WASHINGTON (CNN) - The Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday rejected an amendment to include a government-run public health insurance option in the only compromise health care bill so far.
The amendment by Democratic Sen. Jay Rockefeller of West Virginia fell by a 15-8 vote, with committee chairman Sen. Max Baucus of Montana and four other Democrats joining all 10 Republicans in opposing the measure.
The other Democrats voting against the public option amendment were Sens. Blanch Lincoln of Arkansas, Bill Nelson of Florida, Kent Conrad of North Dakota, and Tom Carper of Delaware.
It was one of two amendments for a public option proposed by Democrats, and the committee immediately began debate on the second amendment proposed by Sen. Charles Schumer, D-New York.
Baucus explained he liked much about the idea of a public option, but he knew a health care bill containing the provision would fail to win enough support in the full Senate to overcome a Republican filibuster.
"I fear if this provision is in the bill, it will hold back meaningful reform this year," Baucus said.
UPDATE: The Schumer amendment on the public option also failed. It drew the support of 10 Democrats, including Carper and Nelson. Baucus, Conrad and Lincoln joined the GOP vote against it.
From CNN Politics
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Wow! I guess that's that!
I say we get those Democrats names- and start working on them hard- this is unacceptable- and we are going to lose alot of seats in 2010 if these people dont get on the ball!! Something like 65% of Americans support a public option- who are they representing if not the majority of their constituents?? This is very dissapointing and this is just the beginning!
Maybe the politicians are finally listening to us Americans!!!!! Now, lets see who keeps their job on the next election!
So we the reset of the people are not able to CHOOSE the OPTION of PAYING for a public plan like those republican senators and five senators currently enjoy.
Well Mad Max gave a big win to the Insurance compaines all that lobbying and money thrown to him payed off! CNN PLEASE LIST THE OTHER DEMOCRATS THAT VOTED NO So they can start looking for new Jobs and to the People of Montana VOTE THAT BUM BAUCUS OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid will bankrupt this nation easily enough without adding another massive, reform-proof taxpayer entitlement to them!
If you want to bring down prices and increase competition, allow people to buy insurance across state lines.
Tissues... get your tissues here, demmies...
It's pretty obvious what needs to happen next....When there's another "teaparty", there needs to be counter-demonstration in support of the truth, that Americans support health care reform, that Americans support President Obama.
We've all heard enough from the nay-saying Republican party who's in utter desperation to sway voters next year; who have been trying like the dickens to create the false perception that President Obama is a failure and that health care reform is not what Americans want, when Americans DO want substantial reform.
I'm not here to convince anti-Obamabots that they should reconsider their positions... but to point out that all of their arguments against President Obama are based on outright lies and innuendo.
The government should not allow the private sector to continue to manupulate the American people and place more emphasis on profit than good health. A government run initiative should be available with the private insurance industry. Members of the senate are either scared of these riotious individuals or have equally been bought.
Baucus, you and all of your blue dog buddies are the one's who are holding back meaningful reform this year. It is painfully obvious that you are killing a public option because you are in the pockets of the insurance companies. God Bless America, bribery at it's best.
IT'S BECOMING INCREASINGLY CLEAR THAT THESE DEMOCRATS THAT OPPOSED THE PUBLIC OPTION BE VOTED OUT! WE WILL NEVER GET ANYTHING DONE!
Put in Democrats that will actually vote like they're Democrats and are not being paid to go against what the people want.
IDIOTS!
Without a public option there is no meaningful reform, just an insurance industry money-grab. Baucus is bought and paid for; he must go.
Let the party of "No!" filibuster. It is important to let Americans know who is on the take of the health care industry. Big mistake, Baucus.
I saw the vote come down on the Rockefeller amendment, and felt like the blue dogs just punched me in the gut. However it seems like there is more support for the Shumer amendment. .... but we will see how the final vote
And they prove yet again that they don't have the peoples best interests at heart but would rather try to live up to some imaginary ideal. They'd rather people die from lack of proper health care than actually do their jobs.
Hey Chucky Schummer,
Have you checked the POLLS lately?
You don't have a clue to what most americans want and don't want.
Time for you to MOVE ON.
VOTE SCHUMMER OUT
Max, giving the insurance companies billions of dollars with no checks or balances is not what we need.
No public option? I guess those of us without insurance will stay without it. Is that "meaningful reform"?
Thank god for people who represent citizens and NOT their political party. Kudos Baucas! You are a real Senator!
If they are smart they will keep voting NO!
no public opion plan – Omana will be a one time preseident – unfortunately.
So much for being for the American Citizen....good for me, my stock just jumped a $1.10 after the news went out!
I give credit to Senators Schumer and Rockefeller.
At least they gave it a shot.
The Democrats who voted for the public option need to be voted out of office.
I am sick of the Democrats. Why can't they stick together like the Republicans, oh I forgot, the Republicans look out for their cause and their party and the Democrats only look out for themselves.
I guess Rockefeller knows what it is like to argue with right wing idiots. It has to be like talking to your dining room table.
Of course Max Baucus is going to oppose anything that hurts the profits of his overlords, the insurance companies.
For those who opposed the public option in this committee vote, we now know who to contact and express our support for the public option.
I meant the Democrats who voted AGAINST the public option need to be voted out of office.
Just wait till the Healthcare for illegals amendment hits and you think the public option won't die! Democrats pandering for votes already, what will they do now without ACORN funneling our tax dollars for their voter registration and campaign funds?
"I fear if this provision is in the bill, it will hold back meaningful reform this year," Baucus said.
