Senate Dems Urge Public Option by Reconciliation
For the past few weeks, House liberals have been urging Democratic leaders in the Senate to bring up the public insurance option via the budget reconciliation
Jul 31, 2020903.1K Shares12M Views
For the past few weeks, House liberals have been urgingDemocratic leaders in the Senate to bring up the public insurance optionvia the budget reconciliation process, which would sidestep the filibuster and allow a simple majority-wins vote on the contentious public plan. Now some senators are joining the party as well.
In a letterto Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), four upper-chamber Democrats — Sens. Sherrod Brown (Ohio), Jeff Merkley (Ore.), Kirsten Gillibrand (N.Y.) and Michael Bennet (Colo.) — argue that including the public option would improve not only the Senate’s health reform bill, but also “the public’s perception of it.”
“„There are four fundamental reasons why we support this approach – its potential for billions of dollars in cost savings; the growing need to increase competition and lower costs for the consumer; the history of using reconciliation for significant pieces of health care legislation; and the continued public support for a public option….
“„The Senate has an obligation to reform our unworkable health insurance market — both to reduce costs and to give consumers more choices. A strong public option is the best way to deliver on both of these goals, and we urge its consideration under reconciliation rules.
With the pressure increasing on Democrats to reach across the aisle, it’s not likely that Reid would take such a controversial step. Then again, there’s been no indicationthat the Republicans’ calls for bipartisanship are in any way sincere. And of course, Reid’s slumping popularityin Nevada leaves him with little to lose.
Paolo Reyna
Reviewer
Paolo Reyna is a writer and storyteller with a wide range of interests. He graduated from New York University with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Media Studies.
Paolo enjoys writing about celebrity culture, gaming, visual arts, and events. He has a keen eye for trends in popular culture and an enthusiasm for exploring new ideas. Paolo's writing aims to inform and entertain while providing fresh perspectives on the topics that interest him most.
In his free time, he loves to travel, watch films, read books, and socialize with friends.
Latest Articles
Popular Articles