Top House Progressive (Grijalva): Backing Public Option “Trigger” Would Be “Surrender”

[jefferson_dem]

Top House Progressive: Backing Public Option “Trigger” Would Be “Surrender”

Dem Rep. Raul Grijalva, the co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, is issuing a strong rebuke to fellow liberals who may be inclined to accept a compromise involving a public option “trigger,” saying it would amount to waving a “white flag” and “a surrender.”

Grijalva made the claim after I checked in with his office for a comment on today’s Roll Call story reporting that some “key” House progressives are open to such a compromise. In a statement emailed to me, Grijalva said that most House progressives would in fact stand firm and still vote against a bill with a trigger:

“The vast majority of CPC is not prepared to wave a white flag on public option. A trigger would be a surrender.”

If the “vast majority” of the five dozen or so House progressives did vote against the bill, as Grijalva vows they would, it wouldn’t pass.

Also noteworthy: Grijalva’s description of a trigger as “surrender” leaves liberals no wiggle room to support it. When it comes to the trigger, House progressive leaders are refusing to budge.

http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/health-care/top-house-progressive-backing-public-option-trigger-would-be-surrender/

[Vincardog]

1. Good on Grijalva and the CPC

[polichick]

2. Very interesting! k&r

[ShortnFiery]

3. A half-assed plan would be a wind fall for the Insurance Companies as it would SUCK

everyone into paying high premiums.

Who cares if you're covered for an pre-existing condition IF you can't afford the high premiums.

[panader0]

4. Grijalva had a town meeting, I think it was Friday, in Tucson, in Spanish

There were no hecklers, no rude screamers. Raul is a good Rep. Mine, however. is a blue dog, Giffords. I was surprised to learn that she was a bd, and immediately fired off a n e-mail to tell her to support the PO.

[TheKentuckian]

5. Even lamer than the trigger is the "pilot program" crap

Yeah, guys lets set up tiny experimental pools of co-ops and government programs to waste money and fail to do the one thing we know the option will do (if in any way rationally designed) which would be to create something that has national scope and bargaining power to be a real threat to the insurance companies. A force that will compel them to both innovate as well as to act like responsible parts of the society.

The "pilot programs" are a surefire resource waster and a swampland for bogus information based off of comparing apples to oranges to cardboard.

GET A ROBUST PUBLIC OPTION IN THE BILL!!!! IT IS EASIER TO INCREASE ELIGIBILITY THAN TO GET THE OPTION ADDED. IF YOU MUST COMPROMISE THEN COMPROMISE ELIGIBILITY OVER SUBSTANCE AND SCOPE.

[ej510]

6. Fuck yeah do not give in. Make Obama take us seriously!!!!!!

:toast: :bounce: :kick:

[grantcart]

7. good

[joeycola]

8. BRAVO!!!