And that, "my friends," is what is called circular logic, because WITHOUT A PUBLIC OPTION IN THE BILL, IT IS NOT MEANINGFUL REFORM. This is what the GOP has been fighting for from the get-go: a stillborn reform effort that they can later claim was a giant failure. It will be a failure if there is no public option...I guarantee it. But you you see, at the point where it matters most, when Baucus' dead fetus of a bill has failed and we're all in the gutter because health care costs have gone to the moon, it will be too late....and at that point, nobody will consider a public option because they'll be afraid of any more reform that might fail. I hope everyone enjoys their indentured servitude to the insurance giants....it's what's coming next.
Like President Obama said, it's a small part of the bill. The important thing is that we reform and take back health care from those money hungry people.
Max Baucus is a coward.
Never is always a good time for Republicans and Democrats. Just ask the millions of gay citizens of this country, the millions of citizens without health insurance, the millions of immigrant families in immigration limbo hell, the millions in favor of stricter banking regulations, the millions wanting sex education in schools and the millions of doctors begging for tort reform. You see, the list can really go on and on and on...
I hope voters in the states where 'Naysayers' live are taking notes....The Democratic party has no place for Blue Dogs....They should rename themselves the Poodle Party because they are all bark and no bite.....Even Joe the Plumber had the guts to vocalize and stick to his convictions (Until he couldn't take the Repubs anymore and left) Choose ye this day, Blue Dogs.....Whom will you serve, Republicans or Democrats?
Only in America can a billionaire from Australia control media that 40% view each day. The scary parts are that he is fond of China and their record on human rights, and he was a big Bushie.
BAUCUS YOU MOUTH-PIECE!
There IS NO MEANINGFUL REFORM WITHOUT A STRONG PUBLIC OPTION!
FIRE BAUCUS THE INSURANCE WATER CARRIER, SCRAP THE BILL.
Your gettin screwed America......and Uncle insurance is still gonna make you beg for Grandma's Chemo Money.
Strong Public Option Now.......anything else is a JOKE.
or Fire each and every one of them, get their names and vote these Insurance pawns OUT....VOTE BAUCUS OUT and VOTE HIS ILK OUT.
Strong Public Option NOW
The answer is no – with a smile of course!
MAX!
Without the public option there is no reform! Period.
Thank god they finally got the message.
The public option was the worst idea I've ever heard of.
1300 insurance companies and somehow one more would create competition? Go sell crazy elsewhere.
Then they were going to raise taxes on health insurance companies like BCBS in order to pay for the public option. Now THAT would be fair! Tax your competition in order to fund your plan.
All this so GM can dump their employees into tax payer funded insurance.
Now, come up with real reform like private co-ops for small businesses
On what side are you Mr. Baucus? All those dmocrats who voted no are to be fired!
Sen. Baucus you will be re-elected.
Health Care Insurance Reform, Yes.
Public Option, No.
The names of the Dems that sided with the insurance companies should be posted.
Max Baucus, Kent Conrad, and Blanche Lincoln have always been in the back pocket of greedy insurance.
I am surprised and disappointed in Sen. Carper from Deleware.
And Sen. Bill Nelson can forget any more support from this voter's family in FL.
Shame on them all.
I see, so the Baucus "reasoning" is "I'd rather pass complete garbage than pass nothing"? Good thinking retard. I guess he thinks an ineffective and, ultimately, dangerous bill that might do more damage than good as a direct result of that lack of efficacy is better than no bill at all.
I promise you this Baucus: you may think you're making a name for yourself with this absolute crap, but in 10 years when health care costs have gone the route that all economists are predicting, with massive inflation ruining everyone's lives, etc., despite your spinelss bill getting passed, the only name you're going to have is Mud. We will hate you for this.
Lame...they should investigate all the Senators who voted no and see how much money they got from the lobbyists. Baucus is a tool with no backbone.
I hope Montana gets rid of Baucus – he is NOT for US citizens. He must have sold out to the Insurance Companys' money.
Max Baucus and the others who voted against the public option are bought and paid for by big insurance. That is the truth and everyone on the Hill knows it. What a sad excuse for leadership.
without the public option you might as well give it up and let the republicans gloat that they won. what a shame it is to have the democrats in power and yet the republicans are running the show. why can't the dems step up to the plate an do the job they were elected to do!!! we are out here mr. president supporting you so now YOU DO THE SAME FOR US!!!
The bigger fear Mr. Baucus is if this provision is not in the bill the Democrats will face a filibuster by the American people in 2010!!
A sad day for the working poor and the middle class.
Yes, there are some smart people in congress!!!!
If we get pelosi and reid out and put in , pretty much anyone, that too would increase the general intellect of congress.
Of course they did. The Senate, including Democrats, is more concerned with protecting corporate America than in protecting the health of American citizens. The bill as written is nothing but a giveaway to health insurance companies.
And what is meaningful reform Mr. Baucus? Letting the insurance companies continue to have their giant profits in an industry they clearly don't belong? Shame on you. I hope someday someone very close to you has to declare bankruptcy after their insurance company denies paying for something related to their health that they desperately need. Then you will know sir what it feels like to be on the other side of the debate for a public option. It's such a shame that the people who have the ability to change policy for the good of the people are bought by Big Business and used as thier puppets. Shame on you Mr. Baucus, you closet Republican.
Why are the democrats so worried what the Republicans think? You have the majority, use it! They will bend over backwards for the GOP and they will still get no bipartisan support. If ever there was a time to bun a bridge it's now. Include a PUBLIC OPTION!
What is wrong with you guys? The public option is crucial for HCR. Let's vote you all out of office and put people ion there who are not afraid of change and losing their campaign funds from the insurance industry. Really, how can you sleep at night?
This is a mistake. I don't want to give one red cent to the insurance companies without a way to create more competition for them. They have enough of my money and I get zero service.
