Lieberman Takes Heat for Slowing Down Health Bill

By: Stephanie Condon
Topics: Health Care

(Face the Nation/Karin Cooper)

President Obama, in an interview that aired Sunday on "60 Minutes," said the Senate is well on its way to passing a health care bill before Christmas. Meanwhile, on CBS News' "Face the Nation," Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) said he agrees -- if his fellow Democratic caucus members are willing to throw out their latest public option compromise.

"The only way to get this done before Christmas is to bring in some Republicans who are open-minded on this like Olympia Snowe (of Maine)," Lieberman said. To do that, he said that among other things, "You got to take out the Medicare buy-in. You got to forget about the public option."

Last week, it appeared Senate Democrats had worked out a plan to get past divisive issues, like the so-called public option, and were on their way to 60 votes for reform. That plan includes a proposal to allow people ages 55 to 64 to buy into Medicare, the popular government plan that serves senior citizens.

Lieberman, however -- one of the Democratic caucus members the plan was intended to appease -- said on "Face the Nation" he would not vote for a bill that expands Medicare.

"From what I hear, I certainly would have a hard time voting for it because it has some of the same infirmities that the public option did," he said.

(Read more about the status of the Senate health care debate at CBSNews.com's Health Care Progress Report.)

Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.), another conservative who may or may not vote for the health care bill, also said on "Face the Nation" that the Medicare buy-in is "the forerunner of single-payer, the ultimate single-payer plan, maybe even more directly than the public option."

While it's not just Lieberman expressing reservations about the Medicare buy-in, the prominent senator reportedly took his complaints directly to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), saying he plans to vote against any bill that expands Medicare.

Lieberman is also bearing the brunt of criticism from the left: "Looks like Joe Lieberman decided to try for the old double-cross and say he now opposes the Medicare expansion compromise he'd hinted he would support," writes Matthew Yglesias of Think Progress, a project of Center for American Progress Action Fund that advances progressive ideas.

Health Care Progress Report: December 14
CBSNews.com Special Report: Health Care

Washington Post blogger Ezra Klein writes, "At this point, Lieberman seems primarily motivated by torturing liberals. That is to say, he seems willing to cause the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people in order to settle an old electoral score." Klein points to a study revealing how many people die because they are uninsured.

Meanwhile, Jane Hamsher, founder of liberal blog network FireDogLake is blasting the Susan G. Komen for the Cure, an organization that supports breast cancer research, for retaining Lieberman's wife, Hadassah Lieberman, as its "Global Ambassador."

Firedoglake launched a petition and sent a formal letter to the group requesting they part ways with Hadassah Lieberman for two reasons: Mrs. Lieberman is a former health insurance lobbyist, Hamsher writes, and her husband Joe Lieberman is "an instrument of obstruction to the kind of health care reform advocated by Susan G. Komen for the Cure."

Stephanie Condon
Stephanie Condon is a political reporter for CBSNews.com.
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by purelies December 14, 2009 7:59 PM EST: regardless of the bill they pass we are going to have to deal with this http://www.typobounty.com/Funny/Health_Care_Reform3.htm just be prepared; Reply to this comment


by ellensmithee December 14, 2009 6:56 PM EST: Lieberman is CFR.
Stop the Council of Foreign Relations from running this country! They are evil, and have only their corporate interests at heart. They will see the American people poor and not give a d@mn. That's their goal!; Reply to this comment


by bradkt1 December 14, 2009 2:58 PM EST: Joe is firmly in the grip of the "good hands" insurance company...

...unfortunately, the "good hands" insurance company has an iron grip on our short hairs....; Reply to this comment


by pws54 December 14, 2009 2:39 PM EST: Lieberman is really not wanted by either party apparently. That's why he "chose" to be an independent.; Reply to this comment


by ellenbrandtphd December 14, 2009 2:09 PM EST: I believe the healthcare issue has brought the majority of Baby Boomers, aged 46-63 in 2009, closer to the Center, whatever our party affiliation or lack thereof.

