contrary to the diary currently on the reclist saying that Harry Reid came out for the public option, Talking Points Memo just reported in their giant banner headline story that Harry Reid is "throwing in the towel on the Public Option".
Did Harry Reid just throw in the towel on public option? He seemed to in a telephone town hall with constituents that we were listening in on.
--David Kurtz
Does Harry Reid Prefer Co-ops Over the Public Option?
Brian Beutler | August 28, 2009, 5:56PM
During a tele-townhall with constituents today, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said he supports a public option...but then he added an extremely important caveat. Reid said he doesn't think the public option ought to be a government run program like Medicare, but instead favors a "private entity that has direction from the federal government so people that don't fall within the parameters of being able to get insurance from their employers, they would have a place to go. "
That sounds suspiciously like Reid would prefer a so-called co-op system, which almost all reformers regard with suspicion, and many regard as a non-starter. Reid is ultimately more than just one vote, too. If the Senate passes a health care bill through the regular legislative process, he'll be the one marrying two different pieces of legislation: one which creates a public option, and one which creates co-ops. Likewise, if the Senate passes health care reforms on a partisan basis through the so-called reconciliation process, his office would take the lead in determining whether to try an include a public option in the reconciliation bill.
I'll update this post when I've received comment from Reid's staff.
is anyone surprised?
UPDATE:
some contact information:
Email form: http://reid.senate.gov/...
Carson City
600 East William Street, #302
Carson City, NV 89701
Phone: 775-882-7343 / Fax: 775-883-1980
Las Vegas
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Las Vegas, NV 89101
Phone: 702-388-5020 / Fax: 702-388-5030
Reno
Bruce R. Thompson Courthouse and Federal Building
400 South Virginia Street, Suite 902
Reno, NV 89501
Phone: 775-686-5750 / Fax: 775-686-5757
Rural Nevada Outreach Contact
Matt Tuma
Phone: 775-686-5750 / Fax: 775-686-5757
Washington
528 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: 202-224-3542 / Fax: 202-224-7327
Toll Free for Nevadans: 1-866-SEN-REID (736-7343) -Restricted to calls originating from area codes 775 and 702