The AP is reporting that the Senate Democrats are "paring back subsidies" and "floated a compromise that rules out direct government competition against private insurers." source
Has it not occurred to them that there seems to be a pattern developing in which the Republicans demand inclusion in the negotiations, suggest that if the Democrats will adopt some of their proposals they will have their support, and then it's Lucy/Football Time? When it comes down to a vote, the GOP finds all manner of excuses to vote "nay" A bit of a rant below the fold.
There is nothing bi-partisan about a political strategy in which one side offers the other an olive branch only to be clobbered in return by the opponent's tree. There is nothing bi-partisan about being held hostage by filibuster tactics from the outset. There comes a point at which bi-partisanship is nothing more than an exercise in futility that costs the side making a sincere effort more than the opponents. That point has been reached in the health insurance reform discussions.
This phony bi-partisanship may make conversations more civil among the invitees in the Beltway Reception Circuit, but it won't address the problems faced by individuals and families who cannot afford health insurance.
This phony bi-partisanship may make the members of the Senate Club feel good about working together, but it won't address the issues faced by the 20,000 who lost their health insurance just when they needed it most to the Insurance Titans' rescission clauses.
This phony bi-partisanship may draw accolades from the corporate press pundits who want 'peace with honor' among their sources, but it won't solve the problem of a young couple trying to find affordable insurance that will cover pre-natal and post-natal care for an intended pregnancy.
This phony bi-partisanship may make some corporate donors more comfortable with their Democratic recipients, but it won't solve the problem faced by many people in rural areas of the country who find that there is only one insurance company with local physicians listed in its providers listings. A choice of one is not a choice.
If we want single payer or a public option, then we're going to have to fight for it, and unfortunately we're going to have to fight some of the Senators some of us worked hard to elect. So be it. And, thank you for your patience with my vent for the evening.