(60) Schumer: We've Reached Agreement With Nelson

[kpete]

Source: Talking Points Memo

Schumer: We've Reached Agreement With Nelson
Brian Beutler | December 19, 2009, 9:01AM

Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) just told reporters that he and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid shook hands last night at 10:30 p.m. with Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE) on an agreement that he would vote for cloture on health care reform, on the basis of the abortion language in the manager's amendment.

Sounds like they've got 60.



Read more: http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/12/schumer-weve-reached-agreement-with-nelson.php?ref=fpa

---

Democrats strike health care deal
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1209/30807.html

Majority Leader Harry Reid unveiled his "manager's amendment." PDF is here. This is basically the substitute bill.
http://www.americablog.com/2009/12/there-is-senate-health-care-bill-and.html

The reason there's movement this morning is because Ben Nelson is apparently on board. MSNBC and other outlets are reporting that Nelson has signed off on the deal with new abortion language. Apparently, it's not the same language as Stupak.
http://democrats.senate.gov/reform/managers-amendment.pdf


Ben Nelson gives health bill its 60th vote
By Michael O'Brien - 12/19/09 09:22 AM ET

Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) will provide Democrats a decisive 60th vote in favor of healthcare reform legislation after a compromise was reached on abortion.

The manager's amendment to the healthcare bill submitted by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) earlier this morning has met Nelson's concerns on abortion, according to multiple reports, leading Nelson to in turn agree to support the landmark bill.
http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/73055-ben-nelson-gives-health-bill-its-60th-vote

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


Senate: The Deal Looks Done on Health Care
Posted by Karen Tumulty Saturday, December 19, 2009 at 9:42 am
2 Comments • Trackback (0) • Related Topics: congress, democrats, harry reid, health care, republicans, senate, Ben Nelson

Multiple sources are now reporting that Nebraska's Ben Nelson, the last Democratic holdout, is now saying he will support the latest version of the health care bill. That makes 60 votes, enough to overcome a fillibuster.

So what's actually in this bill? And what did it take to get the last votes? I'm still going through it, and will file more as I figure that out, but you can see some highlights here. A senior Democratic aide says this:

The manager's amendment builds upon the strong bill we already have.

Protects our good coverage, cost, and affordability numbers

· Reduces Deficits – estimated to save over $130 billion first ten and roughly $650 billion second ten

· Expands Coverage – over 94 percent of Americans under 65 years of age, including over 31 million uninsured

· Reduces Costs - most Americans will see their health care costs reduced relative to projected levels

Makes health care more affordable for Americans by expanding small business tax credits

· $12 billion increase

· Begins in 2010

· Expands wage thresholds for tax credits

Demands greater accountability from insurance companies/ creates more choice and competition

· Medical Loss Ratio 85/80 percent – Insurance companies will be forced to spend more money on care and less money padding their bottom line.

· Starting immediately children cannot be denied health coverage due to pre-existing conditions

· Insurance companies who jack up their rates will be barred from competing in the exchange.

· Give patients the right to appeal to an independent board if an insurance company denies a coverage claim

· Health insurers will offer national plans to Americans under the supervision of the Office of Personnel Management, the same entity that oversees health plans for Members of Congress.

· Provides significant resources for Community Health Centers


Read more: http://swampland.blogs.time.com/2009/12/19/senate-the-deal-looks-done-on-health-care/#ixzz0a9CsaDDG

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

WASHINGTON — Democratic officials say Sen. Ben Nelson, who always intended to support healthcare legislation backed by President Obama, has gotten enough attention and campaign contributions from insurance companies to give the measure a 60th and decisive vote.

[AndyA]

1. I wonder what the hell they had to give him.

Death penalty for any doctor performing an abortion?

The price the people pay to make our representatives happy. Shouldn't it be the other way around? :eyes:

[No Elephants]

24. +1

[niceypoo]

27. A pony for his granddaughter

[bc3000]

45. Apparently it became easy to get the votes once the left objected to it.

Maybe we should all protest against gay rights next.

[JerseygirlCT]

54. My question, too

Just how many women's rights had to go to assuage Nelson?

[Kolesar]

57. An airbase for you, a fleet for him ... eom

[wordpix]

76. first word that came to my mind: extortion

[Renew Deal]

2. What happens if the amendment fails?

[endless october]

3. wait, what about Sanders?

he's going to vote for this bill with no public option / trigger / medicare buy in?

when did this happen?