Why are these democrats who voted against the bill in office for? Obviously they are not representing the majority of American's who wants a Public Option. I hope you all lose your seats in the next elections and replaced by real democats. You guys are pathetic.
No Public Option = no vote from me
Finally a lick of sense has descended on DC. I wonder if they are hearing us now? Maybe Congress needs Verizon.........
The majority of Americans want a public option... but we do not matter. Big business is controlling the debate.
Maybe they will scuttle the crap and tax bill the house shoved up their keister. We need another march on Washington till they all retire.
Sad thing is, We have got a bunch of so called Blue Dog Democrats that is dressed Democrats clothing, but in reality their hard core right wing Republicans. These People that joined these Republicans should be voted out of office. I believe the insurance companies got the best of these guys. I tell you what to do all of all those Senators and Represenatives that oppose the public option for the American people. Drop your government runned health insurance and go out and shop around like a true American!!
Whew!
Now if we can just get a few more democrats who haven't been sold on the socilization of America...
As a Democrat I am disgusted by the Democrats that vote against this Public Option.
I will now support primary challenges to these Senators.
The majority of American support a Public Option.
These Senators have forgotten that the preamble to our Constitution states, "We the People" not we the corporations.
Ivan
I am extremely disappointed with this decision. This is a prime example of special interest running our government. An overwhelming majority of Americans support a public option including me. For profit health care companies win, American families lose. When are they going to change the wording of the Constitution from "We the people" to "We the corporations and elite few"? The entire world is progressing around us, and America is staying the same. I want to live in a country that strives to improve the quality of life for every American.
Watch the waltz of the lefty loons tonight.
I only hope that every democrat that voted against a public option will not be re-elected when their term is up....I would rather see a republican who we all know does not care about health care be elected than a democrat who is acting like a republican....
Baucus says, "I fear if this provision is in the bill, it will hold back meaningful reform this year." The public option IS the meaningful reform that Democrats sent their new Senators and President to obtain. Nothing else is more meaningful than that. If I were a Senator I would not cast my vote by adding up the numbers of everyone else. I would simply vote my conscience. Maybe I'm different than the rest of the world.
At what point in time are these political hacks going to wake up and try making changes that will make a difference and don't require a new government bureacracy to run them.
If there is a single federally mandated minimum level of health coverage and companies can compete across state lines then there will be competition. If medical lawsuits are handled by those with actual knowledge of medical procedures as well as reasobnable limits put in place for malpractice lawsuits then malpractice insurance costs will come down.
Chances are none of these changes will happen because they require too much common sense and would harm the pocketbooks of lawyers and the lawyers on Capitol Hill aren't going to cause any harm to their own.
I would like to point out to those of you to whom this fact has not yet occurred: Even with maximum Medicare available to the elderly, there is still the necessity for a second insurance policy because Medicare only pays part of the bill. Will the same not apply to any government-run insurance? That we still have to have a supplement to cover ALL costs?
******* Warning******* to the Blue Dogs Democrats, you dogs better be careful, you will be voted out of office in 2010!
The foundation of Capitalism IS competition! Public Option will provide competition between Insurance companies & Big Pharma!
15 rogues vs 8 honest people. Amen
Common sense is breaking out all over the place!
Either that a few political survival instincts kicked in.
(BTW, the people voting for this wholesale waste of taxpayer money were Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), John Kerry (D-MA), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), John Rockefeller (D-WV), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Debbie Ann Stabenow (D-MI), and Ron Wyden (D-OR). I hope the good people of those states remember those names...)
The gop has put fear into some democrats,but the democrats still can pass this with 51 votes,dont let the gop put fear into you scary nuts,because the gop will be absolete by 2020 believe me...because the minority vote is going to be to big for the gop to over come
Wouldn't it be a nice country if our elected officials all voted with their hearts, and not on some stupid fear of what the opposition is thinking?
We should call him "Glass Half Empty" Baucus.
Public Option??? R I P
So much for reform.
There was legislation to bail out the homeowners, you voted against that because of the bank lobby
There was legislation to ease credit problems for consumers. That bill was watered down and there is the crap we have now.
You voted down the public option. We are going to vote you out and replace you with somebody that will vote for a public option.
Folks, THE 2010 Election is AS IMPORTANT as the 2012 for President!
The Republicans are "counting on winning" more seats, and
some want to impeach Obama.!!!! Nasty talk from the Republicans.
There will never be another President that will fight for the Middle
Class than Obama. This is it!!!!
Vote 2010. Like that is now. Some of the elections are months away.
Democrats must vote..............................................!!!!!!!!!!!!
It's all in the economics.....but fear not....the day is coming when there will be no illness left to be healed....no sickness of any kind. Look upward....
Sadly, Baucus isn't even giving the opportunity for "real reform" to take place. It is Baucus, not the public option, that is preventing real health care reform this year.
"I fear if this provision is in the bill, it will hold back meaningful reform this year," Baucus said.
And what is the meaningful reform you're talking about? Without a public option, this bill simply makes matters worse by requiring that all citizens have health care, which will continue to be provided by the parasitic oligopoly that currently bilks and robs the American public. Shame on all of the Senators that oppose a much needed alternative to a horribly corrupt and broken healthcare system.
Obamacare is D.O.A.
We need to vote out of office the FIVE democrats that voted it down. We have atleast their names. We must ONLY vote for politicians that will vote for a public option.
Baucus is in the back pocket of private insurance companies. Look at his contributions. It's a fact, he's bought and paid for, and will not support the american people, only his corporate masters.
This is beginning to look like someone in the US Senate is listening to what Americans are saying. I am encouraged.
Baucus and the other Democrats should not be re-elected. They get the best medical care on our dime, but they are dening the rest of the American people good health care.
