Grassley insists he's still looking to make a health care deal
WASHINGTON (CNN) - Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley, the ranking Republican on the Senate Finance Committee, dismissed Democratic criticism Wednesday that it increasingly appears he doesn't want any health care deal at all - a key point Democrats have been making to justify the possibility of going it alone, without GOP votes.
"I've said all year that something as big and important as health care legislation should have broad-based support," Grassley told CNN. "So far, no one has developed that kind of support, either in Congress or at the White House. That doesn't mean we should quit. It means we should keep working until we can put something together that gets that widespread support."
Top Democrats close to the White House have told CNN the Obama administration is looking hard at pushing through a health-care reform bill without Republican backing.
UPDATE, 1 p.m.: Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus released a statement Wednesday saying negotiations remained on track.
"Bipartisan progress continues," said Baucus. "The Finance Committee is on track to reach a bipartisan agreement on comprehensive health care reform that can pass the Senate. Our group will be meeting tomorrow and our staffs continue to meet as well. I am confident we will continue our steady progress toward health care reform that will lower costs and provide quality, affordable coverage to all Americans."
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I will listen to what Grassley has to say when - well - what Grassely has to say isn't steeped in lies and innuendo.
Is this guy serious...75% of the country wants health care reform. Grassley just doesn't want to lose his campaign contributions that he gets from the insurance companies.
Ha,tell us another joke, you yokel.Sniff any corn pawn lately?
The democrats in this country have some nerve. They call Bush every name in the book for 8 yrs. A liar, thief,murder, war-criminal, constantly spewing hate. But when the republicans stand up to a BAD policy that a Obama is trying to get passed they are crying like 12 yr old Children. Republicans and the majority of this country really do not trust the president and democrats on this Health Bill now and that is a Fact. So stop with your race baiting and your pity party and toughen up. Republicans had to deal with you hatered for 8 years, what comes around goes around and in this case this is not political this comes down to this Health Bill is not good for the future of this country. Democrats really are pathetic small people that talk out of both sides of their mouths. Hypocrites.......
I've said all year that something as big and important as health care legislation should have broad-based support," Grassley told CNN. "So far, no one has developed that kind of support, either in Congress or at the White House.
Hey you moron, how about the people that elected you!! We are the ones that need the health care, we are the ones you need to worry about. Hello, wake the hell up. It shouldn't matter about support in congress. Listen to the majority of the people and vote for us on healthcare. We are all the broad based support you need, you dummy!!
Grassley took his endzone dance midfield by bragging how he intentionally stalled getting a plan in place by August.
Too soon, and we still have time to stop him.
Bipartisan would be nice, but since the GOP has announced that they will not go along with the Democrats on anything, let's just nuke 'em.
Grassley has no intention on passing this healthcare bill. I live in Iowa and have listen to the man for years and I gaurantee he doesn't want to pass this bill. He gets millions from the insurance companies and doesn't benefit PERSONALLY at all by passing this bill. He cares about himself not the people of Iowa. If he did he wouldn't be telling our elderly across the state that the government wouldn't cover them and the would let them die! It's dirty, it's lowdown and I bet he gets voted out next term.
Iowans will do whatever we can to make sure that happens because this man has no credability left!
Medical malpractice is 0.46% of health care costs.
For those RebirtherTea pary members that's less than one-half percent.
Tort reform is just another excuse for corporate socialism.
We already have death panels in America - it's run by the insurance companies. They already decide who gets and who doesn't get coverage; who can keep and who will lose their insurance; and if they do insure someone - they also decide if they will pay the claim. These are the real Death Panels. It's time for the Dems to stand up and say: "We're going to do the right thing for Americans. If the Republicans want to join us, fine. If not, then get out of the way. There's a reason why we have such a large Democratic majority in Congress - it's time to do the People's business.