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

[theone718]

Watch her change that tune after we run some adds all up in her state. These so called "centrists" are more like political hacks. A true centrist would only care about FACTS AND STATISTICS regardless of party. Time to put the heat on her.

[maxfax]

How much money do insurance companies contribute to her, and those others campaigns?

Her stand is NOT in the public interest.

[Betsy]

Landrieu and the rest of the public sponges who oppose health care for the little people should set the example and rid themselves of the public health care they receive on the taxpayer's dime. These people are USELESS!

[cbates]

The public option should be on the table. If this woman is not onboard then she should be thrown over board or at least left off the re-election list. The HMOs and insurance companies need to find other things to finance as a way of making money. There is a good chance that many of the insurance companies that offer health care insurance will bre owned by some other country before the end of the day and we will not have any control.

[Klimb]

"There is a good chance that many of the insurance companies that offer health care insurance will bre owned by some other country before the end of the day and we will not have any control."

You are so spot on...it is coming if the reform is not done ASAP!

[callmeslice23]

The best way to get action on this is to write letters and emails to her as well as make phone calls.

http://landrieu.senate.gov/contact/index.cfm

I urge you all to let her know how you feel on the issue, it's the only way to get action.

[bobo28]

It's simple : Patients NOT Profits ! I happily contribute to any progressive Candidate that supports Single payer and runs against her . . . we don't need her any more . . . end of story !

[spark19me]

call write email..tha­ts all you can do at this point..bot­h my senators support reform..

[bluguy8]

she's paid for and show be shown te door

[catoutofthebag]

Is this the same Mary who voted to protect Big Oil?

[Coinyer101]

that's what y'all get for bashing Caroline Kennedy.

[Coinyer101]

lol. I mistook her for thatnew York Senator that took Hillary's place.

[jazzman]

She's from Loserana, the same place as Gov. (Mr. Rogers) Jindal.

[spark19me]

both of my senators..­durbin and burris support it..time to get your senators involved..­jam the phones lines, crash their site, whatever you have to do..we can not sustain doubling and tripling premium and increasing co-pays for the same or less service.

[SeattleNick]

When are these people going to go back to the people whom voted them into office and check if they want the option. Mary we are not saying that everyone must be on the public option just that we have the option. Hell it may cost the employer less or at least the employee. Check it out. Blue Cross, Etna and the other big boys will have to untie their panties and put into some cost savings measures and may have to cut some executives pay.

[jazzman]

Sorry, Mary's bank accounts are so stuffed with campaign contributions from the big health care boys she can't hear the cry of her electorate.

[MESGAIN26]

this b*tch need to be voted out she did nothing for New Orleans.
she a brought and paid for corporate hoe and bows to banks

[wm1066]

I don't see her as "Centrist" I think she has too many Corporate Sponsors to be called a Centrist. Centrist to me means you have the support of main stream Americans backing you, she seems to be all about propping up the Big Boys.

[Coinyer101]

'centrist' is the new right-wing.

[quindy]

All of the Democrats opposed to universal health care should be voted out of office in the next election. I am calling on everyone to run against these politicians in their states. Landrieu raked in so much money from the health insurance companies it is no wonder she opposes one payer system. Throw her out!