Graham Open To Dem's Health Care Compromise, But Not Public Plan (VIDEO)

Senator Lindsey Graham became the latest Republican and most conservative Senator yet to express a willingness to consider a compromise approach to health care reform based around co-ops providing insurance coverage.

The South Carolina Republican, appearing on ABC's "This Week," set a firm line in the sand when discussing the creation of a public option for insurance, insisting that such a proposal would not pass the United States Senate.

"The reason you are not going to have a government-run health care pass the Senate is because it will be devastating for this country," he said. "The last thing in the world I think that Democrats and Republicans will do at the end of the day is create a government-run health care system."

Later in the program, however, Graham offered what his co-panelist Sen. Chris Dodd and former Labor Secretary Robert Reich (who appeared later in the show) both viewed as openness to compromise. A system of state-based co-ops -- which would be run as non-profit entities, subject to private insurance rules, and operating out of the premiums paid by its members -- could be an adequate substitute for a public plan, he said.

"I think this idea needs to go away," Graham said of a public plan, "and replace it with something maybe like [Senator] Kent Conrad's proposal."

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Comments

[quidam56]

As a former health care giver, I am sad to see what has become of health care in America. Clearly Profit Care comes ahead of Patient Care. We must have public option, so what if it puts the greedy bastards out of business. www.wisecountyissues.com/?p=62

[Xysea]

Thanks, Senator Graham, for your comments. I just have one question for you: "How does it feel to be on a public option?" Because, that's what you have. Govt administered health care and insurance, paid for by our taxes.

[eirrac]

My feelings exactly, Xysea! Graham has the nerve to sit there and flap his lips about how a public option is wrong, yet he's lucky enough to have that for himself. The selfishness of some of our lawmakers is appalling.

[Whitley2009]

The fast tract solution to this mess is to take away the lobbyist's donations to the campaigns of sleazy politicians who wh@re themselves out for hire to the highest bidder.

[casengo]

Come on, Lindsey, "devastating"? I'll tell you what's devastating and that's 50 million un-insured. Maybe someday Graham will stop being a shill for the insurance industry.

[HurryUp1212009]

Graham represents the dead-enders who make up the 28% in America who don't want a public option to put inefficient private insurers out of business (no loss). Those are the same 28% who thought Bush and Cheney were doing a good job and the country was on the right track.

And don't forget which state Graham represents: That 18th Century Feudal estate known as South Carolina. Home of Mark Sanford and the GOP simian who compared Michelle Obama to an escaped gorilla.

In other words, Graham has zero credibility!

[NewGenerationNewIdeas]

Good news is there's only 28% of them!

[Lorianne]

The Democrats have been yammering about single-payer healthcare for everyone for decades.

Now they have the numbers to make it happen and 2 branches of government.

Why can't/won't they deliver?

[take10]

Why is it that our elected officials seem so much more concerned for the insurance industry that the people who provide their employment! If they ever decide that what they want for themselves and their families , they also want for all Americans, this health coverage thing will be simple to get through congress. They have the nerve to deny even the basic health care for children born to parents who can't afford insurance. What do you think would happen if those in congress had to pay the ever increasing premiums and high deductibles for their own coverage. It should be a case of all or none!

[NHGranite]

Non-profit single payer health care for all. Case closed. How about the news pundits asking those representatives and senators a couple of pertinent questions: How much money do you get from the insurance and pharmaceutical industries, and how do all the other 36 countries who have better rankings than us cover their citizens? It's working elsewhere, despite the propaganda, why not here? CIVILIZED HEALTH CARE so we can be the best country in the world.

The World Health Organization ranks the US 37th over all; 24th for life expectancy.

We made it to the top of one list. We're Number 2 most expensive, for total cost for coverage as a percent of gdp: http://www.photius.com/rankings/total_health_expenditure_as_pecent_of_gdp_2000_to_2005.html

[Phil Waste]

We are dealing with massive greed in Congress, greedy legislators who are giving our tax money to the same bankers who brought us us to our knees. Time to cut Congress out of the mix and do an end run around them. I have no doubt that President Obama could, with a executive order, order Medicare to change their rules to include people across the board. How bad does Obama want universal Health Care? Enough to take on those crooks in Congress. It would sure go a long way reestablishing my faith in President Obama which has been flagging considerably lately.

[Whitley2009]

Co-signed.

[kasv]

72% of Americans want a public option - yet Graham won't listen to us. He will, however, continue to voice his opinion that Obama is not "supportive" enough of Iranians protesting to have their voices heard.

Wish he'd listen to our 72%.

[kasv]

Graham is out there saying that the Iranian people's voice should be heard, YET when 72% of Americans want a public option - HE WON'T LISTEN.

[Whitley2009]

It appears that Mr. Graham is burning his bridges behind him.

[Greg285]

No Co-Ops! The Dems need to grow a pair and push this legislation through...We know what the GOP wiould have done if they were in charge, so why are they even comprimising on this issue at all? The President needs to slap those Dems who oppose what the majoirty of Americans want, right upside their haeds and tell them to get it done and right now!!!

[Chlowina]

graham... are you enjoying your free insurance that we the american people are paying for? How do you enjoy going to the doctor and know the bill will be paid with no questions. How about your medication? Nice paying a buck or two for a script.

Why can't we have the same thing?

[Whitley2009]

Remember my new mantra: No Congressman or Senator should have better health care than our American citizens.

[mjtaylor22]

no sen graham u need to go away and stop leaving our citizens to the ills of the corp media

[stuckinredstate]

GO AWAY SENATOR GRAHAM-take the rest of the BENT ON FAILURE Senators and Representatives who are working so hard to subvert the will of the people. Don't worry-you still will have your government paid pension and HEALTHCARE.