Mary Landrieu Opposed To Public Health Care Option

Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.) said on Tuesday that she is opposed to the creation of a public health care plan patients could opt into that would compete with private insurance.

"No, I'm not open to it. I'm not open to a public option," said Landrieu. "However, I will remain open to a compromise, a full compromise. Public option is not something that I support. I don't think it's the right way to go."

Landrieu is a key swing-voting "centrist" Democrat. Her vote may be less valuable, however, if Democrats decide to move health care reform through the Senate using the reconciliation process, which requires only a majority vote.

In May, Landrieu told the Huffington Post she was leaning against the public option but still considering it. "I am actually not sure," she said at the time. "I don't think I am [for it], but I told the folks that are promoting it that I would talk with them, but I am an original cosponsor of the Wyden-Bennett bipartisan proposal -- the only bipartisan proposal that I know of. And so I'm going to stay focused on that as a core, but I'm not going to shut the door on anything right now."

The Wyden-Bennett plan does not include a public option.

Though she is now opposed to the public option, she said she may still vote for a reform package that includes it. "It would be unlikely, but I'm not saying no, no and no," she said.

"I know there are some people really pushing this public option, but I think it really undermines the essence of our efforts to create a real market-based private sector model but with strong, I guess, safeguards for consumers," she said.

Landrieu said that in her estimation, a public option is not likely to be a part of the final reform plan. "I don't think that's likely, but I'm not counting all the votes," she said.

Asked if there were any other Democrats in the Senate that she knew of firmly opposed to a public option, she didn't miss a beat. "Ben Nelson," said Landrieu.

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Comments

[Tim303]

Compromise with WHAT? Does she take us for fools?

[Querent]

She takes you for centrists. I'm not quite sure what the difference between centrists and fools is, but if there is any, that's the difference here.

[jorge4u]

Along the same lines, here is Ben Nelson's information:

Health Professionals $198,776 $71,676 $127,100
Pharmaceuticals/Health Products $165,293 $26,850 $138,443
Hospitals/Nursing Homes $109,258 $43,098 $66,160

[jorge4u]

This is for the 2010 Cycle.

For the 2008,

Health Professionals $233,426 $78,326 $155,100
Pharmaceuticals/Health Products $185,098 $29,350 $155,748
Hospitals/Nursing Homes $136,496 $50,098 $86,398

http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/industries.php?cycle=2008&type=I&cid=N00005329&newMem=N&recs=20

[FatherKindly]

We may very well not get a health care option that benefits anyone besides big insurance and big pharmaceuticals. If Obama allows our bought-and-paid-for Congress to get away with and won't veto, then maybe we better think of another Democratic Presidential candidate for 2012.

[exoevolution]

Another politician that works FOR the Washington CORPORATE OWNED BROTHEL!!!!

PEOPLE NOT PROFITS in HEALTH CARE!!!!!!

[PigLipstick]

A Right-Wing Democrat who has been siding with the Neo-Cons ever since Katrina. If the citizens of Lousianna were looking for an anchor, they must be satisfied with her. For the rest of us, she is just another Lieberman impeding progress while taking care of their corporate mentors !

[littleuno]

What does she care. These --------- make me so sick nowadays I cant think. She (and all her obstuctionists pals ) have the best health care in the country, have free cars, free gas, etc...
thanks to us working class stiffs.
What do we do? Tell me. I have emailed, written, called until my blood pressure is off the charts and I know so have many, many, many others and still the jerks up in Washington D.C . just whine and complain and fight and suck my tax money and do absoulutely NOTHING.
I feel alittle better, back to the emails, phone calls and letters.

[LovesLola22]

She should be ashamed of herself. Health care is a right, not a privilege, and it should not be a for-profit industry. But I guess when you've been bought with those profits, it tends to distort your perspective.

[biabouman41]

Which insurance company got to this woman. During Katrina she pressed no one to help NO and made these statements that emitted more smoke than light. After Katrina she was not involved in getting the dikes promptly repaired. What exactly is going on with this woman? Something is not right. In any event Next time she runs I will look to see if she has a half decent opponent and support him or her with my donation.

[jorge4u]

Regarding Mary and contributions to her:

Health Professionals $287,038 $153,540 $133,498
Pharmaceuticals/Health Products $125,750 $18,250 $107,500

http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/industries.php?cycle=2008&type=I&cid=N00005395&newMem=N&recs=20

[Clip]

That says it all!

[maxfax]

Her father cannot be proud of her at this point in time.

[eXcommunicate]

A public "option" *is* a fecking compromise!!!!!!!! These effing politicians make my blood boil!!!!!

[nickmantas]

OK people of Louisiana, are you sure you want this b%$ch represent you?

[KCFreedom]

They seem to like her there.

I think she won them over by crying on TV over Katrina.

[jazzman]

Dump Her! She's useless.

[lagumbo]

I am from La and I voted for Landreau, but that will never happen again. My family and I have always voted for Landreaus since the time of her father, but that will never happen again. I will take it on my self to inform as many people in my town about Landreau. She better enjoy this time in congress, because she will never be their again. I guess she has received so much money from the insurance and drug companies, that she doesn't want that to stop. I never thought I would see a Landreau voting against the interest of her people, but I guess that's what happens when you are bitten by the greed bug. Mary your are done in Louisiana.

[meede]

Do everything you can to find and promote another Dem that speaks for the people. For a state that is in such sad shape, Landrieu only deserves the job of a crapper cleaner

[nick1936]

What a jerk she is more poor folks in her state she would deny them a choice. Run some one against all these weak kneed dem's and i'll send a check