Dems Reach Health Reform Deal In House; Public Option Retained

[Teaser]

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/07/house-retains-public-option-in-compromise.php?ref=fpa

The public option hasn't gone away, and remains in tact. Now, though, instead of being directly tied to Medicare, the rates will be negotiated by the Health and Human Services secretary--a provision which at a glance seems similar to the public option the Senate HELP Committee endorsed. States will be able to erect health care co-operatives if they choose, but that would be in addition to the public option.

The Blue Dogs managed to pull $100 billion in savings from the bill by lowering by one percent the rate at which people living between 300 and 400 percent of the poverty level will be subsidized to buy health care in insurance exchanges--they had originally tried to eliminate that bracket entirely.

Blue Dogs will likely herald this as a major victory, but compared to their original wishlist, this seems pretty minor.

As before, it's hard to know what will happen to the politics of this over the August recess. But there will almost certainly be a bill ready for a vote when the House comes back into session in September. That bill will have been endorsed in preliminary votes by a significant number of Blue Dogs. And in the House, where there's no filibuster, that makes its prospects for ultimate passage look very solid

[Beetwasher]

1. Congresspeople Need To Be OVERWHELMED Over The Break

By their constituents demanding this get done when they get back. There must be a constant roar about this directed at every single dithering congressional idiot.

This delay is being suggested by opponents for one reason only: they want to use the delay to kill it. We can't let that happen. A delay is dangerous, but we can also use it to our advantage if we overwhelm congresscritters during the break.

I only hope nothing "happens" in Sept. to divert national attention from this debate.

[MarjorieG]

5. Obama just suggested they read the 1,000 pages, when addressing the time needed, etc.

Also pointed to the many decades we've been talking about this.

Any way the attaching to Medicare rates would stay, if not in HELP, otherwise tied to politics and administrations.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

8. Start with the Blue Dogs ---

It's hammertime!


Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin
331 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone] Office Hours:
http://hersethsandlin.house.gov/contact2.htm

Rep. Baron Hill
223 Cannon House OPffice Building Washington DC 20515
202-225-5315
Fax [phone]

Rep. Charlie Melancon
Washington, DC Office
404 Cannon House Office Bldg
Washington, DC 20515-1807
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
http://www.melancon.house.gov/index.php?option=com_cont...

Rep. Heath Shuler
422 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone [phone]
Fax: [phone]
http://shuler.house.gov/zipauth.htm

Altmire, Jason
332 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
202-225-2565
202-226-2274(fax)
https://forms.house.gov/altmire/webforms/issue_subscrib...

Arcuri, Mike
127 Cannon House Office BuildingWashington, D.C. 20515
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
http://forms.house.gov/arcuri/webforms/issue_subscribe....

Baca, Joe
2245 Rayburn House Off. Bldg
Washington, D.C. 20515-0542
[phone]
Fax: [phone]
http://www.house.gov/baca/zipauth.shtml

Barrow, John
213 Cannon HOB
Washington, DC 20515
p: [phone]
f: [phone]
https://forms.house.gov/barrow/webforms/issue_subscribe...

Berry, Marion
2305 Rayburn H.O.B.
Washington, DC 20515
[phone]
[phone] FAX
http://www.house.gov/berry/zipauth.shtml

Bishop, Sanford
2429 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC 20515-1002
Phone- [phone] ax- [phone]
http://bishop.house.gov/display.cfm?section_id=13

Boren, Dan
216 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
[phone]
[phone] fax
http://www.house.gov/boren/emailsignup.shtml


Boswell, Leonard
1427 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
http://boswell.house.gov/?sectionid=81§iontree=4,81

Boyd, Allen
1227 Longworth HOB
Washington, DC 20515 •
P [phone] •
F [phone]

Bright, Bobby
1205 Longworth HOB
Washington, D.C. 20515
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
https://forms.house.gov/bright/contact-form.shtml

Cardoza, Dennis
1224 Longworth Building
Washington, DC 20515
202-225-6131
Fax: [phone]
1-800-356-6424
https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml

Carney, Christopher (PA-10)
416 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
http://www.carney.house.gov/contact.shtml#email

Chandler, Ben
1504 Longworth HOB
Washington, D.C. 20515
Phone: [phone]
FAX: [phone]
https://chandlerforms.house.gov/contact/index.shtml

Childers, Travis
1708 Longworth House Office Building,
District of Columbia 20515-2401
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Cooper, Jim
1536 Longworth HOB •
Washington, D.C. 20515 •
Phone: [phone] •
Fax: [phone]
http://www.cooper.house.gov/index.php?option=com_conten...

