Why Isn’t This Called Bribery?
Via WaPo:
The roiling debate about health-care reform has been a boon to the political fortunes of Ross and 51 other members of the Blue Dog Coalition, who have become key brokers in shaping legislation in the House. Objections from the group resulted in a compromise bill announced this week that includes higher payments for rural providers and softens a public insurance option that industry groups object to. The deal also would allow states to set up nonprofit cooperatives to offer coverage, a Republican-generated idea that insurers favor as an alternative to a public insurance option.
At the same time, the group has set a record pace for fundraising this year through its political action committee, surpassing other congressional leadership PACs in collecting more than $1.1 million through June. More than half the money came from the health-care, insurance and financial services industries, marking a notable surge in donations from those sectors compared with earlier years, according to an analysis by the Center for Public Integrity.
Let’s stop playing games and just call this what it is.
Tags: Blue Dogs, Health Care
Ok I’ll call it what it is:
It is another example of how the democratic party pretends to support their electorate while doing what they damn well please. Ignoring their constituency is what they do best. Just get in line with the gay and lesbians, climate change enthusiasts and the rest of the idiots who put this lot in office with expectations of support.
“Republicans” like Kent Conrad the Democratic Chairman of the Senate budget committee are the supporting the co-ops. Is it a good idea or not should be the point. It is obviously supported by a lot of Democrats, why dismiss it out of hand. It works.
“The deal also would allow states to set up nonprofit cooperatives to offer coverage, a Republican-generated idea that insurers favor as an alternative to a public insurance option.” At least they are finally admitting that Republicans have ideas and proposals. I guess we switch talking points based upon the feel of the day.