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Lieberman May Torpedo Health Care Reform
Senate Democrats who thought they had found a workable compromise on health care reform learned otherwise from independent Sen. Joe Lieberman over the weekend.
The Connecticut senator, whose vote is critical to the bill's prospects, threatened Sunday to join Republicans in opposing health care legislation if it permits uninsured individuals as young to 55 to purchase Medicare coverage.
Lieberman expressed his opposition twice Sunday: first in an and more strongly later, according to Democratic officials, in a private meeting with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.
Reid, who is hoping to pass the legislation by Christmas, needs 60 votes to overcome Republican objections and has been counting on Lieberman to provide one.
But appearing on "Face the Nation," Lieberman said of the Medicare proposal, "Though I don't know exactly what's in it, 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.
"It will add taxpayer costs. It will add to the deficit. It's unnecessary," he added of a provision that Reid last week hailed as part of a breakthrough between liberals and moderates.
Democratic aides, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Lieberman later told Reid he would support a Republican-led filibuster against the bill if it contained the Medicare provision or permitted the government to sell insurance in competition with private companies.
The same aides added that Lieberman had responded differently last week when Reid asked him privately about the proposed Medicare provision. "He voiced support for the idea," said one official. Lieberman's public comments last week were also generally favorable. The aides spoke on condition of anonymity, saying they were not authorized to comment publicly.
In an interview that aired Sunday night - but was recorded last week - President Barack Obama voiced optimism about his call for sweeping legislation to expand coverage while cracking down on the insurance industry.
"I think it's going to pass out of the Senate before Christmas," he told CBS' "60 Minutes."
Republicans say that's unlikely.
"With the American people as overwhelmingly opposed to this bill as they are, for the Democrats to basically, arrogantly take the position that we're going to ignore public opinion and jam this through before Christmas, I think that's really a stretch," Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.,
If Lieberman follows through on his plans, he leaves Democrats with few options. Most obviously, they could strip out the provisions he opposes, and hope liberals overcome their inevitable unhappiness and vote for the bill. For that approach to have any chance of success, Mr. Obama would have to lobby heavily in its favor.
Democrats have some political leverage, however. Lieberman lost the Democratic nomination for re-election the last time he ran, in 2006, then won a new term as an independent. Even so, he retains his chairmanship of the Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee, a post he holds at the pleasure of the Democratic-controlled Senate.
Democratic Sens. Claire McCaskill of Missouri and Ben Nelson of Nebraska also expressed concern about the legislation.
"I'm concerned that it's the forerunner of single-payer - the ultimate single-payer plan, maybe even more directly than the public option," Nelson said of the Medicare proposal. By single-payer, he meant national health insurance run by Washington. Unlike Lieberman, Nelson participated in negotiations last week between liberals and moderates that produced the general framework that included the Medicare provision.
Nelson also is seeking stricter abortion restrictions than are currently in the bill.
"The whole reason we're doing this bill is to bring down cost, first for the American people in health care, and secondly for the deficit," said Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill of Missouri. "So until we get the numbers back from the Congressional Budget Office, we're all on hold."
Asked if she would vote against the bill if it raised health care costs overall, she said, "Absolutely."
Lieberman, Nelson and McConnell spoke on "Face the Nation." McCaskill was on "Fox News Sunday."
© 2009 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report. The Connecticut senator, whose vote is critical to the bill's prospects, threatened Sunday to join Republicans in opposing health care legislation if it permits uninsured individuals as young to 55 to purchase Medicare coverage.
Lieberman expressed his opposition twice Sunday: first in an and more strongly later, according to Democratic officials, in a private meeting with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.
Reid, who is hoping to pass the legislation by Christmas, needs 60 votes to overcome Republican objections and has been counting on Lieberman to provide one.
But appearing on "Face the Nation," Lieberman said of the Medicare proposal, "Though I don't know exactly what's in it, 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.
"It will add taxpayer costs. It will add to the deficit. It's unnecessary," he added of a provision that Reid last week hailed as part of a breakthrough between liberals and moderates.
