Blue Dogs Backsliding On Anti-Health Care Reform Backsliding

Rep. Jane Harman (D-Calif.) is "unwavering" in her opposition to a Blue Dog Coalition health care position issued late last week, she said Tuesday. The Blue Dogs, a caucus of conservative Democrats, issued a set of principles opposing a public health care option unless it was triggered by the failure of private insurers to meet certain goals.

Harman, in a statement, said she supports a public option without a trigger. "I will oppose any plan that does not include this option, and am unwavering in my opposition to the so-called 'Blue Dog trigger,'" said Harman.

On Monday, the Huffington Post reported that the Blue Dogs had backed the trigger even though 20 of their 51 members, including Harman, had pledged to the reform coalition Health Care for America Now! (HCAN) that they supported a public option without one. (HCAN and other reform advocates consider a trigger to be the death of the public option.) If all 20 kept to their word, the Blue Dogs wouldn't have had enough votes to back a trigger.

Harman said she's sticking by her pledge.

"I am proud to have signed the HCAN (Health Care for America Now!) pledge to seek universal coverage," she said. "I am a strong supporter of universal health coverage, which is why I support the health care reform plan being developed by President Obama, Senator [Ted] Kennedy, and Congressman [Henry] Waxman. Like them, I believe that the bill must include a public health insurance option which guarantees all Americans access to quality, affordable health care."

Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D-Calif.), a Blue Dog who also signed the pledge, told the Huffington Post she backs a public option without a trigger.

"America can't afford to wait for health care reform. While a single-payer system would be ideal, I am prepared to support other measures that also reduce costs, preserve doctor choice, and assure affordable, quality health care for all Americans," she said in a statement. "I think a public option without a trigger would be a good way to fix what's wrong with health care while preserving what works."

Rep. Jim Cooper (D-Tenn.), the vice chairman of the Blue Dog Health Care Task Force, has also since come out in favor of a public option without a trigger.

UPDATE: Add Blue Dog Reps. Mike Thompson (Calif.) and Leonard Boswell (Iowa).

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Comments

[Bethany Quinn]

The idea of a trigger is anti-free market. People should be able to choose whichever plan they want, and this idea of a trigger impedes their ability to choose the plan that works best for them, and because the government plan can't compete freely with other health insurance options, it will not help to bring down costs for the millions of Americans who pay too much for healthcare, or increase coverage for those who are underinsured.

[claudiam]

Right on Jane! I am so tired of the so called "Blue Dogs" in the Democratic party. They seem to be beholden to their special interests, similar to the GOP. Our true Progressives need to grow a pair of "cajones" (spelling ?)and stop letting the right wing of any party rule them! Yes We Can & Now Is The Time! claudiatucsonaz

[nimblehuman]

That's cojones :)

But seriously, Rep. Harman's opposition to the Blue Dog plan makes me think, "Must be nice being a senator, at least you yourself will never have to worry about health care!"

Grrrrr...

-A Wildcat

[CherokeeGirl]

Californians! ATTENTION! If you have Loretta Sanchez (D) as a House Rep VOTE HER OUT.

You should have seen this twit on the Ed Show yesterday, can't talk her way out of a paper bag but one thing she did say for sure is that "the Public Option just isn't going to happen". Once during the conversation she said she doesn't support the public option, then she backpeddled and was unclear.

LORETTA SANCHEZ (D) California - VOTE HER OUT!

[Carol Covelli-Roberts]

This article says she signed the pledge. Is she talking out of both sides of her mouth? If she votes against public option without a trigger after saying the opposite, then she MUST be voted out or impeached. Can we impeach Representatives?

[Hobo]

When are we going to start talking about REDUCING the cost of health care? All I hear now is restructuring how we pay for a very expensive system. Ways to reduce cost>>
1.Malpractice tort reform - a doctor should "not demonstrate clear incompetence" as a standard of care.
2.Allow nurses wider latitude, such as ability to prescribe drugs that now require a trip to a doctor's office, perform routine check ups, and do routine medical tasks such as stitches, cuts and sprains.
3.Give the patient the right to choose. . Sometimes hospice is a better way to die than wired up on life support.
4.Critical analysis of drug effectiveness. Example: over the counter sleep medication is as good as prescription. Many designer drugs are no better than old generic ones
5.Cut some of the technology out of hospitals. I have a broken ankle.. a stethoscope is good enough to monitor my blood pressure and heart rate - I don't need 2 computers.
6.Control the growth of technology - what happens when we have a cure for every disease and a pill for every aliment? Who wins? Let's leave a door open for someone to die - including assisted suicide.
7.Each individual keeps his/her medical records on a flash disk - save the hospital all the administrative costs.
8.Individuals should buy and administer their health insurance. Let an individual (with his flash disk) negotiate with a health insurance company and all costs will drop.

[Bardmess]

One expects Republicans to be opposed to anything that hurts the private insurance industry, but any so-called Democrat that opposes a public option for health insurance should become a Republican now and then run for re-election against an honest Democrat. Ben Nelson and Gang, take note. PUBLIC OPTION at the very least.

