Ad Attacks Obama On Public Option

Dems Say They Have The 60 Votes On Senate Health Care Bill

Working overnight in the blizzard, today Senate Democrats announced that they have the necessary 60 votes to approve the health care reform bill. The news came this morning after Sen. Bill Nelson (D-NE) agreed to vote for cloture.

“Change is never easy, but change is what’s necessary in America,” Mr. Nelson said at a morning news conference. “And that’s why I intend to vote,” he said, “for health care reform.” Mr. Obama, appearing on television from the White House, said: “Today is a major step forward for the American people. After nearly a century-long struggle, we are on the cusp of making health care reform a reality in the United States of America.” The blinding snow outside the Capitol added to what had already been a chaotic few weeks for the Senate, which has met every day since Nov. 30 and prepared to work through its third consecutive weekend.

The sergeant-at-arms had four-wheel drive vehicles at the ready to bring lawmakers in for votes. And while senators wore the jackets and ties required on the Senate floor, dress shoes gave way to boots. Mr. Nelson committed his vote after winning tighter restrictions on insurance coverage for abortions, as well as increased federal health care aid for his state. With Senate leaders increasingly confident that they would pass the bill, Mr. Nelson pointedly warned that he would oppose the final version if negotiations with the House, which approved its bill last month, result in changes that he does not like.

No Republicans are supporting the bill, so unless a Democrat retreats, it will be approved by a filibuster-proof 60-40. Last month the House approved its own version of the bill, but progressive members there may resist the changes made by the Senate, including the dropping of the public option.

In place of the public option, the Senate bill would create at least two new national health insurance plans modeled after those offered to federal workers, including members of Congress, and overseen by a federal agency, the Office of Personnel Management. At least one of those new plans would have to operate on a nonprofit basis. The bill includes a new government-run long-term care insurance program. And it imposes tight new regulations on the health insurance industry, barring insurers from denying coverage based on pre-existing medical conditions and limiting how much extra they can charge people based on their age.

Republicans are expected to force a complete reading of the hundreds of pages-long bill into the Senate record, a possibly days-long delaying tactic meant to give wobbly Democrats time to change their mind before the final vote.

DNC Vs. RNC On Health Care

U.S. House Passes Health Care Reform, GOP Calls Bill "Dead On Arrival" In Senate

Late last night the U.S. House narrowly approved its version of the health care reform bill by a vote of 220-215. Only one Republican, first termer Rep. Joseph Cao (LA), voted yes and 39 Democrats voted no. Roll call here.

A triumphant Speaker Nancy Pelosi likened the legislation to the passage of Social Security in 1935 and Medicare 30 years later. "Oh, what a night!" she proclaimed at the beginning of a press conference held after the vote. Obama issued a statement saying, "I look forward to signing it into law by the end of the year."

"It provides coverage for 96 percent of Americans. It offers everyone, regardless of health or income, the peace of mind that comes from knowing they will have access to affordable health care when they need it," said Rep. John Dingell, the 83-year-old Michigan lawmaker who has introduced national health insurance in every Congress since succeeding his father in 1955.

In the run-up to a final vote, conservatives from the two political parties joined forces to impose tough new restrictions on abortion coverage in insurance policies to be sold to many individuals and small groups. They prevailed on a roll call of 240-194. Ironically, that only solidified support for the legislation, clearing the way for conservative Democrats to vote for it.

The legislation would require most Americans to carry insurance and provide federal subsidies to those who otherwise could not afford it. Large companies would have to offer coverage to their employees. Both consumers and companies would be slapped with penalties if they defied the government's mandates.

President Obama is predicting that the Senate will pass the bill too, but Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) calls the House's bill "dead on arrival."

The president, in brief remarks from the Rose Garden in Washington, said the 220-215 House vote brings the country closer than it's ever been to a health care overhaul. Obama said the "historic" passage marked a "courageous vote" for many representatives, given the toxicity of the debate surrounding the bill, and predicted that lawmakers will view the eventual signing of the legislation as their "finest moment" in public service. "Now it falls on the United States Senate to take the baton and bring this effort to the finish line on behalf of the American people," Obama said. "And I'm absolutely confident that they will."

