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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
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18

Public Option Compromise Gains Steam

Proposal creates national plan but lets states opt out

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(Newser) – The public option lives: both conservative and liberal Democrats seem to like an idea proposed by Chuck Schumer to establish a national health plan but allow states to opt out if they so choose. Conservative Ben Nelson has backed it, and a spokesman for Max Baucus said he might join in if he's sure of 60 votes. "The idea is still very young, and has a long way to go," writes Brian Beutler of Talking Points Memo. "But it seems to be finding friends very quickly."

Howard Dean said he would vote for it if he were in Congress because it's genuine reform, while the director of Health Care for America Now said the proposal is “clearly much better than triggers and opt-ins." The talks continue as Baucus' committee scheduled a vote on Tuesday for its long-awaited bill, notes the Washington Post.

Senate Judiciary Committee member Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y. speaks on Capitol Hill in Washington, Monday, July 13, 2009.
Senate Judiciary Committee member Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y. speaks on Capitol Hill in Washington, Monday, July 13, 2009.   (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)
Senate Judiciary Committee member Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., questions Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, July 14, 2009.
Senate Judiciary Committee member Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., questions Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, July 14, 2009.   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
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I am optimistic that there will be some kind of public option in the bill the president signs. I'm very optimistic. - Chuck Schumer, NY Senator

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18 comments
VIEWING:
 
JonmarkP
Oct 8, 09 5:36 PM CDT
Don't need 60 votes - need 50 votes + Biden. The money-grubbers keep pushing the idea that 60 are needed so they can waffle in favor of insurance companies. Baucus is a goner, he just doesn't know it yet. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+7
IN RESPONSE:
Reader64481089
Oct 8, 09 5:40 PM CDT
Agreed
Vote up! Vote down!
+3
IN RESPONSE:
RockyPneumonia
Oct 8, 09 5:52 PM CDT
They need 60 votes in order to vote for cloture -- in other words, to end a filibuster. Otherwise, under Senate rules, Republican obstructionists will be able to keep it from getting to a floor vote.
Vote up! Vote down!
0
IN RESPONSE:
shonangreg
Oct 8, 09 6:07 PM CDT
Absolutely. The Democrats need to focus on getting 60 Democrats to say they'll vote for cloture. Once that is set, they can vote their conscience. This has been happening behind the scenes, and I think it is going to happen. Baucus just seems clueless on the whole thing.
Vote up! Vote down!
0
IN RESPONSE:
Bryanw55
Oct 8, 09 6:58 PM CDT
60 would be nice, but the republicans pushed all of their tax cuts for the rich through during the Bush admin with 50+
Vote up! Vote down!
+1

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