Democratic aides, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Lieberman later told Reid he would support a Republican-led filibuster against the bill if it contained the Medicare provision or permitted the government to sell insurance in competition with private companies.
The same aides added that Lieberman had responded differently last week when Reid asked him privately about the proposed Medicare provision. "He voiced support for the idea," said one official. Lieberman's public comments last week were also generally favorable. The aides spoke on condition of anonymity, saying they were not authorized to comment publicly.
In an interview that aired Sunday night - but was recorded last week - President Barack Obama voiced optimism about his call for sweeping legislation to expand coverage while cracking down on the insurance industry.
"I think it's going to pass out of the Senate before Christmas," he told CBS' "60 Minutes."
Republicans say that's unlikely.
"With the American people as overwhelmingly opposed to this bill as they are, for the Democrats to basically, arrogantly take the position that we're going to ignore public opinion and jam this through before Christmas, I think that's really a stretch," Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.,
If Lieberman follows through on his plans, he leaves Democrats with few options. Most obviously, they could strip out the provisions he opposes, and hope liberals overcome their inevitable unhappiness and vote for the bill. For that approach to have any chance of success, Mr. Obama would have to lobby heavily in its favor.
Democrats have some political leverage, however. Lieberman lost the Democratic nomination for re-election the last time he ran, in 2006, then won a new term as an independent. Even so, he retains his chairmanship of the Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee, a post he holds at the pleasure of the Democratic-controlled Senate.
Democratic Sens. Claire McCaskill of Missouri and Ben Nelson of Nebraska also expressed concern about the legislation.
"I'm concerned that it's the forerunner of single-payer - the ultimate single-payer plan, maybe even more directly than the public option," Nelson said of the Medicare proposal. By single-payer, he meant national health insurance run by Washington. Unlike Lieberman, Nelson participated in negotiations last week between liberals and moderates that produced the general framework that included the Medicare provision.
Nelson also is seeking stricter abortion restrictions than are currently in the bill.
"The whole reason we're doing this bill is to bring down cost, first for the American people in health care, and secondly for the deficit," said Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill of Missouri. "So until we get the numbers back from the Congressional Budget Office, we're all on hold."
Asked if she would vote against the bill if it raised health care costs overall, she said, "Absolutely."
Lieberman, Nelson and McConnell spoke on "Face the Nation." McCaskill was on "Fox News Sunday."
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Nothing surprised me at all.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/12/16/politics/main5986187.shtml?tag=latest
He refused to show us that he is even authorized to be in the United States. Where is Homelaad Security. Obama wants to change our attention to other things to manipulate our minds. He is a con artist. This man has presented no documents to us to show he may be in the United States.AS a president nominee and pres elect he is madated to answer to the People. He is here illegally until he produces certificates which allow him to remain in the US. This is an issue for the Federal Courts, but they are not doing their jobs. He is NOT the President because he never was elgible. If you are NOT elgible, you certainly can't not progress to the next step. So this is not a Congress issue but is a people and Supreme Court issue. The Supreme Court did NOT do their duty. Shame on the US Suppreme Court.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/7513646/Obama-Birth-Certificate-Lawsuit
Span! Did he??? NO. Obama ran on he was agasint War. Was he? No;he can't send our troops fast enough. Obama said that we had to have the Bailout for the fat corporate Cats or we would go bankrupt. Who got the bonuses? Are there JOBS? no. Now Obama says if we don't have "reform" we will go bankrupt. He wants every penny and every stick of furntive. In 2010 he will be coming in the census to see where you and your furniture are located. Obama is NOT... our president and as he has shown us no proof, he is not any kind of citizen or even a VISA. Nor his aunt who is here illegally for years. Obama is laughing all the way to the bank.Alan Keys warned us. The media did not do their job and we did not know all this. Now we do and we must not let him take our freedom and our rights. Please kept an open mind about this.Obama only loves Obama.He says what each wants to hear; totally lies.
You used typical retreaded Republican lines that I've been hearing for years. I've read the bill it does not do what you said.
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Obama said that we had to have the Bailout for the fat corporate Cats or we would go bankrupt.
