Reid on Public Option (says yes) a few minutes ago (with quotes)

[andym]

http://tpmlivewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/12/reid-issues-statement-on-tentative-health-reform-deal-reached-tuesday-night.php?ref=fpa

"This has been a long journey. We have confronted many hurdles, and tonight I believe we have overcome yet another one.

"I asked Senators Schumer and Pryor to work with some of the most moderate and most progressive members of our diverse caucus, and tonight they have come to a consensus.

"It is a consensus that includes a public option and will help ensure the American people win in two ways: one, insurance companies will face more competition, and two, the American people will have more choices.

"I know not all 10 Senators in the room agree on every single detail of this, nor will all 60 members of my caucus. But I know we all appreciate the hard work that these progressives and moderates have done to move this historic debate forward.

-------------------
We really won't know what is included until details are forthcoming.

[IndianaGreen]

1. This is not what CNN is reporting on Anderson Cooper, as we speak

[SemiCharmedQuark]

3. What is Reid saying on CNN?

[andym]

7. I think there is quite a bit of confusion out there

as is typical for breaking stories.

I suspect that Reid is calling the FEHP-like non-profit exchange idea a "public option,"
but we won't know til we hear the details.

[Honeycombe8]

2. Announcement on MSNBC earlier this evening that Dems have announced "no public option"....

The notice I heard on MSNBC is that hte Dem senators have announced they've reached an agreement on a "no public option" health care reform bill. The substance of it is that people age 55 and over will be allowed to subscribe (pay in) to Medicare and receive those benefits (to help older people who become unemployed...a big problem with this group, since they are unlikely to find other employment, esp. employment with health benefits, so they have no health care after COBRA runs out...assuming they can afford COBRA to begin with).

[Connie_Corleone]

4. That was before Reid's statement.

The AP was reporting "no public option". Reid said that was not true.

[Honeycombe8]

5. I wonder if it's semantics. Medicare IS a type of public option, isn't it? nt

[neshanic still]

6. It will be Medi-Cobra. The enrollment will be a snap.

Can't wait to be told I can't get it or qualify.

[asdjrocky]

8. Yeah, they'll give something to one guy and call it a public option.

[tavalon]

9. Is this the Dog or the Pony part of the show?

I am tired of the jackasses in Washington.