Ben Nelson All Alone In Quest To Block Health Care Reform

Sen. Ben Nelson announced at the beginning of this month that he opposed the creation of a public health care plan that people would have the option to buy into. He'd be gathering together a coalition of like-minded senators to oppose the plan, the conservative Democrat from Nebraska promised.

More than two weeks later, it's still a coalition of one.

Since Nelson's announcement, eight moderate Democrats and one Republican have told the Huffington Post that they are open to a public health care option. Two others, Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) and Jim Webb (D-Va.), have signed on to the idea.

Last week, Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine), Mary Landrieu (D-La.), Tom Carper (D-Del.) and Mark Warner (D-Va.) said they were open to a public plan but undecided. Sen. Arlen Specter (D-Penn.) said much the same in a letter to the advocacy group Health Care for America Now,

Add more names to the list of those open to a public option: Jon Tester (Mont.), Blanche Lincoln (Ark.), Kay Hagan (N.C.) and Maria Cantwell (Wash.).

Because Democratic leaders have said they are willing to pass health care reform with a simple majority -- rather than the 60 votes needed for most Senate business -- fewer centrist senators are needed.

Those centrists are not entirely convinced, but they're not closed off to the idea.

"The devil's in the detail on all this stuff. My key is accessibility and affordability. Those are the two things, but I think everything should be on the table," said Tester.

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"I've been on Sen. Wyden's bill because I believe in a bipartisan discussion about how we can make reforms," said Cantwell, referring to Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Oregon), whose bipartisan bill does not include a public option.

Cantwell hopes for a bipartisan deal, but is open to the kind of public option compromise Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) has proposed. "I don't want to sign off on his proposal, but in general I'm not opposed to the concept of having a plan like that," she said.

"It's something that I'm still looking into right now," said Hagan. "I want to be sure we have affordability and accessibility, but I also want to be sure that competition's in play and that our insurers can continue to do business... I need to go back and actually research it."

"We're looking at that option to see if it's going to be competitive and, you know, if it's going to be productive. I'm still open minded," said Lincoln.

A Nelson spokesman said that Nelson is still talking to like-minded colleagues in hopes of building a coalition opposed to the public plan.

The following 21 Democratic senators have signed onto a letter to finance committee chair Max Baucus (D-Mont.) and health committee chair Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.). Kennedy supports a public option; Baucus is open to one.

Sherrod Brown (D-OH)
John D. (Jay) Rockefeller (D-WV)
Dick Durbin (D-IL)
Charles E. Schumer (D-NY)
Tom Harkin (D-IA)
Daniel K. Inouye (D-HI)
Carl Levin (D-MI)
Jack Reed (D-RI)
Debbie Stabenow (D-MI)
Bernie Sanders (I-VT)
Bob Casey (D-PA)
Jim Webb (D-VA)
Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI)
Jeff Merkley (D-OR)
Ted Kaufman (D-DE)
Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)
Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI)
Barbara A. Mikulski (D-MD)
Russ Feingold (D-WI)
Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD)
Claire McCaskill (D-MO)

Note to flaks: If your boss supports a public option and isn't on this list, let me know at [e-mail].

Comments

[PlasmaX]

I hear the Republicns are looking for more Senators. Maybe Ben Nelson should go sit on the other side of the isle. Once Senator Franken is seated, I don't think we'll really miss him.

[KipRip]

What in government works....Actually a lot!

Our Military is second to none.

We would all be in bread lines right now if not for Federal Deposit Insurance

Social Security though in dire need of update has survived and provided for retirees for 60 years

We put a man on the moon.

This notion that a publicly funded and administrated health care program would fail just because it is in government hands is nonsense.

[Phoebe917]

good post. the right hates the government interfering with their business, but they don't hesitate to grab what they can and run. and they have absolutely no problem with the government climbing inside a woman's uterus and dictating what goes on there. or, in someone's bedroom. e ff in hilarious.

