actually do move forward with an Energy and Commerce markup, that there will be no vote on the House floor until after Labor Day.”

Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) — who has been deeply involved in negotiations between Waxman and the seven Blue Dogs — was not immediately available for comment through his spokeswomen.

Read more: http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/blue-dogs-strike-deal-no-health-vote-before-recess-2009-07-29.html

[iamjoy]

1. No Health Insurance For Blue Dogs

I am really tired of people covered under a government plan putting roadblocks up to every American getting covered. If you can't support a public option or a provision allowing any citizen to buy into a government employee plan, you have no business keeping your government sponsored coverage.

That fact that in the wealthiest nation in the world 1/6 of the citizens don't have health insurance is a travesty. Those who want to wait to fix it need to realize that justice delayed is justice denied.

[kirby]

3. see #2

I responded to the wrong person.

[kirby]

2. I see that outrage on DU all the time, but

it is really misdirected. Most of those in Congress are wealthy. They can afford insurance or even to pay for the medical procedures if they get sick.
While it is a good talking point, I don't think it would hurt them much as a negotiating point.

[mbperrin]

7. It would hurt them. They hate to spend a dime of their own money when

they can pick your pocket and mine.

On the other hand, if they don't need it, let's by all means cancel their taxpayer paid coverage, the dreaded government socialistic plan that is paid for by taxpayers!

But yes, the 535 members of Congress nor any member of the executive branch should either be provided health care or allowed to purchase it unless they are the last people in the country not yet provided for.

Meanwhile, they should feel free to fuck off until September. After all, with only 50 million or so Americans with no realistic access to healthcare and hundreds dying daily because of it, what's the hurry?

And I won't call them Blue Dogs. Dogs are intelligent, loyal, and loving.

These fuckers are Blue Drain Clogs, best I can tell.

[Zorra]

4. From now on, we call 'em the BUSH DOGS. n/t

[No Elephants]

103. Nah. Bush is so last administration.

[Zorra]

117. On the contrary, given the outrageously neo-conservative behavior of the Bush Dogs,

I'd say it's totally this administration.

When legislators try to revert to Bush like policies, it is good to remind people of the kind of conservative legislators that brought us to the sorry state our country is in.

Nothing short of a conviction for child molestation could be worse for a politician than to be likened to Bush.

[Bombero1956]

5. no health insurance for anybody in Congress

take it away, you'll get it when everybody gets it and not a second before.

[defendandprotect]

6. Thanks to the DLC/Emmanuel . . . is Obama after Emannuel for this . . .????

[No Elephants]

105. Obama's administration is full of Clinton retreads. I don't think that is because Obama

doesn't like how they think and perform.

[swag]

8. House Retains Public Option In Compromise, But Delays Vote Until September

Source: Talking Points Memo

Ok, here's some late breaking detail on the nature of the compromise between House Blue Dogs and Democratic leaders.

I'll fill in more blanks as I get more information, but here's my immediate read on the situation: Substantively, leadership seems to have given up very little, but, Blue Dogs succeeded at slow walking the bill, which won't get a vote until after the August recess.

After a week or so of canceled hearings, the Energy and Commerce Committee will continue to mark up House health care legislation this afternoon, and pass a bill by the end of the week. On substance, the exemption from penalties for small businesses that do not provide health care to workers has been raised to include small businesses with payrolls of $500,000 per year or less. Originally the bill called for the exemption to apply only to businesses with payrolls half that size.

The public option hasn't gone away, and remains in tact. Now, though, instead of being directly tied to Medicare, the rates will be negotiated by the Health and Human Services secretary--a provision which at a glance seems similar to the public option the Senate HELP Committee endorsed. States will be able to erect health care co-operatives if they choose, but that would be in addition to the public option.


Read more: http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/07/house-retains-public-option-in-compromise.php?ref=fpa

[Laelth]

9. Big question. Will states still be allowed to adopt single payer if they want? n/t

:shrug:

:dem:

-Laelth

[billyoc]

10. I just heard Kucinich on with Thom Hartmann saying he had an amendment in there for that.

[Laelth]

11. I knew he had that added. I was wondering whether Waxman gave it away.

Don't know whether Kucinich is "in the know" on that subject or not.

