Democrats Push Reluctant Obama To End Antitrust Exemption

[cal04]

For Insurance Companies
http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/01/democrats-push-reluctant-obama-to-end-antitrust-exemption-for-insurance-companies.php?ref=fpblg

With the public option now a distant memory, a group of House Democrats are now insisting that President Obama and Congressional leaders adopt separate measures to ensure competition in the health insurance market. Thirty four Democrats, lead by Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-OR) have signed their names to a letter, obtained by TPMDC, demanding that health care legislation include a provision repealing the industries antitrust exemptions.

"Since we all agree that containing the rising cost of health care is one of the overriding goals of health reform, we insist that the House demand an alternative cost cutting tool," the letter reads. "One tool that stands out for attracting strong bipartisan support is removing the current antitrust exemptions enjoyed by the health insurance industry."

(snip)
President Obama says he supports the idea in principle. But unfortunately for House Democrats, Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE) wants to maintain the exemptions, and with his vote absolutely necessary to pass health care reform, ending them completely will be a tough sell. Health care negotiators are working on a watered down approach to the issue--one which is unlikely to satisfy the signatories to this letter, but which Obama seems inclined to accept.

"I'm entirely supportive of that," Obama told DeFazio during a Democratic caucus meeting tonight, according to a Democratic aide. "But I want 60 votes in the Senate. I'm trying to get it done, I'll leave it at that."

You can read the entire letter here.

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/documents/2010/01/house-dems-demand-end-to-insurance-antitrust-exemption.php?page=1

[Pirate Smile]

1. It is like a Huffington Post headline. Obama is for repealing the exemption.

[katandmoon]

2. Like he's for the public option?

[Pirate Smile]

5. Like the 60 votes we need to pass anything in the Senate will just disappear if we just want it real

bad.

[katandmoon]

8. What's that got to do with Obama lying about what he said about the public option?

[wroberts189]

3. When the pubs are back in charge will they need 60 votes?

on edit knr

[dflprincess]

4. If what he's trying to get done is protecting the insurance companies

then letting Ben Nelson get his way on this is what Obama will do.

If he wanted to get HCR done he'd announce he's going to veto this scam and tell Congress to go back to square 1.

So much for being the last president to deal with this.

[katandmoon]

9. Bingo.

[EmeraldCityGrl]

6. Nelson would probably use any excuse to change his vote.

I read today he was booed at a restaurant and told to get the hell out. I then went to one of the local papers and read the comments, OMG...
hundreds of comments all hating on Nelson. Luckily he's not up for re-election until 2012.

[Name removed]

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