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It was Bush who said that. Again retreaded Republican statements.
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Obama is NOT... our president and as he has shown us no proof, he is not any kind of citizen or even a VISA
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The courts have thrown out lawsuits challenging that assertions and congress voted to say that Obama is an American citizen who is born in Hawaii and Factcheck.org has proven that; therefore your argument is dead in the water.
1. Himself Only
2. Israel Only
3. Attention: All Eyes On Me.
4. In Bed With Big Pharma & Private Insurance.
5. His Agenda is Obvious and He Does Little to Hide what his Agenda is.
Note: America & American's First, Not Joe Lieberman, Only as it Suits his Agenda. Cross Reference who Owns these Big Insurance Companies, You won't be Surprised. Trust Me.
That's a section of the Law that Requires every Single American Buy Private Health Insurance or Break the Law and Face Penalties and Fines.
______________
Thank Joltin, Joe Lieberman, he Got What He Wanted, ENJOY !!
_______________
There's No...
"Government Take Over Of Health Care"
There's Government Facilitation, Helping Private Insurance Companies Take Over The Entire Health Care Industry.
You will Not be Buying Government Health Insurance, You'll be Buying Private Health Care Insurance as MANDATED BY FEDERAL LAW, Since You Low Life Sea Slugs, wanted Private Health Insurance...
_______________
You Got What You Wanted.
Private Insurance Companies have [[WON]]
All You Tea Party People & Republicans,
You can All Go Out and Celebrate That Fact..
The Big Insurance Companies will Get BIGGER & RICHER...
AT YOUR EXPENSE
Brings New Clarity to the Country Group, by the Name of...
"BIG & RICH"...Huh
PS:Just like Auto & MotorCycle Insurance, You have it or You'll Go To [[JAIL]]
Nothing kept the Democrats from putting in the BILL that they could not deny nor resrict medical care from the very sick people; but they did not, in fact "they put in the Bill" that the INSURANCE companies "COULD DENY care" to the very sick patients. Don't tell me; this was NO help for the sick and the poor; don't you believe that lie; this was for Husseim Obama II's dream of destroying the US and bringing in Communism and Marxist. Both of these exist in many countries, including Kenya; all you go.. who want this type of gov., and take Reid, Pelosi, and Hussien Obama II de-facto with you.
That's a section of the Law that Requires every Single American Buy Private Health Insurance or Break the Law and Face Penalties and Fines.
______________
Thank Joltin, Joe Lieberman, he Got What He Wanted, ENJOY !!
_______________
There's No...
"Government Take Over Of Health Care"
There's Government Facilitation, Helping Private Insurance Companies Take Over The Entire Health Care Industry.
You will Not be Buying Government Health Insurance, You'll be Buying Private Health Care Insurance as MANDATED BY FEDERAL LAW, Since You Low Life Sea Slugs, wanted Private Health Insurance...
_______________
You Got What You Wanted.
Private Insurance Companies have [[WON]]
Let You Tea Party People & Republicans,
Now All of You Can Go Out and Celebrate That Fact..
The Big Insurance Companies will Get BIGGER & RICHER...
AT YOUR EXPENSE
Brings New Clarity to the Country Group, by the Name of...
"BIG & RICH"...Huh
As best I can figure out they will increase who is covered but will do nothing to reduce the cost, Taxes will increase and debt5 will still go up because of using increased revenues to reduce our debt we use it to increase coverage without reducing cost of health care.
This is a guess, No one really knows. Senate dems want to pass a bill before the details get out that might turn people off though polls now show over 60% of Americans oppose the bill. why in God's name would the democrats the party of the people ignore what most Americans want more jobs and less spending by govt. Instead we are getting higher taxes and more spending. Most recent omnibus reconciliation bill increased govt budgets tremendously.
House will increase borrowing limits to 14 trillion!! I was just talking to a state worker here in NJ who stated she would have her pay cut 10%. On the other hand the number of federal workers earning over 100 thousand will go up 16% in the last 18 mos and where I work at SSA they are hiring and have almost unlimited overtime,
a