As anyone who has read my posts on this subject knows, I hate this bill, and I think we're being sold out. On the other hand, I trust Kucinich, and if he will vote for this turd so long as states have the option to institute a single-payer system, I will support it. Ultimately, only one state may need to adopt single-payer for all the dominoes to fall. That may be the only way to get decent health care in the U.S.

:dem:

-Laelth

[corpseratemedia]

13. good points and I hope you're right

[billyoc]

14. That's how the Canadians did it, one province did it, then the rest followed.

[librechik]

16. Hawaii has had a public care system since the 70s-few others have joined them

the push against this thing is very very brutal. We have to work harder.

[billyoc]

18. Every state has a public care system, single payer for all is completely different.

That's definitely NOT what Hawaii has. In fact, their system sucks.

[Divine Discontent]

21. and we, too, must follow the Canadians! Cue the mounties!

[Iwillnevergiveup]

15. Dennis was saying

there are a dozen or so states in play for a ERISA waiver to pursue single payer - he specifically mentioned Ohio, PA and New Mexico.

[Laelth]

23. That's very encouraging. Thanks. n/t

:dem:

-Laelth

[Blasphemer]

19. Yes... that's the bottom line for me too.... nt

[Soylent Brice]

12. i love that man.

[fascisthunter]

17. Mr. Kuch is da man

[winyanstaz]

20. me too..

Time after time after time..it has been Dennis that has risen up to the occasion and spoke up for us, the taxpayers.
Thank you Dennis Kuchinich for all you do!

[No Elephants]

104. States could offer single payer now. Many states are the single payer

for their state's employees. However, in my state, the state then hires a private company to administer the plan, so the profit for the private company is still part of the deal. Worse, state employees are an extra layer of bureacracy, overseeing the private administrator of the plan.

[damntexdem]

22. Just so the House not only retains a public option, ...

but also demands it in the Conference Committee.

[kpete]

24. Henry Waxman wins breakthrough on health bill (Public Option Retained)

Source: Politico

Henry Waxman wins breakthrough on health bill

After weeks of head-banging negotiations, House Democrats finally got the breakthrough they needed on health care.

Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) has cut the cost of his bill and cut a deal to reconvene his committee and vote on the Democrats' sweeping health care proposals, with a goal of completing work by the time lawmakers leave town for the summer on Friday.

There won’t be a vote before the full House before the August recess, but the committee breakthrough – after tense negotiations with Blue Dog Democrats – is a significant step for the Democrats.

..............

The new version of the bill also has a breakthrough on the concept of health care “co-ops,” seen by some as an alternative to a public plan. States would be allowed to create co-ops for residents to buy private insurance. But the Waxman-Ross deal will also keeps the "public option" of government-sponsored health care.




Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0709/25570.html#ixzz0MfkyINgu

---

House Retains Public Option In Compromise, But Delays Vote Until September
By Brian Beutler - July 29, 2009, 1:12PM
http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/07/house-retains-public-option-in-compromise.php?ref=fpa

[annabanana]

25. It's a "breakthrough" until the blue dogs get their marching orders

from the Repug Corporate wing. . .

We'll see.

[damntexdem]

38. Even if the House passes a reform with a public plan, the war isn't won.

The House would then have to take on what may likely be an unacceptable Senate plan. So the House would have to stand firm in Conference Committee.

[pokercat999]

40. And to top it all off these plans don't even accomplish their

limited goals until 2015 when they expect to cover about 90% of the population, which would still leave 30-35 million without health insurance! I call bullshit we elected Dem's and Obama to get us out of Iraq and to pass serious health care reform. They better get this done and done RIGHT which means at the very least a public option NOW and working toward single payer for the near future say 2012.

[No Elephants]

106. In fairness, Obama was clear during the campaign about phasing out of Iraq slowly--and "surging" in

Afghanistan ASAP. I fault on fudging and/or not living up to other campaign statements, but I was never confused about his stance on those two.

Our only recourse is primarying any candidate with whose performance we are not happy, but I fear we are way too lazy to do that.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

26. I was looking for this sentence:

But the Waxman-Ross deal will also keeps the "public option" of government-sponsored health care.

I am hopeful.

