Moderate Dems Balk at Senate Health Bill

Key Democrats Still Won't Fall in Line with Party Leaders, Leaving Much Work for Majority Leader Harry Reid

(CBS/ AP)  Democratic moderates who control the balance of power on health care legislation balked Tuesday at a government-run insurance option for millions of Americans, underscoring the enormity of the challenge confronting Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid one day after he unveiled the plan as a consensus product.

Republican opposition stiffened, and party leaders announced they would attempt to strangle the bill before formal debate begins.

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Despite the obvious obstacles, senior Democrats cast Reid's draft legislation as a turning point in the yearlong campaign to enact President Obama's top domestic priority. Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, said there is now a "sense of inevitability, the sense that, yes, we're going to pass health care reform, and it's going to lower costs, provide better health insurance coverage and cover ... and reform the health insurance market."

The proposed government insurance option long ago emerged as the biggest flashpoint in both the House and Senate as Democrats struggle to pass legislation that extends coverage to millions who lack it, bans insurance industry practices such as denying coverage on the basis of pre-existing medical conditions and slows the growth of health care spending nationally.

But before that issue can be joined on the Senate floor, Reid's first challenge is to gain 60 votes - the number needed to overcome a filibuster by Republicans - just to bring the bill up, a parliamentary maneuver so routine that a vote is rarely required.

Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the Republican leader, announced that in this case, members of his party will treat it as though it were "a vote on the merits" of a bill he said would "cut Medicare, raise taxes and increase health insurance premiums." He suggested Democrats could expect campaign commercials next year on the basis of the vote, and recalled that Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., was ridiculed in his 2004 presidential campaign for having once said he voted for a bill before he voted against it.

Tuesday's developments illustrated the difficulties facing the 69-year-old Reid, juggling at least three separate concerns: his role as head of the Democratic caucus, the desire to deliver on Obama's agenda and a 2010 re-election campaign in Nevada, where his approval ratings are low.

"This isn't over until I'm standing with President Obama and he's signing a bill into law that delivers what Nevadans are demanding - real health insurance reform," Reid wrote in an e-mail message to political supporters in his home state Monday night.

The decision to include a government insurance option in his legislation had obvious appeal for liberals who account for a strong majority inside the Senate Democratic caucus, and it is likely to please labor unions and party activists in Nevada.

But it has gained less-than-effusive support from Mr. Obama, who is eager to have at least a dollop of bipartisanship for his signature domestic issue. Sen. Olympia Snowe of Maine (at left), the only Republican who has sided with Democrats in committee this year, has announced she will not support the bill Reid drafted.

Still, if Reid is pressed in coming weeks by moderates to fall back, he can explain to liberals that he was forced to do so because his preference - a government insurance option - proved to be unobtainable in the Senate.

Already, that pressure is evident.

Sen. Tom Carper, D-Del., said he may seek changes on the Senate floor, a move likely to be welcomed by moderates. He backs a government role in states where one or two insurers control the market and premiums are high, along the same lines as a plan supported by Snowe. Additionally, Carper has talked of allowing other states to invite the federal government in - the reverse of Reid's plan, in which states would have to opt out.

That general approach, in which a lack of competition in an individual's state would trigger a government insurance option, "is still alive," said Sen. Kent Conrad, D-N.D.

While Reid is expected eventually to secure all 60 Democratic votes on the critical first test to bring the bill to the Senate floor, Sens. Ben Nelson of Nebraska, Mary Landrieu of Louisiana, Evan Bayh of Indiana and Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas all declined to say on Tuesday how they would vote.

In an indication of the pressure Reid faces, Bayh said the majority leader had agreed to cut an earlier proposal for a $40 billion tax on medical device makers.

"He significantly modified that proposal in a way that I understand will not impact thousands of good-paying jobs," said Bayh, whose state is home to Guidant Corp., a maker of cardiovascular devices, among other major industry players. Numerous officials said Reid had agreed to reduce the new tax to $20 billion over a decade. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because no announcement had been made.

Also adding to the pressure on Reid, Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) said Tuesday that he would support a Republican filibuster of the health care bill.

"If the bill remains what it is now, I will not be able to support a cloture motion before final passage," Lieberman said, reported CBS News Capitol Hill Producer John Nolen.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi is in a similar position to Reid in the House. Efforts to draft a consensus health care bill for a vote have been stalled for more than two weeks.

Pelosi Tries to Change the Name of the Public Option

The principal stumbling block in the House is an internal disagreement over terms for setting fees for doctors, hospitals and other health care providers treating patients with government-sold coverage.

Liberals want the government to set the rate unilaterally, pegged to the charges the government pays Medicare beneficiaries. Moderates want the government to negotiate with the providers in setting fees.

Pelosi favors the approach liberals want, but officials say she has all but concluded she cannot gain the necessary majority of 218 votes for it.

House Democrats also must resolve internal disagreements relating to abortion services and health care for immigrants before they can send the bill to the House floor for a vote.

[j_mcdonald-2009]

When over 70% of the public want a public option, those opposing are not moderates, they are conservatives.

The liberals and progressives would like single-payer.

The moderates would like a public option.

The conservatives would like meaningless "reform" (no public option).

And then there are the Republicans, who simply want the nation to fail, so they get their hands back into our pockets.

[saturn05]

Democrats are destroying the party. We have a chance to unite and stnd as one and keep out the kooky repubs. But know, as always, Dems are their own worse enemy.

