UPDATE: Dem Senator Denies Bloomberg Story

UPDATE: Sen. Kent Conrad (D-N.D.) denied the Bloomberg story, saying Rahm Emanuel never said President Obama was open to giving up the public option. A spokesman said:

Conrad says Emanuel was speaking in reference to the need to overhaul the health care system as a whole -- to forge compromise and get a bill to the president's desk. It was in no way a comment on the president's willingness to do away with a public option.

* * * * *

According to a report in Bloomberg, President Obama is open to compromising on health care reform by eliminating the public option from his plan.

White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel met last night at the U.S. Capitol with Senate Democrats and told them Obama is "open to alternatives" to a new government insurance program in order to get legislation overhauling the health-care system to his desk, said Senator Kent Conrad of North Dakota.

"His message was, it's critical that you do this," Conrad said.

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus of Montana said Emanuel urged the senators to seek Republican support and didn't discourage them from pursuing the use of non-profit cooperatives, an idea Conrad has proposed.

Obama has been vocal in his support for a public option, but has declined to commit to opposing a bill that doesn't include it. Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) has said that the co-op compromise "doesn't come close to satisfying anyone who wants a public plan." Conrad negotiated with Schumer to bring the compromise closer to a public plan, but later said that it was still not a "pure public option."

On Wednesday, Paul Krugman wrote that Obama "messes up on health care, big time" in his news conference a day earlier by "signaling, right at this crucial moment, that he's willing to give away the public plan."

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Comments

[Buffyboy]

Iowa Republican Senator Grassley is crying crocodile tears for the insurance industry, the blood-sucking leech of an industry that adds no value to society other than to make insurance executives and agents rich. No one I know sees insurance companies as anything other than a cancerous mass that comes between people and their doctors. Like the company insuring the little girl I read about recently who hit her maximum at 11 years old. I suppose she had better get well quickly if we keep the Republican brand of private insurance-dominated health care. Senator Grassley takes quite a bit of money from the insurance industry. Do you think he’s opposing a public option because he cares about that little girl? No. He cares about money and power, and that’s all he cares about.

[sunshinerain]

And the galling thing about it - that money the health insurance industry gives to elected officials? It all comes from people's premiums!!!!!!! That's the "lobbyist fee" tacked onto your health insurance premium.

[rainbowblue]

There's a story like this every week and half. What gives? I'm not sure it can all be coverned under a blakent of bad reporting, especially since the health care reform movement in Congress has been so choppy lately. Don't be surprised if Obama says that we had to give it up in order to get this much passed, but we'll try again in a few years with the next Congress.

I think with 100 Dem Sentators Obama couldn't pass a bill celebrating George Washington and apple pie for the 4th.

A warning to all, look at what your reps have done and seriously consider if they deserve to be reelected next year. If this is what Dem control of Washington gets us, then what's the point?

[Peabodies]

rainbow -- "I think with 100 Dem Sentators Obama couldn't pass a bill celebrating George Washington and apple pie for the 4th. " !!!

And we thought we were voting for ... change!

The blue dogs had better rethink their positions. As for the gops, they're too busy having affairs. They would deny the moon is made of green cheese, out of spite.

[Lori Bowles]

'Public Health Care
The Federal, State, Senenat, and Congressanal representatives have to use the new Public health care system that is passed by President Obama as their only insurance for themselfs and their family. This will save tax payers money to pay for the plan and insure that the best possible plan will be passed'
Just sent this to whitehouse.gov It was just a thought

[grace14]

Increase Sales tax and that increase in Sales Tax goes for full health care for all period--- simple no huge massive cost up front period. Increase Sales taxs starts rolling in immed.....­forever on going ...pay as you go..Govern­ment pays the bill.. your Health care ID when given to Dr sends in Bill to Government they pay..no cash changes hands ever..... all are fully covered from birth to death...pe­riod..no such thing as cost cannot afford it...it is there in everything we purchase..­.coffee paying for your health care..soup to nuts...non­e......jus­t be happily worries over...pay happily increase in sales tax....non profit..yo­ur are the government­...

[Lorianne]

Your scenario cuts out the Insurance Companies.
Ergo
Not going to happen.