[SeeHopeWin]

59. So am I, big time actually....nt

[timeforpeace]

27. Good. He's worked so hard, he looks like hell these days.

[bobbolink]

63. Well, he's not normally the prettiest face anyway, but he's a true hero of the people!

For you, Henry: :patriot:

[Jester Messiah]

28. Nice to hear some good news for a change!

It all hinged on retaining the public option. Had they not, this would not have been good news at all.

[truedelphi]

29. Don't get overly excited and forget, the last time Waxman

Held the bill in his hands, it was 2,100 pages long. And the loopholes which spell out profit for the "insurers" are in there aplenty, I am willing to bet.

Only no one is discussing those loopholes right now. Like the loophole that allowed the Bailed Out Banks to offer huge bonuses, these will be evident only after the bill's passage. And since they are in the legislation because of the many Congress people who have been bought out, I dounbt they will ever be remedied.

[Zodiak]

47. I agree here...we do need to worry about the details

Having the public option is good....at least this is something, but it runs the risk of being so watered-down that it puts no pressure on the private insurance companies at all. I will be looking intently at the public option in the final bill (if it is there) to determine its strength before deciding to support it. If it is not there, no support and Obama had better veto it.

What also worries me (especially if the public option is watered-down and ineffective) are new seemingly-important provisions will also be watered-down. It does NO GOOD to force companies to take people despite pre-existing conditions if the pre-existing condition triggers a rate that prices the person out of the market anyways. "Oh, Mr. Beuller, you have angina....that'll be $3,400 a month. You can't pay that? Oh well, we tried!"

[pattmarty]

52. I think I agree with everything you stated EXCEPT Obama vetoing............

............the final bill. I think whatever bill comes out of the final conference he will sign and call it a win. I think if he veto's a bill he will be fucked in 2012. I hope I am wrong and it may be a moot point if we have a strong public option in the final bill. At this stage all we can do is hope and CALL our Congress people and Senators on their recess.

[No Elephants]

108. Agree and disagree. I agree that he will probably sign whatever hits his desk. I am not sure that

will stand him in good stead when he runs again. He will have proven that he cannot get an overwhelmingly Democratic Congress to do what he wants. That will make him appear ineffectual.

Signing something he doesn't want will make him seem both ineffectual and a lot more spineless than Bush was 2006 to 2008, when Bush singlehandedly defeated a Democratic Congress. Plus, Obama will have to defend a crappy bill that he does not believe in when he campaigns--and defend it to BOTH Democrats and Republicans. So, I am not sure how much signing a bad bill will help him. On the other hand, not getting medical insurance reform done in four years is not going to help him either.

I think Obama's only solid option is to crack the whip big time NOW, so that the bill that gets to his desk is halfway decent. I "hope" he and Rahm and Kaine are doing that now, but I don't see it. If he is doing it and failing, that's pretty telling, too.

Letting in almost 200 Republican amendments, knowing the Republicans were not going to vote for the bill anyway was a bad start. For what? Just to be able to claim it's "bipartisan," even if it ends up getting zero Republican votes? Not worth it. Ad, reform has been going downhill since.

[truedelphi]

56. So what it might all be coming down to is this:

Health care "Reform" is simply the mandating of a defective product from a bloated industry, whose expensive premiums allow them to eternally control our legislative processes through their lobbyists...


And the only other benefit this reform has brought is the little window of opportunity it offers the President who each new day has a new way to spin how much he wants what is best for the people. As he says these things, he knows full well that the deck is way too stacked against the average American, and that he (or the Congress) will be able to fulfill the promise to the Corporate Masters.

[Zodiak]

57. Yeah, pretty much

You can say the same about energy companies, military contractors, banks, and especially the media. All those campaign dollars are primarily used to pump up the TV industry...and you know how much civic virtue they have.

Our government is wedded to our most large and corrupt industries primarily because our system has legalized bribery. It's the Tammany Hall of the modern age.

[No Elephants]

107. Money buys a politician a lot of campaign advantage, but it does not buy votes.

And only votes get a politician into office (or back into office).

The American voter has the sole power to take people out of office and set a warning example to future officeholders. But the American voter checked out long ago. That is the biggest flaw of our Constitution Apparently, it never foresaw voter apathy and laziness to the degee that it exists today. It gave the people the power, but assumed people would actually use it.

