Baucus Keeps Working With GOP On Health Bill Despite Warning From Reid

Roll Call:

Senate Finance Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) continued working with Republicans on a bipartisan health care bill Wednesday, despite an urgent warning from Senate Democratic leaders that the potential cost of wooing GOP votes could have a devastating effect on Democratic support for the measure.

Read the whole story: Roll Call

Comments

[17ladyslippers]

This is a letter I emailed yesterday about Healthcare Reform:

Senator Max Baucus
Chair, Senate Committee on Finance
United States Senate
511 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510

Dear Senator Baucus: I am 100% in agreement that we need health care reform. BUT and this is a very big BUT - I want the single payer option to be passed so we will have REAL change. No more pandering to the health insurance industry and its lobbyists. No more bloated executive compensation packages and bonuses. No more dollars to lobbyists to support the industry's agenda and line the pockets of candidates running for office.

That said, the public health care option is better than none. If its premise is correct and it puts a spotlight on the shortcomings and failures of the health insurance industry then maybe Single Payer Coverage will be the next obvious step.

Time has come for the health insurance companies to go out of business. Put their employees to work in the single payer model run by the federal government in locations across the United States. Medicare has a much lower overhead than the "for profit" companies that the Republicans and Blue Dog Democrats are so adamant to keep in business.

How is it OK for 46 million people to have no health insurance? How is it OK for Americans to declare bankruptcy because of debt related to a catastrophic illness? (remember, the credit card lobbyists succeeded in changing the bankruptcy laws)

Real change now.

[houseafire]

To any Representatives, Senate or House, that might be reading this blog--you've only got two ways to go....you either side with the insurance companies/pharma companies OR you side with the American people.

Your choice....­but remember, that it is OUR choice whether you will hold onto your seat or not come your next election cycle!

[Blufftonian]

Poor Harry. Dissed again.

[FaceReality2]

Dear Lord, please take Max Baucus and the other DINOs home. As soon as possible. In Jesus' name we pray.

[sarabono]

Baucus knows that without the center on board, the bill won't pass.

[MakeAWish]

Baucus, Wyden, Liberman, and a few other "Bipartisan' Democrats, need to be replaced with real Democrats.

[houseafire]

Ron Wyden is one of my Senator's (Jeff Merkley is the other)....­as far as I know, Wyden is for a Public Option plan?

I'll have to check again because these reps of "we the people" seem to change with the wind blowing green.....­if my senators do not work for and vote for a Public Option, they lose my vote.

[TremoluxMan]

Baucus is doing busy-work with the Right while he's working to make Swiss Cheese of real reform.

[Firbolg]

There is a story in today’s LA Times with the heading “2 mavericks may clear healthcare reform path.” When I started reading I thought I’d picked up “The Onion” by mistake.
It sets out, in fawning prose, how Baucus and Grassley are fearlessly battling all odds, dodging slings and arrows from foes and colleagues alike and “are labouring to fashion a series of compromises on healthcare that may win the support of a bi-partisan majority.”
Elsewhere it notes “(their) effort has won implicit support from Obama”.
It is clear what is going to happen.
Congress and the White house, at the request of their paymasters, are rushing to get legislation on the books. They worry that, as each day passes, more people are becoming better educated on this issue and are learning how abysmal the US system is compared with even mediocre countries. The insurance companies’ arguments for retaining the status quo are getting thinner and less plausible every minute. Obama may be a lot of things but he is no dummy. He knows that dressing up a bad act passed quickly is going to be a lot easier with his presidential pulpit, devoted followers and oratorical skills than having to persuade congress to set aside their campaign contributions and promised private sector jobs and give the people what they want and deserve.

[NeoStar9]

Baucus is 100% bought and paid for. That's clear now. Screw the bill coming out of his committee. The other bills are what are going to be used I hope.

[naschkatze]

Don't blame Baucus alone, folks, this is a carefully orchestrated Kabuki dance to give us some pitiful "public option" which will leave the bloodsucking health care insurance industry intact or even in better position. I do not hear any Democrat attacking the industry.

[babyboomerorig]

Sen. Baucus....­I sent you a list of what would come into the government from those of us who can't afford insurance or can't get it due to pre-existing conditions.

Sure hope you read it and get off your high horse. You've obviously collected enough in campaign funds from these insurance companies you're trying to defend.

Do something for us for a change.

[dogisgreat]

opensecrets.org

Max Baucus campaign contributions - Top 5 Industries

Securities & Investment ..........­..........­.$970,950
Health Profession­als.......­..........­..........­$787,141
Pharmaceut­icals/Heal­th Products..­..$744,813
Lawyers/Law Firms.....­..........­..........­....$744,0­04
Insurance.­..........­..........­..........­..........­.....$705,­225

[kimleehan]

Now that the Democrats have their super majority the Republicans are starting to feel irreverent (lacking proper respect or seriousnesss) they should start coming around to working with the Democrats to do the peoples business, If not who cares.

[bluevistas]

Perhaps it's more like--"Baucus keep working to preserve the health insurance extortion corporations".

[edwarvir]

The heck with being bipartisan we need good affordable health care.
Maxs get your act together. and remember what party
you belong too.