The Obama Experiment

No Prescription In Sight To Cure Rising Disarray Among Dems Over Government-Run Health Care Experiment

The Hill’s Sam Youngman: “July Has Been A Disaster For Obama, Hill Dems.” (The Hill, 7/27/09)

AS AUGUST RECESS APPROACHES, CHAOS AMONG DEMOCRATS INCREASES

Pelosi: “I Do Think The Health Care Bill Is A Stimulus Package.” (CNN’s “State Of The Union,” 7/26/09)

Despite Pelosi’s Pledge To Pass Government-Run Health Care, Fellow Dems Fear “Shell-Shocked” Constituents Over Out-Of-Control Experiments Like Stimulus. “Defying skeptics in her party, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi vowed Sunday to overcome lingering obstacles and pass health-care reform in the House … rank-and-file Democrats are bracing for an intense August at home as their constituents are hit with a wave of advertising from business groups opposed to the legislation and liberal interest groups supporting it. ‘Ithink the people are shell-shocked,’ said Rep. Michael Arcuri (D-N.Y.), linking the recent passage of the $700 billion financial bailout, the $787 billion economic recovery package, climate change and other major bills approved this year. ‘So much is happening so quickly that what is happening is people are blending it all together,’ said Arcuri, who was elected in 2006.” (Shailagh Murray & Paul Kane, “Pelosi Vows Passage of Health-Care Overhaul,” The Washington Post, 7/27/09)

Today’s Politico: “New Deadlines, New Woes For Health Bill.” “After a week of major setbacks on health reform, White House officials and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi did their best to sound upbeat Sunday, with new deadlines looming to move bills out of key committees before the August recess … But things look a lot different for some members and senators — some of whom said Sunday they don’t think a quick resolution in either chamber is guaranteed right now, no matter how much President Barack Obama wants it. … Last week, Obama was still pushing for both the full House and Senate to move bills before going on summer vacation. Now, reform advocates are down to hoping for committee action in each house, and even that isn’t certain.” (Carrie Budoff Brown, “New Deadlines, New Woes For Health Bill,” Politico, 7/27/09)

Fellow Democrats Question House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s Confidence In Passing Government-Run Health Care. “White House officials and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi continued to say on Sunday that progress was being made on legislation to overhaul the health-care system, but fiscally conservative Democrats remained less optimistic …” (Brian Knowlton And Derrick Henry, “Democrats Disagree On State Of Health Reform Bill,” The New York Times, 7/27/09)

Blue Dogs Resist Pressure, Continue To “Humiliate” Leadership. “So-called Blue Dog Democrats continued to resist key aspects of their party’s health-care overhaul Sunday, despite pressure from party leaders who fear they will endanger President Barack Obama’s most ambitious legislative effort … The power of the Blue Dogs was on full display Friday, when they humiliated California Rep. Henry Waxman, one of the most liberal Democrats on Capitol Hill … On Friday morning, Rep. Waxman went before cameras and fired a blast at seven Blue Dogs on his committee …” (Naftali Bendavid, “’Blue Dog’ Democrats Hold Health-Care Overhaul At Bay,” The Wall Street Journal, 7/27/09)

Even Labor Unions In Disarray. “SEIU leader Andy Stern is using alliances with big business to push for a prominent seat at the table in Washington’s health-care debate, annoying some other union leaders in the process. The most notable ally of the Service Employees International Union president is Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the world’s largest retailer and a company most labor officials cite as their anti-union poster child … it raised eyebrows among union officials skeptical of Wal-Mart’s record on labor issues …” (Melanie Trottman, “SEIU Healthcare Push Aided By Walmart,” The Wall Street Journal, 7/27/09)

Obama, Dems Resort To Rough Politics Now That They’re Losing Policy Debate On Government-Run Health Care

