http://thehill.com/homenews/house/59839-pelosi-nixes-deal-with-blue-dogs-on-healthcareSpeaker Pelosi is backing away from a deal she cut with centrists to advance health reform, said a source familiar with talks.
Pelosi’s decision to move away from the agreement that was made with a group of Blue Dogs to get the bill out of committee would steer the healthcare legislation back to the left as she prepares for a floor vote.
Pelosi is planning to include a government-run public option in the House version of the healthcare bill. She wants to model it on Medicare, with providers getting reimbursed on a scale pegged to Medicare rates.
"The speaker is full-steam-ahead," said a senior Democratic aide.
But a Pelosi aide said nothing is final, and the proposal to revert to the more left-leaning version of the language would be vetted before the entire Democratic Caucus.
Blue Dog Democrats, many of whom represent rural districts where Medicare reimbursement rates are low, vehemently oppose tying the public option to Medicare.
Rep. Mike Ross (D-Ark.) and a group of fellow Blue Dogs had negotiated a deal with Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) in July that would remove the link to Medicare. Under that plan, officials with the government-run plan would negotiate individually with providers.
....More at link at the top....
Keep calling and demanding a REAL public option - remember to specify when you call....
You want single payer but you will go along with a REAL public option IF IF IF
- It has rates tied to Medicare
- It is available for everyone to enroll in
- It starts within a reasonable period after legislation is signed
Keep pushing. Single Payer IS the solution. However, a public option MIGHT work if ALL the above criteria are met. Call the White House and let them know a 5% public option is NOT a public option.
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