[garymc8]

REVOKE ALL BENEFITS FROM ALL ELECTED OFFICIALS UNTIL SINGLE PAYER HEALTH FOR ALL.

[CherokeeGirl]

co-signed! :)

[Subterfuge]

Agreed.

[nimblehuman]

Osiyo! I second that!

[Fred Donaldson]

Right on!

[Carol Covelli-Roberts]

Agreed.

[LightningJoe]

Second that motion. It will probably take something like that, to get their attention.

[NewGenerationNewIdeas]

Phew. I think the trigger is exactly the kind of thing that could cause these reforms to fail and give a foot hold to the republicans to dismantle it later.

[Carol Covelli-Roberts]

EXACTLY! That's why they want it!

[Bronxdude]

In collusion with health insurance corporations, pharmaceutical manufactures, and physicians who regard healthcare as only a revenue stream, the Reagan deregulated, for-profit medical culture has methodically raped America, while complicit, unscrupulous, and self-serving republicans silenced by special interest and kick-backs acquiesce. Since obstructionistic republicans support the systematic plundering of the middleclass by ruthless corporations like UnitedHealthcare, this is why we need real government oversight between the public and greed-driven healthcare and health insurance providers. Profit at the expense of human suffering is a republican engineered abomination. Bipartisan or not, true non-profit health insurance reform will provide affordable and cost-effective options that include a public offering. Since Georgia is self-insured, state employees have no due process patient protection rights, which means UnitedHealthcare can deny medical care and authorize exorbitant copays and deductibles with no appeal oversight. Quality-driven reform will end the monopolistic strangle-hold enjoyed by morally bankrupt health insurance corporations. In Georgia, Cigna and UnitedHealthcare officials colluded with state republicans to eliminate Blue Cross and Blue Shield as a competitor, narrowing the slate of choices to two, with the end result being higher premiums, bigger profit, and reduced benefits. Mr. Obama: The health insurance industry (and the despicable republicans they bankroll) will not retreat quietly from billions in annual profits! I want the same affordable, universal, federally subsidized health insurance Congress and their families enjoy. When compared to the average American, why do politicians live longer? Answer: universal, affordable health insurance.

[Carol Covelli-Roberts]

You should send this to whitehouse.gov and to each of your representatives. Great comment!

[jpopphan]

Two words: PARTY DISCIPLINE.

The Democratic leadership in Congress must come down hard on these Democrats who are out of step. Where is the majority whip?

[CherokeeGirl]

I'm beginning to face the fact that Harry Reid is completely useless.

[claudiam]

Unfortunately, yes you are right. We need the Democrats to unite and be strong!

[nimblehuman]

You know, these Demotwits we have in Congress could learn a thing or two from the Rethuglicans about party discipline...

Even though I don't agree with them most of the time, the GOP has time and time again trounced progressive legislation because they vote in lockstep, whereas every time at least a few Democrats (Blue Dogs, perhaps?) vote just like Republicans and never face any sort of sanction from the DNC.

[urweatherman]

Seems to me that most ot the folks pushing this don't pay much in taxes already anyway. And if someone could please tell me of one government program or agency that is efficient or cost-saving, please say so! History tells us this would be nothing more than a major fiasco......Good luck!

[discourse jockey]

Bigger fiasco than having by far the most expensive health care system in the world? All the while not even using those incredible amounts of money for general health insurance?

You must not know what you're talking about.

http://www.mckinsey.com/mgi/publications/US_healthcare/

[discourse jockey]

Some useful links, to hopefully help drive home the message for anyone at all willing to look at the facts:

http://www.kff.org/insurance/snapshot/chcm010307oth.cfm

http://www.iom.edu/?id=17848

http://cthealth.server101.com/the_case_for_universal_health_care_in_the_united_states.htm

Again: The US *already* has by far the most expensive health care system in the entire world. At the same time, it's the only wealthy, developed nation without universal health care.

Nobody can argue on the basis of costs. Our current, unjust system is the most expensive and most ridiculously inefficient in the world.

[CherokeeGirl]

How's that medicare and social security working out for ya?

[kgeakin]

You have made the point for a government run health care provider while completely missing it yourself. The point is: if the government can provide health care at a price that is lower than the private market offers, than obviously, the private market is raping the public. We all know that the government performs very poorly when attempting to compete with the private sector. So why do you suppose the private health care industry is so adamantly opposed to the plan? Simple, the private sector health care guys know they are ripping us off and that the government, with all it's bureaucracy and waste, can still offer health care at a lower price. The major health care providers have monopolized the market and the "fix" is in. That is why they are worried about the government plan.......it would be ACTUAL competition. They would have to lower their prices to compete with the government plan or lose customers. If the government plan option is removed, than you really should consider what other country you would like to live in, because the American dream will truly be dead. In what other modern country on this planet can you be a model citizen, work hard, save for retirement, and then lose your entire life savings and assets due to a medical condition? Only in America.

[heyya]

i've got one for you: the federally subsidized health benefits program that members of congress use. i don't hear anyone in congress screaming that it should be dismantled. don't you think that would be their prime example if a public option was actually as bad an idea as they are saying it is??