OBAMA RAMPING-UP POLITICAL OPERATION TO SALVAGE FLOUNDERING HEALTH CARE PUSH

Obama’s Political Operation, “Organizing For America,” Running Ads Targeting Dem Senators. “A wing of the DNC announced this week that it would launch a new television ad to press Democratic senators from Arkansas, Indiana, Florida, Louisiana, North Dakota, Nebraska and Ohio. The ad, funded by Organizing for America, a wing of the DNC that was formed from the grassroots operation of Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign, urges senators to back an overhaul of the nation’s healthcare system … the first significant effort by the Obama administration to use its political operation at the DNC to ratchet up pressure on Democratic centrists.” (Alexander Bolton, “Reid Calls DNC Healthcare Ads ‘Waste Of Money,’” The Hill, 7/16/09)

• Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid (NV) Slammed Ads As Waste Of Money. “Reid (D-Nev.) slammed the Democratic National Committee for wasting money by running television ads to pressure centrist Democrats to support the president’s plan for healthcare reform. ‘I think it’s a waste of money,’ Reid told reporters Thursday. ‘Democrats running ads against Democrats?’” (Alexander Bolton, “Reid Calls DNC Healthcare Ads ‘Waste Of Money,’” The Hill, 7/16/09)

As “Glamour Wears Off,” Obama Engaging In “Trash Talk.” “Finally, we’re starting to see him sweat. President Barack Obama made his personal icy cool the trademark of his campaign, the tenor of his White House and the hallmark of an early run of successes at home and abroad. But as the glamour wears off and a long, frustrating summer wears on, he is being forced to improvise — stooping to respond to political foes and adjusting his tactics and demeanor for the trench warfare of a legislative agenda … Friday remarks at the White House had a trash-talk edge – count me out and you’ll be sorry.” (Ben Smith, “Barack Obama Feels The Heat, Changes The Play,” Politico, 7/20/09)

Obama’s Budget Director Forced To Enter “Thick Of The Political Haggling” To Save Dems’ Plan. “Mr. Orszag is the administration’s point man for controlling health-care spending. So when the director of the Congressional Budget Office, which Mr. Orszag used to run, testified eight days ago that none of the health plans pending on Capitol Hill would control long-term spending, Mr. Orszag knew that meant trouble. White House budget director Peter Orszag … has been laboring over the past week to address challenges to the president’s health plan from Capitol Hill. The wonkish economist likes to say he doesn’t have a ‘license to practice politics.’ But with problems brewing, the technocrat sprang into the thick of the political haggling.” (Laura Meckler, “Obama’s Health Expert Gets Political,” The Wall Street Journal, 7/24/09)

Despite Saying Health Care Debate “Isn’t About Politics,” Obama Uses It For Political Fundraising. “Continued the president: ‘Think about that. This isn’t about me. This isn’t about politics. This is about a health care system that is breaking America’s families, breaking America’s businesses, and breaking America’s economy.’ The president continued to make that point, using DeMint’s comments, in his prime time presidential press conference, in interviews, and in an email through his political committee to raise funds and rally the Democratic troops.” (Jake Tapper, “White House Plans to Assail As ‘Politics’ Another GOP Senator’s Remarks About Health Care Reform Fight,” ABC News’ Political Punch Blog, 7/23/09)

Obama Has “Done More To Dominate” News Cycle More Than Any Past President. “It has become his common lament. Challenged about difficulties with his economic or legislative programs, President Obama complains about the tyranny of ‘the news cycle,’ pronouncing the words with an air of above-it-all disdain for the impatience and fecklessness of today’s media culture. Yet after six months in office, perhaps no other president has been more attuned to, or done more to dominate, the news cycle he disparages.” (Peter Baker, “Obama Complains About the News Cycle but Manipulates It, Worrying Some,” The New York Times, 7/23/09)

