Democratic Underground - Van Hollen: Senate Bill뭩 Brand May Be Irrevocably Tarnished, So We May Go Reconciliation Instead

Source: The Plum Line

In a candid assessment of the politics of health care, DCCC chief Chris Van Hollen said in an interview that the Senate bill뭩 brand may be irrevocably tarnished, particularly among independents � and confirmed that partly for this reason, Dem leaders may pass a new set of reforms via reconciliation, which could be repackaged free of the Senate bill뭩 taint.

Van Hollen also added that it would be a mistake for Dems to pretend the unpopularity of the Senate reform proposals wasn뭪 a factor in the Massachusetts loss.

>snip

밯e would focus on essential elements in the health care package that have wide public support,� he said. Among them: Creating more competition and more consumer choice; taking away special deals for the insurance industry, like the antitrust exemption; and 뱈aking sure that insurance companies couldn뭪 deny you coverage at the time you need it the most.�

These provisions 밾ave gotten lost in the public discussion,� Van Hollen said, adding that repackaging the proposals would let Dems 뱈ake it clear that this is a different bill.�

Now they are beginning to get it. Or, maybe they did but until the loss in Mass, progressives didn't have the power to speak out, or were 'admonished' when they tried.

If that Senate seat gets us some real Health Care reform, it was worth it. So far, it seems to have accomplished a few positive things, like Obama's pushing Geithner aside and promoting Volcker on banking regulation.

And we can always take it back if Dems start doing what the people want. I think it certainly diminished Rahm's status proving how wrong he's been all along to ignore progressives. Too bad we had to lose a Senate seat to accomplish what just listening to the base would have accomplished in the first place.

Van Hollen: Senate Bill뭩 Brand May Be Irrevocably Tarnished, So We May Go Reconciliation Instead [View All]