We don't get the gubbamint we want, but maybe we get the gubbamint our degree of participation earns.

[pattmarty]

87. As of 8:58 cst I am still hopeful, but I am beginning to fear the worst.

What's in that final bill from both houses that goes to Obama's desk is the one I want to have explained to me ALL the details of the bill and what it does and what it doesn't. The best thing we can hope for now is a "decent" bill with a good public option. Either way, Obama will sign it shitty or not, and "claim" victory.

[Kittycat]

101. That's about it in a nutshell.

They had a mandate like no other, and blew it.

[No Elephants]

109. Thing is, this is not really "health care" reform. That is a misnomer. It's medical insurance

reform. They may have thought calling it health care reform would help them sell it, but, as best I can tell, it's only confused people and gotten them worried about losing doctors they like, or not being able to get treatments they need.

[sasquatch]

30. Suck my anus Baucus

Suck it hard.

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

42. You say the sweetest things....

:rofl:

[sasquatch]

96. Yeah, I think it is because of the way my mom raised me

:silly:

[Divine Discontent]

46. I have to agree... suck his anus, Baucus... jerk.

the people against our choice to use our public dollars to provide health care with a public-option are wretched corporatists.

[Union Yes]

48. PC term is "Toss my salad, Baucus". But I like your version too!

:hi:

[sasquatch]

97. Yeah, but his senate diction might not pick it up right away though

[pattmarty]

53. Is that procedure covered in his bill?

:sarcasm:

[Juan_de_la_Dem]

55. Not sure, it was pre-existing

[humbled_opinion]

31. This is our one chance to fix this problem the right way

and we are watering it down to the point where it will be an insurance industry boom and a nightmare for most Americans. Lets just force the public option get rid of Insurance companies altogether.

[No Elephants]

110. How do you propose we do that?

[bkkyosemite]

32. I'm hoping we had something to do with it. Calling them those blue dogs and telling them if they

vote no on a public option they are voting against the people and will be voted out. It would be a great thing if they got a lil scared since they recieved tons of calls and full mail boxes with those comments to them.

Hope it stays in but Obama yesterday called the Public Option controversial and today barely mentioned it with a small comment saying he is for public option but kept saying health insurance every time he spoke of healthcare. I have seen a change in his wording the last two days it is very obvious.

[groundloop]

35. I might be mistaken, but it sounds like Obama is heading off right wingers

To me when Obama frames this debate in terms of "health insurance" he's shutting down the Harry and Louise bullshit.

[Alcibiades]

90. We are on it

We have a blue dog I worked to get elected. Lots of folks who gave her money and time are fed up. Sure, thee will be time for the Republicans to show their ads during the August recess, but there will also be time for us to press these blue dogs incessantly on this.

Got a blue dog? Get on them like LBJ!

[No Elephants]

111. But, this IS medical insurance reform, not health care reform. No one is talking about

nurses washing their hands more, or doctors seeing patients more or treating them in a different way. Those things have to do with health care. As far as I know, the only thing under discussion now is medical insurance, getting providers paid, etc. Those are financial issues, not health care issues. See also Reply 109.

Fewer mentions of public option, though, are ominous.

[Are_grits_groceries]

33. Don't bet against Waxman.

He's the one to watch in the House. Nobody ousts John Dingel from a committee chairmanship unless they have serious cojones. Now somebody needs to step up in the Senate.

[Kittycat]

34. That Breakthrough is worthless... It's equal to the no bid Pharma rates.

The premiums on the Public option will be significantly higher, and will also not allow for the bargaining of rates like Medicare does.

What's the point?

[truedelphi]

58. Here are two points, from me, a cynic:

http://tinyurl.com/nvqpft

[Umbral]

36. Let me guess, the compromise is just enough for the Democrats to save face...

but not enough to do any real good?

[Kingofalldems]

37. Republicans posing as blue dog Democrats are not amused

[librechik]

39. Update: Progressives rejects compromise

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x8559556

[Laelth]

65. Thank goodness for the Progressive Caucus. n/t

:dem:

-Laelth

[backscatter712]

66. Actually, looks like markup was delayed because it conflicted with a defense appropriations vote.

So it's on tomorrow rather than tonight, and chances are the Progressive Caucus will put their foot down (and damned well should) and demand the public option be strengthened after it gets out of the Energy & Commerce Committee.