Without the "public" option, however will those entrenched congressional cronies funnel all that promised pork to their pharmaceutical industry masters without the pesky insurance companies crying foul?
What can one say...I guess some Dems are joining the party of NO. God help us all. Especially those who need healthcare. I hope I never have to feel what Americans with no healthcare feel right now.
So now I suppose we will see Obama saying that he never wanted the public option, and he wanted it to take this long, and he never wanted to reach across the aisle.
However it turns out, he will claim it happened JUST as he wanted.
Right.
The Dems finally listen to the people and see that something is better than nothing. Could this truly be the sign of debate and comprimise?!?!?
Sure glad we had a Democrat heading this.. They all make me sick
Baucus, I can see your yelloe streak from here. Why don't you just switch parties now? You are one of them, not one of us.
Vote these guys out, they are bought and payed for by the insurance companies. Mandatory health care without the public option is just a handout to private insurance. Dispicable.
Very good news!
I love it! Now we have a track record for Rockefeller & Schumer with which to nail them come re-election day. These guys think the electorate is stupid with a 10-minute memory. Not always true my friends. Remember what happened to Jimmy Carter? The people do remember when their Representative’s performance is as abysmal as these two.
GOOD to vote down the liberal way. The supporters of the public option are clueless to want more government control of our lives.
Baucus is a disgrace,.. i hope the good folks of Montana give him the boot, ... the other four democrats that voted against shoud also be voted out of office. I hope President Obama rams the bill through, with the public option, and publicly calls out the five corrupt Democrat Senators..
You know what MOST of the mourons in Wall St who are pumping up the HealthCare company stocks don't get??
Public Option OR Not – these insurance companies Cigna, Wellpoint, United etc etc – their earnings ARE skrewed up for a while with this reform – just a Public Option or not does NOT change it... although it could minimize to a lill extent the damage!!
These are the five Democrats who voted against the public option and are thus only wearing democratic costumes in preparation for halloween:
Baucus
Thomas R. Carper of Delaware
Kent Conrad of North Dakota
Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas
Bill Nelson of Florida
We need TRUE democrats elected that will do right by america, and not sell out our future to their corporate masters:
The absolute best comment from these meetings had to come from Senator Rockefeller who decried the "banditry" of the insurance industry. A beneficiary of the Standard Oil empire actually wants to cast stones against the practices of another industry? This guy is pure hypocrisy.
Bargaining away meaningful reform isn't meaningful reform. The hypocrisy of it all. And at what cost to this great country. Elected senators, congressmen, officials, particularly GOP nay-sayers, holding public office and embodying and representing the "goverment"- claiming they mistrust the "government" and public options like Medicare because they are scared of themselves and their ineptiude and call that "socialism." Then you have your DINOs "Democrats In Name Only" who place value on weak bipartisan posturing that doesn't win any GOP votes and doesn't deliver the intended results to fix the appaling status quo: 39th place in the world for quality of health care?? We can do better.
Look at the big smile...wonder how long it will last before he's sorry and gets voted out.
Now we know who is getting money from the Insurance industry, Let the Insurance industry crooks continue to rob us and hold us hostage.
I can not believe what I am reading.. Ok.. the public option proposal got vote down.. thats all fine and well. the part I CAN NOT believe is the amount of Democrats that Voted against it.. You know what You DEMOCRATS NEED TO WAKE-UP. We the people did not make u the Majority party to vote with the Minority party.. VERRRRYYYY DISAPPOINTED WITH YOU GUYS.
What were those guys at the senate thinking? It bothers me that a public option for health care is still out of reach. We dont need health care reform by 2012, we need it Now!!!
"a health care bill containing the provision would fail to win enough support in the full Senate to overcome a Republican filibuster"
Then MAKE them filibuster it! They will not vote for anything that is good for American's anyway.
All those that oppose the public option ought to start looking for a new job! If you didn't come to the table to work for the American People, then you are on the wrong side of the table, GO HOME!
I watched this on CNN on line............If there was any doubt that Senator Baucus is in the pocket of the health insurance industry it has now been removed..............Rather than doing what the majority of the public want Baucus is concerned about his Bill getting 60 votes......Senator have you ever heard of Reconciliation?....the Repubs certainly have as they used it for the Bush Tax cuts for the wealthy that played a large part in driving the huge deficit .................You sir are NOT for the people
If the provision isn't in the bill, the reform is meaningless.
Well Baucus has obviously determined he is the Senator of the insurance industry and not his own state. Thats good now his state can kick him out of office the next time he come up for election. He is so obviously in the pocket of the insurance over lords. Just follow the money.
Simply pathetic-I just hope that people who are so against the public option keep their mouths shut when they suffer a life threating illness and go bankrupt-of course they won't though, they will be trying to capture 15 minutes of fame crying in front of America.
Does this really suprise anybody? The latest Rassmusen Reports Poll shows that only 41% of americans support the current health care reform proposals, and that number is dropping lower everyday. The Poll also shows only 16% of senior citizens support the current health care proposals! That tells me that seniors don't want their Medicare reimbursements cut by over $500 billion dollars in the years of their lives that they need it the most only to give it to people who are younger and fully capable of working and providing for their own health insurance, and that the majority of americans don't want that either. The majority of americans do not agree with Obama when he says that money spent on senior citizens through medicare is wasteful spending. Senior citizens have paid the most into the system, so they should get the most out of the system.
Sen. Baucus is a failure. I hope Montana send him on a rail smoking. It is time to stop letting these people dictate to us what is best for the American people when we spoke very loud and clear in Nov. 08. This committee is only one out of five and the other four have a public option in them, so it is not dead yet. Max Baucus needs to go work for the insirance industry, because he is not doing a darn thing for the American public. Sorry Representative...
