New Progressive Memo Sent Around Hill Warns Against Finance Committee Health Care

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/09/25/new-progressive-memo-sent_n_299799.html

Sam Stein

New Progressive Memo Sent Around Hill Warns Against Finance Committee Health Care

First Posted: 09-25-09 10:31 AM | Updated: 09-25-09 10:53 AM

In a late-game push to pass the public option, progressive groups are trying to convince Democrats that it would be political suicide to pass a bill requiring people to buy insurance coverage but not giving them the choice of a government-run plan.

A memo making the rounds on Capitol Hill makes the case that the current construct of the Senate Finance Committee's legislation - which includes an individual mandate but no public option - will be resoundingly opposed by the American public.

Commissioned by the progressive-leaning Health Care for America Now - and obtained by the Huffington Post - the piece is based on three new polls conducted by reputable polling firms in swing House districts and the state of Maine.

"Nationally," the memo reads, "voters oppose a mandate to purchase private insurance by 64% to 34% but support a mandate with a choice of private or public insurance by 60% to 37%... Each found that likely 2010 voters oppose 'requiring everyone to buy and be covered by a private health insurance plan' but support 'requiring everyone to buy and be covered by a health insurance plan with a choice between a public option and private insurance plans.'"

In a not-so-subtle message to Senate Democrats, the memo concludes with a warning shot at the Senate Finance Committee's legislation - which seems unlikely to include a public plan.

MORE AT LINK INCLUDING PDF OF MEMO

If this Congress screws up on healthcare and/or banking regulation, members will be voted out.

that, on the whole, leaves many ordinary people worse off financially -- or (here) in terms of affordable, available healthcare (ie, what's "reformed") -- promises to be a problem for us.

Of course, if many people (ie, that might potentially, conceivably, actually vote Democratic) "perceive" (or are induced to "perceive") that they're worse off because of the (some) "reform", then this -- regardless of whether or not it's accurate -- also promises to be a problem for us.

So we must pass a good bill -- and then defend it against the expected ruthless attacks.

(Compromise is one thing; rolling-over is another.)

:bounce:

This meaningless infighting is going to ruin any chance of victory for the Administration - have faith that whatever the Administration and our Dem Leaders in congress decide will be for the benefit of all of us faithful followers.

;)

another DUer speaking of the Progressive Caucus in another thread. Some of the posts here lately against a public option are unbelievable.

:pals: