Daschle's still in health care mix

[dtotire]

Daschle's still in health care mix



Sources say Tom Daschle is part of a bipartisan effort with other prominent political leaders to propose a comprehensive health care fix.
Photo: AP

Former Health and Human Services nominee Tom Daschle has said he would remain involved in the push for health care reform — and it’s becoming clearer how he might do it.

Daschle, who withdrew from consideration in February amid tax problems, is rejoining a bipartisan effort with other prominent political leaders to propose a comprehensive health care fix, according to a source familiar with the process.

And by May, Daschle, former Sen. Robert Dole (R-Kan.) and former Sen. Howard Baker (R-Tenn.) are expected to present a package of ideas as founders of the Bipartisan Policy Center. Former Sen. George Mitchell (D-Maine) is also part of the effort, but his new job as Middle East envoy has diverted his attention.

Daschle had stepped out of the process, which began in 2007, when President Barack Obama nominated him to the Cabinet.

Dole told two Senate committees this week that a proposal is forthcoming.

Two top-tier health policy experts are assisting the group of four leaders: Chris Jennings, who worked in the Clinton White House, and Mark B. McClellan, who worked in the Bush administration.


http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0409/20808.html

[babylonsister]

1. The more ideas coming from more people, the better

as far as I can tell. I'm glad so much attention is being paid to this critical issue.

[dtotire]

2. It Looks Like It is Going to be a Bipartisan effort

If so, it won't have much trouble passing Congress.

[annabanana]

6. That means there probably WON'T be a public option. .

That's the line in the sand that the corporatists won't cross.

[Frustratedlady]

3. I should think that this would be embarrassing to Boehner, McConnel, et. al,

to have Republicans working on something they don't want to pass. This surprises me.

[Demeter]

4. Hello? Howard Dean? Single Payer, Universal Health Care?

Not some compromised kludge that fails of its own inner contradictions and GOP hamstringing!

[DURHAM D]

5. What a big fat YAWN.

Whatever they come up with will be IN THE INTEREST OF INSURANCE COMPANIES - not the regular folk.