Here we go and here comes the water...better than a blank...I Guess
Someone get this guy out from under the insurance industry's desk. His jaw must be killing him by now.
A big thank you to the 8 senators brave enough to represent the majority in this country who support a public option.
Shame on my xGOP and any "conservative" Dem who represents corporate greed over the best interests of Americans.
We will not forget which side these senators were on with this vote.
The so called senate is in the pay roll of insurance companies, pharmaceuticals and lobbyists! talk about double faced hyenas. When is the law going to separate corporations and politics because as long as the corporations keeps on giving contributions to the politicians they are no longer on the public side and guess what? the same corporations and lobbyist will contribute in the next cycle (elections) run strong misleading advertisement fool the public get elected back in the senate again and the money and mind games goes on and on! and who is the looser the entire public. No one should expect a free ride on healthcare but the senate is just giving that to the insurance companies!
One small step for mankind... one GIANT step for America's quality of Health Care. If any of you think you want THIS Health Care, and if you think that it will be free and great coverage and benefit everyone and
insure us all under the rainbow of Obama-Care. Think please.
I remember mama...and what mama always said is:
You can't legislate a piece of pie for everyone, when the oven is broken and the flour is full of fleas.
Blame the republicans. Oh wait. The vote would have passed if the democrats supported it. hmmm.
Okay fine.....Pass this bill out of this committe, and let's get some reform to the electorate, and this industry.
"We The People" get it ...
Anything in the bill that might actually help a lot of Americans out here, simply won't due in your white washed bill
What a disgusting bunch you are, you who have a great health care plan provided by "We The People"
DISGUSTING !!!
This is rediculous! There is absolutely no reason for a democratic to vote against a public option unless.....
Apparently, Big Health Insurance companies rate higher than the People of this Country.
Polls, again and again have shown that about 70% of the American people WANT a public option.
The Reps may be able to get money from the lobbyists of the big companies, but not enough to get the votes of the people they have betrayed.
Baucus, Nelson, Lincoln, Conrad, Carper = pathetic cowards. Vote them out next cycle for someone truly looking out for public interest, not corporate interest.
What happens if the Finance Committee doesn't pass their version of the bill?
I already emailed Baucus and am extremely disappointed in him.
After all the Democratic Central Committees in Montana signed resolutions supporting at least the public option then handed them to him personally, and after polls have shown that a majority of Montanans and Americans support at least the public option, and after years of him enjoying a publicly funded health care system, he votes against the interest of Montanans and Americans.
At this point I think we should impeach Baucus for bribery from the insurance industry and failing to represent Montanans, and allow our good Gov. Schweitzer to select a person that will represent us.
His argument against the public option, that he wants a meaningful bill to pass the senate, therefore he is against the public option, is pathetic at best and is counter productive since you can't have a meaningful bill without a public option.
What does it take for these lunatic fringe leftist senators and congressmen to hear the people? Only 46% (as of yesterday) support this kind of health care reform according to Rasmussen. Stop trying to shove something we don't want down our throats. If this keeps up the independents are going to run, not walk, back to the conservatives. They're already moving that way.
Obama is a weak narcissist only looking out for himself. He is dangerous!
Yay for common sense. I'm glad not all Democrats are loony liberals who think government is the answer to everything.
Too bad for Obama, boo hoo. However this is a win for Americans who will still see quality care and not government death panels.
Every Democrat that voted against the public option is in hot water with the people who elected them. I WANT THEIR HEADS ON A STICK!
There is still plenty in this bill for you:
after you pay all you can “afford” for a health insurance policy with a huge deductible, you can take a “vacation” to Mexico for the healthcare you can no longer afford here; and
you will also get to see all your aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and siblings at the once-in-a-life-time family get-together to wish your grandmother good luck on her journey to the great beyond when you discover your heroes cut off grandma’s Medicare.
This is, after all, the change you voted for.
Thanks Walt Minnick and Baucus, I will do everything I can even if I have to go door-to-door in Idaho and Montana to tell people what low life traitors you are. You will not be re-elected in either state. Get out of the Democratic party
Once again, Baucus sides with the neolithic Republicans, all of whom have received millions of dollars from the Insurance Companies and HMO's. Our system is corrupt and crooks like Baucus and Snowe (and most of the Republicans) are more interested in keeping the pipeline of money flowing into their greedy pockets than doing what a majority of Americans want. I'm sick to death of Republican lies.
Sorry, Obama. Not only does the public disapprove of your plan, so do many of your own party. That ought to tell you something.
I think that we are going about this all wrong. If we want to REALLY fix this system then take out the Health Insurance Companies exception of the Sherman Anti Trust Act. I was VERY surprised to learn that all insurance sold in this country is sold my 2 companies.
All I keep hearing is all this complaining about competition well this will definitely improve competition.
I doubt the GOP would be against this idea...
I hope Sen. Max Baucus looses his next election. We needed a public option and this poor excuse for a human being did everything in his power to see that it was not included.
I say it is time to replace Sens. Max Baucus of Montana, Blanch Lincoln of Arkansas, Ben Nelson of Nebraska, Kent Conrad of North Dakota, and Tom Carper of Delaware.
What good is a Democratic majorty if these Senators will disregard a robust Public Option that a majority of American's want.
Baucus, Conrad, and Lincoln, consider yourselves on notice. You have just officially lost your jobs in 2010. Most ot the voting block wanted a public option to help those of us who cannot find employment but still need medical care while we look for one and you well paid, manicured, pedicured, idiots who get the best healthcare on the planet on OUR dime voted against what we the people want?? You fools are DONE.
Time for Pres. Obama to pull out the reconciliation override and put the public option through for us. To hell with the Resluglicans and those DINOs in the democratic party.
