No Public Plan From Finance Panel

[Mass]

Now, the list released by DFA of 37 senators supporting a public option includes some proeminent members of the Senate Finance Committee, like Bingaman, Rockefeller, Schumer, Menendez, or Kerry. http://standwithdrdean.com/where_congress_stands?chamber=Senate&party=&state=&hc_status=1&commit=Filter

When can we hear them oppose loudly this bill? Otherwise, their answer to DFA is a lie.

http://washingtonindependent.com/47960/no-public-plan-from-finance-panel

List of the members of the Finance Committee

MAX BAUCUS, MT
JOHN D. ROCKEFELLER IV, WV
KENT CONRAD, ND
JEFF BINGAMAN, NM
JOHN F. KERRY, MA
BLANCHE L. LINCOLN, AR
RON WYDEN, OR
CHARLES E. SCHUMER, NY
DEBBIE STABENOW, MI
MARIA CANTWELL, WA
BILL NELSON, FL
ROBERT MENENDEZ, NJ
THOMAS CARPER, DE

CHUCK GRASSLEY, IA
ORRIN G. HATCH, UT
OLYMPIA J. SNOWE, ME
JON KYL, AZ
JIM BUNNING, KY
MIKE CRAPO, ID
PAT ROBERTS, KS
JOHN ENSIGN, NV
MIKE ENZI, WY
JOHN CORNYN, TX

[MarjorieG]

1. Concerned the same people against the estate tax financed by donors to escape taxes, oppose this.

Like Cantwell, Wyden, Lincoln, adding Dems not from Dem states, difficult to see how gets out of committee. Procedurally, how do we get better legislation if public option not even included in committee. Can Dodd just include it in his, however sloppily. He's talked about not rushing, so it it a stall tactic or is he sincere (seeing he needs good PR now).

When we get to the complete Senate, can Sanders opinion/bill become considered as a big part of the whole, if we can hurriedly get the CBO to price it?

I do believe this can be paid for with tax increases. The screams about the deficit aren't really about the budget deficit but of will, insurance muscle and money.

I also believe this is a beginning with still many unknowns about cost and procedure until enacted a while. Especially since there are so many seriously sick or uncared for, we'll have a beginning flurry of costs.

[stuckinlodi]

2. Please call and demand Option A!

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/6/19/744396/-The-House-Releases-Its-Health-Care-DraftWith-Public-Option!-UPDATE

There IS a public option! Please call!

[beachmom]

3. I don't know for sure, but is this because they don't think it would pass the whole Senate?

[depakid]

4. I don't think so

Reading the list and adding Wyden in (who has his own pet "plan" in mind) what one sees is most of the usual suspects....

[Mass]

5. I dont think so. In any case, if they were really supporting a public option, they should make clear

they oppose this bill and make clear they think it should be changed. I do not see that happening for some of them.

[sisters6]

6. Didn't they agree to do the Reconciliation vote-51 votes? for this?

[beachmom]

7. That is what I am talking about. Would they not even be able to get to 51

with a public option? Honestly, I don't know the answer.

[sisters6]

8. surely our Pres and sweet talk the Senators.

[Mass]

9. 83 % of the country supports a public option. May be it would be time to remind

senators they represent us, not the insurance companies.

[karynnj]

10. It could be that the 7 for a public option, Snowe, Stabanow and the ones you mention

will try to add it as an amendment. The committee is more conservative than the whole Senate. Here they are 7 out of 23 - and the Chair of the committee is against them. There is no way they could push it in committee.

It also appears that the House has a public option. The Senate bill will involve both Finance and HELP. If the HELP people are picked for reconciliation with the House, they could keep the option in.