OBAMA BREAKS TRANSPARENCY PLEDGE TO CRAFT BACKROOM DEALS WITH LOBBYISTS

Obama Promised Greater Transparency For Legislation And Deal Making. “In cutting deals with hospitals and drug makers, President Barack Obama is giving a private inside track to special interests that’s at odds with his promise to make policy in the open… He pledged to open government and let the public and news media hold his administration accountable… ‘We’ll have the negotiations televised on C-SPAN, so that people can see who is making arguments on behalf of their constituents, and who are making arguments on behalf of the drug companies or the insurance companies,’ he said then.” (Sharon Theimer, “Promises, Promises: Do Obama Deals Break Pledge?” The Associated Press, 7/21/09)

But Obama Now Resorts To Secret Meetings When In Office. “Instead, the administration’s multibillion-dollar deals with hospitals and pharmaceutical companies have been made in private, and the results were announced after the fact. Both industries promised Obama cost savings in return for an expanded base of insured patients; beyond that, the public is in the dark about details… ‘There’s beginning to be a little bit of, “Where are all these deals getting us?”’ E. Neil Trautwein, chief health care lobbyist for the National Retail Federation, said recently, referring to business concerns that the hospital and drug company pacts would force employers to pay more for workers’ medical benefits.” (Sharon Theimer, “Promises, Promises: Do Obama Deals Break Pledge?” The Associated Press, 7/21/09)

IRRITATED DEMS RESORT TO BULLYING FELLOW DEMS, HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS TO GET THEIR WAY

“Liberals Seethed With Frustration” Over Moderate Dems’ Attempts To Reach Compromises With Republicans Over Health Care Plan. “Liberals seethed with frustration over the delays — and the compromises moderates are making. ‘The Finance Committee keeps dragging their feet and dragging their feet and dragging their feet. It’s time for them to fish or cut bait,’ Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, said in a conference call with Iowa reporters. ‘The people of America voted for Barack Obama last year to lead this country and make changes …’ Democratic leaders struggled to win over rebellious moderates and conservative rank-and-file party members who are demanding changes.” (Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar, “Obama Health Plan Delayed – Trouble Ahead?” The Associated Press, 7/23/09)

Blue Dogs Under Pressure From Most Liberal House Members. “House liberals, sensing that some of their priorities, if not the whole bill, might be in jeopardy, sought to exert some pressure to counter the Blue Dogs.” (Mike Soraghan and Jared Allen, “Deadline Push Dropped After Health Momentum Fizzles,” The Hill, 7/23/09)

House Dem Leadership Resorting To Strategy Of “Breaking Bones” And “Twisting Arms” To Get Bill Done. “‘Why are we rushing it?’ asked Mr. Melancon, a Blue Dog on the Energy and Commerce Committee. ‘Let’s get it right.’ And he effectively dared House leaders to press ahead without fully addressing his group’s concerns, noting that the Blue Dogs potentially had enough votes in Energy and Commerce to stall the bill and that leaders would have to resort to pressure tactics. ‘We’re going to need some orthopedists around here to take care of the broken bones and twisted arms,’ he said.” (David Herszenhorn And Robert Pear, “Concerns On Plan Show Clashing Goals,” The New York Times, 7/22/09)

State Medical Associations Hint Doctors Being “Bullied Into Submission.” “[Todd] Atwater’s group circulated a much tougher letter among its members in early June, calling a public option the first step ‘down the road towards indentured servitude’ and hinting that physicians’ groups have been bullied into submission by congressional Democrats and the Obama administration.” (Carrie Dann, “Physician Unrest Flares Over AMA Stand,” National Journal’s Congress Daily AM, 7/16/09)

Meanwhile, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi Wants To Squeeze More Money From Health Care Providers. “Pelosi also told POLITICO she will push to ‘drain’ more savings from the medical industry — hospitals, pharmaceutical companies and health insurers — than they have given up under current health-reform agreements with the Senate and White House. Asked whether she believes the industry players will wind up contributing more to the package, Pelosi replied: ‘I don’t know. I know they can, to the extent that the special interests are willing to cooperate. … They could do much better. … Frankly, I think all the money [to pay for health reform] could be drained from the system, if they were willing to do that.’” (Mike Allen, “Nancy Pelosi: Make Millionaires Pay For Health Care,” Politico, 7/20/09)

