Healthcare: Hagan, Bingaman Holding Up Public Plan in HELP Committee

[G_j]

http://campaignsilo.firedoglake.com/2009/06/17/healthcare-hagan-bingaman-holding-up-public-plan-in-help-committee/

Healthcare: Hagan, Bingaman Holding Up Public Plan in HELP Committee
By: Jane Hamsher Wednesday June 17, 2009 12:15 pm

Healthcare reform advocates have been watching the Senate Health, Education, Labor & Pensions (HELP) Committee and wondering why no public option component has been forthcoming -- despite assurances that it would appear by Tuesday.


According to a source with direct knowledge of what is happening on the HELP Committee, the problem is that two Democrats -- Kay Hagan and Jeff Bingaman -- are refusing to sign on.

"We can't bring it up because we'd actually lose the vote," said the source. "They'd vote with the Republicans."

Bingaman and Hagan are in favor of watering down a public plan into Kent Conrad's co-op plan, which is supported by insurance lobbyists. "It gives them the appearance of supporting a public option without getting them in trouble with the insurance companies," said the source.

But the source also indicated that if the committee did that, they'd lose Bernie Sanders' vote. There are 12 Democrats (including Sanders) and 10 Republicans on the HELP Committee. But with Kennedy out, Sanders' vote is needed for anything to pass.

Bingaman has said he is in favor of a public option, but Hagan has been noncommittal on the subject.

While Obama has expressed support for a public plan, the source said that "so far there has been no whipping done by the White House of the HELP Committee" to adopt one.

...more...

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From Democrats.com:

Sen. Ted Kennedy is being treated for cancer so he cannot vote on health care bills before the committee he chairs, the Senate Health, Education, Labor & Pensions (HELP) Committee.

That makes Sen. Kay Hagan's vote crucial. But she secretly OPPOSES the public option that Sen. Kennedy and President Obama are working so hard to pass. She is so ashamed she won't even admit it publicly.

Call Sen. Hagan's offices with a simple message:
Support a Full Public Option - Medicare For Anyone.

DC 202-224-6342, Greensboro 336-333-5311, Raleigh 919-856-4630.

Be sure to provide your North Carolina voting address.

Thanks for all you do!

Bob Fertik

More info:

http://campaignsilo.firedoglake.com/2009/06/17/healthcare-hagan-bingaman-holding-up-public-plan-in-help-committee/

http://campaignsilo.firedoglake.com/2009/06/17/bingaman-supports-a-strong-public-option/

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[babylonsister]

1. A later story from FDL:

http://campaignsilo.firedoglake.com/2009/06/17/bingaman-supports-a-strong-public-option/

Bingaman “Supports a Strong Public Option”

snip//

The source clarified: "There is a working draft of language being written right now. It's the concept of a robust public option they're objecting to." Numerous Senate staffers have now confirmed that this is their understanding of what has been happening on the committee, and that nobody from the White House is whipping the bill.

Nyceve is also reporting that Hagan and Bingaman have been the roadblocks.

But McCartin insists this is not true. "Senator Bingaman absolutely supports a strong public option," she says.

"Does he support one that is available everywhere from day one?" I asked.

"Yes," she said.

Roger Hickey of the HCAN steering committee indicated that there was concern that if the public plan came out as an amendment it could lead to a floor fight, and said that it was important that any public plan be included in the core of the bill. McCartin indicated that Senator Bingaman was in favor of that, too.

"It would be great if we could get it in the bill before it leaves the committee," she said.

Bingaman has signed on to Sherrod Brown's resolution demanding that any health care reform bill include a public insurance option.

more...

[G_j]

2. That's why the focus on Hagan

can't hurt to give her office a call

[babylonsister]

3. Thanks. I just don't want someone blamed for this who

doesn't deserve it. We have enough 'enemies'.