Pelosi: Health Care Reform Can't Pass Without Public Option

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told the Huffington Post Thursday that a health care overhaul that did not include a public option wouldn't make it through the House because it "wouldn't have the votes."

At a press conference earlier in the morning, Pelosi had been asked if including a public plan that would compete with private insurance was "essential" to health care reform.

"Can you have effective health care reform without a public option?" a reporter asked.

The goal, she responded, was affordability and accessibility. "If you have another way to do that, put it on the table. And that's where we are. Everything should be on the table," she said.

The open-ended answer led some reporters after the press conference to wonder if she was backing off her statement to MSNBC Wednesday that a bill without a public option wouldn't get out of the House.

Not at all, she said. Asked by HuffPost if she would allow a reform package without a public option out of the House, she responded: "It's not a question of allow. It wouldn't have the votes."

The bill would lack the votes because the GOP generally opposes Democratic reform proposals, and the 77 member Congressional Progressive Caucus -- rarely heard from on the Hill -- has been particularly vocal in its commitment to oppose any reform that doesn't include a public option. The public plan's popularity extends beyond progressives and is broadly popular with the Congressional Black Caucus, Congressional Hispanic Caucus and even two-fifths of Blue Dogs, the conservative Democratic coalition.

Pelosi, during the press conference, also rejected a compromise proposal by Sen. Kent Conrad (D-N.D.) to create private, nonprofit, regional health care cooperatives instead of a national public option.

Pelosi wasn't having it: "Not instead of a public option, no," she said.

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Comments

[Thevail]

Way to go NANCY! I knew there was a guts and glory girl in there somewhere!

[textynn]

If Nancy Pelosi has guts, Im the Queen of England.

[Samalabear]

I second that.

[textynn]

What a bunch of double speak. It is sickening. "Health care cannot pass without a public auction" because the Dems know that people are being abused by the system while at the same time they will not stand up to the Medical Insurance Industry that provides absolutely no service what so ever.

Everything is not on the table. They are trying to morph this public option junk to pretend like they are listening to the majority of the people who want SINGLE PAYER..

WE are not stupid. We want single payer and we don't this lame red herring public option.

Just kill me now.

[textynn]

I meant public OPTION. Public auction must have been a Freudian slip because selling out the people is exactly what this is.

[Bramble8]

Stay strong Nancy and the Dems. This will save the country. And destroy the GOP!

[thenorthshore]

nanc

third in line to US President

not upholding her duty to investigate

federal employees (cia) 'lying' to Congress under oath

[Jonatan Cruz]

I live in spain, i will tell you the situation here in case you have not seen sicko.
We have mandatory universal coverage,the average speed is 1 day for an appointment and from 1 to 50 weeks for an non-urgent operation, OF COURSE you can also get a private insurance if you want to go to private doctors or a speedy operation (but they usually also work in both sectors in order to make more money), they private insurers are also cheap, around 150 eurs/moth or less if you don not have preconditions. But you cannot opt out of the public system with is great because it prevent idiots from declaring bankrupcy and it also entitles you to a 100% of your salary PENSION after 30 years work.(ther­e's a limit in the % of your salary that gets taxed) It works seamlessly, i have never spoken with any insurance company and every year or after you loose your job you receive a letter telling you how many years, and days you have contributed to the system, it also entitles you to unemployment days, 1month per year worked (up to a limit).

[BlueOnBlue]

I want to thank you for that comment and also for the help the Spanish health care system gave my wife while we were traveling there a few years ago. When she became ill, we went to a hospital in Barcelona, where they quickly found an English-speaking doctor to help us.

There was never any question about payment. My wife was simply helped immediately. The doctor then called ahead to ensure that a pharmacy in the next town we were to visit would have the proper prescription ready for us when we arrived.

It was a simple but remarkable experience.

[davenav]

The hilarious thing is -- the Republicans, those money-worshiping gasbags, will get a public option which will save them tons of money and perhaps extend their lives -- and it's all over their objections and allegiance to big insurance companies.

To read the comments below from supposed non-rethugs is kind of saddening. How low can one go in the name of ideology? Answer -- there is no low, low enough for republicans.

[roshni]

Those money worshiping gasbags do not always vote in alignment with their own interests. They are not the sharpest knives in the drawer.

[judesuper]

Well said.

[dcusseaux]

Ms. Pelosi is on the fast road to redemption, she making the right choice for us, Americans you have our full support Ms. Pelosi drive on; drive on! Let us know what you need for us to do for this to succeed.

[roshni]

Pelosi has done very well indeed. I didn't always like her, but I do now. Reid, on the other hand.

[textynn]

Pelosi is just giving us a bunch of bull. Public Option, my eye. It's just the Dems way of pretending to listen to people while at the same time preserving their relationships to the exploitative inhumane elite that have stolen our health care system at the cost of lives and quality of life of millions, esp women and children. It is not fooling me for one second and when they pass it you will find the same people are getting rich and the same people can't afford health care. Sick people can't pay bills . Get it people?? For God sakes haven't any of you been really deathly sick.

[alexr0812]

There you go Nancy!!! This is the smarter thing I've ever heard coming from you. We DO NOT need any repubgs to get this done... Do not sell to the business interest over the country's health.

Thank you for standing so high up with this issue, please read Bob Cesca article is fenomenal at explaining what many (too many) of our citizens experience with the "INSURANCE" garbage we have in this country. Thanks Mr. Cesca! great story

[tarryd]

Every time you hear a congress person against a public option, Goggle their name plus health insurance lobby. You will find that they have almost always received big contributions from the industry. They want to stay in power. They need money to do so. They are owned by the insurance companies who spent over $500 million last year on lobbying.

[Realbluesky]

Hey Nancy!!!
The dems were elected, at least partially, to pass a health care bill. The people have already voted. Now it's your turn. You don't need to wait to see which way the wind blows.

Could the dems have worse leaders?

[roshni]

Dems must insist on public health care.

[rchwel]

Last I heard there are 365 members in congress and I think some are repigliCONS who are bought and paid for by the insurance companies so don't expect the speaker to wave a magic wand and get those sell out reps to vote against their bread and butter sponsors.

[kalerik]

Thank you, Nancy. We must have a public plan. Stick to your guns, girl!

[TotoToo]

Quit straddling the fence, Speaker Pelosi. Health insurance everyone can afford is a fundamental human right. Allowing a bill to be voted on that does not include healthcare for every adult citizen is a cop-out. Private insurers will either have to stop being greedy or go out of business.

[jazzybo]

Everytime I see this woman in the news lately,she gives me a bad feeling for some reason.Is it because we do not believe her?

[jerrypl]

Pelosi, we already have the private option. All you have to do is pass the public option--that is what the people are telling you to do!!! Force a vote. There are many House seats coming up in less than a year, name the names of House members who stand against covering working Americans who cannot afford a private plan because their incomes have evaporated because the financial industry burned it all down!! Pelosi--if you cannot talk tough, act tough and speak out on behalf of working Americans, then leave as Speaker.

http://eye-on-washington.blogspot.com

[sc300nc]

Then there will be no healthcare reform. Nice of her to black and white it.