Please see "A Daughter Among Daughters Reaps Scorn," which might be subtitled "Boomer Caretakers, Their Elderly Parents, and the Healthcare Debate" http://wp.me/pxD3J-1M

The story highlights the travails of a middle class accountant nearly bankrupted by her compassion for the elderly parents she cares for. The accountant is a lifelong Democrat, the author of the story a lifelong Republican. Both believe extremist partisans do not reflect the will of the majority, who want bridge-building and constructive compromise on this all-important issue.; Reply to this comment

by dibbs977 December 14, 2009 1:57 PM EST

Lieberman--you need to start helping us get the health reform we need. I am tired of your wasting our time and money! You Republicans seem to be stuck with no good ideas and just want to oppose any ideas anyone else comes up with. Help our President---and start working on your Crown of Stars and stop worrying about the Republican Party.

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by pws54 December 14, 2009 2:37 PM EST: Very well put!

by cleric60 December 14, 2009 1:42 PM EST

I really don't want a federal health care reform bill for a Christmas gift! I rather see real Torte reform in regards to health care system. As a medical chaplain in a faith-based hospital we serve all patients regardless of being insured, underinsured, or not in insured. What we fear is lawyers looking for a cheap buck. But do you think our present Congress filled with lawyers will even discuss Torte reform within the health care bill. I doubt it!!!

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by velma179 December 14, 2009 2:14 PM EST: by cleric60 December 14, 2009 1:42 PM EST
I really don't want a federal health care reform bill for a Christmas gift! I rather see real Torte reform in regards to health care system. As a medical chaplain in a faith-based hospital we serve all patients regardless of being insured, underinsured, or not in insured. What we fear is lawyers looking for a cheap buck. But do you think our present Congress filled with lawyers will even discuss Torte reform within the health care bill. I doubt it!!!

***********

A) Are you looking to reform a nice cake mixed with pudding or cream? (that is a "torte")

B) Tort reform has been tried in many states (I think it is as many as 34...) and in none of these cases has the actual COST of health services and/or insurance gone down.

Yes, it is important to take the outrageous fees lawyers receive out of malpractice claim activity -- but it is Malpractice INSURANCE that is breaking the economic back of doctors and medical providers.

The companies that supply this insurance are not about to lose their "Cash Cow" any more than the Health Insurance providers want to lose theirs.

Offering tort reform as a solution is a smoke screen meant to influence folks like you who see lawyers at the root of our societal problems. They sure aren't blameless... but no, they aren't the root.

And besides -- doctors DO make mistakes (malpractice), sometimes very serious life debilitating or ending mistakes. These people (or their surviving families) SHOULD have recourse, I hope you agree.


by starleo146 December 14, 2009 1:40 PM EST: The one thing these Senators sitting up there in there Ivory Tower, the American people are fed up with all this postponing of legislation one after the other, People have lost there homes, they have lost there jobs, no insurance if they get sick, the emergency rooms are full to capacity. Do they care, all they care about is to see the democrats fail and the president FAIL.Mitchell going on tv and saying the American people do not want Health Care Reform that is his propaganda now, sick of all this we need a way to get the message to these guys and to set them on there kistas.No Input just vote NO is all the republicans know, and to upset the status quo so the people will elect them and blame the democrats.; Reply to this comment


by velma179 December 14, 2009 1:21 PM EST: I doubt very seriously Joe Lieberman will run for the Senate again. He MUST know he is making himself a target of NATIONAL derision that will bring funding to ANY opponent in CT (obviously -- especially the Democrats).

Likely this man is looking at a big money lobbyist job. There is no other credible explanation for why he is willing to sell out the people of Connecticut and the entire country with his unsubstantiated grievances.

If he keeps a Chairmanship in the Democrat caucus after health reform passes or fails... especially if it fails -- I would be incredibly surprised.; Reply to this comment


by ctb4679 December 14, 2009 1:11 PM EST: Why is Lieberman throwing an IED under the health care reform humvee? What does he want from it? He doesn't like Obama's position on Isreali settlements, so he hopes to de-rail Obama and get Republicans voted back in who will support whatever Isreal does. So Lieberman is not a Democrat, not an Independent, and possibly un-American, in that he acts for the well being of Isreal, rather than the well being of Americans.; Reply to this comment