[billw8017]

It's my understanding that the Social Security governors make three projections, best case, middling, and worst. The worst, at least a couple years ago, assumed a growth in the economy of 1.9%; that is, a perpetual recession. Furthermore, the fund would not go bare, but under these terms was merely unable to pay to the current level. The Bush administration, by executive decree, changed the calculation of inflation by switching from wage/costs to price/costs. The latter method is indexed to accomodate switches from steak to hamburger and increased computer power as increased computers and such trickery. So, the expectation is that over some forty years, the payout will diminish to 40%. I'm just giving the figures as I remember them -- I could be wrong in detail. As Social Security payouts offer a more rapid circulation of money, raising Social Security would be both fair and good policy during an unemployment crisis.

The basic reform idea is to reform Social Security out of existence. So, at one time, we are told old people get back more than they put in after just a few years and this is unreasonable. At another time, we are told it is a better idea to have retirement savings accounts that can be enriched in the stock market. The program just keeps rolling along as the critics say whatever pops into their heads. It's socialism and they don't like it. Like hell: it's insurance paid all our working lives.

[alice09]

Shun this fool right out of office. He is the epitome of what is rotting the foundations of this country: the selling out of the American people to corporate and big money interests.

[ConservMom]

No more welfare progams, period! Government can't run anything and you people need to stop the "give me free" mentality. Nothing is free... get it? Government Health care is the worst thing that could happen to our medical care system and socialism down't work, buy your own insurance and get rid of the illegals so it's affordable.

[listentome]

I can see you in your double-wide from my mini mansion.

[Phoebe917]

and don't forget the "porch monkey" in their driveway. these people are friggin hilarious.

[Nonpartay]

Yeah, I know, you don't think anyone deserves to have anything if it's the government giving it. So, when you hit 65 and you're due for Social Security, are you going to refuse it? After all, government can't run anything, according to you. You do know that our government won World War II in a few years, right? That was not done by private enterprise but by the government. Oh well, I'm sure it's a waste of energy to type all this. You seem mightily convinced you're right. Well, just wait till your insurance company decides your doctor doesn't know what he's talking about and decides you don't really need that medical procedure. Then you'll be glad that the government didn't listen to you and your pals and went with what they knew was right. Health care is not something that we have all that much control over, especially when money-grubbing private companies decide who gets which treatment and even who can get insured. But hey, go for it. Just let the rest of us do the right thing by all the people of this country and help them have the freedom to see a doctor when they need to.

[Phoebe917]

to the tune of 1600.00 a month for my husband and myself.. he's self employed and we are HEALTHY!!!!!

[ConservMom]

that's all I hear from you liberals... am I going to take the lousy social security at age 65?
Well,... I paid into that..it's not free..OK? It was stolen from my paycheck my whole life! What a lame arguement!

[ChrisJones]

ConservMom, you are completely wrong,wron­g,wrong.Ch­eck out other countries that are so called "socialism" before you spout off. I am from one of those countries, and I can give you first hand information on how they DO work.

[ConservMom]

Yeah? Is that why when they need cancer drugs in England they don't get them and must have their own money to come here and get treated?

[Havnagudtim]

WE PAY for their single-payor insurance. How many times have you heard any elected official complain about the costs or accessibility of their healthcare? Never, and you know it. If NOTHING IS FREE then they should PAY FOR THEIR OWN INSURANCE, yes?
Single payor: if it's good enough for Congress it's good enough for me.

[listentome]

Amen!

[Phoebe917]

honey, you are *so* out of your league, here. go home to townhall where the rest of the mental midgets hang.

[dave1111]

Can't count on Specter, he may flip.....again.

[spinmas]

They have "public health care" why can't we..

[crazylikeafox]

I expect all of you to call at least 5 senators. If you are sick call 10. If a loved one is sick call 20.

we can get this. we must.

[LemonMeringue]

Just think about how many of America's problems would be better if everyone had health care.

The benefits would ripple through everywhere.

[Nonpartay]

Ain't THAT the truth!

[sweepstop]

While I disagree with Nelson's outright opposition to any public plan, I am encouraged by the healthy skepticism that many centrists seem to have. Because of that, they will have to be convinced, and in doing so, a healthy give and take may happen, strengthening the plan. That doesnt happen too much anymore in the hyperpartisan atmosphere in Congress.

[LemonMeringue]

I hope his constituents vote him out.

