Senate Headcount: how many votes are there for a public option on health care?

[bluestateguy]

Let's assume that the process is done by way of reconciliation.

Let's also assume that the votes are there in the House.

Let's also assume that no Republicans will play ball for a public option on health care.

Let's also assume that we have Al Franken's vote in the fall.

So this leaves us with 60 Senators, and we would need 50 votes (Joe Biden could come in a break a tie). That means that we can write off 10 DLCers, let them have their temper tantrum, and roll right over them to pass the bill.

So, who are the 10 that we can write off, or do we not have even 50 votes?

[DesertFlower]

1. i don't think we have 50.

[lumberjack_jeff]

2. I'm worried about my senators.

Murray and Cantwell aren't DLC'ers, but they are still firmly in the pocket of big insurance, big banks, big pharma and big med.

Below is the response I got from Murray on the topic. From the senator who has done so much to defend the healthcare system for veterans, I found the complete absence of the word "public", less than reassuring.

Dear Mr. Lumberjack:



Thank you for writing me regarding the need for reform in our health care system. It is good to hear from you.



There is no question that reforming health care is one of the most critical challenges facing our country. When I am back in Washington state, I hear from businesses and families again and again about their health care concerns. They tell me they cannot afford it or that they worry they will not be able to access it when they need it.



Like you, I think America's health care system is in crisis. Spending for health care is escalating and the number of uninsured Americans is at an all-time high. Without health insurance, access to affordable health care services for many American families is almost impossible. Compounding the problem, our country is currently facing a critical shortage of health care providers. Affordable health care will not be possible unless access to doctors, nurses and other health care professionals is ensured.



Health care reform efforts should strive to ensure that affordable, high-quality, and meaningful health coverage options are available to all Americans. It should be a top priority to ensure Americans have access to coverage that allows them to see a doctor when they need to. People should not be forced to receive their coverage in hospital emergency rooms.



While reform is needed to ensure affordable quality health care for all Americans, we must also derive more value from our health care dollars. One way to do this is to focus resources on the prevention of disease. Prevention of disease needs to be made a priority and we need to incentivize it within this reform package.



Health care reform will be a major priority for the 111th Congress. As part of health care reform conversations, I will be working on affordability, access, workforce recruitment and retention, and many other related issues. Everything is on the table. It is my firm belief that in the field of health care we need to expand access and push for affordability, but also maintain quality, cultivate innovation, and ensure that safety standards are met. These goals may seem large, but they are not impossible. As a leader on the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, I will be using my position to address this and other issues as we are working on a health care reform package this year.



It is my hope that Congress will finally undertake a serious and thoughtful debate about how to reform our health care system. As we do this, I will certainly keep your thoughts in mind.



Again, thank you for contacting me about this important issue. If you would like to know more about my work in the Senate, please feel free to sign up for my weekly updates at http://murray.senate.gov/updates. Please keep in touch.

[rhett o rick]

5. We need to pin down Sen Murray. By the way Sen Cantwell used to be a DLC'er.

I assume she still is.

[rhett o rick]

14. Just spoke with Sen Murray's office. Said she is a strong supporter of public option.

They also said they thought there was enough support in the Senate to pass health care with a public option.

Left a message with Sen Cantwell's office.

Get toll free phone numbers at callcongress.org

[Coyote_Bandit]

3. You don't have

my vote. Public option is an unacceptable alternative to single payer IMHO. It's a sell out that will do little to help folks that cannot afford health care insurance.

[rhett o rick]

6. So you will settle for the republiCon/red-dog solution?? nm

[Coyote_Bandit]

10. As someone who

hasn't seen a doctor for any reason since 1996 and has both vision and hearing disabilities I could care less who offers a viable solution to our failed heath care system. For me health care is an issue that determines my quality of life, the extent of disability I must deal with and my expectations regarding my future care and eventual death.

If Dems cannot deliver single payer then they have failed to deliver any meaningful change in the health care industry. And if they cannot deliver single payer, I have to say that I'm probably done with Dems.

[rhett o rick]

16. I can see why you feel that way. But you know well that the Dems can not deliver

single payer. We will be lucky if we get any meaningful reform what so ever. The Dems as a whole, do not support middle class America. They support their lobbyists.

[Coyote_Bandit]

17. You are suggesting that

I should accept being a throwaway. I don't. I am as deserving of health care as anyone else.

