Good News: Hatch quits health care talks

[jefferson_dem]

Another sign of positive progress...

Hatch quits health care talks
By: Carrie Budoff Brown
July 22, 2009 12:51 PM EST

The health care Gang of Seven is now down to six.

Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), one of seven senators involved in bipartisan Finance Committee negotiations, has left the talks.

Hatch informed Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) Wednesday afternoon that he couldn't continue to particpate because there were too many aspects of the bill that he could not back, including the employer mandate, individual mandate, Medicaid expansion and tax increase.

"It is going to be difficult for me to support what they are talking about," Hatch said shortly after he told Baucus on their way to a noon Senate vote.

Democrats have long viewed Hatch's vote as a longshot prospect. But he stuck with the bipartisan talks for weeks, despite regularly criticizing the process and policy.

Hatch said he told Baucus he would try to be helpful, but he couldn't stay in the talks under "false pretenses."

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0709/25268.html

[FrenchieCat]

1. He was staying under "false pretenses" to begin with....

or else he thinks we are stupid!

Bu-bye! :hi:

[karynnj]

5. Hatch was the crucial Republicn willing to work with Kenendy on SCHIP in 1997

At that point, there were 55 Republicans in the Senate. Without him, SCHIP, which he sponsored with Kennedy would not have happened,

What this likely means though is that a bipartisan bill is not likely. It makes no sense to give all kinds of concessions to the Republicans and maybe get around 2 more votes - meaning it still passes only under reconciliation.

[livetohike]

2. More "NO" from the party of no

So he is against all of those issues, but what is he for? What are any of them for? On any subject, the GOP does not have any alternatives. They are the party of the status quo - because it works for them.

I hope Pres. Obama rips them a new one in his speech tonight. This is ridiculous.

[C_U_L8R]

3. Orrin just pees in whatever pool he swims in

good riddance

[dgibby]

4. That would be the shallow end of the gene pool. n/t

[GentryDixon]

6. My Senator knows how to toe his party line.

Good riddance. We do not need his Mormon condescending voice on this issue. :puke: Anyone from Utah knows the voice I am talking about.