[bc3000]

59. Roland Burris too?

Oh who are we kidding? The objections of those who want a good bill don't matter, only the objections of those trying to make the bill as crappy as possible count.

[endless october]

61. i'm not betting on Burris.

i get the feeling he'll play ball.

Sanders signing off on this thing would surprise me, though.

[sweetloukillbot]

62. Didn't Sanders sign off yesterday? At least for cloture?

Thought I saw a quote along the lines of "It's not good, but it's better than nothing" yesterday.

He's always struck me as having a pragmatic streak to him - he'll fight the good fight, but he's smart enough to know when he's tilting at windmills. At least that was the impression I got listening to him on Hartmann...

[endless october]

63. i guess i didn't see that quote. nt

[Name removed]

64. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[dflprincess]

73. On Thom Hartmann yesterday he said he was trying very hard

to find a reason he could vote for the bill but, as of time he was speaking, he thought he'd be voting no.

[sweetloukillbot]

74. Could be he'll vote for cloture but not the final bill...

Although I also saw somewhere around here that Reid gave him some concessions in the bill as well...

[Le Taz Hot]

78. Barbara Boxer too

I was stunned.

[Hissyspit]

4. Marcy Wheeler: Minimum Loss Ratio now 80% for indiv market--so when people go broke they'll know 20%

Full Tweet: "Minimum Loss Ratio now 80% for indiv market--so when people go broke they'll know 20% didn't go to healthcare."

[theoldman]

5. The Republicans never have a problem like this.

They would beat the guy with a rubber hose or make him an offer he could not refuse.

[Renew Deal]

7. That's the fun and charm of being a Democrat.

:D

[City Lights]

13. Or they'd threaten to leak the incriminating photos they have. nt

[niceypoo]

29. They tell them

"We will do everything in our power to make you lose the next election if you do not get in line"

[No Elephants]

33. Which is what the Democrats should have told Lieberman, Baucus, Nelson, Landrieu, et al.

[4dsc]

6. This sucks for Democrats'.

We've been sold out folk by people who care less about the average American. Another sad day for the Democratic Party..


Kill this Bill..

[go west young man]

8. Drop this turd of a bill and send it back for the 51 votes in reconciliation.

It's a piece of crap.

[loudsue]

21. I'm with you. And if they leave in the "mandate", I'm going to go militia on the dems.

I'll join with the friggin' fringe groups.

[boomerbust]

9. Shame on Nebraska

Nelson is a Democrat from Nebraska? This is what they call a democrat in Nebraska? Pathetic

[pattmarty]

10. Hey folks, this is not the FINAL bill yet. The Senate will still have............

............to pass this POS with 60 votes, and it then will go to conference. It's gonna be close if they can get it voted on by Xmas. They way it "looks" now, I would say kill it. Who knows, maybe it'll get better at conference, but I wouldn't bet on it. So far as it has danced through the congressional process, it has gotten progressively worse. But, hope springs eternal and we still have "change we can believe in", NOT.

[niceypoo]

30. If they arent finished...

...it means that it will get worse.

[pattmarty]

51. If this year has taught us ANYTHING it has surely proved that.

[droidamus2]

50. Unfortunately

Nelson has already said that if the conference committee changes anything in the Senate bill he will support a filibuster of the final legislation. He is basically telling the House they are irrelevant and that he (and his cohorts Braux, Lieberman etc) will be the final arbiters of what 'health care reform' will be. Great job of leadership Obama do you realize that being a leader means you actually have to lead? Well I guess since I'm reregistering as an independent I don't really give a damn about the internal politics of that waste of a party known as the 'Democrats'.

[aaronbav]

68. What I've read somewhere (may even have been here) is

that conference is already a done deal, Pelosi will rubber Stamp and send this ATROCITY to O. For signing before XMAS.

We are so FUCKING SCREWED, and the most GALLING part of this is that it is ad the hands of the DEMS and leaves the RETHUGS CLEAN.

In ALL upcomig elections, the Thugs will beat the DEMS BLOODY with this Bullshit Bill

[Wardoc]

77. Agreed. In fact, if recent history shows us anything, its that the bill WILL get worse in committee

[Pirate Smile]

11. E-mails one senior aide: "Nelson is in. Pro-choice Dems are cool with it. The caucus is jubilant."

After weeks of negotiation that culminated in a 13-hour session yesterday, the clincher was some tinkering with Medicaid to help his state and modified abortion language. Critically, the language does not seem to have cost the support of abortion rights advocates in the Senate. E-mails one senior aide:

Nelson is in. Pro-choice Dems are cool with it. The caucus is jubilant.

http://www.tnr.com/blog/the-treatment/breaking-nelson-says-yes-makes-60

[ShortnFiery]

28. Let's see how "jubilant" they are when they lose their SEATS in their NEXT PRIMARY?!? eom

[Ed76638]

12. I apologize

But I'm finding it kinda hard to give a fuck.

