Research Briefing

Fierce Democratic Intra-Party Fight Threatening To Derail Government-Run Health Care Plan About To Boil Over

Senate Bill Expected To Omit Public Option. “Officials say that a bipartisan group in the Senate is edging closer to a health care compromise that omits a government insurance option that President Barack Obama favors.” (David Espo, “AP Sources: Bipartisan Group Omitting Dem Goals,” The Associated Press, 7/27/09)

Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA): “[T]hat's a kill for sure for the progressives. For the majority, I think, of our members. … [W]e will not support any bill that does not have public option in it.” (MSNBC’s “MSNBC Live,” 7/28/09)

THE WHITE HOUSE HEDGES ITS BETS …

“We’re Still Wondering … Was Robert Gibbs's Unwillingness To Express A Preference Between A Public Option And Co-Ops For Health Care A Sign That ... The Administration Is Bracing To Cut Its Losses?” (“Unsolved Mysteries” Politico’s “44” Blog, 7/27/09)

Obama’s Chief Of Staff Rahm Emanuel Stresses Importance Of Competition, Leaving Door Open For Reform Lacking Public Option.  “It is more important that health-care legislation inject stiff competition among insurance plans than it is for Congress to create a pure government-run option, White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel said Monday. ‘The goal is to have a means and a mechanism to keep the private insurers honest,’ he said in an interview. ‘The goal is non-negotiable; the path is’ negotiable.’”  (Laura Meckler and Janet Adamy, “White House Open To Deal On Public Health Plan,” The Wall Street Journal, 7/7/09)

Obama Issued Statement Reaffirming Support For Public Option, But Does Not Insist Upon It.  “I am pleased by the progress we're making on health care reform and still believe, as I've said before, that one of the best ways to bring down costs, provide more choices, and assure quality is a public option that will force the insurance companies to compete and keep them honest. Obama said. ‘I look forward to a final product that achieves these very important goals.’" (Jeffrey Young and Jeremy P. Jacobs, “Obama Re-Reaffirms Support For Public Option,” The Hill’s “Briefing Room” Blog, 7/7/09)

• Supporters Of Public Option Noted Obama Never Actually Contradicted Emanuel’s Opening Door To Bill Without Public Option. “After it became clear this morning that reformers were up in arms--or would soon be up in arms--about White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel's suggestion that the President might be willing to support a triggered public option, Obama, still traveling in Russia issued a re-statement of his support for the public option to put out the fire. And by mid-day, reformers had largely cooled off. Privately, though, some acknowledge that the President's statement isn't actually a contradiction of Emanuel's.”  (Brian Beutler, “Reformers Want To Believe Obama On Public Option--But, Privately, Some Have Doubts,” Talking Points Memo Blog, 7/7/09)

WHILE MODERATE DEMS CALL PUBLIC PLAN A “DEAL BREAKER” …

Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE) Says Public Plan Is "Deal Breaker.” "When Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) called the public plan a deal breaker, a progressive group co-founded by Joe Trippi launched a campaign in Nebraska accusing the senator of being a 'sellout' for special interests ..." (Carrie Budoff Brown, "Dems Vs. Dems On Health Bill," Politico, 6/11/09)

Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) Opposes Government-Run Health Care Plan, Doesn't Believe It Will Pass Senate. "'If we create a public option, the public is going to end up paying for it,' Lieberman said following an hour-long confab with public-health experts at the Ashmun Street community center of the Monterey Homes public housing complex. 'That's a cost we can't take on.'... 'We're not going to get the votes to pass the overall bill if [the public option] becomes a condition of it,' Lieberman claimed. He said he also has philosophical objections to a public option. He said he doesn't have an opinion on the most popular criticism, that insurance companies wouldn't be able to compete with a public plan. Rather, he said he fears both the cost as well as th e impact on doctors. A public plan could drive down reimbursements to the levels paid by Medicaid, he claimed, which pays doctors only '70 percent of their costs.'" (Paul Bass, "Joe: No Go On 'Public Option,'" New Haven Independent, 7/1/09)

Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA) Also Against Public Plan. "[Sen. Mary] Landrieu [D-LA] surprised health care groups Tuesday when she said didn't want the public plan. The Louisiana Democrat sent a letter to Health Care for America Now earlier this year, saying she supports 'a choice of a private insurance plan, including keeping the insurance you have if you like it or a public insurance plan.' But she reaffirmed her opposition Wednesday. 'I'm not for it,' she said without hesitation as she walked into the Senate chamber." (Carrie Budoff Brown, "Dems Vs. Dems On Health Bill," Politico, 6/11/09)

AND LIBERALS VOW TO BLOCK BILL WITHOUT PUBLIC OPTION

Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA) Said Reform Won’t Pass House Without Public Option.  “Waxman, the chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, warned during an appearance on NPR that while the Senate considers scrapping a public option in order to win enough votes, a bill without a public plan could result in significant Democratic defections in the House. ‘I feel the House will adopt a public option, and as a matter of fact, I don't think a bill can pass the House without a public plan,’ Waxman said on the ‘Diane Rehm Show.’"  (Michael O’Brein, “Waxman: Healthcare Can't Pass House Without Public Plan,” The Hill’s “Briefing Room” Blog, 7/7/09)

Progressives Will “Throw [Themselves] In Front Of A Running Train” To Get Public Plan.  “House liberals are warning the Senate, Democratic leaders and President Barack Obama that a government-run insurance option must be included in any health reform bill, or else the powerful bloc will vote it down. ‘Usually, we work behind the scenes to strengthen legislation,’ said Rep. Lynn Woolsey (D-CA), co-chairwoman of the 80-member Congressional Progressive Caucus… ‘This time, however, is different.’ … ‘Our cause, our civil rights issue, is a public option,’ she [Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX)] said. ‘We will throw ourselves in front of a running train for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.’” (Steven Dennis, “Liberals Draw Hard Line on Health Reform,” Roll Call, 6/25/09)