Well now we can name which senators put corporate profits above the wishes and interests of the American people.
Down with Socialism, Up with Capitalism. What is with this "Hope and Change" ? The last time I checked every person of every ethnicity is free in this country, so what do we need "Hope and Change" for? Every person has the right to excel at what ever they want and be as succesful as they want to be. This whole health care reform sounds like people want free health care and want someone else to pay for it. If you want something then WORK FOR IT.
Kudos to Chairman Baucus and moderates for standing their ground. This increases the chances of meaningful reform passing this year.
Baucus is going to loose in the next election. AND no matter what the republicans in the committee do. there WILL BE A PUBLIC OPTION.
You can see the democrats who are not democrats...they should all be voted out. It is a shame that companies like the health and drug companies have such a hold on this great country of ours. But the people in office today do not care about the people they are supposed to serve all the want is the money. I think, until lobbying is made illegal this will continue to happen. I don't understand why the people of this country can't start a movement to have it made into law. And that way all the crooked politicans like baucus and the republicans will get kicked to the curb where they belong.
Obamacare will go down in flames,and Obama himself will be next!
Yes, a public option would be the death of private insurers. Just like public transportation has run private cars off the roads and public universities have run private universities out of business. Isn't it ironic that most of the angry protesters at townhalls are seniors? Who are on the government run Medicare system because private insurers refused to insure them. (seniors have tons of pre-existing conditions you know)
Time to donate to the opponents of the blue dogs.
ARE YOU HAPPY NOW?
here we have a president trying GIVE everyone healthcare and it's voted against.
i just cannot fathom how someone can rationalize this in their heads and then go out to some phony Church and say they're good americans and christians. youre pathetic
So for those who posted the public option is terrible. What do they want to give the money to the insurance companies so they have no competition and can raise premiums as high as they want. So they can deny insurance to people who have a pre-existing illness. They are as dumb as they come...I hope that every single one of the people who are against public option will one day find out that they need it. Then they can come crying and whinning to their representatives because they didn't pass it.
obviously the politicians are NOT listenting to their constitutients. WE WANT THE PUBLIC OPTION.
All these clowns seem to care about is their corporate dollar.
MAKES ME SICK.
Even Republicans (not politicians, citizens) support the public option. Learn about it.
This proves that the Senate is simply a corporate lobby group devoid of any meaningful representation of their constituents.
What was your price Max? You sold the American people out for your own gain.
Health care reform without public option is not reform. It's the status quo. Republicans won't stop whining and scaring people until the health care reform becomes an expensive bill where taxpayers pay even more money to private insurance companies. But who am I to argue with the millions upon millions of dollars of lobbying money the three trillion dollar health care industry is bribing these politicians with.
Now, let's pretend that these 5 democrats did it for the people rather then their corporate masters, let's ignore the fact that their top 20 contributors are as follows:
Max Baucus: THE BIGGEST DIRT BAG OF THEM ALL: Pharmaceuticals/Health, Health Professionals, Insurance, Lobbyists,
Hospitals/Nursing Homes, Health Services/HMOs
Thomas Carper: Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Amgen Inc
Kent Conrad: Amgen Inc, Kindred Healthcare, Northwestern Mutual, Blue Cross/Blue Shield
Blanche Lincoln: American Physical Therapy Assn, American College of Radiology, College of American Pathologists, Blue Cross/Blue Shield
Bill Nelson: One of the few that truely voted his mind rather then being a puppet.
A watered down plan is what we'll be stuck with? Sad. Shameful.
But still... "small" steps are better than "no" steps.
Why are so many on here blaming the Repubs? The Dems have the votes to do ANYTHING they want. Obviously, not enough want the public option.
Bacus you are a $4 million prostitute. You will pay with your political career.
But then, what do you care. You got your money.
They are starting to listen to what the PEOPLE want:
NO government run health care.
NO more bailouts.
NO more spending and higher deficits.
Basically: less government intervention and fiscal responsibility and accountability.
Vote for true fiscal conservatives.
2010: VOTE ALL INCUMBANTS OUT!
Shame on you Baucus. You actually listened to your consituents and voted how they wanted you to. How can you live with yourself? The people are starting to be heard. It's about time. Public support of Healthcare refrom is now just 42%...2 points down from last week and it's lowest level this year.
And just which insurance company will provide afforadable competative plans for the unemployed and those that can not find or afford health insurance.? Lets see it put up or shut up. Private sector can do it better, the proofs in the making, lets see it.
Funny how CNN made sure to report the names of the Democratic senators who voted against the public option, but didn't bother reporting the 7 Democratic senators who voted to keep funding ACORN.
There is still plenty in this bill for you:
after you pay all you can “afford” for a health insurance policy with a huge deductible, you can take a “vacation” to Mexico for the healthcare you can no longer afford here; and
you will also get to see all your aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and siblings at the once-in-a-life-time family get-together to wish your grandmother good luck on her journey to the great beyond when you discover your heroes cut off grandma’s Medicare.
Is this the change you can believe in?
ALL OF THE BLUE DOGS should be voted OUT! I will donate to the campaigns of the primary challengers!!!!!!
Very sad indeed!
I am disgusted. Thanks Baucus and Conrad for giving America the finger.
I think the CEO of every single company in this country – large and small – should have to declare their political party affiliation.
And for all the GOP CEOs, a new rule: From now on, you get absolutely NOTHING from the local, state and federal governments.
And to all those Wall Street companies who were bailed out because their incredibly irresponsible, greedy decisions, I want that money back NOW! And you'll never get another dime.
