Snowe not swayed on health timeline

Posted: Thursday, July 16, 2009 2:57 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: Congress

From NBC’s Athena Jones

Moderate Maine Republican Olympia Snowe, a member of the Senate Finance Committee, says Congress should not be held to an "artificially compressed timeline" on a bill to revamp the health-care system, which she called a "Herculean challenge" because it makes up 17% of the economy.

"It is important for us to take the time to work through these issues and that we are making substantial progress," Snowe told reporters at the White House after meeting with the president on Thursday. "We are working systematically in hopes that we can reach an agreement on a framework to proceed to a mark up, but I thought it was overly ambitious to accomplish passing it on the Senate floor before the August recess, because senators and their constituents as well want to be able to review whatever, you know, we do in the Finance Committee along with the product that has been issued by the HELP Committee."

President Obama has made overhauling health care a top priority and has stepped up the pressure on Congress to get most of the work done before they take off for summer vacation.

Earlier, Obama met with Conservative Nebraska Democratic Sen. Ben Nelson, before heading to New Jersey to speak at a fundraiser for embattled Gov. Jon Corzine.

Snowe predicted the Finance Committee could complete a mark up of a bill before the August recess and then spend the recess fusing both the HELP Committee bill along with the Finance Committee bill so that they could begin debate on the Senate floor in September.

She said bipartisan support for the Finance Committee's bill would put an overhaul bill in a better position to get through Congress.

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Comments

Snowe, you should know better. You NEVER allow a period of public review, otherwise politicians and their constituents get a chance to read the legislation and may get cold feet. Why do you think the Patriot Act was rammed through Congress so quickly?

MO Attorney (Sent Thursday, July 16, 2009 3:03 PM)

Obama is so damn busy trying to get this health care reform bill passed that he doesn't even know what's in it himself.

Remember when noboby read the stimulas but voted for it anyway? That's what's going on right now in Washington. More Dem BS.

Moon Dawg (Sent Thursday, July 16, 2009 3:04 PM)

You know, it's interesting.

If we had listened to Senators Snowe and Nelson, we would not even have ANY health reform bill at all.

Everyone keeps talking about how "complicated" this is, but isn't that what Senators get paid to do?

I mean, the Congress acts like DOING THEIR JOBS is some type of hardship - makes me wonder what the hell have they been doing ALL THESE YEARS.

What else is so pressing that you folks can't get the job done by the August recess?

Isn't the point of having the bill by the recess so we CAN review it? This transparent call for delay with no good reason why is getting old.

What magical idea is going to emerge after the recess that hasn't emerged in the past TWENTY YEARS?

None, that's what.

Nashville_fan (Sent Thursday, July 16, 2009 3:07 PM)

Who does this Snowe Job think she's fooling? She's just caving in to pressure from her limpwristed conservative crybaby party of sore losers and it's tiume for her to step up to the plate and work on getting health care reform passed.

It's sickening to think that these whiners get our hard earned tax dollars to pay for their golden parachutes and government health care plan. If the government health plan they have is good enough for them then it's good enough for all Americans or it's time to drop their coverage to lessen the budget deficit.

Hey Jonathan, Flint, MI - So do you think that it's constitutional that the repugnant one's Congress of last decade passed their golden parachute retirement plan and gave themselves an awesome health care plan at our expense. Was it really worth them making a constitutional amendment to further line their pockets with their ripoff golden parahcute retirement plan at our expense? Doesn't that irritate you the way that it irritates me?

Pass Health Care Reform with the Public Option Now!

Eric, Salinas, CA (Sent Thursday, July 16, 2009 3:07 PM)

I find it ironic that a big reason why we are in this financial mess is that people didn't take the necessary time to read the fine print of their mortgage contracts and ended up getting into something they couldn't afford. These people have been labled as irresponsible. Yet, our elected officials which we rely upon to make decisions that will impact all our lives are being asked to hurry up and don't worry about the fine print. In what alternative universe does this sound like the smart thing to do? We've come to a point where pretty much everyone wants to see healthcare reformed. Its time to bring everyone to the table and come up with a plan that's smart and where there is consensus.

