"AP: Chances of health compromise continue to fade." Enzi, Repug, Wyo.

[Emit]

On Edit: As others have pointed out, we are likely better off without a compromise. I just hope enough of the Blue Dog Dems can be persuaded to vote in favor to push a decent bill through.

Chances of health compromise continue to fade

WASHINGTON – A leading GOP negotiator on health care struck a further blow to fading chances of a bipartisan compromise by saying Democratic proposals would restrict medical choices and make the country's "finances sicker without saving you money."

The criticism from Sen. Michael Enzi, R-Wyo., echoed that of many opponents of the Democratic plans under consideration in Congress. But Enzi's judgment was especially noteworthy because he is one of only three Republicans who have been willing to consider a bipartisan bill in the Senate.

In the Republicans' weekly radio and Internet address on Saturday, Enzi said any health care legislation must lower medical costs for Americans without increasing deficits and the national debt.

~snip~

"I heard a lot of frustration and anger as I traveled across my home state this last few weeks," said Enzi, who has been targeted by critics for seeking to negotiate on legislation. "People in Wyoming and across the country are anxious about what Washington has in mind. This is big. This is personal. This is one of the most important debates of our lifetime."

~snip~

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090830/ap_on_go_co/us_health_overhaul_republicans

[Eric J in MN]

1. Yay! A bill which only gets Democratic votes will be better. NT

NT

[t0dd]

2. I think I'll call and thank him.

The more Republicans concede a bipartisan solution to health care reform is impossible, the less our spineless Democrats will compromise the legislation to death.

[OHdem10]

3. "The work goes on,the cause endures, the hope sill lives and

The Dreams shall never die"

[Lorax7844]

4. Good! Best news I've heard all week.

[OffWithTheirHeads]

5. GOOD! I don't want a compromise, I want health care.

Understand, I have some of the most expensive health care money can buy. I am a Union Sheet Metal Worker. $11.00 and change comes out of my paycheck EVERY HOUR to pay for my health care. Do the math! $11.00 per hour X 40 hours = $440.00 per week X 50 weeks = $22,000.00+ per year. I'm buying my health care company a fucking house! If that's not bad enough, I am scared to death to go to the MD because the co-pays are so high that they drain every disposable dollar I take home.

This system is fucked!

[regnaD kciN]

6. Exactly...!

More "compromise" merely means giving away more of what the general public needs to make health care affordable and available. Further "compromise" would probably mean eliminating the public option and employer mandate, leaving the health-care bill as being nothing but the individual mandate that would require people by law to purchase private insurance at current rates, or face a hefty fine for the "privilege" of being uninsured.

The time for compromise has come and gone; now it's time for forcing a bill (with provisions supported by the vast majority of the American people) through Congress. If that means getting enough Repugs and Blue Dogs to break a filibuster on a bill like that, fine. If not, it's time for the budget reconciliation process.