[noneIn2008]

Glad we finally have Obama to get stuff done. Look at what he has accomplished in months, that Reid and Pelosi just talked about for years. Finally some competence for action in the Dem party.

[rainbowblue]

Are you being scarastic? What has Obama done? By my tally, two things. A cigerette bill and and a non discrimination employment bill. And if you're feeling charitiable, issuing a MEMO on lgbt partner rights in PARTS of the Federal government.

[MESGAIN26]

Obama Signs Order To Close Guantanamo­... Shutters CIA 'Black Site' Prisons... Forbids Torture Of Detainees.­.. Lifts Abortion 'Gag Rule'... Freezes Proposals On Easing Emissions.­.. Revives Freedom Of Information Act... passed S-CHIP expansion, the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, a $787 billion stimulus package that was many bills in one (including such liberal priorities as comparative effectiveness research, transit funding, Health IT funding, broadband funding, etc), and is about to turn his attention to comprehensive health care reform i have to say thats progress.

[TheIndependenceParty]

It really is very simple, ... whoever drops the public option, or does not support its passage and signing into law, ... loses in the next election.

If this is the issue Americans are most concerned with, and 70% support a public option, then now is the time. If we need a poster child for what will happen at the polls to a Democrat who doesn't assist the White House in passing this, ... perhaps Nelson of Nebraska or Baucus of Montana will volunteer to test the waters when they next come up for election.

As for the White House's conviction for the public option, ... Emanuel's name is on this story, ... and if it is a trial baloon, he must come to understand that the American People are deadly serious about a full revamping of the Healthcare System, ... for the American People are dying for lack of care.

Get it Rahm? Get it Nelson? Get it Baucus?

[Peabodies]

My sentiments exactly, Mr. Party.

[Marcospinelli]

Obama's public option is NOT single payer universal health care.

Single payer universal health care is the ONLY plan that will work.

[Lorianne]

I thought 70% support single payer
Not the 'public' option.
Which is it?

[vanmungo]

A recent New York Times poll asked respondents ONLY about a "Medicare-like" public option but not about single-payer Medicare for all. With only that choice, the public option got a 72 percent favorable nod, even though the plan being proposed by the Democrats is a sham that is nothing like Medicare and will not make any meaningful changes in the system.

In nearly every poll that asks people about Medicare for all-which the Times poll did not---single payer gets a 2/3 favorable response:

http://www.healthcare-now.org/wp-content/uploads/pdf/polling.pdf

http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSN31432035

For more information on the only real health-care reform--single payer--and how to achieve it, please see the following Web sites:

www.singlepayeraction.org
http://www.healthcare-now.org
www.pnhp.org
http://www.1payer.net/
http://www.guaranteedhealthcare.org/

[freshnotbitter]

The term "broad parameter" is a bit misleading.

As Krugman knows, a parameter is a boundary line that doesn't get crossed.

So we should be talking about staying "within the parameter" and the parameter should be "universal coverage", "affordable premiums", and "quality care".

O uses the term "relief" for the uninsured but the uninsured don't need relief, they need insurance, it should be affordable and it should deliver quality care. I know that O is keeping things vague for a reason and relief is pretty vague. He wants to keep his options open. Fine, but let's stay within certain boundaries.

The most important thing for O to understand politically is that even people who are happy with their insurance vote for a public option. Reason? Krugman said it best and he said it twice for emphasis in advice to Obama in a recent column: "Don't trust the insurance companies, don't trust the insurance companies". Everybody wants to know that if everything goes wrong, there will be a public option that allows them to continue with their lives normally and productively while fighting disease. Fortunately, O already knows that because of his mother's experience.

We can keep the present private system while rationalizing and completing comprehensively the present public options we already have: Medicare, medicaid, schip, VA.

[Peabodies]

Yes, fresh, the Repugs are using scare tactics that imply that the ONLY system will be the "public option" (Medicare For All) Far from the truth! That's why the president made sure to call it an "option". He needs to emphasize that he is putting forth an option, a choice, that will serve the underserved in society. Not an imposition, a choice. To cover the rest of us.

By now the people get it that "insurance" that doesn't cover the whole pool of people needing care (the very definition of "insurance") is not insurance, but a skim-the-h­ealthiest, money-making scam. And it's been going on for far too long, and it has gotten out of hand.

