Progressives get loud over conservative compromise on healthcare reform

By Creature

The Hill:

A House leadership deal with Blue Dogs and an aggressive marketing push by Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.) shifted the healthcare debate sharply toward centrist positions Wednesday, sparking threats of rebellion from the left.

The day’s events left the Senate Finance Committee’s emergent bill as the most viable vehicle on Capitol Hill, but also made clear that House Democrats are still riven by bitter disagreements. Democrats postponed a floor vote until after the August recess, meeting a top demand of centrist Blue Dogs.

The Blue Dogs’ deal, which cut $100 billion from the healthcare reform price tag, was instantly denounced by Rep. Lynn Woolsey (D-Calif.), co-chairwoman of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, who said, “It’s unacceptable. We’re not going to vote for anything that doesn’t have a robust public plan.”

And they shouldn't. It's bad enough that single-payer never saw the light of day, the least Congress can do is include a "robust public plan." It's how you insure everyone and it's how you bring the price of health insurance down to reasonable levels.

Today, I have good health insurance. A few years back, I had none. During that time all I ever wanted was a solid plan, at a reasonable price. As an individual buyer that was impossible (and, I'm sure it's even harder today). I understand the need. If only the Blue Dogs understood it too.