[nimblehuman]

Thank you, for acknowledging the 800-pound gorilla in the middle of the room.

Obviously, our elected officials are telling us that what's good for them, we just don't deserve.

[msblucow]

Terrible headline and doesn't reflect the story at all. And sticking Harman's face next to it doesn't help, since she's one of the few Blue Dog Dems who is NOT backsliding on healthcare reform.

Really sloppy work.

[SpoAct]

If those Democrats can't see fit to FINALLY do something for the PEOPLE instead of being Ho's to the Multi-National Corporations and insurance companies then they are FINISHED! I say we take their/families free Health Care away. You want to EXPERIENCE Health Care in the USA, go sit in the same Dentist chair the 47 Million Americans without health Care have to endure... Anyone who thinks Health Care in America is the best in the world is INSANE, delusionable or lives in the #*~/'n Ivory Towers

[urweatherman]

I say we let Wal-mart run the health care system....

[garymc8]

So we would get inferiior poisoned drugs from China? NO THANKS!

[nimblehuman]

Prolly a combination of delusional and indoctrinated...

[Sundialsvc4]

Excellent.

There is division and therefore debate going on in the United States Congress.

Now, I have a suggestion: lay them all off for 90 days and let them discover what COBRA (doesn't) mean. Terminate their pensions and health-care as was just done to over a million workers at Chrysler and will soon happen to GM. Once they leave the Congress their salaries will end and 90 days after that they'll have to sit all night in the Emergency Room and expect to be thrown out of the hospital, if they are admitted at all, at 11:59 PM.

In other words, "get those damned insects off 'the leaf' and let them be 'in the dust' with their fellows," to paraphrase the line from A Christmas Carol. If they are about to die, then let them do it, and rid the world of its surplus population. Are there no Prisons? Are there no Workhouses? This is, after all, merely The United States of America ... the poorest nation in the world. We can afford to do no better than this for our own people. This is not Canada. This is not Iceland.

[pam45]

Great point and exactly what I have said for years! Members of Congress can dictate what is best for Americans while sucking up excellent health care and fantastic pension plans. I am really tired of their political postering and we Americans need to call them on it. We need to ask Congress to give up their health plan because we can't afford to pay for it and besides, it's socialism!

[jmpurser]

There is "division and debate" between the party that wants to cut our liver out with a chain saw and the party that wants to cut it out with a scalpel.

We die either way.

[logicalchoice]

You think they don't know?

[helonias]

Jane is more interested to continuing Bushcos drive to create a two tiered country of the haves and have nots.

[cavillor]

Jane is quoted in this article as SUPPORTING a public option. Jesus Christ, did you read the article at all, or just rush to the comment section to spew your uninformed bile?

[SF13]

How are they going to pay for this ? AT the current rate of our deficit plus the interest, 4-5 years from now we will be unable to get out of our deficit. What if China stops buying the debt ? What if the interest rate goes up on the deficit ? The new bubble will be the federal deficit.

I want health care too but I want to know how it is being paid for. If you think your tax cut is great you will love the inevitable inflation that is coming from this deficit. Your tax cut will be swallowed and then some.

[Sundialsvc4]

Don't worry about it. Right now the US Government 'borrows from itself' about $1.5 million a minute. Money just appears, by magic. If they can afford to pay for war and bombs, they can afford to pay for this.

[texanna]

Pull your head out of your....! How do you think health care is being paid for now? It's being paid for out of your pocket -- in your premiums, deductibles, copays and oh yeah, in your local and regional taxes to pay for your local and regional hospitals where people who are on the outside of the health insurance circle go to get health care when they can no longer put off getting something taken care of. And what are you getting for all of that money -- well, not much really, because when you really need to take advantage of our country's great health care you will probably find that your insurance company is the wall that you can't get over to get to that great medical care. Today 60% of bankruptcies are medically related and a great per centage of those people are working and thought they were insured and would be able to get medical care when they needed it. Oh, and that 47 million uninsured number you keep hearing about -- that's an old number! It certainly doesn't include all of the people that have lost their jobs and as a result their health insurance since last Sept.

[pam45]

How do we pay for the health care plan that every member of Congress receives? I am shocked that no one is asking Congress this question as members posture about not being able to afford comprehensive health care for American citizens. They have been on this horse about putting debt on the backs of our children and we let them get away with the position. If it is the responsibility of Americans to pay taxes, what is so different that we shouldn't expect the future tax payers in America to have that responsibility. I'm tired of misleading political posturing. It doesn't resolve complex issues!

[logicalchoice]

They certainly get paid enought to pay out of pocket for thier health care needs. You know, since they are so hard up about pulling themsleves up by thier boot sraps and paying for what they, not expecting the government to pay for everything they need.

[mjtaylor22]

we pay for it now anyway, the caost will continue to shkyrocket out of control if nothing is done to sent the tide. we either pay for it and fix ti now, or we wait another twenty years when the cost have increased another thousandfold....

[CherokeeGirl]

I imagine the billions that Obama and Horzag find as wasteful spending to cut in Bush's old budget will get us started. You will probably have a monthly payment, but not like it is now.