What are the chances Grayson's HR 4789 makes it out of Committee?

[berni_mccoy]

I support this action by Grayson. I think it's a great idea. I'd love to see it happen. The reason being is that it is not contradictory to the HCR Bill. It provides a Public Option. Note that when Grayson introduced the bill, he introduced it this way. That he plans to vote on the PO Reconciliation Bill to add a PO to the Senate version, but why can't Americans have Medicare as the (or one of) the Public Options.

The bill has 10 co-sponsors, but none are on the Ways and Means Committee. I'd be curious to know if this is going somewhere or if it will just get buried in committee...

[SharonRB]

I think I'm going to see Sandy Levin, new chair of Ways & Means

on Saturday. There's an organizing meeting at his campaign office and I think he'll be there. If I can, I'll try to see what he thinks about this.

[SteppingRazor]

5. He wrote a letter supporting a public option as recently as November...

so I'd be curious to see how he could justify a flip-flop now:


Sander Levin: Why We Need a Public Option in Health Care Reform
http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=306451570390

[berni_mccoy]

6. Thanks, I'd be curious to hear the results of that.

[John Q. Citizen]

1. Do you think Obama will hold some town hall meetings on it? Or is he too meek and timid for that?

[olegramps]

2. Without President Obama's support it is doomed.

But don't look to Obama to actually challenge the Health Care Insurance Industry. He makes pretty speeches that have proven to not be backed up with what is required for Change You Can Believe In.

[SteppingRazor]

3. I'd put its odds at slim to none, leaning toward none.

On paper, it would seem to have a chance. Pete Stark is the chair of the W&M subcommittee on health, and Sandy Levin is the chair of W&M. Both of them support a public option. But I don't think Levin is so vociferous in his support that he's willing to rock the boat this much.

[Deep13]

4. One in crapdillion. nt

[David Zephyr]

7. Grayson was brilliant to do this and to do it now.

We need to all pump this up every way possible.

[MarjorieG]

8. Medicare to 55 easier, necessary for unemployed class and mid-terms.

We need to push that.

[BonnieJW]

9. Obama could make this happen today

via executive order. The infrastructure is in place and it would only mean changing the software a bit in the current Medicare system.

[berni_mccoy]

10. I suggested that last year and there was a resounding NO from DU.

The reason being that the President has no authority to do so under the Constitution. He does not have the power to change laws.

[kestrel91316]

11. It needs Reid and Pelosi and Obama on board, plus over 60% of the Senate,

plus over 50% of the House.

I love it, I want it, so do most Americans. But it is dead in the water without the full support of the powers that be.

[berni_mccoy]

12. I understand that's what it needs to pass... but what does it need to get out of

committee.

[kestrel91316]

13. That much and probably more. Things being the way they are......