Did you notice that a prominent Republican came out in support of a public insurance plan over the weekend?
I didn't either, until just recently.
I spotted the news in an update to this diary, and then in Ezra Klein's very insightful overview of how the media narrative of health care reform is missing the bigger picture. (No surprise there, I guess.)
In the midst of all the sturm and drang about Democratic "disunity," I think it's telling that a supporter of the public option is emerging on the Republican side, and hardly anyone is noticing.
UPDATEDx4: This story developed quickly over a short period, so I'd recommend starting at Update 4 and working your way up. It's disappointing otherwise.
It's Olympia Snowe - sensible Republican from the great state of Maine.
The New Republic is reporting that Snowe addressed an HCAN rally over the weekend.
(Correction, 7/21: Apparently, Snowe didn't attend the rally herself, but sent staffer Cheryl Leaman to speak on her behalf. See video link in the third update below.)
This is part of what the Senator had to say:
Congress must implement long overdue insurance market reforms such as the guaranteed issue of a policy for every American and no refusal or adverse pricing of policies on the basis of health status or gender. We also must insure that those plans include a very strong benefit package, from preventative services to comprehensive medical benefits. And offering extra assistance to families who need help in affording a plan must be part and parcel of any legislation.
I believe that the reforms we are creating will result in more competitive, affordable and innovative options for Mainers, yet we can all agree that we must not leave universal access to chance. That is why I also support a public plan which must be available from day one.
So I urge all of you here today to join me in partnership to secure for our nation that which every other developed nation already embraces, the provision of health security for all of its citizens. The time has long come, and I promise you I will continue to work to move heaven and earth to make it happen.
Now, it's possible that Snowe's idea of a public plan is much less potent than many of us would like. But at least she's seriously considering Democratic proposals, and is open to supporting them in some form. I'm also impressed that her commitment to reform seems genuine and deep (e.g. "move heaven and earth") - and unlike some other "centrists" whose motives are questionable, she seems to have a record of meaning what she says.
In practical terms, this could be MAJOR. It could help shift the narrative away from internecine fights on the Democratic side to the splintering among Republicans and the inevitability of reform. And even more importantly, with Snowe's support, we could afford to lose a Democratic senator's vote in the Finance Committee, and ultimately on the floor - for either cloture or the legislation itself.
This is big, folks. Let's celebrate the victories, and fight for even more.
UPDATE 1:
Along with the obligatory THANKS for my virgin Rec List showing... :)
Just did a little digging in the Way Back Machine (from last month), and found the following info about Snowe and the public option that gives her current support even more weight. She's apparently been thinking about this for some time, even though her original support of the public option included a trigger. (Based on her speech from Saturday, she's now backing off the trigger proposal.)
From WaPo on June 8th:
All but one of the ten Republicans on the Senate Finance Committee signed a letter to President Obama today outlining their opposition to a so-called public option in a health care overhaul, illustrating what has become the sharpest divide between the two parties on this issue... Only Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) declined to sign the letter from the GOP members of the committee, which has been meeting for weeks to hash out a bipartisan comprise on health care legislation.
UPDATE 2:
nyceve makes a great suggestion in the comments. Let's call Senator Snowe, thank her, and urge her to continue to support a strong public option (not a co-op, as Senator Conrad has been advancing). And while we're at it, let's call Senator Collins and ask her to reconsider her opposition to a public plan.
Olympia Snowe: (202) 224-5344
Susan Collins: (202) 224-2523
UPDATE 3:
Here's a video of Snowe's rep speaking to the crowd. Note that the crowd goes wild at the mention of the public option (around the 5-minute mark):
http://www.youtube.com/...
MUCH LATER UPDATE (4):
Snowe has since walked back her support significantly, apparently claiming that her statement should have included qualifiers more in keeping with a state-level public option activated by triggers. You can read more about it in this update at TPM.
I'm not sure I buy Snowe's explanation. Why did her representative not read the alleged qualifiers? Why did she use the "Day 1" language? Why were her words so passionate?
Perhaps Snowe got heat from her Republican colleagues and is trying to defuse the situation? Or she purposely misled the pro-reform crowd back home in a clumsy effort to "have it both ways"?
Whatever the reason, the whole thing is extremely disappointing. While it's still possible her vote is in play (she's still the only Republican on record supporting even a triggered public plan), it's clear we can't count on her.
And that thing I said above about her having a "record of meaning what she says"? Never mind.
TAKE ACTION:
- Contact your own Senators and Representative expressing your support for a public plan. As grannyhelen advises in the comments, you might even urge them to stay on in DC until they get the job done. Vacations can wait; health care can't.
- Call and write the Blue Dog Dems on the House Energy & Commerce Committee. They're in markup as we speak and must be persuaded to vote against any Republican amendments to weaken the public plan. See the red-shaded rows under E&C in slinkerwink's handy spreadsheet.
- Donate to support citizen action for health care reform via FireDogLake and/or Organizing for America.