House Democrats "Anxious To Take On" Health Care Reform Opponents

[babylonsister]

Ryan Grim
House Democrats "Anxious To Take On" Health Care Reform Opponents

First Posted: 06-19-09 04:25 PM | Updated: 06-19-09 04:46 PM


The Democratic Party showed on Friday what it's capable of when led by the majority of its members rather than its conservative wing. In stark contrast to Senate Democrats, who spent the week backpedaling on reform, unified House Democrats unveiled a draft health care overhaul bill jointly endorsed by three powerful committee chairmen.


Henry Waxman, Charlie Rangel and George Miller, chairs of the Energy & Commerce, Ways & Means and Education & Labor Committees, announced the result of six months of negotiations. The sight of three united committee chairmen in the turf-conscious House is a historically rare one.

Where the Senate Finance Committee's outline of a bill didn't include a public health insurance option for people to buy into, the House version includes a robust public plan that would operate nationally and compete with private insurers on a level playing field to keep them honest.

The public plan would be self-sustaining and not subsidized by the federal government, although an upfront infusion of capital would be needed. It would initially be tied to Medicare reimbursement rates, to capitalize on the existing infrastructure, but would evolve into a separate plan that paid higher rates. Participation by doctors would be voluntary.

Rangel described the public plan as "the best of Medicaid, best of Medicare, then kick it up a notch." The chairmen estimated the plan would cover 95 percent of Americans.

While the Senate has cowered from the debate over a public option in the face of Republican and conservative Democratic opposition, Rangel said he relishes the battle.

"I'm anxious to take on those people who oppose a public option," he said. He'll have public opinion on his side. A recent poll showed 3 out of 4 people want a public plan as part of health care reform. "We've got the momentum."

more...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/06/19/house-democratsanxious-to_n_218177.html

[Cleita]

1. I'll be one of those opposing if the Public Option isn't done right. n/t

[babylonsister]

We know that. nt

[Solly Mack]

2. K&R

[TomCADem]

3. I Would Like To See Pro-Reform Rallies That Dwarf The Tea Baggers - Just Say When

Of course, it sure does help when you have Fox News to astro turf a movement. Still, we can make due. Just let us know when and where, and I'm there!

[redqueen]

4. DC, Sunday

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x5882302

[TomCADem]

10. Umm, Isn't That A Rally AGAINST President Obama's Healthcare Proposals?

Aren't there any rallies that are at least somewhat supportive of the public option being proposed by President Obama? Seems like there are more than enough rallies and news coverage of folks who are against President Obama's proposed public option.

[redqueen]

11. Technically yes...

however I think it would show that a strong public option *is* the compromise... and that not having a public option is out of the question.

[babylonsister]

12. If I see any info, I'll be posting, along with lots of people. And

welcome to DU!

[TomCADem]

13. PLEASE! and Thanks! We Can Never Hope For Network Support Like Fox News For Tea Baggers

But I would love to attend a rally supporting reform for healthcare, particularly some sort of public option. Heck, I am flexible. I am not demanding a particular reform. Just a real improvement over the current system. There should be more than one way to address the problems with healthcare today where the U.S. spends far more per capita on healthcare than any other country.

Lets put the teabaggers to shame! Lets demonstrate for something, rather than against everything.

[fascisthunter]

5. yes... expose the fascist pricks for what they are...

wealthy get tax breaks, while forcing the poor and middle class into shitty private insurance. People are dying and these greedy fuckers are whinning?! Heh...

[Rosa Luxemburg]

6. the reform opponents should be given the poor's healthcare bills to pay

then they would stop complaining.

[SammyWinstonJack]

8. +1

:thumbsup:

[Whalestoe]

7. Fuck yes.

Finally, a group of people with balls!

[msongs]

9. sounds like good news for a change. nt