Costa, Jim
1314 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone:[phone]
Fax: [phone]
http://www.house.gov/formcosta/issue.htm

Cuellar, Henry
336 Cannon H.O.B.
Washington, DC 20515
phone: [phone]
fax: [phone]
http://cuellar.house.gov/Contact/SendMeAnEmail.htm

Dahlkemper, Kathy
516 Cannon House Office Building,
District of Columbia 20515-3803
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Davis, Lincoln
410 Cannon House Office Building,
District of Columbia 20515-4204
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Donnelly, Joe
1530 Longworth House Office Building,
District of Columbia 20515-1402
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Ellsworth, Brad
513 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
ph 202) 225-4636
fx 202) 225-3284
Toll Free: [phone]
http://www.ellsworth.house.gov/index.php?option=com_con...

Giffords, Gabrielle
1728 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
https://giffordsforms.house.gov/contact/email.shtml

Gordon, Bart
2306 Rayburn HOB
Washington, D.C. 20515
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Griffith, Parker
417 Cannon HOB
Washington, D.C. 20515
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
https://forms.house.gov/griffith/contact-form.shtml

Harman, Jane
2400 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
http://www.house.gov/harman/contact/email.shtml

Holden, Tim
2417 Rayburn HOB
Washington, D.C. 20515
Phone: [phone]
FAX: [phone]
http://www.holden.house.gov/contactform_zipcheck.shtml

Kratovil, Jr., Frank
314 Cannon HOB
Washington, D.C. 20515
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

McIntyre, Mike
2437 Rayburn House Office Bld.
Washington, DC 20515
[phone]
fax [phone]
http://www.house.gov/mcintyre/issue.shtml

Marshall, Jim
504 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml

Michaud, Mike
1724 Longworth HOB
Washington, DC 20515-1902
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Minnick, Walt (ID-01)
1517 Longworth HOB
Washington, D.C. 20515
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
http://minnick.house.gov/contact-zip-auth.shtml (use zip code 83501)

Mitchell, Harry
Washington Office •
1410 Longworth House Office Building •
Washington, D.C. 20515 •
[phone]

Moore, Dennis
1727 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Murphy, Patrick
1609 Longworth HOB
Washington, DC 20515
[phone]
Fax: [phone]
http://www.house.gov/formpatrickmurphy/zipauth.shtml

Nye, Glenn
116 Cannon HOB
Washington, D.C. 20515
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
http://nye.house.gov/?sectionid=7§iontree=4,7 (use zip code 23462)

Peterson, Collin
[phone]
[phone] (fax)
http://collinpeterson.house.gov/zipauth.htm

Pomeroy, Earl
1501 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
http://www.house.gov/formpomeroy/zipauth.htm

Ross, Mike
2436 Rayburn HOB
Washington, DC 20515
[phone]
1-800-223-2220
[phone] Fax

Salazar, John
326 CannonHOB
Washington, DC 20515
202-225-4761
202-226-9669 (fax)
http://www.house.gov/salazar/contact.shtml

Sanchez, Loretta (
1114 Longworth HOB •
Washington DC 20515 •
Phone: [phone] •
Fax: [phone]
http://www.lorettasanchez.house.gov/index.php?option=co...

Schiff, Adam
2447 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Phone: [phone]
Facsimile: [phone]
http://schiff.house.gov/HoR/CA29/Contact+Information/Co...

Scott, David
225 Cannon House Office Building,
District of Columbia 20515-1013
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Space, Zack
315 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
ph: [phone]
fax: [phone]
http://space.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=61§iontr...

Tanner, John
1226 Longworth HOB
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Taylor, Gene
2269 Rayburn HOB
Washington, D.C. 20515
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Thompson, Mike
231 Cannon Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
http://mikethompson.house.gov/contact/email.shtml

Wilson, Charles
226 Cannon HOB
Washington, DC 20515
ph: [phone]
fx: [phone]
Toll Free Number
888-706-1833

[ellie]

22. Thanks!

You rock!

[dflprincess]

2. So they lower the income levels for subsidies

(which weren't all that high to begin with) - what did they do with the income limits for the tax surcharge? Last week Pelosi said she'd be willing to raise those.

We need to make it clear to "our" representatives while they're home on break that we expect real reform, not the health insurance company protection they are working on.

[berni_mccoy]

3. THANK! GOODNESS! K&R

[claude raines]

4. support public option petition

Support a Public Option
Current Signature Count: 84,935

Nearly 50 million Americans -- one-in-six of our fellow citizens -- lack health insurance. Even those families lucky enough to have health insurance have seen their premiums triple in the past decade. America's health care system is in a crisis, and it's time to do something about it.

This month, Congress is working on new reform legislation that will make quality health care available and affordable for all Americans. We support a public health insurance option that would foster greater competition in the marketplace, create more choices for consumers, and lead to lower costs and better quality for all. But we know the forces of the status quo will battle us every step of the way.

