Health Care For America Now

NEWS

Health Care for America Now Reacts to Senate Finance Public Option Amendment Votes - HCAN

Today, a vast majority – more than ¾ - of the Democrats on the Senate Finance Committee joined with all of the Democrats on the Senate HELP Committee to support giving us the choice of a strong public health insurance option.  Now four of the five committees that have tackled health care legislation have included a public health insurance option, and the Senate Finance Committee as a whole has proven it’s out of step with the rest of Congress, the President, and a large majority of the American public.  As Senators Schumer and Rockefeller said, the public health insurance option is clearly gaining momentum, and we are confident it will be in the final bill that lands on the President’s desk.

Senators Reject Pair of Public Option Proposals - New York Times

After an intense debate that captured the essence of the national struggle over health care, a pivotal Senate committee on Tuesday rejected two Democratic proposals to create a government insurance plan to compete with private insurers.

Senate panel defeats public healthcare option. Is it dead? - Christian Science Monitor

Backers of the public option will draw hope from the vote, which was closer than expected. But tough healthcare negotiations lie ahead.

Public option fate in Obama's hands - Politico

The Senate Finance Committee spent more than five hours debating the public health insurance option Tuesday before voting down two Democratic amendments to add it to the bill.

Nelson wants health reform in 2 parts - Lincoln Journal Star

Sen. Ben Nelson said Monday he'd prefer a health care reform package that centers on cost savings this year, leaving extended insurance coverage for a later date.

A new alternative to the public option is emerging - Politico

While progressive senators work to win 60 votes for a public option, a new alternative to the government-run insurance plan is beginning to emerge on the Finance Committee.

Obama Drafts Health Care Fallback Plan - Roll Call

The White House has been secretly drafting its own health care legislation that it may unveil at some point during the debate if officials believe it would help secure passage of a bill, according to sources familiar with the effort.

OPINION

Has Baucus Killed The Public Option? - Think Progress

Today, several Democrats on the Senate Finance Committee (SFC) joined with Republicans to defeat a public plan that reimbursed five percent above Medicare rates and another option that competed on an equal playing field with private insurers. The failure of both provisions suggests that the Senate Finance Committee’s health care bill will leave committee without a public option. (The Committee may still consider Sen. Olympia Snowe’s (R-ME) trigger proposal, although the final text of that amendment has yet to be released.)

Schumer: 'We Don't Have 60 Votes.' - Ezra Klein

Sen. Chuck Schumer's public option amendment failed, 13 to 10. Kent Conrad, Max Baucus and Blanche Lincoln opposed it. Moments before the roll call, Baucus explained that he was going to vote no, but not because he opposed the measure. Rather, he said, he believed it didn't have 60 votes on the floor, and his top priority was a bill that could pass.

Tell Your Health Care Insurer It’s Time for Real Reform - AFL-CIO

Health insurance companies have turned to scare tactics and outright lies to fight health care reform. Seems they’re not satisfied with jacking up the cost of premiums, canceling policies when people get sick and denying treatment.