From Think Progress:
Fortunately, there is at least one “Blue Dog” member who understands this contradiction and is willing to break from her coalition to support a public plan. On MSNBC this afternoon, Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D-CA) said, “I am one of those people who believes that we should be required to have a public option because it will bring the costs of health care down."
And the Hill reports:
Band of House centrists offers support for ‘robust’ public health insurance plan
By Mike Soraghan
Posted: 07/09/09 07:20 PM [ET]
A band of 22 New Democrat and Blue Dog lawmakers say they support a “robust” government-run health plan, boosting chances of moving healthcare reform with a public insurance plan through the House.
Democratic centrists remain the biggest obstacle to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s (D-Calif.) ability to pass a healthcare bill with a public plan, and many conservative Democrats oppose a public option as unfair to private insurers.
But the letter from the 22 New Dems and Blue Dogs indicates opposition from this group is far from universal.
“We have a broader coalition to pass this than what was assumed before,” said Rep. Lois Capps (Calif.), a New Democrat who circulated the letter supporting a public option with Rep. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.). “While we may belong to a more moderate branch, we want it known that we support the public option.” More at link
Keep the pressure on!
1 comment:
I do believe the issue of health care reform will create a rift in the Blue Dogs and separate the Democratic/Republican Blue Dogs from the Republican/Democrat Blue Dogs. I think it will split them like Palin is splitting the republicans. Basically we'll see which of the Blue Dogs place humanity before money and power.
I bet you are right toniD, Hillary must have called Sanchez and said "WTF are you doing not supporting a strong public option!?!?!?". Yeah I hear ol' Hillary talks like a sailor when she's around her buds. I'm kidding, I'm kidding! (She saves the expletives for her old man ;-)
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