First things first. Take the bill away from Mike Ross and the other Blue Cross Democrats.

[Laelth]

67. I am fully on board with that.

But take note of what Progressive Caucus Co-Chair Lynn Woolsey said about the deal Waxman made with the Blue Dogs:

"It's unacceptable," said Rep. Lynn Woolsey (D-Calif.), co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. "We're not going to vote for anything that doesn't have a robust public plan."

“It has to be much stronger to get our support,” Woolsey said after a meeting with Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), who tried to sell them on the deal.

More here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x8559556

I am happy to see the Progressive Caucus actually representing Americans. The Democratic Leadership is going to have to try again.

:dem:

-Laelth

[backscatter712]

91. I'm on board with you.

Once it gets out of Energy & Commerce, it's gonna have to be merged with the other two versions of the bill, and that's when the Progressive Caucus needs to step in and demand the watering-down be fixed.

If they chopped the subsidies, that's not acceptable.

[Vidar]

41. Good for Waxman.

[MrBlueSky]

43. Imma keep my fingers crossed...

That this comes to fruition. Not too optimistic it will... but, if it helps, I'll cross my toes, eyes, etc.

[rosesaylavee]

44. If Waxman pulls this off, he's a GD American hero...

This will save thousands of lives.

[Ken Burch]

45. It's at least a good tactical victory

Take it as a boost in morale, and then fight on.

[MasonJar]

49. According to an NPR report yesterday, Gibbs said Obama may accept no

public option if the goals are reached other ways. The man (Barack Obama) is bought and tied up with string. He has been playing us for fools and we know it. I was for Hilary I admit it and so some may think this is just anti-Obamaism by a former Hilary supporter. Not so. Once Obama won the primary I was behind him completely with money and effort. However, one reason I liked Hilary (besides I was ready for a woman pres, there I admit it) was I thought Obama could use some seasoning since he was still quite young and inexperienced in the ways of DC. Obama could then run in 2016, by which time Hilary would be too old; the best of both worlds seemed to me completed that way and that way only. However, one of my main reason for support for Hilar was her strong committment to true healthcare reform. I am over 65 and have no personal investment in this issue. I just think that we as a people owe each other free healthcare. Now we hear Obama received something like $300,000 from the healthcare lobby for his campaign. He'll need it next time for sure because a lot of liberals will not be supporting him in any way. And as for Baucus, I thought being represented by McConnell and Bunning was the worst thing possible, but at least they do not pretend to be anything but losers. Baucus pretends to be a Democrat and he is just a bought and paid for--stamp me and send me parcel post--corporate lackey, who will leave and join their ranks for millions. I am so discouraged. A dem Congress and pres and no true reform.

[bkkyosemite]

51. Also the OP is I think very true. Obama yesterday called the Public Option controversial today

hardly mentioned the words Public Option. Call the WH and don't let him back down.

[truedelphi]

61. I don't see your reasons for rejecting Obama to be

Unreasonable. I don't see your position as something you are doing because you are attached to Senator Clinton.

At some point in time, most people are going to view Obama the way that you do and I do. I voted for him myself. I was ecstatic the night that he won. "Change Hope Change Hope."

And now he has handed our nation's economy over to the Pigs at The Fed and the Treasury, who in turn have given it away to Goldman Sachs. We have another "jobless" recovery, and when Hyper Inflation hits the fan, people will finally wake up, though it will by then be too late.

Health care "reform" is now simply the mandating of each and every person in this country, forcing them to purchase a defective product from the bloated Insurance Industry. And with the amounts of moeny that will be required to buy into that program, the bloated Insurance Industry is guaranteed the right to continue to pay for its Army of Lobbyists, such that real reform on the health front will not likely be seen in the lifetimes of any of us over fifty.

[tabatha]

93. I can guarantee that with Hillary, things would not be much different.

The bill is being developed by Congress.
I think you're just trying to say "told you so".

[No Elephants]

112. I supported Obama in every way from December 2007 and I am furious. However,

$300,000, in terms of the amount of money Obama raised, even just from Mr. and Ms. voter, is nothing.

