Ahead of Obama Speech, Baucus Says 'Public Option' Cannot Pass Senate
Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., who is trying to hammer out the details of a bipartisan compromise with five other senators, announced that he will be moving ahead with or without Republican support. But he said a government-run insurance plan cannot pass the Senate.
Hours before President Obama was set to deliver a make-or-break speech on health care reform, a top Senate negotiator conceded the government-run insurance program so dear to the president's supporters cannot pass the Senate.
Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., who was trying to hammer out the details of a bipartisan compromise Wednesday with five other senators, announced that he would be moving ahead with or without Republican support.
But he made clear that the so-called "public option" would not be part of any deal with his name on it.
"The public option cannot pass the Senate," Baucus said. "I could be wrong, but it's my belief that the public option cannot pass."
Obama, who will address a joint session of Congress at 8 p.m. ET Wednesday, has indicated he wants a public option, but so far has not said he will demand it. He also has not said he will veto a package that omits a government-run health insurance program.
Baucus' assessment Wednesday afternoon is the latest blow to die-hard supporters of a government plan.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/09/09/ahead-obama-speech-baucus-says-public-option-pass-senate/
LOL
It's like a soap opera....the story is always changing and no one is clear on whats going on.
Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., who is trying to hammer out the details of a bipartisan compromise with five other senators, announced that he will be moving ahead with or without Republican support. But he said a government-run insurance plan cannot pass the Senate.
Hours before President Obama was set to deliver a make-or-break speech on health care reform, a top Senate negotiator conceded the government-run insurance program so dear to the president's supporters cannot pass the Senate.
Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., who was trying to hammer out the details of a bipartisan compromise Wednesday with five other senators, announced that he would be moving ahead with or without Republican support.
But he made clear that the so-called "public option" would not be part of any deal with his name on it.
"The public option cannot pass the Senate," Baucus said. "I could be wrong, but it's my belief that the public option cannot pass."
Obama, who will address a joint session of Congress at 8 p.m. ET Wednesday, has indicated he wants a public option, but so far has not said he will demand it. He also has not said he will veto a package that omits a government-run health insurance program.
Baucus' assessment Wednesday afternoon is the latest blow to die-hard supporters of a government plan.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/09/09/ahead-obama-speech-baucus-says-public-option-pass-senate/
LOL
It's like a soap opera....the story is always changing and no one is clear on whats going on.