This rush to sign legislation that will impact us for generations to come is the height of irresponsiblity.

DG, Houston, TX (Sent Thursday, July 16, 2009 3:07 PM)

Snowes words mean nothing. The engineer-less run away train has left the station. It will soon crash at the bottom of the hill.

Choo Choo Charlie (Sent Thursday, July 16, 2009 3:10 PM)

What? Someone wants to think through the biggest entitlement off all time? Actually study it to make sure it does what it says it will do? And consider the costs of the bill? Maybe even, god forbid, read the bill?

You're truly a dinosaur in politics Olympia. A dying breed. Maybe you should talk with Pelosi to get your attitude adjusted.

Randy H., Colorado (Sent Thursday, July 16, 2009 3:13 PM)

From NBC’s Athena Jones
Moderate Maine Republican Olympia Snowe, a member of the Senate Finance Committee, says Congress should not be held to an "artificially compressed timeline" on a bill to revamp the health-care system, which she called a "Herculean challenge" because it makes up 17% of the economy.
#####################################################

Sorry Senator Snowe, but time is of the essence. Time is all you people have had and no "real" work has been done yet. You people need to get back in touch with the rest of this country, the Washington bubble has cause the majority of you all to become out of touch with reality.

The taxpayers that sre surreing pay your salaries and health care. Recess isn't warrented unless you've finished your homework. It's not rushing...it's called working. You say that health care only makes up 17% of the economy? Whene was the last time you checked those projections…four or five years ago? Che those numbers again Sen, Snowe.

Wasn’t Medicare alone paying out 8% over the actual intake…Senator Snowe, check your projections again and hire another staffer.

Anita, Birmingham, Alabama (Sent Thursday, July 16, 2009 3:15 PM)

How about this Snowe, how about you stop spending so much time talking about why you don't have time to come up with at least a "framework" You people were elected to do a job and in the real world people aren't allowed vacation if it is going to jeopardize the completion of work. I've never seen so many whinning, overpaid incompetent people.

Healthcare reform has been in the works for years so you already have a frame work when you compile all of the items that have been pushed and tabled. Add to that you now have more. With all the interns and staff memebers (because you all refuse to cut your staff remeber) you should be able to get this done.

Snowe is doing more of the same but in a different tactic and that is more NO NO NO. One thing you can say for sure is that Republicans know how to drag their feet to get a bill buried and forgotten and the Democrats haven't the backbone to call the bluff.

Karin, IN (Sent Thursday, July 16, 2009 3:15 PM)

There's NOTHING to 'Work through'

Whatever the Democrats propose, the Republicans will oppose
The Republicans ARE NOT partners in Health Care
They only want to delay and disrupt

Sorry, the train is leaving the station
You Republicans MISSED IT !!

NO REASON to give up the Public Option
It's NOT REFORM without a Public Option

GO OBAMA !!

MSierra, SF (Sent Thursday, July 16, 2009 3:17 PM)

Lee, Orlando Fl (Sent Thursday, July 16, 2009 3:18 PM)

So who sounds more sensible and reasonable? Snowe? Or Obama, Pelosi and Reid?

Common Cents (Sent Thursday, July 16, 2009 3:26 PM)

DG, Houston Tx - I find it ironic that a big reason why we are in this financial mess is that people didn't take the necessary time to read the fine print of their mortgage contracts and ended up getting into something they couldn't afford. These people have been labled as irresponsible.

Great analogy!

And after seeing how the Democrats butchered the stimulus bill, and rammed through the cap and trade bill, your statement is even more brilliant.

SG Walters (Sent Thursday, July 16, 2009 3:28 PM)

Forget the August recess. Everyone stay in DC and get the work done. This health care work should have been done in the 90's. It is not going to fast, Congress has been going too slow.

Git er done!

Ben, Peoria, IL (Sent Thursday, July 16, 2009 3:41 PM)

It's very simple;

1) see how the rest of the industrialized world does it;

2) copy it (or "benchmark" or use whatever corporate buzzword you like.