WAXMAN THREATENED MEMBERS OF HIS OWN COMMITTEE, PREPARED TO IGNORE THEM

Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA) Said Blue Dogs “Will Pay A Political Price” For Not Supporting Government-Run Health Care. “Committee Chairman Henry A. Waxman, D-Calif., said he asked the Blue Dogs after the vote if they were trying to make a statement, and they told him no, they thought it was genuinely a meritorious amendment. ‘There’s no doubt in my mind that if the Blue Dogs join with the Republicans they can bring this bill down,’ Waxman said. But he doubts that will happen. ‘I think that it would be such a mistake for any group of Democrats to bring down this legislation and give the president a defeat – especially those in marginal districts,’ he said. ‘They are the ones who will pay a political price when voters get angry that Congress hasn’t responded to their health care concerns.’” (Alex Wayne And Jonathan Allen, “Blue Dogs Bare Teeth At Health Bill Markup,” CQ, 7/17/09)

Waxman Is Prepared To Bypass Committee If Agreement Not Reached With Blue Dogs. “Waxman said he hopes to reach agreement with his panel members but is prepared to work around them if necessary. ‘If we can’t, then my view is we’re going to have to look at perhaps bypassing the committee,’ he said.  ‘I think the Blue Dogs raised a number of important issues when we started the discussions, but we haven’t been able to conclude any agreement. The discussions can’t be interminable.’” (Drew Armstrong, Richard Rubin and Edward Epstein, “House Leaders Say They’ve Met Concerns of Dissident Democrats,” CQ Today, 7/24/09)

Waxman Will Cancel His Own Committee Mark-Up If He Doesn’t Get His Way. “Waxman was meeting again Friday with Blue Dog members of his committee who have balked at supporting the bill, leading him to break off markups this week. ‘I think they will agree to let our committee go forward with markup and not vote with Republicans to eviscerate the legislation,’ he said. ‘I will not allow them to turn over control of the committee to Republicans, as they’ve threatened to do.’” (Drew Armstrong, Richard Rubin and Edward Epstein, “House Leaders Say They’ve Met Concerns of Dissident Democrats,” CQ Today, 7/24/09)

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi Could Support Abandoning Waxman’s Committee As Well. “Inside Health Policy’s Julian Pecquet, who’s staking out House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s office, reports that Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Henry Waxman ’stormed out’ of this afternoon’s health reform meeting and told reporters he has nothing to announce. Asked whether the speaker could bypass his committee and take health care reform straight to the House floor, Waxman replied, ‘Ask the speaker.’” (”More House Drama,” InsideHealthPolicy.com’s “Health Policy” Blog, 7/23/09)

Democrats Falling Apart While Government-Run Health Care Proposal Dealt Another Blow

PELOSI REBUFFED BY FELLOW DEMS ON HAVING ENOUGH SUPPORT IN HOUSE

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi: “I Take This Bill To The Floor, It Will Win.” (CNN’s “State Of The Union,” 7/26/09)

But Rep. Jim Cooper (D-TN) Says Pelosi Doesn’t Have Enough Support To Pass Government-Run Health Care. CBS’ BOB SCHIEFFER: “Can she take that bill to the floor next week yet? Does she have the votes yet to pass it?” REP. COOPER: “I don’t believe so next week. I think that the American people want to take a closer look at this legislation. They want to feel comfortable with it. I think most members of the House and Senate want the same thing. We are still in the earliest stages of drafting reform. We have a long way to go.” (CBS’s “Face The Nation,” 7/26/09)

HOUSE DEMS BATTLING SENATE DEMS ON INDUSTRY “SAVINGS” DEALS, BIPARTISANSHIP

Pelosi Confirms House Dems Will Not Adhere To Senate Dems’ Deals With Hospitals, Drug Industry. PELOSI: “Some of us in the House do not support agreements made with the Senate to say limit the cost savings from the pharmaceutical industry, from the hospital industry … So we think there are more savings that can be gained.” (CNN’s State Of The Nation, 7/26/09)

