AFL-CIO Blasts Senate Bill, Leaves Door Open To Opposition

[babylonsister]

http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/labor/afl-cio-blasts-senate-bill-leaves-door-open-to-opposition/

AFL-CIO Blasts Senate Bill, Leaves Door Open To Opposition


It’s getting really ugly now.

The AFL-CIO, going further than the SEIU, is out with a new statement that stops just a hair short of withholding full support for the Senate health care bill, leaving little room for the labor federation to support it without big changes:

{F}or this health care bill to be worthy of the support of working men and women, substantial changes must be made. The AFL-CIO intends to fight on behalf of all working families to make those changes and win health care reform that is deserving of the name.

The absolute refusal of Republicans in the Senate to support health care reform and the hijacking of the bill by defenders of the insurance industry have brought us a Senate bill that is inadequate: It is too kind to the insurance industry.

Genuine health care reform must bring down health costs, hold insurance companies accountable, assure that Americans can get the health care they need and be financed fairly…

The House bill is the model for genuine health care reform. Working people cannot accept anything less than real reform.

That last line is worded with incredible care. It doesn’t quite say that AFL-CIO will oppose the Senate bill if it isn’t brought more in line with the House bill (which isn’t going to happen), but it comes pretty damn close. There may be just enough wiggle room for the AFL-CIO to back it in the end, but the door seems open to opposition — and this will embolden the growing liberal opposition.

Oh, and Ben Nelson is now saying No, too. Which means that Joe Lieberman will have to say No again to get the press stampeding back in his direction.

[lapfog_1]

1. Hopefully, it's toast now.

Then we pass expansion of Medicare in reconciliation. Forget the rest of it for this time around.

[damntexdem]

2. No, it's getting prettier now -- for killing the bill.

At least for a stronger House push in conference committee.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

3. Oh, that's OK. Unions aren't part of "the base"...unlike Big Pharma and Insurance Corps.