Ditto for all in Congress who are opposing universal health care.

[crazylikeafox]

He's retiring.

[Tom Payned]

Instead of us just griping about it on Huffington Post, we need to take some action that gets both parties attention.

We should organize a national CHANGE OUR VOTER REGISTRATION DAY where all of us register as Independents.

[LemonMeringue]

I already am one. It doesn't matter how you are registered - it matters how you vote.

[LemonMeringue]

Then again, we could start supporting Nader and others (like Kucinich) who are not on the take like the rest of them.

[steppenwolfsayshi]

thats a good idea...if they screw this up, im ready. the deficit is just too high.

[Nonpartay]

Good idea! I've been one since I first registered. :)

[KipRip]

I could not agree more. Independents need to organize. I'm sick of the two party system where the allegiance is to the party, lobbyists or whoever else gets you re-elected not to the people.

[Wayne1ea]

Who is getting money from the health care industrial complex?

These Senators that are blocking reform wear their disdain for the American People on their sleeves.

All obstructionists, Democrat or Republican, should be voted out in 2010.

[rich misty]

We will break the GOP filibuster for sure... That will help, three election cycle defeats in a row will hurt them.

But it takes 3 election cycles to get a chance to vote against all of them, and last time we were pushing so hard for seats, we did not cull and improve the quality of our House.

Real change _starts_ Nov 4, 2010

[LemonMeringue]

I agree - throw all the bums out, even if they are Democrats.

Primary challenges are the way.

[Sweetbay]

LemonMeringue says

"......throw all the bums out, even if they are Democrats. "

**********­**********­**********­**********­**********­*********
I think you may be hoping that happens, because that would flip the majority back to republicans. Nice try, though.

[rich misty]

http://www.pnhp.org/ - A lot of people have checked these guys out... The doctors who were not permitted a seat at the table with the non-profit single player option?

http://www.pnhp.org/news/2009/may/doctors_nurses_to_d.php

They are looking to sign up like 50 million uninsured...

[snesich]

Republicans---and unfortunately, some Democrats in congress---are now claiming that a public health care option would be "unfair competition" and put private insurance companies out of business. But for years they've been telling us that government is "incompetent" and "can't run anything".

Why would the Republicans fear something they claim could never work? Particularly when no one will be obligated to enroll in it? Interesting...

Maybe the Republicans and the Insurance Companies are actually afraid that a public health care plan WOULD work? And maybe, just maybe, that's why they're against it.

[RSaunders09]

There is so much wrong here.

There are not 50 million uninsured.

What in goverment works? Where is the money coming from? They have already announced the inevitable bankruptcies of medicare and medicaid in a much shorter time frame than previously anticipated. So you advocate another 2 trillion entitlement? Going to tax smokers? You want British or Canadian Health Care? Medical decision made by boards that determine if your life is really worth the resources involved? Heart transplant, sorry, youre 59. Not feeling well, we have an opening in three months.

We will end up paying more taxes, giving more control to Washington, and end up with a far worse system with high frustration and no innovation.

[LemonMeringue]

We will save money, because insurance companies would be obsolete.

[buddhistMonkey]

((( "What in goverment works?" )))

Nothing in government works... when Republicans are in charge. But, they're not in charge any more. They've been replaced by competent Democrats.

[patricksmom]

No facts, just drivel from RSaunders. Can't quote any sources can you?

[Nonpartay]

Really, you need to listen to someone other than Limbaugh. Lots of things work in government, and I expect with such a splendid manager as President Obama in charge, things will just continue to improve the whole time he's in office. I just went on Social Security last fall, and it worked just fine. The money arrives in my bank account like clockwork. No hassles, no problems, and the woman I ended up talking to on the phone when I had questions was pleasant and helpful. It's really an insult to talk about how inept "government" is when it's really just made up of our fellow Americans. Are Americans just inept generally, and that's why you think the government is so bad? If that's the case, wouldn't YOU be in that category? Maybe you shouldn't take your own ideas so seriously. :) They could be as inept as everyone else in this country!

[kissMYfish]

I heard that it's lonely at the top. Have a cigar and drink the kool-aid.