Obama Spotlights GOP Ideas As Dems Plan End Run
Pres. Obama will explore 4 ideas from GOP members in a new health care proposal to Congress, setting the stage claiming to be bipartisan as legislative strategists plot an approach that would only require Dem votes to pass a reform bill.
Less than a week after meeting with with top House and Senate leaders at Blair House, Obama spotlighted areas of agreement between Dems and GOPers and areas of differences. But an internal Dem memo being circulated today lays out the path by which Dems will use reconciliation to pass the bill.
Obama highlighted a proposal to engage in random undercover investigations of Medicare and Medicaid recipients, an idea proposed by Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK). Coburn spent his time at the summit highlighting the waste, fraud and abuse he had seen as a doctor.
GOPers will also get a crumb on medical malpractice lawsuits after Obama said he would be open to including a $50M grant fund for demonstration projects aimed at mediating malpractice claims. The proposal comes from legislation sponsored this year by Sens. Coburn and Richard Burr (R-NC) and Reps. Paul Ryan (R-WI) and Devin Nunes (R-CA), and last year by Sen. Mike Enzi (R-WY).
Obama said he would also explore raising Medicaid reimbursement rates, a proposal from Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA), and an expansion of health savings accounts, as Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY) suggested.
The WH also said it would remove a Medicare Advantage provision Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) spotlighted as wasteful, and special funding aimed at securing Sen. Ben Nelson's (D-NE) vote -- a provision GOPers derisively called the "Cornhusker Kickback."
"My ideas have been informed by discussions with Republicans and Democrats, doctors and nurses, health care experts, and everyday Americans - not just last Thursday, but over the course of a yearlong dialogue," Obama wrote in the letter, sent to the top Dem and GOPer in the House and Senate. "Both parties agree that the health care status quo is unsustainable. And both should agree that it's just not an option to walk away from the millions of American families and business owners counting on reform."
But despite the olive branch, Dems are unlikely to win over any GOP votes for the provision. Indeed, because of abortion language incorporated in the House bill and left out of the WH proposal, the party is likely to lose the one GOP vote it had secured -- that of Rep. Anh "Joseph" Cao (R-LA).
Top GOP Senate aides also said any cooperation would end if Dems pursued reconciliation, which the majority has strongly hinted it will.
House Dems are expected to try and pass the Senate version of health care by Mar. 19, the memo says. After Obama signs the bill, the House will aim to pass corrections through reconciliation, which legislative strategists hope to pass by Mar. 21. Later that week, the Senate would take up the reconciliation measure, which would only be debatable for 30 hours.
Senate Maj. Leader Harry Reid would then bring up votes for the first time on Mar. 26, the memo says. Senate leaders would aim to pass the bill before the Spring recess, though Reid could keep the upper chamber in session until all amendments are dispatched with.
Great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We will soon find out how many moderate democrats are anxious to strap on their political suicide packs and join their leadership in self-destruction.
Obama/Pelosi/Reed still apparently believe that people will wake up the day after this monstrosity is passed by "reconciliation" happy as clams at the great and generous State that has given them what they keep saying they don't want.
They are mistaken.
Kamikaze missions didn't help the Japanese win WWII, and suicide bombers didn't prevent the surge from working in Iraq.
If they do manage to pass this mess (which thankfully looks as unlikely as ever), it merely guarantees their departure in November, and begins the battle for its repeal.
If Obama/Reid, Pelosi opine that reconciliation is appropriate, why is it that the "father" of reconciliation, Robert Byrd, says it is not so?
51 votes is a majority.. Why all the fuss?
As an Independent, the only thing I want to see is a firm commitment to Roll It All Back from anyone seeking my vote in November. I'm sick and tired of not being able to tell the difference between the Govmint Knows Best D party currently in total control and intent on ramming Bigger Government down our throats and the Big Government R party who we kicked out of office that doesn't seem to be changing any of their leadership to convince We the People that the elephant has ears and that any "new" Republican party intends on governing differently if they get the chance in November.
The Louisiana purchase is still in there. The 100 million dollar hospital for Chris Dodd is still in there.
Those aren't republican ideas.
If th egovmint cant take on the insurance companies, then who can?
So the Dems are trying to put lipstick on the pig. Where is Sarah Palin when you need her?
Those yelling "greeaattttttt" are obviously clueless. None of the real provision that Dems want arent even allowed thru reconciliation. ... CLOWNS!
Still no competition across state lines by insurance companies...proof positive that its about government control of your health care.
Healthcare is becoming an obsession for the President who cannot launch his socialist engine without the destruction of our capitalist healthcare system first. Hope you like what change looks like Comrades.
Insurance company competition across state lines was part of all Dem bills (called Exchanges).
This bill is almost an exact replica of the Bob Dole proposal from 1994. I don't remember Republicans calling him Socialist...
Wow! The article states that President Obama is incorporating four Republican ideas. Yet, some dimwit states that there is nothing here about buying health insurance across state line, as if the four Republican ideas stated are the entire proposal. Go read the entire proposals, Jackass!