Sen. Kent Conrad (D-ND) Says Bill Only Supported By Democrats “Not Possible,” “Not Desirable.” ABC’S GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: “Just not possible to have a Democrat-only bill?” CONRAD: “No, it is not possible and perhaps not desirable, either. We’re probably going to get a better product if we go through the tough business of debate, consideration, analysis of what we’re proposing. It is so important get this right and that it’s sustainable.” (ABC’s “This Week,” 7/26/09)

Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA) Would Give Up His Committee’s Influence Before Allowing Bipartisan Input. “Waxman was meeting again Friday with Blue Dog members of his committee who have balked at supporting the bill … ‘I think they will agree to let our committee go forward with markup and not vote with Republicans to eviscerate the legislation,’ he said. ‘I will not allow them to turn over control of the committee to Republicans, as they’ve threatened to do.’” (Drew Armstrong, Richard Rubin And Edward Epstein, “House Leaders Say They’ve Met Concerns of Dissident Democrats,” CQ Today, 7/24/09)

CBO DEALS ANOTHER BLOW TO DEMS’ CLAIMS ON GOVERNMENT-RUN HEALTH CARE

CBO Says New Agency To Be Created Under Government-Run Health Care Would Produce Little To No Savings. “CBO estimates that enacting the proposal, as drafted, would yield savings of $2 billion over the 2010–2019 period (with all of the savings realized in fiscal years 2016 through 2019) if the proposal was added to H.R. 3200 … In CBO’s judgment, the probability is high that no savings would be realized …” (Douglas W. Elmendorf, “Approaches To Giving The President Broad Authority To Change Medicare,” Letter To House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, 7/25/09)

Huge Blow For What Dems Call “Most Important” Way To Pay For Government-Run Health Care. “[C]ongressional budget analysts have dealt a blow to the Democrat’s health reform efforts … by saying a plan touted by the White House as crucial to paying for the bill would actually save almost no money over 10 years. A key House chairman and moderate House Democrats on Tuesday agreed to a White House-backed proposal that would give an outside panel the power to make cuts to government-financed health care programs. White House budget director Peter Orszag declared the plan ‘probably the most important piece that can be added’ to the House’s health care reform legislation ….” (Chris Frates, “CBO Deals New Blow To Health Plan,” Politico, 7/25/09)

As Government-Run Health Care Negotiations Implode, Dem Leaders Steamroll Dem Opposition

FRIDAY AFTERNOON HEADLINES SAY IT ALL

“House Dems’ Health Care Chaos.” (Jonathan Karl, ABC News’ “The Note” Blog, 7/24/09)

“Health Care Talks Fall Apart” (Alex Isenstadt, Politico, 7/24/09)

“House Dissidents Still Not Satisfied on Health Bill” (Drew Armstrong, Alex Wayne And Edward Epstein, CQ Today, 7/24/09)

“Talks With Blue Dogs Appear Dead” (Steven Dennis, Roll Call, 7/24/09)

FIREWORKS BETWEEN DEMOCRATS IN KEY HOUSE COMMITTEE

Rep. Mike Ross (D-AR): “It’s My Understanding That Will Be The Last Meeting We Have.” (Steven Dennis, “Talks With Blue Dogs Appear Dead,” Roll Call, 7/24/09)

“Visibly Angry” Blue Dogs Betrayed By Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA). “A visibly angry Rep. Mike Ross (D-Ark.), the Blue Dog health care task force chairman, said Waxman reneged on deals the two sides had previously agreed on: an independent Medicare commission and adopting Senate language on a public insurance option. He also said Waxman’s threats to bring the bill straight to the floor — and bypass a markup in Energy and Commerce — were not helpful.” (Steven Dennis, “Talks With Blue Dogs Appear Dead,” Roll Call, 7/24/09)

