Health Care Developments Moving Quick Today

[SHRED]

Here they are:




Reid to Baucus: Stop Chasing GOP Votes on Health Care
July 7, 2009, 5:35 p.m.
By David M. Drucker and Emily Pierce
Roll Call Staff

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) on Tuesday ordered Finance Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) to drop a proposal to tax health benefits and stop chasing Republican votes on a massive health care reform bill.

Reid, whose leadership is considered crucial if President Barack Obama is to deliver on his promise of enacting health care reform this year, offered the directive to Baucus through an intermediary after consulting with Senate Democratic leaders during Tuesday morning’s regularly scheduled leadership meeting. Baucus was meeting with Finance ranking member Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) Tuesday afternoon to relay the information.

http://www.rollcall.com/news/36546-1.html


Progressives Warn Obama Against Dropping Public Health Care Option
July 7, 2009, 6:49 p.m.
By Jennifer Bendery
Roll Call Staff

Liberal groups on Tuesday made it clear that they are not happy with news reports that the White House may be considering alternatives to a public plan in health care reform.

Rep. Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz.), co-chairman of the 77-member Congressional Progressive Caucus, fired off a letter to President Barack Obama warning him against dropping a public insurance option from health care reform plans.

Grijalva described the “alarm and dismay” he felt after reading a Wall Street Journal story that cites White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel offering support for a “trigger” mechanism, under which a public plan option is only part of health care if the marketplace fails to provide sufficient competition on its own.

http://www.rollcall.com/news/36551-1.html


Emanuel Reassures Democrats on Public Insurance Option
July 7, 2009, 9:11 p.m.
By Steven T. Dennis
Roll Call Staff

White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel reassured House Democrats on Tuesday night that President Barack Obama strongly backs a government-run health insurance plan, seeking to quell a firestorm among liberals upset at Emanuel’s comments in the Wall Street Journal that suggested such a plan could be delayed.

Progressive Caucus Co-Chairwoman Lynn Woolsey (D-Calif.) warned Emanuel that he would lose the caucus’ votes if the White House compromised on the issue and included a “trigger” that could delay a public insurance plan indefinitely. The trigger idea is backed by conservative Democrats but is anathema to liberals.

“We have compromised enough, and we are not going to compromise on any kind of trigger game,” Woolsey said she told Emanuel. “People clapped all over the place. We mean it, and not just progressives.”

http://www.rollcall.com/news/36564-1.html

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[annabanana]

1. All signs that the pressure we are bringing to bear is worth it...

If you think that any of this would have happened without the PFAW or PDA or any of the many many progressive groups pushing, pushing & pushing.. you're crazy.

keep it up everyone!

[SHRED]

3. right on! I am doing just that!!

[xchrom]

2. stop chasing republican votes? -- what next --

they'll stop being afraid of being called liberal?

[Sebastian Doyle]

4. Well, I guess that's mostly good news.

I know Lynn Woolsey is on our side, and assume Grijalva is as well (don't know much about him, but he's in the Progressive Caucus, so I would hope so)

On the other hand, I don't trust Reid any more than I trust Baucus. And with good reason.

[mopinko]

8. jan schakowsky is kicking ass, too.

chief deputy whip, good friend of the prez, committed to reform.

[Oregone]

5. Since the polls started showing 75%+ in favor of it...

things seem to be going in that direction. The same polls also show over 50% in favor of single-payer, so go figure. Whatever. All you can do now is hope this "option" (insurer/exchange/co-op/widget) doesn't suck and solves some problems significantly.

[MarjorieG]

6. So the conservative position is credited to ConservaDems, not GOP. An opinion as cover for their

states if/when they eventually follow the public option line. Obama promised deficit neutral, so they will be covered.

[wroberts189]

7. “We have compromised enough" ..oh sing that song loud!!!!

Progressive Caucus Co-Chairwoman Lynn Woolsey (D-Calif.) warned Emanuel that he would lose the caucus’ votes if the White House compromised on the issue and included a “trigger” that could delay a public insurance plan indefinitely. The trigger idea is backed by conservative Democrats but is anathema to liberals.

“We have compromised enough, and we are not going to compromise on any kind of trigger game,” Woolsey said she told Emanuel.

.... “People clapped all over the place. We mean it, and not just progressives.”

knr

[bertman]

9. Just fired off three emails: President Obama, my Rep, my Democratic Senator.

All were told in no uncertain terms that I wanted them to support universal, government-run healthcare equivalent to Medicare for any Americans who want it.

Don't let off the pedal, folks. We have a chance to make this happen.

Remind them that you worked for their election, you sent them money, you convinced your friends and neighbors they were the right candidates for change. It all helps.

The Progressive Caucus is doing yoeman's work. Bless them all.

Recommend.

[SHRED]

10. Here's what I wrote this morning:

Contact:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact /

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Dear Mr. President,

If we Americans are shoved aside and denied at least a public health insurance option, as you have promised us, then rest assured you will be bringing down the Democratic Party and I, along with millions of others, fully intend to not vote for you ever again.

We are hurting out here and continuing to side with the medical-industrial complex, at this critical juncture of our history, would be a catastrophe.

Your choice is clear.
Either follow your conscience, help us, and become a "President for the Ages" or follow the PAC money and lobbyists and become just another lap dog for the system.

Sincerely,
<my name here>

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http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=222&topic_id=64177&mesg_id=64177

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[bertman]

12. That one might have gone in the "Shredder", dude.

But I share your sentiments.

Mine was a bit less, shall we say, unequivocal. But not a lot less.

[SHRED]

13. lol.. ;)

[dmr]

14. lol

:)

[HughMoran]

11. Good news

Glad the Dems are realizing that it's up to them now - fuck the Republicans.

[dmr]

15. I'll keep up my calls, letters and emails

There is so much at stake, it's frightening.