[WriteDown]

14. Get ready for CHANGE AKA mandated insurance with no public option...

This is going to be a nightmare.

[eagertolearn]

15. So let the states refuse to allow abortion for those who can't afford them.

Then i hope they are ready to help support all the kids that will be born and not wanted. That is the sad part about all this. Not paying for abortions and then ignoring these kids who are inocent victims of unprotected sex. It's not always better to be born when you have to struggle as much as these kids do with no parenting, drugs and abuse. This is very sad. so i hope these states are saving their money and building bigger jails!

[AlbertCat]

52. So let the states refuse to allow abortion for those who can't afford them.

B-b-b-but all babies are just little bundles of heaven and a gift from god!


All anti-choice advocates who also advocate abstinence only, should be MANDATED to adopt 5 unwanted children....starting with those that are now teenagers.

[eagertolearn]

75. Yes an abstinence works so well. We had 20 pregnant teens last year at our high school and

abstinence is all that is taught. "If you teach them about sex education they might have sex!". Some parents would rather stick their heads in the sand then believe that their kids are sexually active. When the baby comes along they have a reality check. Most of them don't have help from the "fathers" and are are getting "help" from their own dysfunctional families or from local resources while they are in school. What happens when they are out of school? Their mostly on their own supported by the state.

[NoodleyAppendage]

16. Legislature brought (bought) to you buy Mutual of Omaha.

Ben Nelson is a SCUMBAG. I will gladly contribute to any persons campaign who runs against the a$$hole. Same goes for Landreu and Lieberdick.

J

[hayu_lol]

17. Nelson has been a scumbag DINO for years...

this is the proverbial last straw.

Since Nebraskans won't do anything about him, then the rest of us--those involved in crossing the country--should boycott Nebraska...don't spend a dime there.

Abortion Ben, is settled law. What part of that do you need pictures drawn for so that you might finally understand?

Send coathangers to Nebraska.

[msongs]

18. remove bill components that are industry giveaways and pass what's left nt

[katkat]

19. they got it by throwing women under the bus re abortion

I'm trying not to have a cerebral hemorrhage.

[villager]

25. well but they did it, you know, *progressively*

n/t

[No Elephants]

41. Not only women. Medicare (elderly and disabled).

[freddie mertz]

20. Anyway you look at it, you lose.

And the insurance lobbyists who own our government, including the president, win.

[groundloop]

22. Don't get me wrong, I'm pissed there's no public option, but this bill has some good stuff in it

I know, I know, we were sold out on the public option. With the three or four conserva-dems and traiter-Joe the public option didn't have much chance. Maybe if Reid had played rough, but who knows.

Anyway, one big thing in this bill that I see is that patients can appeal decisions to an INDEPENDENT board. Right now insurance companies have the appeals process rigged because all appeals are judged by ...... (drum roll please)....... the insurance company. I've been through that nonesense for my wife and I believe this will fix a lot.

I'm still disappointed as hell that there's no public option in the bill, but there are definitely big improvements over the system we have now.

[DisgustedInMN]

31. Nonsense. While waiting for a chance to get a hearing...

...in front of that "INDEPENDENT board," how many other people will die? This bill is crap and a sellout of We the People. Obama is the one that sold us out. Obama is a liar, as much as it pains me to have to admit it.

[defendandprotect]

46. And they'll also be dying from here to 2014, with taxes being collected in 2010 . . .and GOP

possibly getting two or more cracks at whatever passes ---

PLUS a crack at the money --!!!

Have we not learned yet that if we have a surplus we should apply it immediately????

[twitomy]

65. Die waiting for the Independent Board? Andif you dont die by

then, a decision against you will kill ya. Gee sounds like a "DEATH PANEL".I guess Palin was right after all.

[stubtoe]

32. I'm with you.

Mr S. and I are in the 50-65 age group who have to purchase private insurance. It's friggin' EXPENSIVE and the rates go up $100-$200 per month every year. We pay most of our health care bills out of pocket, due to the high deductible.

I'm glad to see some reining in of the insurance co's power. To me, that's a damned good start.

