December 22, 2009 7:40 AM

Harkin: Dems Focused on Health Reform Big Picture

By
Tucker Reals
Topics
Health Care
Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, responded Tuesday to widespread criticism that Democrats only garnered the 60 votes needed to defeat Republican stalling tactics on the health reform bill by catering to self-interest, saying Democrats are focusing on the big picture; "trying to cross a demarcation line."

Harkin dismissed deals dubbed vote-buying by GOP senators as "small stuff" that distracted Americans from the primary focus of the overhaul bill.

"We have to keep our eyes on what we're trying to do here. We're trying to cross a demarcation line," Harkin told "Early Show" co-anchor Maggie Rodriguez. "On one side is health care as a privilege, on the other side is health care as a right. With these votes, with the vote that we'll take before Christmas, we will cross that line finally and say that health care is a right of all Americans."

Asked by Rodriguez whether that meant he would still support the bill if all the bonuses for Iowa were stripped out of it, Harkin responded without hesitation: "Absolutely. Without a doubt."

"The principle of this bill overrides everything; that we're going to increase the number of people who are covered by insurance, we're going to increase affordable care, we're going to crack down on abuses by insurance companies."

Senate's Deal: Compromise or Corruption?
Tallying the Health Care Bill's Giveaways

"We have more in this bill now for prevention and wellness than any bill that's ever passed the Congress," added Harkin.

The senator also predicted that while a public option was unlikely to work its way back into the current health reform legislation during reconciliation between the House and Senate bills, it would be back.

"I am a strong supporter of a public option, I remain so, and I believe that sometime in the near future we will revisit that issue again and we will adopt a public option."

More on Health Care:

Health Care Bill Clears Second Senate Vote
Sen. Lindsey Graham: Health Care Deals "Sleazy"
What's Next for the Health Care Bill?
Comparison of Senate, House Health Care Bills
Obama: Health Care Vote a "Big Victory"
Some Seek to Kill the 60-Vote Filibuster
Bob Corker: Health Bill Process Lacks Integrity
John McCain Evokes Bernie Madoff in Health Care Bill Critique
Washington Unplugged: Rep. Stupak Opposes Senate Abortion Compromise
CBSNews.com Special Report: Health Care

  • Tucker Reals

    Tucker Reals is a senior news editor and overnight site editor for CBSNews.com, based at CBS News' London bureau.

Add a Comment See all 200 Comments
by tanygeo June 3, 2010 1:06 AM EDT
This is a wonderful opinion. The things mentioned are unanimous and needs to be appreciated by everyone. I appreciate the concern which is been rose. The things need to be sorted out because it is about the individual but it can be with everyone.
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[url=http://medicalhealthblog.com]Medical Health Blog[/url]
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by tanygeo June 3, 2010 1:05 AM EDT
This is a wonderful opinion. The things mentioned are unanimous and needs to be appreciated by everyone. I appreciate the concern which is been rose. The things need to be sorted out because it is about the individual but it can be with everyone.
=====================================================
<a href="http://medicalhealthblog.com" rel"dofollow">Medical Health Blog</a>
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by love2ridend December 24, 2009 9:32 AM EST
One good thing about this scam. There will be a lot less demorats reelected in mid-term elections.
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by RickTorn December 24, 2009 1:10 AM EST
This has to be a low point in our country's history: A Marxist in the whitehouse, and elitist senators in the ********** (AKA senate). I can hardly express the disgust and revulsion I feel for our "representatives" in Congress. Buying votes using our tax money ... and no shame!!! Cramming a bill down our throat that 2/3 of us don't want. Mortgaging our kids futures. All the while professing transparency and openness. What's transparent is their corruption, and their ignorance of the Constitution.
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by obwan222 December 23, 2009 10:34 PM EST
"From the recent behavior demonstrated by the dem. senate in dominating and excluding other representives [along w/ the citizens they represent] it is apparent that America is a one party state."


Actually the Reps excluded themselves. They had no intention of voting for any form of HC reform. So why would you compromise with people that don't bring any votes to the table?

And actually this in not a one-party country, there are still almost 17% of people that are willing to identify themselves as Republican.

"America was a fine experiment, had a grand begining, for awhile benefited others seeking freedom, but it's over"

Well, you can choose to believe that if you want, but I think that the US is still an excellent place to be and I look forward to the times to come. It's not perfect, but then what is? Thinking that just because you can't get your way that everything is over, well, that just seems - I don't know - UnAmerican.
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by libftw December 24, 2009 3:28 AM EST
A mostly enthusiastic ditto obwan.

On the article itself, it seems to me that the dems started with the big picture and then began removing colors and textures until all that seems to be left is a grayish connect the dots of what appears to be a raised middle finger to damn near everybody.
by rambleaux December 23, 2009 10:26 PM EST
In response to Jimwu9z &#38; KarlQuick's comments.
The behavior displayed by the dem. senators in excluding the other party's representives [the citizens they represent] essentially means that America is a one party state.

Over the upcoming Christmas holidays, in prepartion of the new year and the decades to follow, it will be a useful to resolve yourselves of this fact.

The history behind the Great Experiment -America, had a grand begining, developed and prospered, was able to avail those benefits to others also seeking liberty and freedom.

But there is a begining and ending to everything, just like Rome and the Soviet Union, America too has met it's end.
-DONE.

I wish you both well.
Reply to this comment
by KarlQuick December 23, 2009 10:18 PM EST
Demand honest transparency from you politicians .... they have no right to make back room deals beyond the eyes of us voters (at least via C-SPAN). This legislation is 90% the result of back room deals between big business and individual Democrat politicians.

Yes, the Repubs have been guilty of this BS, and that is why we threw them out and foolishly believed Obama's promise of "no more politics as usual" etc. It is AMAZING how hard it is for politicians to learn; you club one dog and the other apparently learns NOTHING!

I guess the dogs from both parties will have to be shown the stick.
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by tcrouter1969 December 23, 2009 10:27 PM EST
AMEN, KarlQuick, you are correct......It doesn't matter whether they are Repubs or Dems.......People in Congress who have created these backroom deal with no transparency whatever side of the aisle that they are on need to be shown the stick.
by tcrouter1969 December 23, 2009 10:16 PM EST
Integrity.......Amazing how few in Congress have it. They can actually stare us right in the face and lie and then tell us they didn't. This Congress has officially started our country in the direction of a BANANA REPUBLIC. Our debt is close to falling into Default, our Currency is alarmingly at a critical low point, inflation like we have never seen before is looming and we have the President of the US and almost everyone in his Party believing that we as a country need something that an extremely large majority of people and voters in our country do not want or need.

Tom Harkin - you are an extremely sad individual.........So is Harry Reid, Chuck Schumer and the rest of their Democratic partners in Congress.
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by KarlQuick December 23, 2009 9:46 PM EST
And I thought the Bush era was one of unbridled spending! ...sheesh!

What ever happened to the promised "transparency" and "most ethical administration ever" and "no more earmarks" and "no more politics as usual" and "pragmatism" and "will not add to deficit" and "you can keep your policy if you like" and the promise to protect and grow the middle class ?????

You know, when you win a "mandate" to act, it means that you are suppose to act the way you promised during your campaign !!!!

Burn me once, shame on me; burn me twice and you'll get fried.
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by jimwa9z December 23, 2009 9:32 PM EST
I think there may be less government intimidation to its citizens right now...in downtown Tehran.
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