Waxman Abandons Own Committee To Send Bill Directly To House Floor. “Just half a year after ousting veteran Energy and Commerce Chairman John D. Dingell, the panel’s new chairman, Henry A. Waxman, D-Calif., admitted he is close to giving up on getting enough votes to get a health care overhaul through committee. Instead, Waxman said he’ll ask Democratic leaders to take the bill away from the committee and put it on the floor without the panel’s official imprimatur if he is not able to cut a deal with conservative Blue Dog Democrats soon… It was a stunning concession by a chairman of one of Congress’ most powerful committees, and it raises the question of whether Dingell — who is working to pass the bill — would have fared better in advancing it as chairman.” (Jonathan Allen, “Waxman Readies White Flag On Health,” CQ Politics, 7/24/09)

Waxman Would Rather Give Up His Committee’s Influence Than Allow Bipartisan Input. “Waxman was meeting again Friday with Blue Dog members of his committee who have balked at supporting the bill, leading him to break off markups this week. ‘I think they will agree to let our committee go forward with markup and not vote with Republicans to eviscerate the legislation,’ he said. ‘I will not allow them to turn over control of the committee to Republicans, as they’ve threatened to do.’” (Drew Armstrong, Richard Rubin and Edward Epstein, “House Leaders Say They’ve Met Concerns of Dissident Democrats,” CQ Today, 7/24/09)

PELOSI VS. HOYER: EVEN HOUSE DEM LEADERSHIP IN DISARRAY

House Democrat Leader Steny Hoyer (MD) Wants To Delay, But House Speaker Nancy Pelosi Won’t Listen. “The fight over the health care debate has sprouted an oldie-but-goodie storyline — rising tensions between House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and her No. 2, Steny Hoyer over legislative tactics. Hoyer raised eyebrows earlier this week by saying punting the vote through the August recess wouldn’t be the worst thing. Pelosi responded by saying she hoped to hold the vote before next week’s recess — and predicted she would have the votes.” (Glenn Thrush, “Pelosi-Hoyer Tension On Health Care Vote?” Politico, 7/24/09)

Democrats In Both Chambers Of Congress In Complete Disarray Over Government-Run Health Care

Democrat Member Of Congress: “They’re 100 Votes Away On A Good Day.” (Mike Soraghan And Jared Allen, “Pelosi: I Have The Votes To Pass Health Bill,” The Hill, 7/22/09)

NO WONDER PELOSI AND REID SAY NO TO VOTE BEFORE OBAMA’S AUGUST DEADLINE

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi Says No Vote On Government-Run Health Care Plan Before August. “House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said Thursday that the House can go home for its August recess without passing a massive overhaul …

‘I’m not afraid of August,’ Pelosi said. ‘It’s a month.’” (Mike Soraghan, “Pelosi Backs Off Insistence On Recess Health Deadline,” The Hill, 7/23/09)

• Meanwhile, House Committee Continues To Delay Work On Legislation, Hasn’t Met Since Monday. “As the bill has bogged down in the Energy and Commerce Committee, the July 31 deadline for passing the bill has seemed increasingly more difficult to meet. Pelosi and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) have promised lawmakers two days to read the final bill, so it must get out of the committee by Wednesday. The committee again delayed its markup Thursday. The committee hasn’t met since Monday.” (Mike Soraghan, “Pelosi Backs Off Insistence On Recess Health Deadline,” The Hill, 7/23/09)

Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid Also Says No Vote Before August. “Democratic divisions in Congress stalled President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul Thursday, with Majority Leader Harry Reid now saying that the Senate will not pass a reform bill before the August recess.” (“Reid: No Health Bill Before August Recess,” MSNBC.com, 7/23/09)

ENOUGH VOTES IN THE HOUSE? DIFFERENT ANSWERS FROM DIFFERENT DEMS

Pelosi Claims To Have Enough Votes To Pass Government-Run Health Care Experiment. “’I have no question we have the votes on the floor of the House,’ Pelosi told reporters Wednesday in the Capitol. The speaker would still like to bring the bill up for a vote by the end of next week, when members are scheduled to leave town for the August recess. But that timeline looks less and less likely as negotiations on the Energy and Commerce Committee stretch beyond their pre-set deadlines.” (Patrick O’Connor, “Pelosi Confident In Votes For Health Bill,” Politico, 7/22/09)

But Rep. Mike Ross (D-AK) Says Pelosi Doesn’t Have The Votes. “’No, I don’t think they have the votes,’ Rep. Mike Ross, D-Ark., said, arguing if that were the case he and the other six Blue Dogs on the House Energy and Commerce Committee who have been holding up the bill in committee would be under far less pressure.” (Jake Tapper And Z. Byron Wolf, “Leading Blue Dog Democrat: Pelosi Does Not Have The Votes for Health Care Reform,” ABC News’ “Political Punch” Blog, 7/22/09)

Rep. Bart Stupak (D-MI) Doesn’t Believe Pelosi’s Math. “But Democratic opponents of the bill said Pelosi’s vote count was somewhere between wildly optimistic and dead wrong. ’I don’t know who’s doing her vote counting, but she doesn’t have the votes,’ said Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mich.), who has worked with the band of centrist Blue Dog Democrats blocking the bill in the Energy and Commerce Committee.” (Mike Soraghan And Jared Allen, “Pelosi: I Have The Votes To Pass Health Bill,” The Hill, 7/22/09)

REASONS WHY PELOSI LOSING SUPPORT FOR GOVERNMENT-RUN HEALTH CARE

House Democrat Leadership Not Addressing Fellow Democrats’ Concerns, Resort To Arm-Twisting Instead. “’Why are we rushing it?’ asked Mr. Melancon, a Blue Dog on the Energy and Commerce Committee. ‘Let’s get it right.’ And he effectively dared House leaders to press ahead without fully addressing his group’s concerns, noting that the Blue Dogs potentially had enough votes in Energy and Commerce to stall the bill and that leaders would have to resort to pressure tactics. ‘We’re going to need some orthopedists around here to take care of the broken bones and twisted arms,’ he said.” (David Herszenhorn And Robert Pear, “Concerns On Plan Show Clashing Goals,” The New York Times, 7/22/09)

Rep. Bart Stupak (D-MI) Says Several Fellow Dems Oppose Government-Run Health Care Because Abortions Would Be Taxpayer Funded. “Rep. Bart Stupak said he and dozens of other Democrats are prepared to vote against the rule governing debate on the health care bill (HR 3200) if it precludes them from offering the abortion amendment – a warning that goes a step further than Stupak’s past allusions to the breadth of concern over the issue within the Democratic caucus. ‘If we don’t get a shot, then we can take down the rule,’ said Stupak, who wrote a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., along with 18 fellow Democrats requesting that a health care bill not allow for publicly funded abortions. He says the number of Democrats who will vote with him on the issue is far greater than the number who signed the letter.” (Jonathan Allen, “Anti-Abortion Democrats Threaten To Stall House Health Bill,” CQ Today, 7/22/09)

Hospitals Fighting Complete Bureaucratic Takeover Of Medicare In Democrats’ Government-Run Health Care Plan. “And mounting opposition from powerful interest groups has been equally worrisome for the White House. On Wednesday, the American Hospital Assn. urged its members to lobby against an administration proposal for an independent agency that would set Medicare payment rates.” (Peter Nicholas, Christi Parsons And Noam N. Levey, “Obama Strives To Personalize Healthcare Debate For Americans,” The Los Angeles Times, 7/23/09)