BTW, if the proposed bill is really "kamikaze" for the Democrats, then the Republicans should encourge them to pass it, instead of railing against it. Disenginuity abounds!
obama spotlight GOP ideas in an attempt to pass his health care jacking. It's not worth passing anything obama supports. it's not worth having government run health care unless you don't believe in freedom. it you want to be fined and imprisoned for not having healthcare then you should support baracs plan. barac has nationalized banks, auto companies and now your healthcare. i got to admit baracs communist government control takeover of america has been progressing according to his plan. i prefer freedom some prefer slavery whether to a master or a government master. so now matter how many republicans the commies put in barac plan remember that in the end the government controls you even more and i for one piss on that plain and simple.
Mr Bundy, the ignorance displayed by your comment is matched only by the weakness of your grammar. Perhaps though, it was the electric chair that addled your brain and left you so incoherent.
I really wish pre-existing conditions were going to be part of the bill. I hear that can't pass with majority vote? Not being able to buy ins without working for a big company is not the American Freedom I want to live with. BTW, it's not me with the condition it's my 6yr old son with leukemia. He's just not profitable for the current system. I'd even pay the $25K for it. Only the rich can be self-insured. Must be all those Republicans that are so rich????
The republicans did imply they were for a provision regulating the the prexisting condition issue. However they cannot bring themeselves to support any plan that Obama supports so they will pretend they dont support it. Americans lose again.
Proud Liberal - What a classic remark! You are so wise and intelligent. We should be humbled to be blessed with your wisdom. Let's see..Mr. Bundy is, according to you, ignorant and has poor grammar. Proud Liberal, you are a classic liberal; all slander an no substance. Here's a second chance...Mr. Bundy commented on Obama's nationalizing of banks, auto companies and now a move toward nationalized health care. They are undeniable facts. Now you can argue whether or not those moves are good for the country but you obviously are too angry and full of yourself to debate facts. And you liberals wonder why you positions ring so hollow to the majority of Americans....
Proud liberal...
Spelling and grammer are hard for some people. Given that the basis of liberalism includes the notion that helping those who are not as well off as youself, you might a least think for a moment before you dig into someone for not being as articulate as you think they should be (to be posting in a place where you have to endure it). Mr. Bundy is expressing a legitimate fear; if only that and has every reason to be afraid. Even those who agree and accept that a more centralized role exist for healthcare planning and for many of the other issues Mr.Bundy mentions, there will be pain induced by the change as translocations of process and people are undertaken. Leave him to his fears or attempt to sooth them. Scolding him only reduces you.
Keep in mind though as you decry the mans ingnorance...You don't need to know how to spell cudgel to understand that when someone is swinging one at your head that you should duct. There is an eligance of thought that comes from innocent simplicity. Even if you don't agree with or heed the advice of a simpleton...pause at least to hear his words. Sometimes they are prophetic.
...Listen to everyone...heed the wise...no matter the source...
I guess Great scotts attitude is better at least he opines that simpletons are occasionally wise , I reckon in a folksy , bucolic way.The use of the word communist is extreme I concede however there is more at work here than fear which scott the respectfully , socratic progressive would soothe and educate as he might his children. The central danger is the surrender to govermment control of that which dtermines on the most personal level life death and wellness. THe cost of course is an issue as it will cause the budget to collapse however that can be rectified by eliminating the military like most progressive western countries have done. And why not there are no dangers.Not from the wise confucians , the Russians and the Islamic world.All these countries freely embrace individual liberty and worship as SOME americans do the sanctity of an individuals devine right to choose.Of course these noble folks will step into the twilight of Americas decline to ignite the torch of liberty so that all mankind knows there is hope.Through this ,that which is sacred ,the glory of individual action and decision with minimal interference from despotisms cruel hand __ shall be preserved and always exist somewhere on earth.By this we can rest assured that a dark age of tyranny with its constant companions of fear of expression of speech indeed of thought itself shall never stain this planet entirely. Having said that how f...in stupid are the 2 of you. In canada my dog has greater access to health care than any human. Any test known to man can be done on her within two weeks. I just spoke to my banker today who has waited three months for jaw surgery. He checked in yesterday only to be told there "aint no beds, and he aint been given a date yet fellers, so what do yall figger? By the way did it ever occur to you pompous pontificators that all medical innovation dies when health care is nationalized. Ask any Canadian surgeon nworth his salt, here is a direct quote said right to my face in an examinig room for my daughters shoulder."NO MEDICAL INNOVATION COMES FROM HERE IT ALL COMES FROM THE US".Listen progressives and listen up there real good like,THe American Health Care system Is the worst in the INDUSTRIALIZED WORLD EXCEPT FOR ALL THE OTHERS to paraphrase someone who was proud and was prepared to die in defence of his nation and civilization. The cabal and games of the insurance companies ugly and flawed as it is is a far better alternative than starting the march to eventual nationalization via the obama trojan horse approach. The data on nationalized medical experience is empirical not whimsy or based on models( models sure done good for subslime loans
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