Sanchez Breaks From ‘Blue Dog Coalition,’ Endorses Public Plan
Sanchez Breaks From ‘Blue Dog Coalition,’ Endorses Public Plan
House Democratic leaders were planning to unveil a final health care reform bill today, but on the eve of the announcement, a group of “Blue Dog Democrats” released a list of demands that have forced the leadership to wait until next week as Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer attempt to broker a compromise.
In a letter to Speaker Pelosi, the conservative “Blue Dog” members claimed that they are concerned about the cost of the health care bill:
Paying for care reform must start with finding savings within the current delivery system and maximizing the value of our health care dollar before we ask the public to pay more. […]
The discussion draft fails to include adequate structural changes that will succeed in lowering costs and increasing value.
But the letter also comes out against a public plan, which is one of the primary tools to rein in health care costs over the long-term. The letter complains, “‘A Medicare-like’ public option would negatively impact hospitals, doctors and patients…using Medicare’s below-market rates would seriously weaken the financial stability of our local hospitals and doctors.”
Igor Volsky notes there’s “an inherent contradiction” in this letter: the Blue Dogs want to find more savings within the system, but they’re also asking that the bill spend more.
Fortunately, there is at least one “Blue Dog” member who understands this contradiction and is willing to break from her coalition to support a public plan. On MSNBC this afternoon, Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D-CA) said, “I am one of those people who believes that we should be required to have a public option because it will bring the costs of health care down.” Watch it:
Sanchez is right. If the “Blue Dogs” wanted to stick to their principles of bringing costs down, they’d join with Sanchez to endorse a public plan.
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Great catch! Thanks for posting. Putting pressure on this group will result in change or it will result in them losing their seats.
They can only win this one if we fail to hold BOTH sides accountable.
July 10th, 2009 at 1:47 pmCongratulations, Rep. Sanchez!
Breaking from the conservative Dem fold took courage, conviction and conscience.
Hopefully, others will follow your leadership. This is a critical time for all Americans in need of lower cost & higher quality in our health care delivery system.
Many of your colleagues continue to express confusing concerns that sound disturbingly like those being stated by Republicans.
It is my belief that the 2010 elections will take those to task that are currently resisting health care reform; regardless of reasons.
America was founded on a government FOR THE PEOPLE. Corporate citizenship has expanded to a point where the common folk are seen as more of an ‘annoyance’ than a benefit. This must change.
Good luck with your political career, Ms Sanchez.
July 10th, 2009 at 1:54 pmI called my congressman, Patrick Murphy, today and let them know how displeased I am to see his name on the letter.
They just don’t get it! The health insurance industry has a virtual monopoly in many geographic areas right now, and they set the rates of reimbursement, the premiums, the benefits, the medical review policies, the coverage denials, etc.
Wake up, Dems! There is nothing “blue” about these dogs!
PEACE
July 10th, 2009 at 1:55 pmBefore I start flying off the handle with false information that I get from the rightwing media, let me say this…
Hello to all. Let me introduce myself. I am a gay republican (nothing wrong with this – just that people in my party force me to be closeted. I am so closetphobic) who hates myself, so want to go around and spread my misery to one and all. All I know how to do is start controversy – but I can tell that my pea-brain is no match for the intelligent reality based thinkers that make-up the share of the people on this site.
I have read all you have to say – and I agree, the conservatives are a bunch of kCock-suckers who can’t make it in a reality based world …so we had to create a world of illusion and confusion. I guess the reason I’m such a moron is because I was gang raped by a bunch of preachers from my church.
This is #1 in a series of Republican Love Facts
July 10th, 2009 at 1:56 pmIt is my belief that the 2010 elections will take those to task that are currently resisting health care reform; regardless of reasons.
Will only happen if self-proclaimed “progessives” hold BOTH sides accountable.
Unfortunately, you will not always see that from a few prolific posters here. But then again, they deny that there even is a “progressive movement” that resulted in wholesale change for the better in this country.
I actually saw some moron quote an online dictionary to deny that the term, as used in the context of US politics, has any more meaning than “anything goes”.
July 10th, 2009 at 1:59 pmIs this the regular TP commentator “dung republican” coming clean with a NEW HANDLE?!?!?!?!
The truth will set you free.
July 10th, 2009 at 2:00 pmThank you Rep Sanchez. Someone who actually understands that one of the main purposes of a public option is to lower overall costs.
One wonders if many of the so-called “blue dogs” use the idea of fiscal responsiblity as a smoke screen to protect the interests of the status quo.
July 10th, 2009 at 2:03 pmSanchez is not just from California. It should be noted that she’s from Orange County, California – Home of The Orange County Register and some of the most ignorant SOB’s I’ve ever met in my life.
There are people in the south that are Redneck A$$holes, but the people in Orange County are just plain A$$holes.
I second the comment; Good luck with your future political career Congresswoman Sanchez. Thanks for putting the people of our country first.
July 10th, 2009 at 2:04 pmIt’s so obvious that the “Blue Dogs” are doing the bidding of the blue chips.