If so called health care reform doesn't work for me then there are millions of other people it won't work for either. It is nothing but political gamesmanship to pretend otherwise. As someone who routinely goes without healthcare and leads a diminished life because of it I resent that kind of game playing.

Politicians who do not or cannot deliver policies that serve to protect or advance my interests will no longer get my vote. No more voting for the best of two bad choices.

Dems that support their lobbyists ought to be kicked out of office. No love lost here for those scumbags.

Dems could deliver single payer. They lack the will to do so.

[rhett o rick]

19. Of course I am not suggesting that. And I agree that single payer is the right answer.

But I refuse to believe the reality that we have no control over our representatives. And am willing to fight for what we can get. I know that doesn't help you and I am sorry. Not sure we are at a point of single payer or nothing. I wish you well.

[Coyote_Bandit]

22. You're willing to

compromise and accept something less than single payer even knowing that millions will not benefit from the so-called reforms that are being proposed. There is, after all, nothing to guarantee that any public option will be the least bit affordable. Thanks for nothing. Even with these "reforms", you or somebody you love could still end up just like me.

I too believe we have control over our representatives. I'm willing to fight for single payer. And I'm willing to say that I will not vote for a Dem who does not support it. Regardless of who takes office as a result. I'd guess that if other Dems would take that same hard line position some of our elected Dem representatives might think twice before they refuse to support single payer. Instead we are falling all over ourselves to compromise and to judge what might and might not be acceptable - as opposed to fighting for what we really want.

When all is said and done we will undoubtedly blame Congress for lacking the political willpower to implement single payer. Truth is, some of that blame resides in our mirrors.

[rhett o rick]

24. I am willing to fight for single payer. Please tell me a tactic. I have contacted my representatives

One Sen is willing to opt for public option, she says that single payer is off the table. The other isn't committing and I believe she will not support single payer nor support a public option. Public option isn't the answer but may help millions that can't get help now. If you have a way of getting single payer on the table, please let me know.

[Winterblues]

21. What is the difference

Medicare is a Public Option and it is single payer as well. From all I have heard is, if there is a "public option", it will be based upon Medicare. What do you find wrong with that option?

[Coyote_Bandit]

23. The two are not the same

though many here seem to lack the ability to make the distinction.


http://www.socialmedicine.org/2009/04/24/health-activism/the-health-care-debate-single-payer-vs-public-option/

http://www.gp.org/press/pr-national.php?ID=216

http://www.singlepayeraction.org/blog/?p=434

[WeDidIt]

4. The ONLY way to get a TRIGGER_FREE public option

Is to flood the offices of the Senators with letters, phone calls, and emails stating that.

[rhett o rick]

15. callcongress.org for toll free numbers. nm

[rhett o rick]

7. Help me make the list of the DINO turn-coats.

I just heard on Hartmann that Sen Landrieu publicly said neither she nor Ben Nelson will support a public option.

So the list of DINO's is:

Landrieu
Ben Nelson
Specter
Lieberman (not technically a DINO)

Help me add to this list.

[bluestateguy]

8. I would assume the two senators from Wal-Mart (Pryor and Lincoln)

and are we assuming wrong on Lieberman? He's only a DLCer (well, that's too generous, more like neo-con) on anything having to do with foreign policy, defense, Iraq and the "War on Terrorism". On domestic issues, he votes like a Democrat.

[rhett o rick]

11. I hope you are right about Lieberman. I will remove him from my list for now.Thanks for the input.nm

[joeybee12]

18. He represents Connecticut...and Hartford is the insurance capital of the world...

...he'll work to get the public option killed.

[WeDidIt]

9. Add Dodd to the list

He released the first draft with NO public option.

With no public option in teh first draft, the public option is now as dead as single payer.

[rhett o rick]

12. Updated list.

Against single payer and public option:

Landrieu
Ben Nelson
Specter
Dodd
Pryor
Lincoln

if you wish to add to the list or debate someone on the list, plez do so.

[rhett o rick]

13. Updated List. I forgot to include Baba Baucus.

Against single payer and public option:

1 Landrieu
2 Ben Nelson
3 Specter
4 Dodd
5 Pryor
6 Lincoln
7 Baucus

if you wish to add to the list or debate someone on the list, plez do so.

[rhett o rick]

20. Kick to get some more input. Do you know if your Sen supports single payer

or public option?