Hence, the 72% popular support for the public option.

[ChelseaC]

What we don't need is health insurance, what we need is HEALTH CARE.
Expansion of MEDICARE for all who want it.
No more subsidies to insurance companies, no seperate insurance for the poor--SCHIP and Medicaid--just one solid public option which should be MEDICARE without part D.
Why reinvent the wheel.
I'm tired of the bobbing, weaving and the vagueness.
It's time to **** or get off the pot.

[Peabodies]

couldn't have said it better, Chelsea.

[Lorianne]

finally ... a sane voice

[grace14]

Sorry all bull and twist and spin and fear mongering.­.all is greed.

The fact of the matter is that the reason Canadians have FULL Health Care is that Canadians pay a Sales Tax ( happily happily) on everything they purchase ( ex food clothing toaster, hair cut show tickets soup to nuts everything) and---- EXCHANGE--- for that Sales Tax % increase which goes to Federal Government ( non profit cost savings strongly regulated) is that Health Care is FREE for everyone..­..not socialism either republicans for all Canadians are paying for it...rich poor and covered from birth to death...
1. No cash ever changes hands
2. Never denied ever
3. Never government choose their DR --EVER--pick your own DR and Treatment.­.
4. All given Health Care Card ID..and renewed every 5 years at no cost
6. Aliens also covered for they purchase everything to..
7, Never ever lose their home bankruptcy or elderly after they worked their whole life --insurance co. do not get your inheritance ever...

Take our $8,000 dollars a YEAR and put in our own saving account..c­hild college, new car, vacation etc and your health care is still being paid for..no up from major cost..% Sales Tax there and on going pay as you go...Canad­ians live good nice homes, fancy cars vacations and full health care..no worry ever..of massive debt or ever being denied denied..ev­er...

[soupson52]

Wow. What a great way to tell us. Can you get that on the front pages of the papers? Thank you. So well defined.

[Peabodies]

agree. Imagine a society like that. And they're just across the border ...

[TheIndependenceParty]

Read this, America, ... and pay no attention to the lies coming from both sides of the aisle. Canada has good healthcare, and do not go bankrupt because their health fails them.

Would you rather your children inherited your estate, ... or HCA, ... or some other health care conglomerate, ... either for profi, ot not?

Thank you, Grace! Some on the right seem unable to stand on their feet after getting on their knees for so long to Wall Street and the Insurance Giants.

[WinterParkMom]

I've been saying this all along. My mom and sis have lived there for the past 15 years and they have never had any problems seeing the doctor, getting emergency treatment, surgery or medicine. And yes, we need to get these facts out as rebuttlal every time some ugly rethug opens thier mouth about socialism and such.

[Lorianne]

No one is proposing a system like Canada's.

[LKV]

If you want to see why health care reform is so important go to this site

stories.barrackobama.com/healthcarethcare

Write your senator and let them know we have to have coverage for all our citizens people are dying

www.senate.gov

Write the President and let him know that we have to have reform and coverage for all our citizens there can be no compromise.

www.whitehouse.gov

Let our voices be heard.

[banats]

There's a lot of talk that the Iranian government is not listening to its people. Guess what? The same thing is happening here. To many legislators are listening to the health industry and not to the people. Obama needs to fight harder to effect real change. Or maybe the people should take to the street and demonstrate peacefully for a public health plan option or even better a single payer system.

[republicrat1]

A new Washington Post-ABC poll found that most Americans are "very concerned" that a health care overhaul would lead to higher costs, lower quality, fewer choices, a bigger deficit, diminished insurance coverage and more government bureaucracy. About six in 10 are at least somewhat worried about all of these factors, the poll found. But they still want lawmakers to tackle the issue.

[cosmicbullfight]

That's natural. They just want a system that works.

[naschkatze]

Uh-uh. I think this poll is directed by the health industry and pharmaceutical companies. It makes it sound as if people are starting to have second thoughts.

[Coastalthinker2]

I looked at the actual poll results. I found it interesting that 54% of Americans in this poll say they want smaller government and of this 54%, 62% think health reform will do more harm. That means, 38% of those who WANT smaller government DON"T think it will do harm. Even more telling, 71% of Seniors with Medicare are VERY SATISFIED with their health care. Hmmm...wou­ldn't it be nice if the rest of us could be as satisfied with our health care with a Medicare system for all?