The way to realize savings in health care is to do what every other industrialized country does to realize savings in health care: have a national plan, preferably single-payer.
If people really want private insurance, there’ll always be an insurance salesman who wants to sell it to them.
But healthcare is not inherently a profit-making “business,” it is a public service and a right.
The gag rule about getting the profits out of the boardrooms and putting them to work paying for real health care for Americans comes from corporate media shielding their big-paying sponsors from just criticism for capitalizing on Americans’ illnesses.
If we can’t have single-payer now, because the legislature is too flush with insurance money, we need a robust public option that will lead to single-payer savings down the road.
The public option needs to be
1. Available to everyone nationwide–no co-ops;
2. From day one that the legislation takes effect–no trigger; and
3. The public plan must remain solely and firmly under the control of the voters and their elected representatives–no private entity or insurance “agency”
Otherwise, we’re talking about more–much more–of the same.
July 10th, 2009 at 2:05 pmBlue Dogs are trying to play to their base. They will find that their base has left them behind on this one.
July 10th, 2009 at 2:07 pm.
I WANT
CONGRESS
CARE !
.
July 10th, 2009 at 2:11 pmThe Blue Dog letter isn’t just contradictory in its “be budget neutral but don’t actually cut costs” approach. They also claim to endorse a public option but not one that is as cost effective as Medicare. The read I get from this is a three step approach:
July 10th, 2009 at 2:13 pm(1) Bribe us by giving money to rural health care (screw everyone else):
(2) Make it look bipartisan so the mean republicans won’t run anyone against us;
(3) Give lots of goodies to our health industry patrons so if we do draw an opponent we will be able to coolect massive bribes (oops, “campaign contributions”).
Now more than ever, “Democrat =/= “Progressive”.
billpressshow.com has the following names linked for contact:
Health Care: The Public Plan Option
These Democratic Senators have NOT agreed to support it:
Senator Blanche Lincoln (D-AR)
Senator Tom Carper (D-DE)
Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA)
Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR)
Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL)
Senator Ben Nelson (D-NE)
Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA)
Senator Kent Conrad (D-ND)
Senator Max Baucus (D-MT)
Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA)
Senator Evan Bayh (D-IN)
Senator Mark Pryor (D-AR)
Senator Joe Lieberman (I-CT)
These names are reported by The Hill here and here
Update: Senator Kay Hagan (D-NC) says she supports a public option.
Update: Senator Jeff Binghaman (D-NM) says he supports a public option.
You can also contact the White House and voice your opinion
July 10th, 2009 at 2:14 pmComments: 202-456-1111
Switchboard: 202-456-1414
All I want to know is, what took her so long?
July 10th, 2009 at 2:15 pmnotice it didn’t stop our latest concern troll from whining
it’s apparent that nothing will
July 10th, 2009 at 2:15 pmRepublicans and the so-called blue dog Dems favor the present corporate greed system of private health “insurance.” Charmed, I’m sure. Funny these same Republicans and the so-called blue dog Dems have no problem accepting free socialized federal government health insurance for themselves and their staffs and their dependents… Hypocrites.
July 10th, 2009 at 2:16 pm“Republican Love Facts” sounds like a great name for a website dedicated to revealing the hypocritical extramarital sexual escapades of Republicans like Vitter, Craig, Gingrich, Ensign, Sanford, et al.
July 10th, 2009 at 2:17 pmWhy do Blue Dog Dems only complain about spending when it favors the people who elected them? These people are dogs for sure but are they Dems? I would like them to shed there fur coats and reveal their stripes: you know, the yellow one for cowardice and the black and white ones for the skunks they appear to be.
July 10th, 2009 at 2:17 pmkeep the pressure on congress
just don’t fall for the trap the right wingers set to try and blame Obama for the actions (or inactions) of congress
that would be a concern troll type of thing to try to sow division and help Republicans
July 10th, 2009 at 2:17 pmConservative Democrats are like clean coal.
July 10th, 2009 at 2:19 pm72% of americans want a public option. What’s so hard to understand about that?
July 10th, 2009 at 2:24 pmI just called my Blue Dog Congresscritter.
My words, exactly…
‘If you don’t vote to support a public option in health care reform, you will not only lose my vote; you will lose the vote of each individual I convince you’re not worthy of voting for. I will work tirelessly at this until November, 2010.’
July 10th, 2009 at 2:28 pm#8 RLF
I am so happy we didn’t relocate to Orange County years ago, even though my family pressured us to do so.
Over the years, I have come to agree with you that Orange County CA is the home of people with numerous prejudices.
My family forwards emails from them to me and I frequently have to educate my family members on the truth.
Sanchez has broken ground with this move. Now we must keep up the pressure on the rest of them.
July 10th, 2009 at 2:30 pmwrite your congresspeople
keep the pressure on, it’s working
July 10th, 2009 at 2:32 pmkrystalview,
July 10th, 2009 at 2:41 pmWell, for starters, I’m having a hard time understanding why there isn’t that equal Representation in Congress.
Thank you Rep. Sanchez!
Now lets all hope she has some sway with the fellow “Blue Dogs” or is that “Bleu Dawgs”?
July 10th, 2009 at 2:47 pmI think they “Blew Dogs”
July 10th, 2009 at 2:49 pmMax – are you whining, the blog cops will be pissed off!
July 10th, 2009 at 2:57 pmHas anyone seen this? Classic Kucinich. I thought single payer was off the table. From today’s hearing.
http://crooksandliars.com/logan-murphy/dennis-kucinich-pummels-doctor
July 10th, 2009 at 3:07 pmJoe,
Tough…
… It’s feet to the fire time!
Dear Tommy,
Should we pressure Congress or Obama on this?
http://rawstory.com/08/news/2009/07/10/obama-veto-white-house-secrecy/
Because nothing says Bush White House like secrecy, NO?
Will Obama continue this charade?
Follow the yellow brick road…
… And remember, at the end, there’s a man hiding behind a big curtain.
Shall we open it?
July 10th, 2009 at 3:10 pmIt’s a shame Americans have to take these baby steps towards
single payer, which is inevitable.
Here in Australia, I have the option of buying private coverage if I wish, giving me a tax deduction.
How simple is that ?
July 10th, 2009 at 3:21 pmI’ve been noticing more than a few distinct characteristics that our Blue Dogs have in common with the Regressives on the other side of the aisle:
1)Love them some lobby bucks
2)Their reasoning is based on fear and lies(judgement clouded by lobby bucks no doubt)
3)They offer no alternative solution
4)When all else fails…obstruct
These DINO’s are undoubtedly trying to protect their political careers over the interests and needs of a large majority of the Nation. They are relying on healthcare lobby money for re-election campaigns and coddling their conservative bases while trying to act all Democratic like. Bunch of two-faced no good Republic-lites. 2010 will assuredly weed out the herd.
July 10th, 2009 at 3:26 pmLet’s all keep track of who these people are that do not want us to have what they have. And our taxes pay for 70% of all government workers.
And when they don’t vote for this, we need to make sure they know they will not be re-elected. And we need to at least not be too lazy to email or write these people and let them know they had better vote for the public plan. If we are too lazy to let them know, then we cannot complain when we don’t get the plan we want.
We need to understand the people we elect are OWNED BY BIG CORPORATIONS. All of them think and believe they owe us only what the lobbyists will let them give us. The Senate and Congress are truly the best money can buy.
July 10th, 2009 at 4:54 pmMandate coverage and let people choose public option or private insurance.
Last month I paid $392.99 towards the premium for my health insurance. My former employer picked up the of the tab which was 60% of the total cost. I did not use my health insurance last month, however, United Healthcare had enough money to pay $1.4 million/day to a lobbyist to convince Congress that we don’t need no stinking public option. United Healthcare could have put that premium to better use by providing better coverage instead of dishing out money to lobbyists.
July 10th, 2009 at 5:20 pmThe Blue Dog roll call list is pretty much a list of the bought and paid for Democrats. It will also be a list of who to replace next election for not serving the public interest, but going the way of big insurance. Greed has a price and they will find out next election when “we the people’ speak again with our votes.
July 10th, 2009 at 6:27 pmWE WILL REMEMBER!
We just gotta keep whipping for robust public option. We’re getting mighty close.
July 10th, 2009 at 7:15 pmI find this commentary AMAZING given the district she represents is riddled with health care fraud.
Further, the Congresswomen would be well served by visiting the CHOC hospitial, a mile from here house and explaining that visiting the emergency room for the flu is a BAD CHOICE.
Boy, she seems to be talking out her mouth, both sides of it.
July 10th, 2009 at 11:14 pmBlue Dogs are not “centrists” on the Healthcare debate. 70% of country favors a public plan and are willing to pay more in taxes if that means getting competition into the market to drive down costs. This is the politcal middle on healthcare! Blue Dogs need to get a clue or not let the door hit them when they get booted out of Congress.
I for one don’t see why health insurance companies are being treated so sacred for any other reason than them bribing Congressional leaders. Single payer is really the true option because it will not only cut administrative costs which are 1/3 of the entire costs in our current crappy system, but it will also remove the burden that American companies are forced to pay for now. American companies shift many jobs oversees because they cannot afford to compete with other countries where companies aren’t held down by providing healthcare. It is a win for taxpayers in our pocketbooks and stimulating the economy.
July 11th, 2009 at 2:37 amHow could ANYONE endorse Bimbostien for anything other than a one night stand? I wouldnt let the moron babysit my tropical fish
July 11th, 2009 at 9:48 pmThank You..
Sesli Chat , Sesli Sohbet
July 14th, 2009 at 1:35 amSesli Chat , Sesli Sohbet
Sesli Chat , Sesli Sohbet
Bravo Representative Sanchez!
Unfortunately, the sick, the poor and the elderly are not profitable groups to insure at affordable rates. As Former Cigna Exec, Wendell Potter, concludes,we need a public option.
http://axisofreason.com/2009/07/15/former-private-health-insurance-executive-concludes-appropriate-role-for-government-in-health-insurance/
July 15th, 2009 at 10:38 am