Please sign this online petition, showing your support of Congress' work to reform America's health care system now.

Thank you,

Senator Dick Durbin Senator Patrick Leahy Senator Chuck Schumer

Please sign this petition for a public option to health care reform. http://citizensforapublicoption.com/

[mvd]

6. Is this part good or bad? I'm not sure -

"Now, though, instead of being directly tied to Medicare, the rates will be negotiated by the Health and Human Services secretary--a provision which at a glance seems similar to the public option the Senate HELP Committee endorsed."

[Teaser]

7. not QUITE as good, but I don't really care about it

that much.

Medicare has some clout because it buys in such quantities.

[mvd]

10. Thanks. I assume at least then that this isn't a weak public option

I am SO glad it was retained. I think it has a good chance of being in the final bill. :toast:

[Zodiak]

12. Until, of course, a Republican guts it

This makes the person negotiating these deals a political appointee. How much do you trust political appointees?

Do you trust Vilsack with being Agricultural Secretary?

This is a capitalutaion that may bite us big-time in the butt. Blue dogs are NOT looking for this to be a good bill.

[mvd]

13. Good point

We can always fix it later. So many are suffering that at least something with the public option can get passed.

[Zodiak]

11. You'll care about it when a Republican is the H&HS Secretary

This new deal greatly politicizes these negotiations.

[Teaser]

14. that's a potential pitfall

but when a Republican HHS secretary starts negotiating higher prices for goods and services than a Democrat, it seems kinda a ready made campaign issue for our side, no?

[Zodiak]

15. Our side cannot run a campaign against the media and the pukes

Recent history being the guide on this one. How many of *'s indiscretions went unreported and unchallenged?

[Teaser]

18. We just won an election didn't we?

I'll be damned if I'll admit we can't win. Fuck that noise.

[Zodiak]

19. Oh we won alright.

But not because we are "teh awesome".

We won because the other side were disgraced by ruining the country and they then decided to run an old man and a ditz on the platform of ruining it some more. That, and we made a lot of promises we could not keep, which will bite us in the ass the next election, I promise you.

I'm not saying we CAN'T win....we just won't. Too much cowardice, too much bribery, and too many supporters still making excuses rather than holding anyone accountable.

So you can keep the positive thoughts all you want in the face of overwhelming evidence otherwise. Far be it for me to pop your bubble, but don't expect me to share it with you.

[Teaser]

20. SAD CLOWN pr0n

[Zodiak]

26. Typical response when one does not have an argument.

It's all too common around here, and completely ineffective as a rhetorical technique.

[Eric J in MN]

24. Bad. The White House will choose to pay more than Medicare to please Big Business. NT

NT

[Bullet1987]

9. This is great news...everything seems to be on track

But I'm still not going to think the drug industry and all others are going to give up. Maybe the Blue Dogs are finally realizing that they'll take a lot of heat if they keep obstructing healthcare reform.

[SpartanDem]

16. I figured there'd be a deal

kinda makes kyterics about this look funny

[mzmolly]

17. PHEW!

K and R.

[Arkana]

21. So what does this mean?

Pardon me if I sound stupid--I often get lost in the intricacies of the health care debate.

[grantcart]

25. I think it means we are watching a Kabuki Dance

Blue Dogs cry bill is irresponsible

Blue Dogs negotiate big savings

Blue Dogs go home as heros

Legislation passes pretty much as originally intended.


There is one blue dog element that was helpful, negotiating an end to fee for service payments and forcing the system to pay for outcome.

While touted as a conservative addition it will actually make the bill more progressive.


I think that we will see some other face saving moves in the future, maybe even for a few Republicans, but as long as it has a strong Public Option I am happy.

[Arkana]

29. I just don't fucking get it.

One day everyone's happy that the public option's been retained somewhere, then the next Obama's a failure and a jerk and a dog raper because the Senate Undersubcommittee on Dogshit Pickup voted to drop the public option from their version of the bill, which will be one of about 1,000,000,000,000 versions, NOT counting the ones in the Senate.

[Engineer4Obama]

23. This is a win

Right before recess, this is a very good thing. Looks like some of the compromises weren't that bad and will be reconciled into the more liberal bills.

That's 4/5 bills w/ Public Option - gee I wonder which one is gonna have the shit reconciled out of it?

[wiggs]

27. Are blue dogs operating at behest of WH? Did blue dogs need to define the

right/unacceptable option so that some sort of public option seems centrist to the highest number of people? If we get any public option, won't many people feel relief that the blue dogs didn't win?

The dogs may have dragged the issue to the right, purposely, so that those further left won't resent a watered down public option.

[Wednesdays]

28. K&R

:kick: