Polis Pushes Public Option In Reconciliation

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by: Phoenix Rising

Rep. Polis and other House Democrats are pushing for inclusion of the Public Option in the much-discussed hypothetical Senate reconciliation bill.

House progressives organizing to rescue health care reform are pressuring their Senate counterparts to go back to the provision that has most energized the party and a majority of Americans throughout the debate: The public option.

“The public option,” said Polis, “is not dead.”

The article notes one major problem blocking passage of Health Care Reform as a factor in getting the public option put back in: the House doesn’t have enough votes right now to pass the Senate bill. Rep. Bart Stupak, who created the (IMHO) odious anti-abortion language that passed the House, has said he won’t vote for the Senate bill; and House Progressives have voiced objection over some aspects of the excise tax and other less-than-progressive Senate provisions.

Since budget reconciliation can’t change the abortion language, it seems the only path to success is to work the progressive caucus and throw them some bones. The public option is likely to pass under reconciliation rules in the Senate, and would be a huge win for House Progressives who’ve felt shut out.

Congratulations to Rep. Polis for taking the lead here. If you’re inclined, call your own Rep and get them to sign Polis’s call to Sen. Reid.

14 thoughts on “Polis Pushes Public Option In Reconciliation”

Fidel's dirt nap says:

January 27, 2010 at 11:12 pm

dead, buried, then exhumed again to make sure its really dead, lit on fire, stomped out, and then buried again.

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1. JO says:
  
  January 28, 2010 at 2:12 am
  
  …we have you to know, and share, the facts, lest we be tempted to listen to someone actually in Congress!
  
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  1. Fidel's dirt nap says:
    
    January 28, 2010 at 2:21 am
    
    Pray to our anointed patron saints of false hope JUST ONE MORE TIME. This time its gonna be different, I tell ya ! Why would someone actually in Congress lead you wrong anyway ? I mean hell, Michael Bennet is there.
    
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    1. wade norris says:
      
      January 28, 2010 at 2:28 am
      
      with Polis’ comments in the past about “tax and spend” democrats on health care, this might make up for that misstep.
      
      I am pretty sure dems are very, very aware of how bad their numbers will go down if the health care bill in its current form, passes.
      
      I have heard it is polling in the 30% range, while the public option is in the high 70% range.
      
      Polis might not be worried about a republican challenger, but you never know about a primary.
      
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      1. redstateblues says:
        
        January 28, 2010 at 2:38 am
        
        I’m sure Rep. Polis is very concerned about a primary. I’d put the odds of a CD-2 primary right up there with Bill Ritter jumping back in the race to run a primary against Hickenlooper.
        
        Polis was always a strong supporter of the public option, so this really doesn’t differ with anything he’s said in the past. I’m glad that he’s trying to get the Senate to get off their asses, but it would have been nice if he wasn’t parroting GOP talking points on HCR from the get-go.
        
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        Fidel's dirt nap says:
        
        January 28, 2010 at 2:51 am
        
        HB3048 – “The healthcare reform didn’t happen so now I’ll cover my ass for next election by pushing for something well after the battle has been lost so I know won’t pass anyway don’t blame me bill; subtitled the looking like you are doing something while not really making any difference whatsoever, good for political cover BILL”
        
        Apologies in advance for being so cynical.
        
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        Middle of the Road says:
        
        January 28, 2010 at 3:20 am
        
        NBC had a poll last night and 79% thought the government was an absolute failure. About the same numbers for how people think Congress is doing.
        
        You know I’m a pragmatist but I gotta tell you, I think this is actually doable and at this point, I don’t give a fuck who gets credit for it if it works. Yes, it’s a slim chance (and that’s the understatement of the year) but even Nelson said he would be willing to go the reconciliation route and that only requires 50 votes.
        
        And the progressive bloc is really the only group left where there are potential pick up votes.
        
        So, in order to move health care through the House, Democrats either need to pick up progressives or conservatives. And the budget reconciliation process does not lend itself to altering abortion language reform, because that wouldn’t have a direct, substantial impact on the budget.
        
        That leaves progressives as the bloc available to pick up. Their demands — changes related to the tax on insurance, a Medicaid or Medicare expansion, and a public option — would likely be allowable using reconciliation. (The Senate parliamentarian would have the final say.)
        
        So here’s wishing for the best while bracing for the worst.
        
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        wade norris says:
        
        January 28, 2010 at 3:18 am
        
        honestly if this works to get the PO back in through reconciliation, Polis will be a hero.
        
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TheDeminator says:

January 28, 2010 at 12:15 am

He is making the one last push to get the damn Public Option done… Go you Polis

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peacemonger says:

January 28, 2010 at 6:00 pm

My initial reaction to his statement was to cheer. How wonderful Congressman Jared Polis is to champion health care reform in such a loud, firm, clear way!

I admire him very much and think his motives are out of genuine concern for Americans. That said, after his annoucement, I talked to some health reform experts in the state. There is a huge coalition of health care groups under the Umbrella of HCAN. Some of the leaders of the coalition groups told me this is a very unlikely strategy and would make derailing health reform more likely, rather than less. These people study polling data and speak with experts in the field all day, every day. I give them credibility.

The best thing Congressman Polis could have said to this voter is, “I am working with Health Care for America Now and all of its member organizations to devise the best strategy to get real reform.” Unfortunately, it is not nearly as sexy as saying, “I am saving the public option”.

I wish him luck. I really do.

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peacemonger says:

January 28, 2010 at 6:04 pm

at this point, is for the House to pass the Senate bill quickly, and work to get more under reconciliation.

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sxp151 says:

January 29, 2010 at 12:02 am

I’m happier now with him than I was last year. He seems more like a leader of the team than a leader of a rebellion, which is much more helpful.

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Sharon Hanson says:

January 29, 2010 at 3:59 pm

I’m happy he’s fighting for the Public Option. It makes sense from a business perspective to help the middle class and he’s one example of someone who is realizing that if we don’t restore the middle class in this country we will not recover. Single payer would be better but the PO is the next best thing.

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1. Fidel's dirt nap says:
  
  January 29, 2010 at 7:13 pm
  
  and all of these people have failed you, and yet you praise them anyway for “fighting for the Public Option”.
  
  They are all culpable for this failure. Stop fawning and hold them responsible.
  
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