Why do you liberals believe there can be no reform without the pubic option? I know you can narrow-minded when it comes to race and religion, you can also be short-sighted when it comes to planning and, you can be forgetful when it comes to history but, come-on, there can be other options than what Obama suggests. As a matter of fact, judging from what's happening in Chicago, I think it would be wise to stop listening to Democrats all together. Their options don't seem to be the best choice.
good. this whole attempt to overhaul the healthcare system has turned into a debacle. what's wrong with taking a slower approach and/or implementing smaller steps, such as allowing companies to sell policies across state lines?
What's with all the GOP senators not believing in free market capitalism? What's wrong with offering consumers a choice?
And given how irresponsibly private insurance companies have been run, they obviously need a little competition to get back on track.
I'm tired of the wealthy running the show – this is a democracy, dammit!
So, huge campaign contributions form the health care industry and the insurance industry to our elected officials are more important then the healthiness of every person that are citizens in the U.S.A. Now, that is food for thought.
Lets target every NAY voter and vote the traitor out of office. It obvious these NAY voters are merely big business bought off lackeys and of no use to the American public!
A public option exists in every other country of the developed world. It is favored by physicians not only in Canada, but also in the US, and by the public as well. Public health care is the most cherished government program in Canada.
What on earth is fuelling opposition to an option that is financially responsible and ethically compelling?
As a physician who frequently speaks at scientific meetings, it is expected that I will declare any conflicts of interest that might influence the content of my talk. It is even more important that these conflicts be declared for those who are making such important decisions that affect the lives of American people. Who on this committee has received campaign contributions from private insurers?
Instead of a "submit comment" button on this blog, I wish there was a "give Baucus the finger" button instead.
So WHAT if the government ends up running health care?
Not that I think that will ever happen – it's just another scare tactic used by the Republicans to keep the uneducated, easily fooled sheep in line.
If private industry was so good at running things, then:
- Why did we just have to bail out Wall Street?
- Why did American car companies go under?
- Why did everyone at Enron lose their shirts?
- Why did the S&L's in the 90s need to be bailed out?
-
Subsidies for those who can not afford insurance and making it illegal to deny health coverage for pre-existing conditions is reform.
For those of you wanting the Goverment ie tax payers to give you a free ride get over it.
"there is no real reform without the public option."
You sound like a bunch of Obama parrots...he spews a line and you fall for it. According to the dems, our government can even run a war, what makes you people think they should be trusted with your healthcare!!!Our current entitlement programs are flowndering (in case you haven't noticed, social security is projected to go bankrupt by 2027), but LET'S START ANOTHER ONE AT THE EXPENSE OF THE AMERICAN TAXPAYER!!!
You want to talk about real reform...let's start talking about tort reform!
The subsidies should go directly to the low income individual who is buying the insurance and not the insurance companies. Rockefeller is correct that the insurance companies will just raise their premiums to suck up as much of the taxpayer gravy they can get their hands on. Why not subsidize the cooperatives instead so they can compete on equal ground with the massive insurance companies and create a national insurance marketplace with no borders so that everyone must compete for your business with better savings and coverages. Isn't that what Capitalism is all about, an open market?
Lemme see –
No public health insurance option but a MANDATE that every man, woman and child in the US get health insurance or pay a $1,900 fine?
That's tyranny folks, plain and simple.
In 5-years, oreeven sooner, the average working class family will not have health insurance and our employers will not be able to afford to give it to us as a job perk.
So much for those "feedom loving" rethuglicons that big insurance has bought and paid for "doing what's best for America.". The tax credit that we're supposed to get to help pay for insurance is just a GOP give-away of our tax dollars to big health insurance. Now that's gonna bankrupt us for sure.
By the way, look up "Remote Area Medical" – you're gonna need it soon.
So what if they're stealing grandma's Medicare, the Olympics are headed to Chicago!
Obahahahahahaha...
Nothing new from Baucus , His ears are for the insurance ceo, and their money, to him
Most Americans want the public option. Once again our leaders are letting us down.
As a Democrat I hope nobody in MD voted against it because I will not vote repug EVER, but I will remember who voted against it in 2009 when we have elections in 2010.
lol.....what a loser Obama has turned out to be.
Well, I knew this was going to happen and what really sickens me is that it was all done to appease the right, who are still going to not support any form of reform no matter how many concessions are made. The Baucus bill is a joke and then some. Shame on the whole spineless bunch of them, Republicans and Democrats alike, who are against doing the right thing for working class Americans.
We can spend billions killing hundreds of thousands innocent women and children,but we cant have national heathcare for all americans.Its obvious without campaign reform nothing will change as the wealth of this nation shifts endlessly to the top 1 percent.Aristocracy here we come.
Where are you Dems getting these crazy numbers for the percentage of Americans that support a public option? I haven't seen any reputable numbers that come close.
45, 000 AMERICANS DIE EVERY YEAR from lack of healthcare!
IF 45, 000 Americans died every year from terrorists attacks, you can bet that the GOP would be demanding something be done! Like nuking the Middle-East!
However, 45,000 AMERICANS DIE EVERY YEAR FROM LACK OF HEALTHCARE AND THE GOP OBSTRUCTS HEALTHCARE AND HEALTHCARE REFORM!
We NEED a Public Option, so that Big Pharma & Big Insurance are forced to COMPETE WHICH IS WHAT .....CAPITALISM ...... IS ALL ABOUT! COMPETITION!
(Excuse the yelling,someone has to speak up!)
Republican – Christian? These two words should never be put or associated in the same sentence. Republicans are hypocrites who attend church, donate to the plate, and smugly believe they will buy their way into Heaven. What a joke and a travesty to the American people.
Poor people, homeless people, down on their luck people, enemployed people. Republicans say "tough, let them eat cake!"
