Hoyer: Public option may have to go

Source: Politico.com

A day after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said that health reform won’t get through the House without a public option, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer said Friday that the public option may have to go in order to get a bill passed.

“I’m for a public option but I’m also for passing a bill,” Hoyer told reporters on a conference call. “We believe the public option is a necessary, useful and very important aspect of this, but we’ll have to see because there are many other important aspects of the bill as well.”

In San Francisco on Thursday, Pelosi said: "There's no way I can pass a bill in the House of Representatives without a public option.”

The seemingly contradictory comments highlight the pressure on some Democratic members, particularly those from conservative districts. Members have faced rowdy crowds in town hall meetings across the country during the August recess.




Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0809/26335.html

negotiations.

It never had a chance.

Hoyer should give up his public insurance.

If we'd gotten behind that bill back in June, we'd have legislation in conference by now.

Actually that was how he treated the Single payer univeral supporting doctors during one of his kangaroo court insurance company 'stake holder' meetings.

Had we started the ball at universal single payer we could have more easily "compromised" on public option.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/08/20/new-poll-77-percent-suppo_n_264375.html

Riddle me this: If almost 80% of their constituents want a public option, what the hell are they doing and why?

My SO's company closed in May. He is not eligible for COBRA because his company was too small. To get on my insurance would cost $513 per month, HALF of his unemployment benefit. So he's without health care.

What the hell good is a bill that won't cover him somehow? He's paid in to the system since he was 20 years old, now he's left high and dry.

to those who have difficulty affording coverage, allows early buy-in to Medicare, eliminates Medicare coverage wait for disabled then the reform is worthwhile with or without a public option. That isn't to say I wouldn't prefer a public option but I'm not willing to sacrifice the other reforms to get it.

I would love to see a public option, hell, I would like to see single payer, but rejecting the good, or even the OK, because it is not perfect is just not very smart nor mature. If all the things that you mention (and there a few others equally important that are being discussed, such as the elimiantion of the yearly and life-time caps) are achieved, it will still a major achievement. A blood, sweat, and lots of frustrated tears kind of achievement.

More like sacrificing the unacceptable for being unacceptable. The finance committees bill is the insurance lobby's bill. This IS unacceptable

for a determination that you are in fact disabled. That takes a while. The disability cash payment payment is retroactive, up to --i think--six months. But Medicare is not retroactive.

So, say, you are disabled because of a bad car accident. You're taken to the hospital. Then, you are taken to a rehab hospital. Bills run up unbelievably.

When you get well enough, you apply for disability and Medicare. If found eligible--not always as easy as you might think--you'll get maybe $1200 a month retroactive to the date of the accident or for six months, whichever is less. And you will get Medicare going forward. But, you'll still be stuck with your hospital bills.

Even if you were to apply for welfare to tide you over until your disability is determined, Medicaid is not retroactive.

I'm in a similar situation except my husband is paying for Cobra. Adding him to my health insurance is not something we can afford right now.

keep raising prices until no one can afford any kind of health care. The biggest percentage increases in their profits and fees have come since Hillarycare failed.

And then resign from your position so DeGette can take your position as Majority Whip - she's my rep, and she does a admirable job as a Chief Deputy Whip.

Hawkeye-X

That's his number

I live in Maryland and found his remark disgusting. I am sure many here reacted the same.

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n/t

and call it reform. the story of american government.

i hope obama's learning a lesson - the democrats in congress need arm-twisting and steamrolling, not respect.

We should have fought for a complete "government takeover" of the healthcare system ala the VA, i.e. government doctors and funding and all...and then we should have "settled" for private doctors and hospitals, but with government funding, i.e. single payer.

Steny, we here in Maryland just may see to it that you go from Congress when it's time to vote for your sorry ass again.

Maryland wants the public option asshole.

on Bloomberg TV. He says bill will contain a 'Robust Public Option' later he states "There is real Strong Support in the House for a Public Option".

WTF??? That was just 3 weeks ago and they've been on vacation pretty much since then. When asked about 'co-ops', he says the PO will be there but States are welcome to set up co-ops if they wish.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ow9D-x-ZJMc

Contact the flip flopping POS here:

Phone - (202) 225-4131
Fax - (202) 225-4300

No Public Option Steny Boy and you can stick the rest of the bill up your arse!

The Blue Dogs won't vote for a bill that has a public option. Meanwhile the progressives won't vote for a bill that doesn't have one. And of course the GOP votes against any bill. Under that depressing scenario, there will be no bill passed because there won't be enough votes.

IMO.

eom

but it's better to get it right.

No bill will be offered up for a vote. If that happens the American people will be howling mad at the congress and next year and with more people loosing their coverage and insurance premiums and deductibles skyrocketing, change will come.