Marcus Wealthy MD (Sent Thursday, July 16, 2009 3:45 PM)

Oh Eric, please enlighten us on the Constitutional Amendment to which you are referring. Are you referring to the 27th, which was proposed by Madison back in 1789 and not adopted until 1992?

Were you aware that the adoption of amendments is a federal and state process that requires 3/4ths of a the states to ratify?

I also don't think their pensions qualify as a golden parachute moreso than just a generous pension. Trust me, there's a lot more going on in this country that bothers me than Congressional pay and pensions.

Also, that amendmend which you're halfway referring to limited Congressional pay authority.

Scott D, Lufkin TX (Sent Thursday, July 16, 2009 3:46 PM)

We've only been working on this since, oh around 1992. And it was first proposed by Teddy Roosevelt around 1900. Come on Snowe, 100 years is long enough to think about it. You're on the frickin' committee. You should know what's in the bill.
It's always one excuse after another. Either lead, or get out of the way.

Al, KS (Sent Thursday, July 16, 2009 3:50 PM)

What's wrong with doing things differently? I think that's what we voted for.....These people were elected to do a job, and now, not when we think about it long enough to cause it not to happen, like so many "do nothing Congresses" before. I say do it now, and make believers of the vast majority of people who said it could happen this time.

Sharon - Iowa (Sent Thursday, July 16, 2009 3:52 PM)

This is all truly mind boggling. So, is the answer to do nothing? Status quo okay with everyone out there? Health insurance as fashioned now is just that -- as long as you're healthy, you're covered. Get sick -- well, see ya later. You need a cancer treatment not on our (insurance co.) list, sorry. You reached your max, sorry. And on it goes. My brother-in-law died last August from cancer -- he was a successful dentist, made a good living, and had "good" insurance -- until he got sick. My sister, along with countless others, has horror stories about dealing with the insurance company to cover costs. Something has to be done. If the plan Congress currently has (that we pay for) works well, why can't it be offered to those who otherwise have no options? And if it wakes up the insurance companies, all the better. Enough is enough. This is long overdue -- just get it done.

Cassie, NYC (Sent Thursday, July 16, 2009 3:58 PM)

Snowe is right about getting it right BUT if Congress doesn't get deadlines to meet (like any other business), things will drag on for months.

MO Attorney, perfect comment. So typical that the GOP now wants to take more time BUT not when it was something their party or Bush wanted done.

Jody, Iowa (Sent Thursday, July 16, 2009 4:19 PM)

Lead, Follow, or GET THE HELL OUT OF THE WAY!
Dems will do it, with or without you; what side of the argument will YOU be on when your re-election comes up?!

david Waukegan, il (Sent Thursday, July 16, 2009 4:22 PM)

I applaud Senator Snowe. There is no reason to rush through a bill that can have profound effects on the American economy, and upon our health so quickly. Knowing the kind of booby traps that can be slipped into these bills, it's important that they be read completely before voting yes.

Nancy, San Diego CA (Sent Thursday, July 16, 2009 4:26 PM)

DG, Houston, TX (Sent Thursday, July 16, 2009 3:07 PM)

You finally make an excellent point, and then it gets erased by the Patriot Act, the authorization to use 'whatever means necessary', the taxcuts and all the other crap that was shoved down our throats over the past 8 years.

PS. The financial meltdown was the result of gaming risk, not just individual mortgage defaults. PSS. The bulk of the defaults were due to the Fed jacking the rate AND the Credit Card Industry writing the bankruptcy legislation. But, do carry on, it's entertaining as hell.

Clara Kansas City, MO (Sent Thursday, July 16, 2009 4:34 PM)

Well put DG and Moon Dawg. It's obvious we need a better health system but this isn't the answer. I don't need a socialized government. They stuck their nose into passing the stimulus bill and that didn't work so what makes them think the health bill will work. When are people going to wake up and realize that when taxes are raised on the wealthy it eventually trickles down to us folks. All of us are going to end up owing and it's not going to matter what tax bracket we are in. Small business are going to get hit BIG which means they will have to lay off people and raise prices on their services and/or goods. So we will get screwed one way or another.

DS, Houston TX (Sent Thursday, July 16, 2009 4:48 PM)

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