Hagan holding up public plan in HELP committee in Kennedy's absence

[Triana]

:grr:

:mad:

By: Jane Hamsher Wednesday June 17, 2009 12:15 pm

Healthcare reform advocates have been watching the Senate Health, Education, Labor & Pensions (HELP) Committee and wondering why no public option component has been forthcoming -- despite assurances that it would appear by Tuesday.

Sen. Kay Hagan (D-NC)

According to a source with direct knowledge of what is happening on the HELP Committee, the problem is that two Democrats -- Kay Hagan and Jeff Bingaman -- are refusing to sign on.

"We can't bring it up because we'd actually lose the vote," said the source. "They'd vote with the Republicans."

Bingaman and Hagan are in favor of watering down a public plan into Kent Conrad's co-op plan, which is supported by insurance lobbyists. "It gives them the appearance of supporting a public option without getting them in trouble with the insurance companies," said the source.

But the source also indicated that if the committee did that, they'd lose Bernie Sanders' vote. There are 12 Democrats (including Sanders) and 10 Republicans on the HELP Committee. But with Kennedy out, Sanders' vote is needed for anything to pass.

Bingaman has said he is in favor of a public option, but Hagan has been noncommittal on the subject.

MORE...


http://campaignsilo.firedoglake.com/2009/06/17/healthcare-hagan-bingaman-holding-up-public-plan-in-help-committee/

[mmonk]

1. Yep. I posted it in GD.

Time to call her office.

DC 202-224-6342, Greensboro 336-333-5311, Raleigh 919-856-4630

[Triana]

3. I've called, emailed...

...she seems to be doing the "I can't heeeaar you!" routine.

:mad:

[patriotvoice]

4. "Well she needs to be put out on the curb at the first opportunity then. n/t"

I assumed you were being snarky when you wrote that in my previous post (http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=170x11373#11381).

But now you seem to agree with me that she's not listening. Am I missing something?

[mmonk]

5. I sent her a nice little email last night.

I also sent one to Mr. Young at the NCDP telling him we write party platforms our candidates ignore and we were serious when we voted for change. I told him to tell her to release the public option from the HELP Committee.

[patriotvoice]

2. Strike 2 Hagan

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=170x11373

[mdavies013]

6. I called and basically said...if she votes against the public option....

No money, no time, no vote...here is my line in the sand.

[mdavies013]

7. I forgot to add....that her office says she has not made up her mind...

and all I could think of was that Dole ad about not knowing where she stands...just saying.