I can't help but think this was the plan all along. It was the only way the DLC/Centrists/Blue Dogs (of which Obama is a proud member) could give the appearance of "fighting" for health care (so as not to piss off the electorate) while in reality continuing to serve their corporate masters the private insurance companies and big pharma. Meanwhile, they can shrug and say, "we tried" BUT if you'll devote your time and money and votes and get us elected we PROMISE we'll "try" it again. The funny thing is there will be millions of people who fall for it.

Boomers will know this reference: "Peace is at hand." Same category.

children's money to war contractors, our grandchildren's money to banks, our great-grandchildren's money to the stimulus and our great great grandchildren's money to the auto industry.

Not saying that Is Obama's fault. He inherited a mess and was trying to save the American and global economies from a black hole. Sure, Congress and Obama both could have done smarter legislation, but all those ships have sailed. This is the people's turn. It should be single payer, which would really help both the economy and human beings. But it damned well be AT LEAST a strong public option.

I am not about to see my great great great grandchildren's mooney transferred (again) to health insurance companies, PHRMA, hospitals and the AMA and call it health care reform. Not and ever vote Democratic again.

WE did our part. Almost 60% of Congress is Democratic. So is 60% of the Senate. So is 100% of the WH. Almost 80% of America just polled wanting a public option. If Democrats cannot figure out a way to do the right thing with those kinds of numbers, maybe they don't deserve my vote and my dollars. If Democrats are too corrupt to do the right thing with those kinds of numbers, they for sure don't deserve my vote or one Red cent (pun intended).

So her idea that "...I can pass a bill ...." leaves out the other 216 members she needs to pass anything. Kinda reminds me of this concept of a "Unitary Executive" - which is a whole lot more supportable than a "Unitary House".

I don't see the quote or the sentiment implied in the story line?

a gaggle of "elected" officials in Congress completely unaccountable to the people thanks to the privatization of our elections.:grr:

Did I miss something..? Pelosie no longer in charge?



"A day after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said that health reform won’t get through the House without a public option, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer said Friday that the public option may have to go in order to get a bill passed.

Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0809/26335.html#ixzz0Oqccfjb6"


someone help me ... is house speaker not synonymous with majority leader? Who is the boss?

If 38 Democrats refuse to vote for a bill that has no Republican support, the bill will not pass.

Democrats unify with each other and also to wrangle as many Republican votes as they can. But, that's when they don't act like traitors and clowns.

You have to go not PUBLIC OPTION

Just to say "hey we passed heath care reform"???? No public option = no bill worth passing. End of story.

I've said so all along, ever since his preposterous name appeared on public notices.

And when it comes to preposterous names, I've had several.

Hey Sten, you mind pissing on that united front that seems to be forming in the House?

So let's get somebody in there with some resolve and drive since Steny is unable to perform.

And numbskulls like Hoyer don't seem to realize how close they are pushing toward breaking it.

What do you choose?

Right...it's a no brainer.

Adios, Steny.

He may be breaking the news that the blue dogs will kill a PO bill and the progressives will kill a bill without a PO. Without repub votes (highly unlikely - except they may let just enough R's vote for the no PO option just to screw the progressives)then no health care bill will pass this year.

What in the hell is wrong with these people?? Every hour there is a new contradiction.

What makes them think they should get a public option funded by taxpayers while they so cavalierly deny the same thing to the taxpayers who subsidize their coverage. People are dying because they don't have access to affordable medical care and this is the best these people can do?? Come on.

You know what? I'm liking term limits more and more now, never was crazy about term limits before but these people have woken me the hell up. They are far too comfortable and too far removed from reality to do the job they were hired to do.

The Repugs knew where they could get a compromise.

as you possibly can. It may not work, but we have nothing to lose. Make it clear that the public option will determine whether you are a Democrat or whether you will be voting third party in 2010 and thereafter.

....you don't seem to get it....a strong Public Option is the absolute bare-bones minimum most of us will accept....Single Payer is what we need, want and deserve....this is the 111th Congress' IWR vote times ten....

....we've spent all of our lives working, voting, waiting for the day that we, as Americans, would receive the same fair equable healthcare service any Canadian, French, British or even Cuban citizen enjoys....we're tired of being second class world citizens in the worlds richest nation....and dying because of corporate greed and political corruption....

"...the public option may have to go in order to get a bill passed."

....then you will have go in order for us to get true healthcare reform passed in the 112th Congress....

over four hundred crooks taking bribes,is it any wonder they can't serve the public that sent them to Washington.

Healthcare is a FUNDAMENTAL HUMAN RIGHT, not a commodity!

always quoted Will Rogers comment about not belonging to any organized political party, but I've never seem disarray like this. It's ludicrous. Unless Pelosi and Hoyer are really teamed behind the scenes and this is some ploy on their parts.

As for you, Steny, bite me. Wrong trial balloon.

We did our part, in spades. 256 of the 434 Democrats in Congress are Democrats, if you and pelosi can't get a bill passed with that kind of a majority, you don't really deserve leadership positions or even important committee posts. And that is what I will be hammering my Rep with if I don't see a strong public option passing Congress.

We might not get another chance to put the public option in for a long time if not now.