Baucus says he is "very open to a trigger" if that's what it takes to get 60 votes.

[jefferson_dem]

<SNIP>

Mr. Baucus said he could support a public plan on a so-called trigger — that is, a government health plan that is only a back-up, to be created if the legislation fails to provide affordable health coverage for a sufficient number of Americans. Senator Olympia J. Snowe, Republican of Maine, a leading negotiator on the health care bill, has proposed such a trigger and Mr. Baucus in the interview said he could support the idea.

“Well, it’s very interesting,” he said. “I am very open to a trigger.”

Mr. Baucus said he had yet to discuss the issue with Ms. Snowe, even though she has proposed it as an amendment to his bill. He said it was still unclear whether she would push the amendment in the Finance Committee or hold it until a bill reaches the Senate floor. “The trigger is out there, and I think it’s very much in the air and the question is, when is it proposed?” Mr. Baucus said. “In what form?”

Pressed to explain what he saw as the potential value of a trigger, Mr. Baucus replied in purely political terms.

“Well, 60 votes,” he said, laughing at his instantaneous, reflexive answer.

“In terms of policy, which is why we are doing all this,” he continued, still chuckling, “it will help keep the insurance industry’s feet to the fire if there is a trigger out there. The same theory as the drug benefit bill back in 2003. There was a trigger there. And I believe that a trigger is a good way to keep our policy objectives – insurance-market reform, competition, to keep costs down. If it’s meaningful, and I’d like a meaningful trigger, that’s going to have a salutary effect. That’s my thought anyway.”

<SNIP>

http://prescriptions.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/22/chatting-with-chairman-baucus-over-a-cup-of-buffalo-blend/

[Captain Hilts]

1. I don't care what Baucus wants. He has lifetime, govt.backed health insurance. nt

[Joe Bacon]

2. Max, You're not Roy Rogers and Olympia ain't Dale Evans.

Take your trigger and shove it!

[Jennicut]

3. Oh Baucus, STFU already. No one cares what you have to say

when you are in the pocket of the insurance companies.

[burning rain]

22. He & Chris Matthews can grab some beers......

and gibber over the wonderfulness of 60 together. I don't think any lefties will join them at their table, though.

[bigwillq]

4. It's a shame that Baucus

and his awful plan seem to be leading the debate from the DEMS side. Shame on all the other DEMS for not sticking their heads out for a real, true public option plan.

[Inuca]

14. About the other dems

in the finance committee: they were practically shut out with the exception of Conrad whi is as bad as Baucus and Bingaman who I think is open to a public option (not sure though). The others have not beem sitting on their hands, there are 500+ amendments waiting to be discussed in the committe (I hope they will drop most of them or dispose of them somehow in 1 minute or less, else it will take... forever?). Have look here http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/9/22/72755/1213#c186 for some of the more important amendments.

[karynnj]

5. It is ironic that he uses the trigger on the drug bill as a selling point

as I think the consensus is that the plan is wasteful and the trigger was not pulled. I wonder if the goal might become passing a triggered public option (and fixing other problems) out of the SFC, then we can remove the trigger when merging with HELP. It would be easier than if there were no public option at all.

The mark up is now going on and is available on http://finance.senate.gov/sitepages/hearings.htm and on CSPAN (though I think it will have to go to the House floor when that starts)

[high density]

6. A trigger for one or two votes? Give me a break

A trigger doesn't fulfill Obama's desire to drive down costs. It waits for the issue to get worse. This is a bill owned by Obama and the Democrats and it should not be made even worse by a desire to please 1-2% of the senate.

[eagertolearn]

7. Baucus better realize that no one is listening to him on either side so give

up putting time on your tax payers time card on this issue. He made me realize that if no one is listening to us about any of this then lets go for a single payer system. We can't put a bandaid on something that needs stiches.

[OwnedByFerrets]

8. Yeah, cuz that worked sooooooooo great with Medicare Part D

:sarcasm:

[uponit7771]

10. Hmmm, what happened to that "trigger"? Why don't they just pull it? TIA

[Joe Bacon]

21. It got stuffed...

Just like this one...

[ElsewheresDaughter]

9. I'm NOT!

[Oregone]

11. Me too. Trigger mandates

The government needs to prove that it can offer afforable, subsidized, comprehensive insurance to 100% of Americans BEFORE mandating it for anyone.

[4lbs]

12. I don't understand why Baucus, who represents a state with a total population of less than 1 million

people is afforded such a high degree of power on this issue.

If it was environmental issues, I could understand. In terms of land mass, Montana is the 4th largest state. However, in terms of population, Montana is 48th.

When your constituents don't even comprise 0.33% of the population, you shouldn't be allowed to screw it up for the other 99.667% of the US population.

[IndianaGreen]

13. A 'trigger' is a sham, a con job to make you think you will have a public option down the road

The industry will spend millions to get the next Congress to repeal the trigger, and they will succeed simply because they will have enough Republicans and Democrats to do the industry's bidding.

[Generator]

15. That's what I figured

I mean it even sounds like a joke. Sham is the word of the whole health care "debate".

[Raineyb]

16. I regret that I only have two middle fingers in order to properly give him a Brooklyn cheer

I wish he'd STFU already as he's not inclined to say anything at all useful.

[BlooInBloo]

17. hahahaha! He's scared of reconciliation.

[polichick]

18. Another trigger that'll never happen? Sorry, no dice. nt

[mvd]

19. He negates his whole point with the drug benefit bill mention

If there is a trigger, it must have real teeth to it in order for insurance companies to feel the pressure.

[tosh]

20. "...he continued, still chuckling..."

'Nuff said.:eyes: