President Obama says Waxman healthcare deal with Blue Dogs should go forward

[Better Believe It]

The Hill
July 29, 2009

Excerpt:

Within hours of the liberal complaints, Obama was on the phone with Rep. Jan Schakowsky, a fellow Illinois Democrat and Energy and Commerce member who is in charge of the healthcare issue for the Progressive Caucus.

He told her the bill should go forward, Schakowsky said.

The White House also released a statement from Obama that singled out “some” Blue Dogs on Energy and Commerce for striving to find “common ground.”

http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/health-deal-sparks-fury-on-the-left-2009-07-29.html

----------------------------------------------

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary
________________________________________________________________________
For Immediate Release July 29, 2009

Statement from the President on Health Insurance Reform Efforts in Congress

"I want to thank the members of both the Senate and House of Representatives for continuing their work on health reform to provide more stability and security for Americans who have insurance, and quality, affordable coverage for those who don’t. I’m especially grateful that so many members, including some Blue Dogs on the Energy and Commerce Committee, are working so hard to find common ground. Those efforts are extraordinarily constructive in strengthening this legislation and bringing down its cost."

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Statement-from-the-President-on-Health-Insurance-Reform-Efforts-in-Congress/

[MarjorieG]

1. Not to worry. Just cover for Blue Dogs, when all gets changed in Conference.

I would like both options marked up, tying to Medicare rates, and not.

[Better Believe It]

4. It could very well be changed more to the right in conference

Remember what happened to the House stimulus proposal when it went to conference with the Senate? Three Republican Senators tore the guts out of it!

[MarjorieG]

11. I never hear hope from you, so okay. But I don't think such a signature, urgent issue

will get more watered down. We will get a public option and the best one we can get. The Senate is furious w. Baucus, and although we have Conservative Dems, I don't think Obama, et al, will tolerate a gutting.

I'm more concerned we can't get substantive policy review on how we care for people; it's all about cost in a recession. I liked the VA application to County hospitals by the author on Dean's KO show.

[Better Believe It]

13. We need a lot more than my hope. I'm just showing reality as I see and understand it

And from here it just doesn't look very good.

Read the unwatered down House bill and you'll understand. The so-called public option is pathetic!

Have you read the House bill yet?

[Better Believe It]

2. Waxman confident Blue Dog compromise will pass

Waxman confident Blue Dog compromise will pass
By Mike Soraghan
The Hill
July 29, 2009

Energy and Commerce Chairman Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) said Wednesday night he has the votes to pass a compromise he forged with Blue Dog Democrats when his committee starts voting on amendments. "Members are thinking about it, but I think we will" have the votes, Waxman said Wednesday night after an hours-long meeting with the Democrats on his committee.

The agreement has sparked outrage among House liberals who say it damages their top priority, a government-run public healthcare plan. Opponents say they can marshal at least 50 votes against the Blue Dog deal. If Republicans, as expected, vote against the bill, that is enough votes to defeat it.

"We need 50 at least," said Rep. Lynn Woolsey (D-Calif.), co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. "We feel certain we've got that."

Opponents are planning a press conference tomorrow to demonstrate the level of opposition to the plan in the Democratic caucus.

Rep. Eliot Engel (D-N.Y.), who serves on the committee, said the compromise "eviscerates" the public plan. And he's frustrated that the agreement was presented to committee members as "take it or leave it."

Please read the complete article at:

http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/waxman-confident-blue-dog-compromise-will-pass-2009-07-29.html

[choie]

8. Eliot Engel's priority seems to be

keeping "the committee relevant". So, to that end, he would vote for a plan that he states "eviscerates the public option", but as long as the committee remains relevant...

[DJ13]

3. ...... sigh ........

Obama sends the wrong message...... again.

[Pirate Smile]

6. We need to just get it out of those two screwed up committees. We have better bills from the other

committees which they will be combined with. They will primarily use the better ones. The flailing in those 2 committees is what caused the huge slowdown. Get it away from Baucus and the Energy Committees Blue Dogs. Pass it and move forward.

[DJ13]

7. I understand, but Obama is undermining the liberals just as they got balls

Thats why I said he sends the wrong message.

We need the liberals to feel every bit empowered as the Blue Dogs to act as a counter balance.

Obama just crapped on them.

[Pirate Smile]

9. sigh. We need to keep moving and delaying it like the Blue Dogs did just undermines things.

Obama and Pelosi are on their side. I think they know it. We have to get past the ConservDems who are helping the Republicans slow things down. Is it fair? Of course not! Making the sausage is ugly and a few assholes can gum up the works for everyone.

I know Obama is asking them to be more responsible then the blue dicks but no one said life was fair. We need to get it out of Energy before they go on recess. If they weren't leaving at the end of the week it wouldn't matter nearly as much - but they are so we need this much done now.

[bkkyosemite]

5. What is Obama up to. hmmmm

[Thrill]

10. Obama already told the Progressive Bloggers. He just wants to get a bill to conference

And not to go crazy about what comes out of committees.

[vaberella]

12. Yup. I'm waiting on the finality. Too much foot dragging so far. n/t