And Obama is no more (or less) bought and paid for than Hillary or Bill or any Democrat now in Congress. (For example, it seems Kerry has received over $8 million from insurance companies.

I am not happy with his performance on many issues, but I think this is a way broader problem than Obama vx. Hillary. Besides, the primary is moot. Let's not keep reliving it. Well, we can, but it is only going to distract us from things that matter IRL.

[bkkyosemite]

50. It's watered down and I just got mad and called Waxman's office. Him and Pelosi (who I called too)

are trying to pass a watered down version and the liberal caucus is not going for it. Call Pelosi and Waxman and tell them not to water down a public option...Only a strong public option is acceptable.

[Duke Newcombe]

54. Here...let me fix that for you...

Henry Waxman wins breakthrough caves in on health bill (Public Option Retained Gutted)

Much more factual. :(

[glitch]

68. K & R THIS ^^^ post :( nt

[SeeHopeWin]

60. Excellent work, Rhambo wins!!!

We win, I am very happy about this...

[Politicub]

62. The honorable congressman Waxman comes through for the people again!!

Yeah!

[Laelth]

64. The Progressive Caucus is NOT on board.

The Waxman compromise with the Blue Dogs is unacceptable. If you want the 81 House votes of the Progressive Caucus, the public option must be strengthened.

As per the statement of Co-Chair Lynn Woolsey:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x3992164

Try again! :)

:dem:

-Laelth

[glitch]

70. Good. nt

[Jackpine Radical]

83. Waxman is a member of the Progressive Caucus(!) nt

[Laelth]

84. Indeed, he is.

But Co-Chair Lynn Woolsey has made it quite clear that she won't go along with the compromises Waxman made with the Blue Dogs.

As per her statement of earlier today:

"It's unacceptable," said Rep. Lynn Woolsey (D-Calif.), co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. "We're not going to vote for anything that doesn't have a robust public plan."

“It has to be much stronger to get our support,” Woolsey said after a meeting with Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), who tried to sell them on the deal.

More here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x8559556

Try again. :)

:dem:

-Laelth

[Jackpine Radical]

88. Try again?

I was just noting the strangeness of his actions as chair. In other words, he knows better. He seems to be selling out his own values if he's permitting a weak or meaningless public option to get out of committee. Better he should take it out of the hands of the committee and throw it to the House at large.

[Laelth]

89. The "try again" was directed at Congress, not you.

Sorry to cause confusion.

Waxman is being a good soldier, I think. He's trying to be a leader and trying to push the President's agenda, despite his former loyalty to the Progressive Caucus.

All the same, I am glad the rest of the Progressive Caucus is willing to reject bad legislation.

:dem:

-Laelth

[Jackpine Radical]

94. Yes, it's good to see them stand their ground.

Given what Obama has riding on getting some sort of plan through in the face of Republican and Blue Cross obstructionists, any left-leaning Democrat is going to feel a lot of pressure to go along so as not to let Obama "fail" because "the alternative is worse;" better Blue Dogs should win than right-wing wackos in 2010, etc. So the left is always giving in. They have nowhere else to go, while the Blue Dogs can always threaten to vote with the Republicans, so they get all the power. People are always giving them concessions to buy them off, while the liberals and progressives get the Rodney Dangerfield treatment. Well, this time, Goddammit, a bad deal is no deal.

Personally, I've always been a single-payer guy. I will unhappily go along with a ROBUST "public option," while recognizing that a major problem with the "public option" is that it's like Medicare--it will collect the most expensive people, the ones the private companies don't want, and therefore may look more expensive than the private alternatives because its enrollees will need more care than the average person. But a WEAK public option is worse than no reform at all.

I sometimes have this strange thought that the value of big campaign contributions is being eroded by the free media. All you can do with those big bucks is to buy TV time, and more people are getting their information from alternative sources. Information is slowly ceasing to be a monopoly as things like the Internet and low-power FM let more of us engage in two-way communication. If that trend progresses as I hope it might, it will bring about MAJOR changes in the political and social landscape. I don't think the anti-populists will be able to survive in that environment.

[Laelth]

98. Well said on all points.

Your theory on the dilution of the power of mass media is hopeful and welcome, though I remain skeptical. Most Americans still get all their information about the world from TV. More of us (the ones who were already invested and already cared enough to inform ourselves) are using alternative media outlets, but I am still resentful of the inordinate power of the right-leaning M$M.

