Baucus Declares That He Wants "A Public Option, Too"

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) confirmed this past week that he personally supports a public option for insurance coverage, even as the committee he heads is poised to produce health care legislation that lacks a government-administered plan.

In a conference call with Montana Democratic central committee chairs last week, Baucus reaffirmed his stance on the most divisive issue in the health care debate. "I want a public option, too!" said the Montana Democrat.

Later, when several county chairs said they didn't want a health care system in place where private insurance companies were essentially allowed to police themselves, Baucus responded, "Neither do I."

The senator's office did not dispute a report of the remarks written up Sunday on the site FireDogLake. But they declined to elaborate on the record.

Baucus' support of the public plan, they insisted, was not new news. Indeed, a public option for insurance coverage was part of the senator's November 2008 White Paper on health care reform.

"The Baucus plan envisions that the Health Insurance Exchange would offer a new opportunity for individuals and small businesses to easily compare private coverage options and a public plan and to purchase the policy that would work best for them," reads the White Paper.

The senator, since then, has insisted that a public option is "on the table" as possible methods for affecting change in the private market.

But support for the public option has not translating into a commitment to having such a provision in the bill. The senator is also devoted to getting bipartisan support for the Senate Finance Committee's legislation and has proven to be more than willing to drop the key provision as a means of recruiting Republican backers. He telegraphed such a move as far back as March, during an interview with Time Magazine.

That said, Baucus' most recent remarks are likely to be greeted with glee by progressive reform proponents. Should health care legislation with a public option ultimately come to the Senate floor -- perhaps in the form of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pension bill -- there is an open debate as to whether it would have the 60 votes needed for passage. A senior Democratic strategist, who is lobbying Congress on health care reform, told the Huffington Post this past weekend he wasn't sure how Baucus (among others) would vote if this situation presented itself. The senator now seems to have cleared the air on that front by indicating that he'd vote yes.

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Comments

[ReedYoung]

Translation:
I can haz re-elected, too plz?

[GalapagosTortoise]

If Max Baucus hadn't taken millions of dollars from the health insurance industry, and had allowed single payer advocates to participate, instead of having the police arrest them, one might find his statement credible.

The word for politics today is say you love me ... (but you know the rest of that refrain)

[DestinationsUnknown]

NOW


C- SPAN

now

live virginia

[ntmessage]

What a Janus face! (Sic). Maybe the people in Montana can use a public option they have today to vote Baucus out. What ever happened with voting your conscience! What a dog.

[colorperdaughter]

I don't care what side of his mouth Baucus is talking today, I want him gone next election, people won't forget the damage he has helped sow

[HurryUp1212009]

Baucus, Grassley; these guys are all shucking and jiving. They don't sincerely want to help Obama craft genuine health care reform. Obama needs to realize the this is like the New Deal, Medicare, Medicaid, etc. He's not going to get a single Republican vote; and he should stop trying to appease them. He should just ram it down their throats.

[jaslyn]

So Baucus is deciding to represent? That is after all what he is. I wish more of these representatives would get off their egotistical high horses, remember they work for us, and no one cares about their opinions. We sent them to Washington to do our bidding, to represent us.

[judesuper]

Good, then get it out of the "gang" move it to committee for the vote. Then pass this bill.

[darr]

We can sit and complain all we want about Baucus and the bluedogs. But wouldn't you rather do something about it.
You can let him and all who oppose know that the majority of the people, want a robust public option and will keep pushing until we get one. Sign Petitions. Call your senator if they are a blue dog or repub and tell them if they aren't on board for this then you won't be on board for their next campaign. No healthcare, No votes!
Here is a big step we can all take to show the powers that be that we want public option and we want it NOW! There is a nation-wide march scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 13th in 15 cities for healthcare reform.
My husband and I are riding our Harley the almost 200 mile trip to DC to march.
In this recession you have to be crafty and think outside the box sometimes. We decided that the 50 bucks or so we will save taking the M.C. instead of our car, will be used to get a motel room for the night. Since we can't get off work Monday, we are going Saturday and doing a little sight seeing. Anyone have suggestions of what to see in such little time and maybe the name of a clean, inexpensive motel close to DC?
Here is the link to sign-up and see a list of the cities. http://www.marchforhealthcare.com/home

[colorperdaughter]

Can't wait for 9-13

[GalapagosTortoise]

Thanks for sharing this information on the 9/13 march. We'll plan on attending the one closest to us, and we'll spread the word.

[rbrinega]

Let's move it out of committee and get it passed, then.

[rcozad]

See what happens when your picture is proposed to be used as part of the definition of Corrupt Poiltician in the dictionary!?

[Nutcase]

Believe him.

You get your choice.

You can believe him when he says he's for it or you can believe him when he says he's against it.

[GenXer]

*shakes and scratches head* Which way is the wind blowin' today?

[Ricardo01]

If you want a public option, then VOTE for a public option. Simple.

[dax49]

the insurance companies who bought him must be loosening the leash