[TheIndependenceParty]

Did the poll include some of the 50 million without any coverage whatsoever? Likely not!

[Coastalthinker2]

Here is a link to the poll results:

http://abcnews.go.com/images/PollingUnit/1091a2HealthCareReform.pdf

1,001 adults were polled by landline and cell phones only. 16% did not have any type of health insurance or coverage.

I think more than anything, this poll points out the amount of misinformation or lack of information by the public. We need to push the media to at least be fair about providing accurate information about health care reform and options such as single payer health insurance.

[Chaimirija]

then they need to educate themselves

[Choicematters]

That's exactly what will happen. You won't be happy with the crappy government workers you'll get administering such a plan, and even more, no one has the answers or reassurance that we can tackle the current deficit.

I say less government, but give us health care reform, that reforms the current system. Allow those uninsured coverage through their states.

[vanmungo]

People seem to think that the proposed public option is half a loaf. In reality, it is no loaf. It is not a "Medicare-like plan." It is a scam.

Unlike the nonprofit, single-payer plans in place in the rest of the industrialized world, this "public option" would charge premiums and impose deductibles; unlike them, it could not accept government funding (after the initial infusion), and so would have to be self-sustaining. Moreover, it would likely be saddled with the oldest, sickest, and thus most expensive cohort, and would have to offer higher fees than Medicare--so no cost savings, none of the cost efficiencies of a single risk pool; it would be competing with 1,300 private HMO risk pools, which would aggressively market the youngest, healthiest, and thus cheapest and most profitable cohort.

This is consumer fraud that fails to loosen the HMOs' dysfunctional vice grip on this isystem.

Public-option plans have been tried in several states, and in every case they have failed to reduce costs or increase coverage. The only PROVEN way of accomplishing both goals--based on a half-century's track record in Europe and Canada--is a nonprofit, single-payer approach.

For a detailed analysis of the pitfalls of the public options, please see the following:

http://www.commondreams.org/print/43440

http://www.pnhp.org/facts/singlepayer_faq.php#public-option

[Coastalthinker2]

Thank you for this post! This is why anything short of Single Payer Health Insurance will have very little impact on most of middle America. The only way you can have real reform is a plan which involves large numbers in the entire country -- Single Payer.

[ErnestineBass]

SINGLE PAYER!!!

Put it "on the table", Mr. President.

[PatLow]

Thank you. I happen to think that something approaching the swiss system might work for the US but am of the opinion that no matter what is said there is simply too much money involved here for change to happen. America is a pay to play country with the guy with the biggest stack as the winner in debates such as this. I dont like it but as long as there are special interests paying into our congress then you will always have some form of corruption.

[soupson52]

"no matter what is said there is simply too much money..."

Let's change that. I like the "take to the streets" thought. (Peacefully, of course!)

[mikekc]

If Obama drops the public plan and sells out on health care I am voting 3rd party in the next election. He will have proven to me he did not mean all those things he said last summer and fall. I'd almost rather vote 3rd party and expect the worst from Republicans then vote Democrat only to be bitterly disappointed. Apparently the Dems need to be shown the 3rd way of appeasement to corporations and "markets" is not going to be a winning strategy for them.

[jmpurser]

Obama sold out on health care when he took single payer off the table. Now we're fighting for scraps.

[Irmanator]

Before the election, you mean. Just to be clear, you are saying he has always been wrong about health care, not that he has suddenly changed his tune.

[gditty]

Hillary was for single payer, while Obama promoted a public plan.

[Easyrollins]

This blog is filthy with trolls

[TheIndependenceParty]

Yep, ... kind of noticed the stench myself!

[Easyrollins]

Obama been called everything but a child of God, Rumors,lies,half truths, now put words in his mouth, Everything is being done to whittle away support, decrease his popularity, every trick that is being used, in an effort to defeat any real health care reform, but also to defeat Obama. The President political power is directly come from the people, so now the lie and misdirection starts, and the trolls are out in force. I say stand firm in our resolve to get health care reform and reduce the republican party to a footnote of history.

[Chaimirija]

that is why everyone should start telling him SINGLE PAYER