Liberals to Obama: Don't Sell Us Out on Health Care

President considering compromise on key public insurance measure

By Gabriel Winant, Newser User

Posted Apr 21, 2009 9:54 AM CDT

(Newser) – Progressive groups are worried that President Obama is going to go wobbly on them on health care. The Washington Post reports that the president has signaled he's open to compromise on the inclusion of a public insurance plan. Key conservatives like Sen. Charles Grassley hate the idea of a public plan, but for unions and liberals, it’s non-negotiable. “The sacred cow on the left and the right is the public plan,” says former Sen. Tom Daschle.

The president, meanwhile, seems mainly concerned with finding something that can pass. There are broad goals, says a spokeswoman, but “the administration is open to all ideas for achieving those goals.” That’s exactly what worries the left. “You don't make compromises with your allies,” says a union chief. The Senate Finance Committee meets today, kicking off the official bill-creating process.

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Then-Sen. Barack Obama, flanked by Service Employees International Union Secretary-Treasurer with Anna Burger, left, and AFL-CIO President John Sweeney on June 19, 2008, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

President Barack Obama with Kathleen Sebelius, his nominee for Secretary of Health and Human Services. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Sen. Charles Grassley, the top Republican on Senate Finance Committee, center, and committee member Sen. Ron Wyden, left, talk with HHS Secretary-designate Kathleen Sebelius on April 2, 2009. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)

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This process has gotten away from the public because it is being carried out behind closed doors with lobbyists in the room but no consumer advocates. - Jamie Court, president
of Consumer Watchdog

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Liberals to Obama: Don't Sell Us Out on Health Care