[No Elephants]

36. As long as you don't mind a transfer of wealth to an industry that is already obscenely wealthy as a

results of its eagerness to see Americans die.

We could have had so much more with a lot less money and without throwing women, the disabled and the elderly under the bus.


Americans have been shafted for so long, some of them are grateful for very little. In Europe and Canada,, they'd have rioted over a bill like this.

[Odin2005]

38. A mandate without strong regulation of the insurance companies and a strong PO is FASCISM!!!

[SergeStorms]

69. Well, since the health care industry more or less.............

wrote this piece of shit bill, and are the only ones who are going to benefit greatly from it, who do YOU think will be appointed to these "independent" boards? Hmmmmmmmmmm? :shrug:

Oh, I'm SURE it will be people who are REALLY looking out for patients rights, and NOT the bottom line of health insurers, right? :sarcasm:

You're not really that naive, are you?

[Stargleamer]

23. 60 = more capitulation

The Republicans threatened "nuclear option" so they wouldn't have to get 60 when Bush was in office.

Here Democrats give in (no single payer), give in some more (no public option), give in yet again (no public option with trigger), give in yet again (no expansion of Medicare), give in yet again (sell women out with anti-abortion provisions), etc., etc.

And Krugman thinks we should accept this bill, because we can improve upon it later. When will later ever come, if the Republicans have so much power and keep moving further and further to the right and we have to compromise with people like Nelson?

[ShortnFiery]

26. Sending more Middle Class Tax Dollars to the super rich Insurance Cartel and Big Pharma. eom

[alsame]

34. Schumer is my Senator. For MONTHS, both he and Gillibrand have been

sending me numerous emails about how they would not surpport a bill without a 'robust' public option.

I can't wait to reply to the next email asking for a contribution.

[freddie mertz]

39. They have all lied to us, over and over.

Ain't it grand?

[No Elephants]

40. Too late. Better to email them today.

[alsame]

43. Oh, I've been emailing them both on a regular basis, including the

last few days. Which obviously has no effect whatsoever.

[defendandprotect]

48. Well, I woiuld presume that the wake up also applies to $$$ being sent????

I will give to Al Franken, directly -- and a select few --

Kucinich, Bernie Sanders -- etal

[alsame]

60. Oh yes, I will be sure to let them know that I contribute only to

the Democrats who represent MY interests, whether or not they are in my state.

[lonestarnot]

35. So are they now off to scamming how to keep the tax cut for the top 1%?

[SandWalker1984]

37. They LIE - this is not health care reform, it's profit protection for the insurance corporations

They LIE: Mandates to buy insurance does not = insurance coverage "The silver lining: The bill provides coverage to 93 percent of Americans."

No, it doesn't. Both bills in Congress do not guarantee coverage for 93% of Americans -- they MANDATE that Americans buy private, for profit health insurance. There is a huge difference between PROVIDING coverage and MANDATING you BUY coverage.

Most people that do not have health insurance are going without because they cannot afford the monthly premiums, especially if they are over 49 years of age or have pre-existing conditions OR family members that have/had pre-existing conditions. (Try buying insurance in the open market if you have 2 immediate family members that have battled cancer and you will know what I am talking about.) Telling insurance corporations they cannot deny you coverage for a pre-existing condition but allowing them to charge high premiums you can't afford will still get the same result -- you will not have health insurance.


It is a lie to say these bills will be successful because most Americans will have health insurance.

It is a lie to call this health care reform because these bills will not reform the cost issues that are prohibiting many Americans from getting health CARE.

It is a lie to call it health care reform when failure to buy the for profit insurance (that will not be sufficiently regulated) will result in FINES or PRISON.

It is a lie when they say we can pass this bill and fix the issues later. IT WON'T HAPPEN. Look at NAFTA. Remember that when we were sold NAFTA by Clinton, Gore & corporate media, we were told it could be renegotiated and fixed in 6 months if it wasn't working out. It's now 15 years later and NAFTA wasn't fixed or renegotiated and it has devastated Detroit. In just the past few weeks Whirlpool and Electrolux have announced they will move almost 2000 more jobs to Mexico. Never mind that NAFTA has destroyed the value of our dollar and helped destroy our middle class economy.

And it is a lie when Democratic members of Congress jump on the insurance bandwagon while telling us how great this "reform" legislation is going to be.


The very corporations that have created the need for health care reform will be rewarded immensely for their bad past behavior. That is not the real reform we were promised or deserve.