Cheers! :toast:

:dem:

-Laelth

[paulk]

69. interesting spin Politico has

I would call this "breakthrough" a victory for the Bluedogs, not Waxman...

[Better Believe It]

71. Waxman Postpones Health Markup Amid Liberal Backlash

Source: Rollcall.com



Waxman Postpones Health Markup Amid Liberal Backlash
July 29, 2009, 5:16 p.m.
By Steven T. Dennis and Jackie Kucinich
Roll Call Staff

House Energy and Commerce Chairman Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) postponed the health bill markup that he planned to hold Wednesday afternoon amid a backlash from liberals to the deal that he cut earlier with four conservative Blue Dog Democrats.

Waxman told reporters that he intended to keep meeting with committee Democrats on Wednesday night, resume the markup Thursday and still finish the bill Friday.

The weakening of the public option incensed some liberal Members, with Congressional Progressive Caucus Co-Chairwoman Lynn Woolsey (D-Calif.) declaring she would vote against it.

“It has to be much stronger to get our support,” Woolsey said after a meeting with Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), who tried to sell them on the deal.

http://www.rollcall.com/news/37359-1.html?type=printer_friendly




Read more: http://www.rollcall.com/news/37359-1.html?type=printer_friendly

---

For more information regarding Congresswoman's Woolsey's oppostion to the compromise please read the DU discussion board post "House liberals reject healthcare "reform deal" with Blue Dog Democrats!" at this re-direct link:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x8559556

[Oregone]

72. Good for Woolsey

Nice to see people stand for something.

This whole debate would of been as effective (in covering people affordably) and a open-shut case if they forgot all the other reforms, kept it simple, and just altered Medicare enrollment criteria. Lowering the age limit a few years and covering children under 5 (and maternity) would of covered the same amount of people immediately that the public option may in 10 years if lucky, and would of done it affordably and efficiently. The debate would of been straight-forward, minor, and simple compared to all this new crap

[DJ13]

73. Finally, the liberals realized they are a larger coalition than the Blue Dogs!

Its about time!

[totodeinhere]

81. Yes, but the Blue Dogs still would have enough votes to block any bill if they stick together. n/t

[No Elephants]

113. Yes, but the Blue Dogs would not get re-elected if liberal Dems and the DNC

did not support them.

[high density]

74. 'bout time for the liberal faction to start making as much noise as the Blue Cross faction

Way past time, in fact.

[Journeyman]

78. No kidding. To paraphrase Mr Lincoln. . .

If we're going to live under Republican rules, might as well vote for Republicans, and thereby take our despotism pure, without the base alloy of hypocrisy.

[pattmarty]

75. How many members exactly are in each caucus? I heard the.............

.........Blue Dogs are 35? How in the Progressive caucus? Anyone here know?

[Laelth]

79. 81 in the House.

2 in the Senate. As per their website.

http://cpc.grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?SectionID=1&ParentID=0&SectionTypeID=1&SectionTree=1

:dem:

-Laelth

[No Elephants]

114. ONLY 2 in the Senate? And Saunders is one of them? Crap. And how about all the Reps

who are not in the Blue Dog Caucus OR in the Progressive Caucus? Stand up and be counted, you wimps!

[bvar22]

76. Go on Progressive Caucus !

They have a much better record of protecting the American Working Class than the BlueDogs/DLC.

I stand WITH the Progressive Caucus.

[Laelth]

77. Go Progressive Caucus!

Don't sell us out!

:bounce:

:dem:

-Laelth

[bkkyosemite]

95. Call them and tell them I did.

[Laelth]

99. I think I will. n/t

:hi:

:dem:

-Laelth

[Laelth]

116. I called Congressman Woolsey's office today and said thanks.

I also asked whether the amendment that would allow states to enact single-payer systems had survived Waxman's negotiations with the Blue Dogs. The staffer to whom I spoke did not know the answer to that question.

:dem:

-Laelth

[Laelth]

80. Take a look at the Caucus' July 24 letter to Pelosi.

It's refreshing, to say the least.