House Dems Worry Government-Run Health Care Would Allow White House To Take Too Much Power Away From Congress. “Several senior House Democrats voiced strong concern Wednesday with a proposal to empower the executive branch to restrain Medicare spending, adding fresh uncertainty to White House efforts to build support for health legislation … House Ways and Means Chairman Charles Rangel (D., N.Y.) is working to bridge differences on the issue, a spokesman said. But other top members of Mr. Rangel’s panel … are raising alarms. They warned the measure would shift too much power away from lawmakers, giving the White House big sway over decisions reserved under the Constitution for Congress. ‘You’re outsourcing congressional responsibility,’ said Rep. Richard Neal (D., Mass.). ‘It’s the equivalent of the line-item veto.’ Rep. Pete Stark (D., Calif.) called the idea ‘unworkable’ and ‘stupid at best,’ and raised doubts about whether the measure would achieve significant savings.” (Greg Hitt, “Democrats Spar Over Medicare,” The Wall Street Journal,” 7/23/09)

Minnesota Democrats, Republicans Join Hands To Blast Obama Over Medicare Payments. “’This inequity is no longer tolerable and we urge you to work with us to fix this problem in any health care reform legislation voted on in the U.S. House. All Americans pay equally into Medicare, yet beneficiaries in Minnesota are severely disadvantaged in the essential benefits they receive when compared to citizens in other states, such as Florida, New York, or California,’ reads the letter, drafted by Democratic Rep. Betty McCollum. ‘Why are Minnesotans paying higher premiums for prescription drugs, dental, vision and hearing services while residents of other states receive those benefits free of any additional cost?’” (Glenn Thrush, “Minny Dems Blast Obama On Medicaid,” Politico’s “Glenn Thrush” Blog, 7/22/09)

Congressional Dem Aides Warn Of More Tension Among Democrats On Government-Run Health Care “Train-Wreck.” “Leadership aides say that even if Waxman can resolve the concerns of the Blue Dogs, there are plenty more troubles awaiting him in committee and on the floor, including a tax on the wealthy to help pay for the $1 trillion cost of the bill. ‘There’s so many problems beyond the Blue Dogs,’ said a leadership aide. ‘There’s regional disparity. The pay-for is a train wreck. The committee might want to blame the Blue Dogs. But the Blue Dogs have wanted to engage and they haven’t.’” (Mike Soraghan And Jared Allen, “Pelosi: I Have The Votes To Pass Health Bill,” The Hill, 7/22/09)

IMPATIENT SENATE DEMS STARTING TO GIVE UP ON BIPARTISANSHIP

Senate Dems Frustrated By Sen. Max Baucus’ (D-MT) Bipartisan Talks, Fear Public Relations Setback. “Senate Democrats are increasingly frustrated by the secrecy and duration of Finance Chairman Max Baucus’ (D-Mont.) bipartisan talks on health care reform, with some saying it could undermine Democratic support for the bill… ‘At some point, [Baucus is] going to have to worry about getting Democratic votes,’ said one Democratic Senator, speaking on the condition of anonymity. ‘If they think that we’ll take whatever it is that comes out because we want to get something passed, they’re wrong ….’ Plus, several Democrats said the time-consuming talks have put Democrats in a pickle from a public relations perspective, as recent polls have shown support for their handling of the issue falling.” (Emily Pierce And David M. Drucker, “Democrats Tire Of Baucus Talks,” Roll Call, 7/23/09)

Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT) Irritated With Bipartisanship. “Mr Dodd said: ‘At some point it’s going to be more important to get a product out there to advance the debate and discussion and I’m fearful that we’re losing that opportunity by just sitting in and hoping we can get one or two people to agree to something – and at what price?’ … ‘Leadership is more important at this juncture in my view than bipartisanship,’ said Mr. Dodd. ‘In fact, bipartisanship almost reflects a lack of leadership; in trying to hide behind bipartisanship?.?.?.?We’ve allowed this to become the goal. At this juncture we need leadership in the country.’” (Tom Braithwaite And Matthew Garrahan, “Fear That Democrats May Lose Chance For Healthcare Reform,” The Financial Times, 7/22/09)