Health care reform must include a strong public option that allows ALL Americans that want to participate access. It's key to controlling costs, expanding coverage, and forcing big insurance corporations to compete. Without it, we'll end up with a national health care system controlled by a handful of large corporations accountable neither to American voters nor to the market.

This legislation as currently stands is totally dysfunctional
and I cannot support it.

Nor should any thinking person, especially progressives.

We need to let Congress know we will not accept an insurance corporation giveaway as health care reform.

Passing this Corporate Health Insurance Profit Protection Act will be disastrous for Americans and for Democrats.

KILL THIS BILL NOW, before it destroys us thru corporate mandated slavery.

[No Elephants]

42. Not only profit protection, but profit maximization.

Health insurance stocks are doing beautifully. America's real death panels seem to be looking forward eagerly to "reform." *wink wink*

[democrat2thecore]

67. Bingo. It's so transparent it hurts. They know EXACTLY what they're doing.

While our president stands by and ENCOURAGES it all!!!!

[bc3000]

53. great post!

[elocs]

44. Isn't it interesting how the naysters and DINOs are catered to and get what they want

while we have Democrats who are more than willing to compromise on anything just in order to get a bill passed. Our Democrats are feckless incarnate.

[defendandprotect]

49. It's merely a game to move the party to the right . .. but no oine seems to notice -- ???!!!

[PSPS]

47. It really sucks to have to admit that Joe "You Lie" Wilson was right.

Of course, it was for the wrong reason (health care coverage for "illegal" immigrants, which is OK by me as it saves money and is the right thing to do for everyone in the country, "illegal" or otherwise.)

But, that aside, Obama is, in fact, a liar.

[Kolesar]

58. thin...eom

[Iowa]

70. Not only is he a liar, he's a damned good liar.

[bamacrat]

55. Without a real Public Option this is only more corporate welfare.

While the bullet points sound great. It still gives all the power to the insurance companies. Horrible. But I guess something is better than nothing, especially after we have shot ourselves in the foot like the dems in the Senate have.

[subterranean]

56. My quick take on those bullet point items

Protects our good coverage, cost, and affordability numbers

· Reduces Deficits – estimated to save over $130 billion first ten and roughly $650 billion second ten

-- Anyone can make an estimate. There's no guarantee that it will reduce the deficit by one dime.

· Expands Coverage – over 94 percent of Americans under 65 years of age, including over 31 million uninsured

-- What about the other 6 percent?

· Reduces Costs - most Americans will see their health care costs reduced relative to projected levels

-- A meaningless statement. How do we know those projected numbers are realistic? We don't.

Makes health care more affordable for Americans by expanding small business tax credits

· $12 billion increase

-- This one could help.

Demands greater accountability from insurance companies/ creates more choice and competition

· Medical Loss Ratio 85/80 percent – Insurance companies will be forced to spend more money on care and less money padding their bottom line.

-- Last I read, the Senate bill had the MLR at 90 percent. Are they lowering it now?

· Starting immediately children cannot be denied health coverage due to pre-existing conditions

-- Well, that's mighty generous of them.

· Insurance companies who jack up their rates will be barred from competing in the exchange.

-- If insurance companies can't make what they consider sufficient profits in the exchange, they'll pull out. They won't be required to participate in the exchange.

· Give patients the right to appeal to an independent board if an insurance company denies a coverage claim

-- An independent board made up of former industry insiders, no doubt. And if the appeals process takes a couple of years and there are no penalties, it will be worth it for insurance companies to deny claims, even if they lose the appeal.


· Health insurers will offer national plans to Americans under the supervision of the Office of Personnel Management, the same entity that oversees health plans for Members of Congress.

-- The insurance companies fought for this provision, which makes me skeptical that it will benefit ordinary Americans.

· Provides significant resources for Community Health Centers

-- "Significant" is in the eye of the beholder.

In short, most of these improvements have less substance than they might appear to at first glance.

[democrat2thecore]

66. A GIFT TO BIG INSURANCE! -nt

[JDPriestly]

71. Californians lose many of the protections we already have and

remain victims of insurance company greed. We gain absolutely nothing we hadn't already fought for and received. The subsidies sound nice, but guess who will pay for them: Californians who pay a big portion of the federal taxes.

And the illegals living in California will still not be covered. This bill is really a bad deal for California.

On edit: Reading this amendment, I actually see some things that are good. I'm not going to talk about all of them, because they may not be there when the bill goes through another reconciliation and actual passage.

[geckosfeet]

72. Oh I am so happy. We have caved to another blue dog freak.