I would like to personally thank you Ben Nelson Senator of Nebraska for helping to defeat the bloated gov't public option. It's great that you heard the constituents of your state calling for fiscal responsibility in Washington. Keep up the good work in reigning in ignorant government spending and control.
it is clear to me that they only listen to their ultra-conservative, uneducated, stuck in time constituents. When you call this public health care reform 'socialist' or 'communist' and comparing it (and Obama) to Hitler and the devil – well what can you say but: what a bunch of ignorants. And these are the ones our senator is listening to.
It looks like that those with the money win again as usual and we, the average American loose.
Nothing will change in this country until the special interest's money is removed from the political elections. We the people must unite to take our democracy back.
They do not care about us.
I will give to the Baucus primary challenger, and his Republican opponent. If the Republicans want to get a senate seat, they might try for Baucus, because he has a huge target on his back now. BELIEVE IT. I am going to go broke as a wage slave in this country anyway, I might as well take out the politicians who helped ruin my chances at the American dream ,or achieving real middle class status, on my way out.
Vote them out, and keep voting them out, till they get it.
I guess they didnot like what i said so let me tone it down a bit kick out SEnatores, Baucus,Lincoln,Nelson,conrad,and Carper. they all belong to the Insurance companies.
No government run healthcare-–GOOD. If Obama cared about it, he would have tort reform AND interstate competition. Obama just wants more POWER.
Its a shame to see these same people people opposing to help the poor coming out of church every sunday holding leather covered bibles under their arm pits!. . How comes America gives too much to the rest of the world! and yet we can't help the down trodden in our backyards? is it purely based on taxes or goodwill? because with the issues of the health care its pathetic to be # 37 in the world!!. Health care is not about democrates and republicans it concerns the entire Nation. Radio host shows makes million od dollars in a year and they can afford any medical bills how about you ? the common folk duped by the radio host shows and lobbyist about death panels and other scare tactics. You are the looser, when you go to bed sick the only people who will care about is only your family the rest will be gone! time to tell the senate to start working for you not for the special interest groups!
we the people must UNITE AND GET THE LOBBYING OUT OF DC
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH WE MUST SHOW THE SENATORS THEY ARE ELECTED TO SERVE US NOT THE LOBBYSIT!! AMERICANS UNITE AGAINST THIS
this just proves that the insurance companies and their deep pockets are more powerful than the president and congress, and more important than some 70% of 300 millions citizens.
Wow, we seem to have a bunch of 'crazies' weighing in on the decision not to back this health care reform. Nobody knows the stakes or the impact, but there seem to be a lot of people who think they should be 'entitled' to free public health.
Not well thought throug and way too costly–what happened to incremental change or is that simply not something Obama can hang his hat on so he gets elected again? Thank heaven for reason! Thank heaven for Baucus and all who voted against this stupid proposal.
A comment yesterday quoted a United Nations document to support each person's "right to health care."
That is the best news of all: if the "right" comes from the United Nations, the U.N. can pay for it!
It won't cost USA taxpayers a penny.
Good get rid of the public option. My employer has laready said that if a public option becomes available he will cancel our health care and we will have to get it on our own.
This is really sad... here we have been trying to reform health care for the past 50 + years.. The public wants public option and the public wants health care reform. What is up? All we have to do is to look at the 36 countries whose health care is better than ours and go from there. Sheesh! Yes, for those who are ignorant..we rank 37th in the industrialized countries...even Canada is ranked higher than us! They are 30th. WE NEED THIS!
Max made us wait two months for his committee to do nothing. What a tulip.
To all the people clamoring for tort reform, realize that "outrageous" payouts for losses or settlements in court account for one half of one percent of all private health spending. Lessening that figure would'nt amount to anything tangible. On top of that, there have already been vigorous tort reform laws passed in places like Texas, Florida, and Missouri, where I live. Anyone can see that policy prices have only gone up since those laws hit the books, meaning that tort reform is akin to trying to put out a fire with a squirt gun, it's just not effective.
Max Baucus is an example of why people hate the Democrats, he sold out the public option from word one. Kent Conrad is another member of this Mickey Mouse club !!!
If you are really interested in health care reform the first step has to be tort reform.
P.S.
Will someone please tell that person that who posts regularly on the Political Ticker that THEODORE ROOSEVELT WAS A REPUBLICAN.
Have a nice day to the public option!!
Health Care reform should have the been the first project that Obama tackled. Now the country has quadrupled its debt.
Those who voted against the public option...take their Gov't run insurance away. Then see what happens.
It appears that the republican conservative Christians and Fox entertainment have gotten their way on this. Both turn their back on Americans to ensure health insurance companies get outrageous profits.
All congress do is seat on the rear end and collect free goverment run insurance. and they don't care about anyone elese
Healthcare reform without a public option is worse instead of better. I swear I will not vote for a dem who votes to pass such an idiotic thing. I'll vot repub if I have to because, after all, what's the difference?
socialists and union members are very disappointed now – maybe they should just move to russia.
I listened and watched this debate. Republicans don't see this as health care reform for Americans but purely in terms of partisan politics -as one of them put it " Obama care". These Republicans are there just to play spoilers and no have interest in helping Americans achieve the goal of having a health care plan any civilized country should have. All they are interested in is dogma and obsessed with stealing from American people and giving it to insurance companies
The Democrats need to use the reconciliation option to push through health care reform that is so badly needed.
The Republicans used the reconciliation tactic to push through tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans which led to record budget deficits.
I think it's time to use the political capital from the last election to solidify the Democratic agenda for the "vast majority" of Americans.
public option is a good idea . lets have a nationalized insurance.
Possibly the fact that the opponents of the Government Option fielded at least ten time the mass in phone calls and rallies had something to do with this. Politicians are reluctant to sacrifice their careers on the alter of the socialistic ideal.