Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Blue Dog Deal Means No Vote on Health Before Recess

Dems also agree on $100B trim: Waxman

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 29, 2009 1:59 PM CDT
Email

(Newser) – The House will not vote on a health care bill before the August recess, the Hill reports. Rep. Henry Waxman agreed to the delay as part of a deal with “Blue Dog” Democrats on his Energy and Commerce Committee, who had been threatening to block the bill. Waxman now expects the committee to finish marking up the bill by Friday.

Waxman and the Blue Dogs also agreed on $100 billion in trims from the bill, another of the conservative faction’s key demands. The bill’s so-called employer mandate would include businesses with payrolls of $500,000, instead of $400,000, and allow states to create insurance “co-ops” that would compete with the public option.

In this July 21, 2009, file photo, Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., speaks after he and other Blue Dog Democrats met with President Barack Obama at the White House in Washington.
In this July 21, 2009, file photo, Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., speaks after he and other Blue Dog Democrats met with President Barack Obama at the White House in Washington.   (AP Photo)
Rep. Mike Ross listens after a Blue Dog Democrats meeting with President Barack Obama at the White House, July 21, 2009.
Rep. Mike Ross listens after a Blue Dog Democrats meeting with President Barack Obama at the White House, July 21, 2009.   (AP Photo)
Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., right watches as Rep. Mike Ross, D-Ark., left, speaks to the media at the White House, July 21, 2009.
Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., right watches as Rep. Mike Ross, D-Ark., left, speaks to the media at the White House, July 21, 2009.   (AP Photo)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

We cut the cost of the bill, delayed a floor vote and ensured that the public option will not be forced on anyone. Members will have time to go home to talk to their constituents and actually read the bill.
- Rep. Mike Ross

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 13 comments
JonmarkP
Jul 30, 2009 12:04 PM CDT
This is going just the way Reid and Pelosi want it to go. They can pose as the "frustrated leaders," and still ensure no legislation is passed that might harm their real constituents-big business.
JonmarkP
Jul 30, 2009 12:00 PM CDT
This is real, real basic. When taxes go up, the poor and middle class do better-much better. When taxes go down, the beneficiaries are the rich and the super-rich. That you don't understand this doesn't mean it's not true, it just means you don't understand it. That's why God gave us Google-so people who don't read books can still get a basic understanding of basic economics.
freethemall
Jul 30, 2009 2:57 AM CDT
Right on, anchower!

 
health care • health care costs • Henry Waxman • House of Representatives • health care reform • House Energy and Commerce Committee • Blue Dog Democrats • public option

More Newser Stories

Hospitals Stuck With 'Permanent Patients'

Dummy Firms Squeeze Millions From Medicare

White House Gives States More Say on Health Law

Gingrich Backed Individual Health Care Mandate

Health Reform Insured 2.5M Young People
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne