FDL Action Health Care Update: Tuesday (11/10/09)

by: FDL Action

Tue Nov 10, 2009 at 19:29:27 PM EST

1. Jon Walker warns that the Stupak Amendment "reaches far beyond any of the reporting so far" and could "effectively stop many employer-provided health insurance plans from covering abortions for tens of millions of Americans." Scary stuff, well beyond the women's-right-to-choose piece of this monstrosity.

2. Jon Walker points out that although Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) "is completely correct our current system is completely unsustainable and will not survive another decade if it continues in the same manner it has been," he himself has "yet to endorse the kind of radical reform necessary to reduce cost."

4. Jon Walker reports that Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) is prepared to use "reconciliation" if necessary to pass health care reform with a public option.  Is this leading up to a death match between Sanders and Joe Lieberman, who has vowed to fillibuster a public option?  Stay tuned! :)

5. Yours truly reports that the House vote on health care has already become an issue in the gubernatorial primary in Alabama.

6. David Dayen writes that "Barbara Boxer sounds confident that the Senate will not be able to join the House in passing restrictive anti-choice language in the health care bill." Let's hope Boxer's confidence isn't misplaced.

7. Last but not least, Jon Walker says we shouldn't get too excited about Bill Clinton giving Senate Democrats a pep talk.  Apparently, Clinton "told the Senate Democrats to pass anything, and do it quickly." Anything?  With all due respect to President Clinton, that's not really the point here, now is it?