Senate Finance Committee Rejects Public Option

by Jen Nedeau · 2009-09-29 20:56:00 UTC
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The Senate Finance Committee voted on two amendments from Senators Schumer and Rockefeller to add a public health insurance option to the Baucus Bill. Both of those amendments were defeated, 8-15 and 10-13 respectively.

So basically, the Senate Finance Committee rejected the public option. What a sad day for America - and particularly for women who will be most affected if health care reform is passed without the public option.

From Health Care for America Now comes the list of those who voted against the Rockefeller amendment, which would have created a public health insurance option based on Medicare. I hope that those who have Senators in their state who voted "No" send them an angry letter in the mail at the very least:

Democrats

Max Baucus, MT - No
Kent Conrad, ND - No
Blanche Lincoln, AR - No
Bill Nelson, FL - No
Thomas Carper, DE - No

Republicans

Chuck Grassley, IA - No
Orrin Hatch, UT - No
Olympia Snowe, ME - No
Jon Kyl, AZ - No
Jim Bunning, KY - No
Mike Crapo, ID - No
Pat Roberts, KS - No
John Ensign, NV - No
Mike Enzi, WY - No
John Cornyn, TX - No

On the Schumer amendment, which would have created a "level playing field" public health insurance option, the roll call has:

Democrats

Max Baucus, MT - No
Kent Conrad, ND - No
Blanche Lincoln, AR - No

Republicans

Chuck Grassley, IA - No
Orrin Hatch, UT - No
Olympia Snowe, ME - No
Jon Kyl, AZ - No
Jim Bunning, KY - No
Mike Crapo, ID - No
Pat Roberts, KS - No
John Ensign, NV - No
Mike Enzi, WY - No
John Cornyn, TX - No

According to Health Care for America Now, the Finance Committee is the most conservative in the Senate, which is itself the most conservative house of Congress.

But why does conserving a bad health care system have to be the motto of the GOP these days? Particularly when 77% of American people support the public option? Where's the compassionate conservative now?

Jen Nedeau Jen Nedeau is a media relations professional and a writer based in New York City.
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