But key senators suggested such optimism could be premature, with Republicans enjoying stronger numbers in the Senate and important differences between the House and Senate legislation still unresolved. "The House bill is dead on arrival in the Senate," Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said on CBS' "Face the Nation," noting that 39 Democrats "bailed out" on the bill Saturday night. "It was a bill written by liberals for liberals. ... So the House bill is a non-starter in the Senate." The Senate is not considering the House bill at the moment. The chamber has its own version of the legislation, which includes a different version of a government-backed health insurance plan, or "public option," and different funding mechanisms. But the differences between the two bills would have to be reconciled should the Senate approve its proposal.

Sen. Orrin Hatch: Health Care Reform Will Destroy The Two-Party System

Today Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) said that health care reform could mean the end of America's two-party system, because everybody will come to depend on Democrats to stay alive. Or something.

Hatch asserted that the health bills, which he believes represent a "step-by-step approach to socialized medicine," will lead to Americans' dependence on Democrats for their health and other issues. "And if they get there, of course, you're going to have a very rough time having a two-party system in this country, because almost everybody's going to say, 'All we ever were, all we ever are, all we ever hope to be depends on the Democratic Party,' " Hatch said during an interview with the conservative CNSNews.com. "That's their goal," Hatch added. "That's what keeps Democrats in power." That claim led Hatch to suggest that some Democrats are "diabolical" in their pursuit of health reform. "Do I believe they're that diabolical? I don't believe most of them are, but I think some of them are," Hatch said. "Maybe diabolical's too harsh of a word, but the fact is, they really, really believe in socialized medicine."

If socialized medicine could cause the end of the GOP, I'd almost say 'bring it on,' except that what replaces them could be much worse.

Maddow Vs. Joe Lieberman

Follow the bouncing ball as insurance stocks rollercoastered yesterday on the news that Sen. Joe Lieberman would filibuster against a public option.

Sen. Lindsey Graham Promises That Public Option Will Die In Senate

Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL) To Name Names (Of The Dead....)

Weeks after he announced that the GOP plan for health care reform was for people to "die quickly," Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL) is unveiling a website titled Names Of The Dead, where families and loved ones can share stories about those lost due to lack of proper health care access.

"Every year, more than 44,000 Americans die simply because [they] have no health insurance," the Website says. "I have created this project in their memory. I hope that honoring them will help us end this senseless loss of American lives. If you have lost a loved one, please share the story of that loved one with us. Help us ensure that their legacy is a more just America, where every life that can be saved will be saved." Grayson's comment on the House floor last month that "Republicans want you to die quickly if you get sick" drew immediate condemnation from Republicans -- but has made him something of a hero to some on the left. He has refused to apologize for his comment, and has stepped up his criticism by saying that he would only apologized "to the dead and their families" because of "this holocaust in America."

Olbermann: 57% Want Public Option

As usual, Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-NY) says it well. He's also been a great ally of the LGBT community and has shown up at every anti-bashing rally I've attended.

Barney Frank On Joy Behar

Barney Frank talks to Joy Behar about health care reform, then at the 4:00 mark, defends his comments ripping the National Equality March.

Prank: Sen. Max Baucus' Vote For Public Option For Sale On eBay

(Tipped by JMG reader Peter)

Michael Moore: Dems Have No Spine

Maddow On Public Option Vote

At yesterday's Senate committee vote against the public option in health care reform, GOP senators cited studies from a right-wing think tank and an insurance company astroturf group as evidence that the public option would lead to "denial of care" and "rationing." Surprise!

Senate Committee Rejects Public Option

Moments ago:

Members of the Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday rejected an amendment to a sweeping health-care overhaul bill that would have created a government-run insurance plan option. Authored by Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., the amendment failed by a vote of 15 to 8. Rockefeller said a so-called "public option" would have offered a competitor to private insurance companies.

Congratulations to the deathers, the teabaggers, the GOP, World Net Daily, the wealthy, the Christianists, the well-insured and everybody else who said, "Fuck you, poor people, I gots mine."

Howard Dean: It's Do Or Die For Public Option In Senate Today

Into The Belly Of The Beast

Edward Kimmel of Takoma Park, Maryland took his life in his hands by marching into the teabaggers in DC waving a "Public Option Now!" flag. Park Service police had to rescue Kimmel and escort him out.

Mr. President, Ignore The Crazy People

Uninsured father, filmmaker, and writer Lee Stranahan pleads with the president to ignore the crazies and support the public option in his upcoming national speech on health care reform. Watch this.

Olbermann On Public Option Back-off

Keith Olbermann reports that the White House is asking progressives to "be good soldiers" and play along as the public option back-off continues.