July 24, 2009

The Honorable Nancy Pelosi
Speaker, US House of Representatives
H-232, US Capitol
Washington, DC 20515

Speaker Pelosi,

Thank you for continuing your strong leadership for health care reform. We write to you on behalf of the Congressional Progressive Caucus to encourage you to take bold action to ensure health care reform is passed in the House.

The time to reform our health care system is now. As Members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, we believe that we must not delay a vote on health care reform. The need for reform is urgent. Approximately 14,000 Americans are losing their health care coverage each day and our businesses on Main Street and Wall Street are struggling to recover from our nation’s economic crisis.

Madam Speaker, as you are aware the CPC has been actively involved in health reform discussions over the last several months. The CPC is a strong and vocal advocate of a single payer approach. Nonetheless, we stand solidly behind our criteria for a robust public health insurance plan option.

We want to assure you that for our continued support, the public option must not be based on any trigger and must be available immediately. Further, the public plan must be on a level playing field and receive the same subsidies as private plans in the Health Exchange. And, it must be connected to the Medicare infrastructure, including the provider and payment system. Allowing providers to opt out of the public option has already created a loss of $91 billion in savings. We cannot tolerate further weakening of the public option.

We are also concerned about the latest discussion regarding the Independent Medicare Advisory Commission (IMAC). We understand that no final decision has been made. However if discussions move forward to make IMAC a reality, we ask that you include us in discussion as we have concerns with the governance, oversight, and the impact it would have on seniors, people with disabilities , doctors, and hospitals. Furthermore, we are concerned that IMAC could weaken the public option and negate our responsibilities as Members of Congress.

The Congressional Progressive Caucus stands united to provide high quality, affordable and accessible health care choices for all Americans. The Congressional Progressive Caucus stands committed to seeing health care reform pass now. It is time to put Americans back in charge of their health care and have the security and stability they deserve in a health care system.

We look forward to our ongoing involvement in the process.

:)

:dem:

-Laelth

[G_j]

86. thanks

that is positive

[SeeHopeWin]

82. She needs to go see Rhambo...nt

[No Elephants]

115. Why? Rahmbo is not progressive.

[earcandle]

85. 35 countries have their taxes pay for their health care through government services, and we are too

poor to do that?  That is a lie.

This is our money.  We cannot be told that we are the best
damn country in the world when 35
other countries have their citizens cared for through their
own tax dollars first, before other
budget items are considered. They also pay for education. and
everyone has a right to a home.

I am tired of hearing we are a wealthy or a smart country when
we are treating none but our damaged
war heroes worthy of health care, education, and a home. 
Message sent "risk your life, get a free pass"
Just work and pay taxes, and you get nothing but police
brutality, the snub of those who think they are better,
and you could compete to become potentially homeless for all
they care. 

And Obama's last communication into my email was a list of
things we can count on including "continuing
health care as long as we pay for the premiums"  WTF...
he too would rather spend our money on coups for oil? 

This shit has got to stop.

Anybody read "Into the Buzzsaw" ?  A collection of
journalists reveal what is happening around oil, 911 and why.
Great information. 

[Deep13]

92. The Wax Man rocks. nt

[Faryn Balyncd]

100. The insurance cabal got what they wanted - The "public option" can't use Medicare fee schedule.....

....Woolsey recognizes that, without the Medicare fee schedule, with the "public option" thus gutted by the Blue Dogs, that the cabal will be consolidated, and this time with a mandate to purchase.


We can't afford, individually or as a nation, to keep on this path of unchecked growth in healthcare costs.


Medicare both provided care to millions while simultaneously being the single greatest RESTRAINING FORCE on excessive fees. But with the "public option" gutted by being PREVENTED from using the Medicare fee schedule, this plan is guaranteed to be more unaffordable CORPORATE WELFARE.


To ignore the reality that this "compromise" has CRIPPLED the public option is unwise.







Thank God we have a few like Woolsey willing to fight.

[truedelphi]

119. I didn't know that. And since the Health care Bill is 2,100 pages

Long there are probably many other almost as odious provisions contained within, which even our Congress critters do not know of.

[ProudDad]

102. blue-dogs = murderers for hire by health-industrial-complex (n/t)

[harun]

118. The real question that needs to be answered is what do they get out

of simply delaying things?