Republicans seek health bill change

[depakid]

Source: Reuters

U.S. Republicans will seek amendments to parts of the Democrat's healthcare reform they oppose, rather than push for an alternative plan to overhaul the $2.5 trillion system, a key senator said on Monday. Conservatives are seeking changes that would limit medical malpractice liability and do away with any requirement for consumers to buy a health insurance policy, said Sen. Charles Grassley, speaking at the Reuters Washington Summit.

He would also like to enable consumers to purchase insurance policies across state lines. Insurance is currently regulated at the state level, with consumers unable to purchase from firms that do not sell plans in their state.

"I just hope that we're able to keep this bill from getting any worse," said Grassley, the ranking Republican on the Senate Finance Committee. Congressional Democrats are unlikely to support those proposed changes, and Grassley conceded the bill could pass without any concessions to Republicans as long as the chamber's 60 Democrats stick together.

To win Republican backing, the measure also would have to exclude any government-run health insurance option, Grassley added. If such concerns are addressed, Democrats "might get a lot of Republican support," he told Reuters.

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/Washington09/idUSTRE59I4Y720091019

[Stuart G]

1. Grassley can go

shit in the grass. Screw Him.

[county worker]

2. We don't need nor do we want Republican support.

It's like Lucy and Charlie Brown. The are Lucy and we are Charlie Brown. The say they will hold the football so we can kick it yet every time we fall on our asses!

[msongs]

3. at last obama gets his bipartisanship - he was right all along :-) if u kiss enuff repubs

they will be responsible and support you lolololol

Msongs

[denem]

4. "might get a lot of Republican support" in a basket hanging from a balloon.

[Cleita]

5. Even if you change it into something so useless, it's no change at all, they

still won't vote for it and we will be stuck with a POS legislation that benefits no one but the insurance companies. It probably is their intent. We really need to stop catering to them.

[kestrel91316]

6. I'm gonna say to the Repukes what I just said to Beck:

We won. You lost. Get over it. Now sit down and shut the fuck up.

And while I'm at it, I'll remind the Dems that WE WON.

[BumRushDaShow]

7. None of their amendments will pass. n/t

[Laelth]

8. Republicans are opposing the individual mandate? How interesting!

They want to make sure they hang that albatross around our necks in 2010 and 2012.

I can't say that I blame them. That provision stinks, and, although it will almost certainly pass, it will hurt the Democratic Party badly, and the Republicans know it.

:dem:

-Laelth

[harun]

9. I noticed that as well. I think they are bluffing. Their corporate backers demand

they put the mandate in and no way in hell they would actually be for opposing the mandate. It is just giving them something to campaign with.

[Laelth]

10. I tend to agree.

The Republicans' health insurance industry masters really want the individual mandate, and I think Republicans will vote for it (if necessary) to make sure it passes.

But they're hoping they don't have to. They hope they can just blame the Democrats for it.

:dem:

-Laelth

[santamargarita]

11. Fuck the Goddamn Republicans...

again!

[Engineer4Obama]

12. If you just make the bill exactly like we would make it

we might support it! You just have to destroy any and all government programs that might work... and no private industry regulations ... and no taxes! In fact cut taxes again!

[demwing]

13. Bweet bweet bweet - Mindfuck Alert!

[damntexdem]

14. Sorry, GOP, you had your chance and blew it.

If only Congressional Dems would say that and act on it.