Pelosi says health bill will pass within weeks

[ProSense]

Pelosi says health bill will pass within weeks

By Michael O'Brien

Healthcare reform legislation will pass out of the House "within weeks," Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said Monday.

According to multiple reports, Pelosi claimed during an appearance in Philadelphia that healthcare reform would pass in the next few weeks, and that it would include the public (or "government-run") option.

"I have said very clearly that no bill can pass the House of Representatives without a public option in it," Pelosi told reporters, reiterating a long-held claim about the political need for a public option in the House.

But the speaker projected that the House would vote on -- and pass -- its health reform bill within the next few weeks, apparently confident that Democrats will be able to resolve differences between centrists and liberals. The former have largely been unwilling to back the public option, while the latter have been insistent on the provision's inclusion.

Pelosi appeared at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia with other congressional Democrats this morning to promote health reform.

[jenmito]

1. K&R so it doesn't sink.

:hi:

[ProSense]

2. Thanks. n/t

[rockymountaindem]

3. Raise your hand if you think Pelosi is going a great job on this

[Parker CA]

4. K&R for another great sign and another good find, Pro!! nt.

[andym]

5. k&r nt.

[jenmito]

6. kick again

[NYC_SKP]

7. Kick. nt

[and-justice-for-all]

8. "no bill can pass...without a public option in it"

I will hold them to that too.

[TomCADem]

9. K & R

[Cha]

10. Well, we've heard "next year", "before Christmas",

"in November"..and now this.. I just want it to be a time in the near future when the stars are aligned for a successful Health Reform that has a viable Public Option for those who want it and no mandates.

[slipslidingaway]

11. Which public option, hopefully it will be open to more people..

as an enrollment of just over 3%, CBO estimate, will not provide very much competition to the insurance companies.

page 5
http://www.barackobama.com/pdf/issues/HealthCareFullPlan.pdf

"...(2) NEW AFFORDABLE, ACCESSIBLE HEALTH INSURANCE OPTIONS. The Obama-Biden plan will create a
National Health Insurance Exchange to help individuals purchase new affordable health care options if they are uninsured or want new health insurance. Through the Exchange, any American will have the opportunity to enroll in the new public plan or an approved private plan, and income-based sliding scale tax credits will be provided for people and families who need it..."


September 9th speech...

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Remarks-by-the-President-to-a-Joint-Session-of-Congress-on-Health-Care/

"...So let me set the record straight here. My guiding principle is, and always has been, that consumers do better when there is choice and competition. That's how the market works. (Applause.) Unfortunately, in 34 states, 75 percent of the insurance market is controlled by five or fewer companies. In Alabama, almost 90 percent is controlled by just one company. And without competition, the price of insurance goes up and quality goes down. And it makes it easier for insurance companies to treat their customers badly -- by cherry-picking the healthiest individuals and trying to drop the sickest, by overcharging small businesses who have no leverage, and by jacking up rates...

...Now, I have no interest in putting insurance companies out of business. They provide a legitimate service, and employ a lot of our friends and neighbors. I just want to hold them accountable. (Applause.) And the insurance reforms that I've already mentioned would do just that. But an additional step we can take to keep insurance companies honest is by making a not-for-profit public option available in the insurance exchange. (Applause.) Now, let me be clear. Let me be clear. It would only be an option for those who don't have insurance. No one would be forced to choose it, and it would not impact those of you who already have insurance. In fact, based on Congressional Budget Office estimates, we believe that less than 5 percent of Americans would sign up..."

[Colobo]

12. Fingers crossed...

[and-justice-for-all]

13. ....

:popcorn: