Robust Public Option Lacks Votes To Pass House, Internal Whip Count Document Shows

[Bill219]

http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/health-care/exclusive-robust-public-option-lacks-votes-to-pass-house-internal-whip-count-document-shows/

The House Dem leadership has conducted its preliminary whip count and has tallied up a maximum of less than 200 likely Yes votes in support of a health care reform bill with a robust public option, well short of the 218 needed for passage, according to an internal whip count document I’ve obtained.

The numbers — compiled by the office of House leader James Clyburn — was distributed privately at a meeting between Clyburn and House progressives today where the fate of the public option was the subject of some contentious debate, with liberals demanding that House leaders push harder to win over votes.

Clyburn spokesperson Kristie Greco would only say: “We currently do not have the votes for a robust public option.”


--------------------------
WTF???//!!!! is going on

[TheKentuckian]

1. Personally, I don't have a problem with reasonable negotiation of rates

I'd like to see the House pass the robust option just to step up the pressure but I'm far from certain it is a good thing to set up a system that in some cases will reimburse at a lower rate than actual cost.

[Ruby the Liberal]

2. What on earth are they objecting to?

It came in at $871 - under budget - and would REDUCE the deficit.

What is left for these Dems to object to???

[damntexdem]

3. Screw all the counts and polls!

Bring the bills to the floor and see what the actual vote is!