[isl6187]

I have worked in health care for thirty for years and if anyone thinks inurance premiums will go down without the public option i have some swamp land to sell them.The insurance companies own us--rule who lives or dies.Even those of us who think we have coverage
do not--see whar happens when you have a life threatening illness.Those opposing reform are the congress members who belong to the insurance industry.Leiberman--go join Cheney at an undisclosed location PLEASE.

[bajajohn1]

The truth is the politicians against the health option are more concerned with passing health reform to benefit insurance companies to the detriment of the American public. We have to throw this people out of office. All of us must remember this betrayal of the public trust and throw this soul-less animals out of office. The majority of the American public want the Public Option. We are supposed to be nation of the people, for the people...not the health insurance industry.

[ibsteve2u]

Congress's moderate Democrats' and Republicans' primary goal seems to be to ensure that the insurance companies, HMOs, and the corrupt among our caregivers can continue to rip off the American people.

Period.

lolll...they should publish a fee schedule so that the American people can have some awareness of how many of us would have to get together to raise sufficient capital so that we, too, can buy our very own Blue Dog or overt Republican member of Congress.

[jc80013-01]

Note to our government: Pass heath care reform or be prepared to be found incompetent. For a long time now I have felt that at least the Legislative and Executive branch's of our system have been completely ineffective in managing domestic affairs. They can blow stuff up and tell other people how to live but can't seem to figure out how to deal with, homelessness, hunger and affordable health care at home. When asked to solve a problem both side seem more determined to make the other side look bad than they are about fixing the problem. Health Care is easy, the insurance companies have had a hundred years to get it right and chose to do what they do now. Take the fix out of their hands and make them really compete, and I think we will all be surprised at what they can accomplish. As far as the health care system itself, why are hospital groups publicly traded? The minute we allowed them to be publicly traded we made profits more important than care. Private hospitals competing for patients is what made the Doctors in the USA the best in the world at one time. Publicly traded hospital groups and insurance company collusion have sucked the incentives to become a Doctor dry. A Doctor can't make big money because the insurance companies, hospitals and drug companies have raided the consumers pockets already not to mention the Doctors pockets. So why should a smart student hassle with medicine, when they can become a lobbyist and make ten times the money?

[rightbehind]

It's okay! The baucus bill in the senate is poop anyway. 2010 Elections are coming soon. Just 13 months away! We get rid of the yellow dog democrats that call themselves blue dogs along with more republicans. We do it right and go single payer. No more co pays, no more 10 thousand dollar a day ICUs, no more 75 thousand dollar prosthetic limbs. We will hopefully get a list of the politicians that need to be sent packing and we move on!

[bajajohn1]

I would encourage people to find the right candidates that will do the public will to run against all incumbents opposing the Public Option. Get rid this people who serve money interests rathers than the public's interest....especially get rid of Judas Lieberman.

[fdd23]

"it's going to lower costs, provide better health insurance coverage and cover ... and reform the health insurance market."
this, according to senator baukus--what planet are you from!!!
this is going to increase taxes, raise premiums and provide less benefits than most americans currently have.
senator baukus, if this proposal is so damn good, then all members of congress should be willing to enroll in it--if you enroll, then i will enroll--period!!!

[bc-1948]

If you would ever listen to the facts, the "public option" is just - an option - there will be at least 3 levels of coverage that can be offered by private insurance companies - this bill just sets minimum standards rather than all the crap policies that are out there - sold by slick sales agents - thinking people have good coverage and find out they don't when they need it. Option - Option - look it up if you don't know what it means. Give me examples in all the other countries that have either public or public/private plans that have raised premiums and provided less benefits. Even Israel has universal coverage - Taiwan, Japan, England, France, Canada, Germany, and on and on and on.

And do some research - the hip joint technology was developed in France - other major items were developed in these countries - most of the new Rx drugs (other than the "look alikes" pushed when the patient runs out on the old drug) are being developed in other countries.

These bills are not for the poor - that is Medicaid - only marginally for the elderly - they Medicare - but these bills will close the Rx donut hole created by the Bush admininstration and provide for preventative screenings - to catch cancer and other diseases before they become a major problem.

The bill is for the middle class - who are struggling to pay their insurance - or have lost their insurance because only 31% of employers even offer it.

I am currently paying 21,000 for health insurance for myself and my wife. While we will be on Medicare when most of these provisions take effect, it is still the moral and Christian thing to do.

[jsd330]

There is no "PUBLIC OPTION" Keep up with the news. Pelosi says it's the "CONSUMER OPTION".

[apachekid]

Moderate Dems Balk at Senate Health Bill ...... Key Democrats Still Won't Fall in Line with Party Leaders, Leaving Much Work for Majority Leader Harry Reid. Good For Them - Somebody has finally Got it Right!


In the meantime - Our not My National Debt & My healthcare option, my fund raising trips, how to pay for bail outs, passing of my cap & trade tax, etc. you get the picture. My tax & spend Agenda. Now, Go out and Borrow, Spend, Charge & Run up your Personal Debt. I am doing my part by letting Big Oil get away with raising the price of Gasoline at the pumps on You. With more to come. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays & Happy New Year.

[the0racle]

These Dems are wolves in sheep's clothing. Their careers are over. Nobody said reform would be cheap. Citing our other bills as reasons not to push reform with a public option is misguided. The cost of unnecessary war far outweighs the cost of meaningful health care reform

[endurorob_5]

Nobody said reform would be cheap? One of the dems talking points on this is that it will reduce costs. An obvious lie but one that liberals have been using regularly to get support for this health care debacle.