Rep. Jane Harman was at the White House today as President Obama announced his support for "pay-go" budgeting, which is a battle cry for the fiscally conservative Blue Dogs.
But then this afternoon, she announced she is opposed to the Blue Dogs' health care proposal. That proposal includes a "public option" only as a fallback, in case private insurers are unable to deliver competitive, low-cost coverage. Harman made clear that she, like the more liberal House Democrats, still favors a public option:
Rep. Harman Statement on Health Care
But then this afternoon, she announced she is opposed to the Blue Dogs' health care proposal. That proposal includes a "public option" only as a fallback, in case private insurers are unable to deliver competitive, low-cost coverage. Harman made clear that she, like the more liberal House Democrats, still favors a public option:
In an interview this afternoon, I asked Harman if she still considers herself a Blue Dog. She said she does, and noted that when she joined the group in the early 1990s it was focused exclusively on budget discipline. She said she also opposes the Blue Dogs on energy legislation."I am a strong supporter of universal health coverage, which is why I support the health care reform plan being developed by President Obama, Senator Kennedy, and Congressman Waxman. Like them, I believe that the bill must include a public health insurance option which guarantees all Americans access to quality, affordable health care. I will oppose any plan that does not include this option, and am unwavering in my opposition to the so-called "Blue Dog trigger." I am proud to have signed the HCAN (Health Care for America Now!) pledge to seek universal coverage."
Does my congressman (Rohrabacher) have an opinion? Or is Harman the only one that counts in the South Bay?
Also, it would have been nice if you had actually asked Harman how "budget discipline" fits in with universal healthcare? Oh yes, I know the answer already, covering 50 million more people will cost less because we'll only tax the wealthy.
Gosh, I wish we had a skeptical reporter who would ask a tough question and then follow it up with another.
I think I heard Obama tell us we would have to tighten our belt when it comes to the budget. I guess that doesn't apply to his administration jus like every thing else. Oh I for got, he did say he wanted to spread the wealth. And as to his health care plans-I won't participate no matter what. I am also taking my money out of Chase and putting it in a bank that was not involved in the TARP. This is not the America I grew up in. This is administration is not creting jobs rather it is destroying companies and adding to the jobless rate.
I will be back for the next round although these comments are interesting, too.