Posted on 09/04/2009 1:13:19 PM PDT by jazusamo
SEARCHLIGHT, Nev. -- Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid signaled he's open to compromising on the government-run insurance option that is roiling the health care debate back in Washington.
Speaking to reporters near the home where he grew up in this rural mining town south of Las Vegas, Reid said that Finance Committee negotiations over a "trigger" for a public option are something "we're going to look at." This trigger concept has gained steam in recent days; under this proposal the government would only start offering health insurance if the private insurance industry did not meet certain benchmarks for covering the uninsured.
After speaking with President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden about the president's much-anticipated addreds to Congress next week, Reid suggested that Democrats could live with a proposal "like" the so-called public option.
"We're going to do everything we can to do a public option or something like a public option," Reid said.
A day before, speaking to reporters at a labor rally in Las Vegas, Reid was asked whether he could vote for a bill without a public option.
Reid's response: "I support the public option."
The debate is creating a difficult balancing act for Reid, with liberals and Nevada's poweful labor unions strongly supportive of a public option. But there are signs that a public option could stall in the Senate and threaten the entire health care overhaul - and imperil Reid's reelection hopes.
Standing with Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, Reid told reporters Friday that he urged Obama to help dispel some of the myths over health care reform, including critcisms from Republicans that the bill would create "death panels" for the elderly and lead to more abortions.
"The president is going to do well," Reid said. "There's a lot of false information out there."
He added: "We also want to make sure that insurance companies are reined a bit. They have too much power."
Reid later told POLITICO that the chairmanship of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee is Dodd's to have - if he wants to take the spot of the late Ted Kennedy.
"We've talked several times, and he's going to make that decision," Reid said. "Whatever he decides to do I'll make sure he gets that."
Kill the bill start over ...
Let’s just try a cost saving first, tort reform. Get rid of the Edwards ambulance chasers and their jackpot justice. Might even save some marriages in the process.
Beware of the hidden acorns in the bills.
Agreed! Can’t believe there’s been practically no talk on tort reform.
I’d also like to see those $500 billion in Medicare savings they are so confident of achieving.
This ‘trigger’ proposal is just a back door way of getting the public option. As soon as the government states the benchmarks haven’t been met...then you get the public option without a Congressional vote.
‘Seems Dingy Harry is looking at his relection.’
Healthcare reform can’t save this guy. And, this ‘trigger’ is simply a ploy to create a public option...just not right now. It should be vehemently opposed.
I’d bet a lot you’re right, it’ll get their foot in the door. They could care less if it takes a little more time just so they eventually get it.
That’s easy to do, you just withdraw and ration care to seniors.
we dont need to take any option....and erode our rights further.
The ‘trigger’ is a time delay.....waiting to go off, or start again, later....
Oh sure, we all know that the insurance companies would surely reach those government “benchmarks”. /s
Oh sure, we all know that the insurance companies would surely reach those government “benchmarks”. /s
You have the votes. Stop acting like a whiny little kid.
Reid’s chance of reelection is a little less than infinitesimal. The best he can realistically hope for is losing a final election and getting to retire to peace and quiet somewhere in the southwest desert.
Crumbling...crumbling...falling into the sea.
The sane Dems of which there are few and doesn’t include Dingy Harry know this obamacare could be a killer for their party for a good long time, I don’t think it’ll pass any time soon even with a lot of changes.
But the president hopes you believe what he says anyway.
You will now
http://www.opensecrets.org/pres08/indus.php?cycle=2008&cid=N00009638
What other choice does Senator Creepy have. I seriously doubt he is going to fall on the sword for Obama.
Yikes! I had no idea lawyers and law firms coughed up that amount for Zer0.
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