So much for that "pledge", eh, Rep. Pascrell?

by: Adam L

Wed Sep 09, 2009 at 10:30:00 AM EDT

It wasn't too long ago that we asked the Blue Jersey community to thank Reps. Pascrell, Holt, Payne and Sires for taking a stand on the "non-negotiable" public option.

So it was both puzzling and disheartening to read this yesterday:

Amid fresh signs that the White House is preparing to back a scaled-down health care overhaul that would only include a public insurance option as a fallback plan, several House liberals told Roll Call that they could support such a bill depending on how it was structured.

The "trigger" approach has been considered a deal-killer by liberals on and off Capitol Hill, and the willingness of some Congressional Progressive Caucus members to entertain it reflects a recognition that a bruising August recess has imperiled prospects for reform and redrawn expectations for what is possible.

"This is a way to get a bill," Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-N.J.) said. "I believe it's worth listening to because I want legislation that is going to, in some shape or form, expand coverage and bring down the cost of health care."

Let's put it bluntly - single payer was taken off the table before negotiations even started. And now, the public option, which is the damn compromise is now being compromised? Before reconciliation even occurs? A "trigger" will not work. There will either be too low of a bar in order to avoid the "trigger", too many millions will STILL be out of luck when it comes to coverage, and there is no reason to think that the "trigger" can't be compromised away for some other crap like a "co-op".

Please call Rep. Pascrell's office and ask for clarification as to why he was standing so strong for a REAL compromise bill a few short weeks ago but is now willing to back what will be a very costly failure in the name of "passing something":

Here is the contact form on his House website, and his phone numbers are below:

Washington, DC (202) 225-5751
Paterson (Main District Office) (973) 523-5152
Bloomfield (973) 680-1361
Passaic (973) 472-4510

When we started the series on the Public Option Whip here at Blue Jersey, we stopped after Rep. Pallone since four out of the five Reps. that "took the pledge" represented districts that we didn't get to yet. But now, in looking back, maybe we should have - given that one of these four is already wavering.

Why would you keep taking things off the table before even getting to the table?

Adam L :: So much for that "pledge", eh, Rep. Pascrell?

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So much for that "pledge", eh, Rep. Pascrell? | 3 comments

Just Now Called Pascrell's DC Office... (4.00 / 2)

..and spent nearly 5 minutes chatting with a very nice lady on the phone. She was aware of the statement clammy quotes, and kind of minimized it...then said that today on the house floor Pascrell said something to the effect that he was still in strong support of the PO......and that that statement was going up on their website.

When I asked to her to confirm that his commitment to a PO was iron clad and that he wouldn't vote vote a bill without a robust PO...she, of course, couldn't quite do that.

Bottom line: it matters if their lines are flooded with calls politely demanding that they don't sell us out. So, now it's your turn to call!

PS Obviously, whatever Obama says tonight will either stiffen Pascrell's spine or it will give him a rationale to cave in to the insurance industry...........this is what happens when you start a negotiation by giving away 75% of the "store". Let's hope Obama has finally seen the light and will have come to his senses tonight....and will stand up for the interests of the humans over those of the insurance industry.

by: Nick Lento @ Wed Sep 09, 2009 at 15:38:19 PM UTC

thanks for calling, Nick (0.00 / 0)

and for the update--

anyone else able to get any info on this?

Scott Garrett - on the wrong side of, well, everything.

by: Adam L @ Wed Sep 09, 2009 at 16:48:07 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

From Pascrell's Site..... (4.00 / 1)

WASHINGTON - U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-8) advocated for a strong public health insurance option in a statement he made in the House of Representatives today, saying it would provide a place for families to turn when private insurance companies deny them coverage.
The congressman's submitted statement is as follows:
"Private insurance companies are for-profit businesses. So I can't blame them for being in the business of denying access to needed care, avoiding and dumping the sick, and confusing consumers. They are, after all, driven by profits-not patients.

If he votes for a reconciliation bill without a PUBLIC option after saying that, it would be shcoking to say the least.

by: Nick Lento @ Wed Sep 09, 2009 at 19:36:46 PM UTC

[ Parent ]