How They Passed Health Care: Tri-Com Unity, Climate Change Handicaps And The Offer Max Baucus Should Have Refused

The New Republic:

It was Henry Waxman, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, who had tried to get tough with the manufacturers of biological drugs. He was thrilled to be pursuing health care reform, a lifelong crusade, and he was an unabashed fan of the president. But few people in Washington were more upset about the deal Obama and Baucus had cut with the pharmaceutical industry -- and the way it seemed to undercut the progress Waxman and colleagues were making.

Read the whole story: The New Republic

Comments

[1canview]

08:32 AM on 05/25/2010

There is no doubt that the US is split in it's poltical views. Both sides are entrenched.
One side wants smaller government and less rules and laws regulating business.
The other side is concerned about the welfare of the general public and wants more regulation.
The US has a population of around 340 million people half of whom at least would be for universal healthcare or at least a public option.
It isn't going to happen but wouldn't it be something if the 50% or 170 million Americans could have their own government sponsored healthcare paid for partly by their taxes and those that are against such a plan continue with the private sector insurance companies?
Healthcare reform in the US didn't happen. It is just cosmetics.

[1canview]

08:19 AM on 05/25/2010

It should not be forgotten what a piece of crap Joe Leiberman is and his part in screwing up real healthcare reform.
Here is a guy who would have been vice president if Gore had been elected. A Democrat.
His rejection from his party was going to to be paid back in spades. He couldn't have been more vindictive.
His main objective in running as an independent seemed to be in protecting Israel's interests and by the wars continuing in the Middle East, Israel would not be the center of attention to hostile nations in the area.
Hanging out with the deranged McCain and the cracker Graham was pissing the Dems off to no end.
He was the needed 60th vote and when the Dems couldn't get him on side they had to go groveling to Olympia Snowe who is one mixed up old broad.
Lieberman was totally against a public option. No surprise that many of the insurance companies have their head offices in his state or that his wife was a lobbyist.
The end result on healthcare reform was status quo (add on 30 million new customers) for the insurance companies and a continuation of being anti trust exempt.
You have to wonder if Lieberman really ever was a Democrat and by being one was it just his route to power.

[NCScientist]

07:25 PM on 05/24/2010

They passed healthcare? When? I thought they passed insurance reform.

[tompoe]

06:28 PM on 05/24/2010

Why does this article claim health care reform was passed? Health care reform is Single Payer, something no Waxman or anyone else would permit to be discussed. Health insurance reform is what was passed. Is the New Republic just stupid?

[Jay Mack]

12:25 PM on 05/24/2010

Gator-Aid, the Louisiana Purchase, the Cornhusker Kickback, etc.

[smilodon1]

11:29 AM on 05/24/2010

I with journalists would get the picture right. Health care reform was not passed. We had health insurance "reform" foisted on us. The majority of the United States citizens wanted a single-payer system and we didn't get it. Instead, Obama and most other democrats turned out to be DINOs. McCain/Palin would have been a total disaster but Obama/Biden played us for suckers. I'm beginning to think Obama is like Bush but with tact.

[wdw505]

12:46 PM on 05/24/2010

laughing "you're beginning?" oh a little slow aren't you? it has only been about 1.5 years

[lastep]

09:31 AM on 05/24/2010

was Baucus sober in that picture?

[Bloggerrogr]

10:33 AM on 05/24/2010

what would YOU know about 'sober'?

FWIW

[lastep]

10:36 AM on 05/24/2010

ever see the clip of Baucus making a speech on the floor of the senate obviously hammered?

[Jay Mack]

12:32 PM on 05/24/2010

why? You buying?

[PhilipTaylor]

09:07 AM on 05/24/2010

NEXT TO D0DD AND SHELBY -- BAUCUS IS THE BIGGEST CR00K IN THE SENATE!

[Bloggerrogr]

10:33 AM on 05/24/2010

Second!

FWIW

[dvtaz]

08:32 AM on 05/24/2010

The President told Congress he wanted some sort of healthcare reform passed asap. Congress disregarded the will of the majority of americans, bribed enough Congressmen to pass it. Now that elections are upon us they are paying for their arrogance.

[wdw505]

09:08 AM on 05/24/2010

agreed

[jmbradford]

10:36 AM on 05/24/2010

Agreed, you are not a very smart person? You comments make you sound like an idiot.

[dtmfman]

07:44 AM on 05/24/2010

Congress has a new acronym.....CIA....Crooks In Action....

[Puller58]

07:36 AM on 05/24/2010

This begs the question, what are elections for? Are they for the lesser of two evils? Real choices, real change can only happen when people are engaged and willing to do their homework. Straight ticket voters and die hard partisans do the country no favors when they go to the polls.

[wdw505]

11:00 AM on 05/24/2010

agreed......however i have not found anyone for which to vote, that was conservative enough

[luling]

07:13 AM on 05/24/2010

Good description of how Congress works.

[jws2346]

07:03 AM on 05/24/2010

Ahhh..., jeez. More political claptrap. I take it this is some of Backy bois PR creeps in action? The bottom line is we don't need any more arm chair quarterbacks.

[BBinMT]

07:22 AM on 05/24/2010

Sounds like you should go back to the sports page.

[jeffinmichigan]

08:37 AM on 05/24/2010

I assume you'll be offering the same reply to the many posters criticizing actions of the Bush administration.

[SangZe]

06:55 AM on 05/24/2010

Obama sold us out.

[FatFeline]

06:00 AM on 05/24/2010

We know how that passed health care. The jammed it though using every dirty trick in the book while ignoring the will of the majority of the American People.

[WoodyCPM]

07:14 AM on 05/24/2010

Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.... The so-called "will" of the American public is entirely overrated. The U.S. Senate was designed to curtail and prevent the so-called "will" of the American public from ever being enacted, except when it comes to war. Weren't you paying attention in Civics Class or do they not teach that anymore?

[wdw505]

07:47 AM on 05/24/2010

Those who cast the votes decide nothing.
Those who count the votes decide everything

----joey

[jeffinmichigan]

08:38 AM on 05/24/2010

It was the will of the American people that put Mr. Obama in the White House.