Doctors' Group Backs Baucus' Health Care Strategy

(AP)

As Congress and the Obama administration attempt to push health care legislation to the president's desk by this fall, the Senate this week begins a fresh round of debates over proposals to include in the bill the option of a government-managed health care plan.

"This is probably one of the two or three 800 pound gorillas" in the room, Senator Max Baucus (D-Mont.), chair of the Senate Finance Committee, told reporters Monday.

The senator, whose committee holds jurisdiction over health care legislation, has irked some on the left for not wholly embracing a government-managed plan. He said the proposal will be addressed in a roundtable discussion with more than a dozen people tomorrow.

"I've told everybody everything is on the table," he said. "It's important to get to the assumptions behind the proposal and find some commonality."

Baucus is not the only one interested in keeping options open. The senator joined the Center for American Progress on Monday to announce the re-formation of Doctors for America, a grassroots organization of over 11,000 doctors in support of health care reform. Formerly known as Doctors for Obama, the group during the 2008 campaign advocated Barack Obama's proposal for a government-managed option.

On Monday, however, Doctors for America President and Co-Founder Vivek Murthy said the group supported Baucus' flexible approach.

"We do think a public plan is worth considering," Murthy said. "A key priority for us is whatever is put forth does improve access (to health care)... Nothing is off the table."

Baucus said his committee will probably review two or three alternatives, such as the health care "exchange" system in Massachusetts, which requires consumers to purchase a private plan that meets government-established minimum standards.

"Otherwise, it's going to be difficult to pass the Senate," he said. "It may pass the House and it may pass the Senate, too, using a procedure called reconciliation."

The threat of using reconciliation--a legislative process that protects a bill from the threat of filibuster--has ruffled the feathers of Republicans, as well as some Democrats. Last week, Senator Arlen Specter (D-Pa.), the day after switching to the Democratic party, voted against Mr. Obama's budget because it included a provision granting Congress the right to use reconciliation for health care reform.

Specter has said definitively that he does not support including a government-managed plan in health care legislation. Senator Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) has also said he is not in favor of the plan.

In order to pass the legislation without invoking reconciliation, however, neither senator would necessarily have to vote in favor of a health care plan with a government-managed plan--they would simply have to vote for cloture, in order to limit the debate and protect the bill from being filibustered.

[golem0]

to jonesjep :

you don't read much do you? surveys & studies have shown the VA to be very highly efficient and effective. I think you're talking about the VA from 20 years ago or more. Check your facts. There ARE NOT 270million that love their health care. I have some and pay a lot and think it sucks. I want a single payer option. And I have employer helath care.

Even if your figure is correct of 270 mil that are covered by health care it is moronic to automatically ssume that everyone must therefore love it.

I bet you think the USA is the most awesome best country in the world, yet have never stepped outside the borders of the 48 contiguous states. You probably have something against people that read too, or can add a sum in their heads, huh?

[jonesjep]

You have 270,000,000 million Americans that are happy with the current healthcare system in the US. The best, most innovative system in the world. You do not destroy what is good about the system that 270,000,000 people love to provide more for 30,000,000. You find a way to get the 30,000,000 into the system. Single payer systems around the world are not good. Canada and the UK system are incredible failures. Everyone has equal access to terrible healthcare. The US Government currently runs a healthcare system. It is called the VA and it is awful.

[MaryAnneKB]

Please call the senate Finance committee now- they are taking calls. to express your opinion. The Public Insurance Option AND the Single Payer Option aren't even being discussed

Committee On Finance
219 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510-6200
[phone]

[mattcat25]

The Private Sector Free to be Manipulated Market has failed the American People long enough. Attempting to sustain this inadequate and over co$tly system of Health Care Insurance Coverage is just SICK!

[calibeep]

This makes no sense. You go into a negotiation already giving up your position? Mandated insurance means some families struggle to afford it and/or illegally go without it. If the insurance companies can't compete with a public plan, then it's time for single payer. Maybe what we can't afford is any more CEO-level pay, duplication of paperwork and utilization review boards, cherry-picking (private companies get to pick the healthiest; the elderly and the sickest end up Medicare/Medicaid on the taxpayer's dime), or any other coddling of an industry that is costing US taxpayers more per person than any other country in the WORLD but is letting Americans die every year due to lack of access to insurance! It's funny how families have to go it alone but when industry is in trouble of any kind it's ok for them to go whining to the government. How about spending a little less on lobbyists and give Americans some health care? Medicare works and would work better if it were not restricted to the most expensive segment of the health-care using population. Doh.

[rosie434]

Ditto---
Would be great if those reporting the news knew what they were reporting about so that they would get it correct the first time. Pathetic reporting. Do you job----

[thejonbw]

What is wrong with you Stephanie Condon? It is not called the government-managed plan. Barack Obama promised a "public plan" option. Everyone calls it the "public plan". Why would you just make up some weird Republican propaganda term for the public plan. There is literally not one other news organization which has referred to the public plan option as a "government-managed plan"

A "public plan" may or may not even be managed by the government. It could only be insured by the government and contract out the management.