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!
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.
ReplyDeleteI 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 ;-)