Kyl: Co-Ops A "Trojan Horse" For Public Option, GOP Won't Support

A key member of Republican leadership in the Senate declared on Tuesday that a cooperative approach to health insurance was merely a "Trojan horse" for a government-run system.

In a conference call with reporters, Senate Minority Whip Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.) said that while some progressives view the co-op proposal as an unacceptably watered-down alternative to a public insurance option, Republicans think it's still too similar. He indicated that both he and the party would oppose them.

"On the co-op... as Democrats have said, it doesn't matter what you call it, they want it to accomplish something that Republicans are opposed to," Kyl told reporters. "That is the step towards government-run health care in the country. The president himself said you can imagine a cooperative meeting that definition of a public option."

"It is [a public plan] by another name. It is a Trojan horse. And therefore no, I don't believe Republicans will be inclined to support a bill," he said.

During an interview with Fox News on Monday, Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) also described the co-op proposal as a "Trojan horse" destined to open the way for a government-run system.

For uncompromising Democrats, Kyl's and DeMint's remarks will undoubtedly be treated as yet more proof that the Obama White House and leadership in Congress are negotiating against themselves when it comes to health care reform.

While Sen. Kent Conrad (D-N.D.) has put forth co-ops as a compromise proposal that could get 60 votes in the Senate, Republican support is elusive. Indeed, earlier in the call, Kyl said that the GOP stood no closer to offering up their votes.

"I think it is safe to say that there are a huge number of big issues that people have and these are a couple of the most prominent," he said. "But start with the cost of it. There is no way Republicans are going to support a trillion-dollar-plus bill. And when the chairman of the Finance Committee in the Senate said, 'ah, great success, we think we got it under a trillion dollars,' you did not hear a big round of applause from Republicans."

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Comments

[bobarazzi]

America, the world's best health care with the world's worst access.

[MalteseTiger]

The repubs have shown and stated outright they will oppose any reform.. fine...
We voted the Dems into the majority.. they tried bipartisanship by feeding the repubs are got bit..

Time to ignore the repubs and do what America wants.. reform health care and shove it down the Party of No's throats

[rosiebond007]

Nothing will get their support but do we care now .... they have shown their hand ... DIRTY ...

WE WON THE ELCTION .... WE WON .... WE WON !!!

[rudolph]

Co-operation with these people isn't possible without selling them the store. Reform will pass only when Democrats get their nerve back.

[timberdoodle]

If Republicans think the American people don't want a single payer system similar to Medicare then there is a quick way to resolve the situation.

Give the public two months to sign up for Medicare and put them on the list to received this health care coverage. Those who are against it simply don't have to sign up and they should be content as they still have their perceived freedom of choice.

For one it would be great to see these lunatics get exactly what they are asking for and not having to do anything to achieve their goal.

[Richrdh]

My biggest fear is that if anything of substance is passed, the republicans will attach amendments to all kinds of bills in the future (and the democrats will ignore them) to make any legislation worthless.

[greysells2]

The Republican Party are not for anything except themselves. ...and dragging President Obama down mostly because because he is black and is interested in change. They may have overplayed their hand over the last 2 weeks or so with the hate and fear mongering. Can anyone figure out what the Republican Party is FOR? Slogans don't count. Specific proposals do. There is a country that needs to be governed and there are problems that need to be solved. Time for the adults in the Republican Party to come forward.

[Peter Madaka]

Krugman called it. GOPers and greed are standing in the way for healthcare reform. These guys could care less.

[PlanoBlue]

The party of Nooooooooo­oooooooooo­ooooooo

[koyak23]

I guess it's fair to say that Kent Conrad's chasing of the co-op rabbit has been wasted effort...

[MaeScott]

Hey --- throw the rethugs an anchor.

[ClevelandTom]

I believe the Repubs have overplayed their hand.

They have conducted a war of attrition on reform, first by delaying it under the guise of bi-partisan negotiation, then by openly promoting flat lies about its content, and now with a bait-and-switch of supporting co-ops and then not supporting them. This strategy has weakened the hand of the Blue Dogs and other Dems who wanted a negotiated bill. It strengthens the hand of Dems further to the left who are willing to do reform with zero Repub votes.

Some kind of reform passage was always in the cards but Repub tactics have set things up to producea bill that is far more progressive bill.

[dimplesmile7]

No to everything, this is not newsworthy. We already know the republicans will not do any work in regards to health care reform. Saying is no all the time is not real work. Step a side and let the real adults do the work. You republican children go back and play at the town hall meetings.

[Sloane7]

Does anyone think Republicans will give the president a win on anything? Please. Let's not waste our time on them anymore. This is not about health care. This is pure party politics.

[Ziploc]

Surprise, surprise. They don't support co-ops...

Gee! What do the Republicans support, anyway - other than receiving their thirty pieces of silver for betraying the nation.

They support glutting themselves, stuffing their pockets with cash, and s.c.r.e.w.i.n.g anyone who gets in their way... It's as simple as that.

They are on the wrong side of history, and have been for quite some time. Their days are numbered.