Finance committee passes bill

Posted: Tuesday, October 13, 2009 3:04 PM by firstread

from NBC's Ken Strickland
The Senate Finance Committee voted 14-9 to pass Senator Max Baucus's version of the health care bill. Said Sen.Olympia Snowethe lone Republican who voted in favor of it: “Is this bill all that I want? Far from it. Is it all that it could be? No. But when history calls, history calls. And I happen to think the consequences of inaction dictate the urgency of Congress to take every opportunity to demonstrate its capacity to solve the monumental issues of our time.”

***UPDATE*** Where does the bill go from here? This week Majority Leader Harry Reid (and the White House) will start the process of merging the Finance Committee bill with the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions committee bill which passed over the summer. The biggest difference between the two: the HELP Committee bill has the public option; the finance bill does not.

Once those bills are merged into a new bill, it will have to be sent to the Congressional Budget Office and Joint Committee of Taxation for a new cost estimate. Once that "score" is completed, the bill is ready to go to the Senate floor.

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Comments

HEY everybody, LOOK at ME!

Glenn Beck (Sent Tuesday, October 13, 2009 3:18 PM)

Still plenty of work to do in the House and full Senate, but getting all Dems plus Snowe is a big deal. A big win for the president, big loss for Republicans.

http://www.political-buzz.com

Matt (Sent Tuesday, October 13, 2009 3:19 PM)

Paid off ... obviously.

Corruption is the name of the game.

Louisiana CoCo (Sent Tuesday, October 13, 2009 3:19 PM)

Hasn't been a very good week for you Republican'ts now has it...

First President Obama wins the Nobel Peace Prize - which set your hair on fire...

Now Senator Snowe has but aside party BS and is doing what is RIGHT on behalf of American citizens - and your heads are exploding! lol lol lol...

And NOW the bill has passed in the committee… OUCH! That’s gotta hurt…

Gonna be a L O N G 7 1/2 years righties... pace yourselves... LOL

Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL (Sent Tuesday, October 13, 2009 3:20 PM)

Way to go Olympia Snowe, well all is said and done, let the Republicans be the party of No. The country says thank you. I knew Obama will prevail. Can't wait for the next 4 weeks

Stephen, Atlanta GA (Sent Tuesday, October 13, 2009 3:21 PM)

Single payer works for every other countries on earth. Jose Clemente, Austin, Texas (Sent Tuesday, October 13, 2009 11:49 AM)
----------------------------------------------------
And every other industrialized country EXCEPT the United States has a loser pays lawsuit system where the $200 million a year in donations from the Trial Lawyers to the DNC keeps that option off the table!

Where are the jobs Barry? (Sent Tuesday, October 13, 2009 3:22 PM)

I find it incredible that anybody of either party could vote for this bill. The incentives to destroy the current system of employer based insurance are enormous. Can someone please explain to me why the think employers will still offer to pay for health insurance (in this economy) if this bill passes? If you think they need to retain talent when unemployment is 10% I think you are wrong.

The cost of replacement for the individual represents a large tax increase on the middle class (families earning around $65,000).

It also perpetrates the same accounting fraud that GWB used to pass his tax cuts in that taxes are collected for 10 years and benefits paid for 7 so that the cost is smaller in the 10 year period used by the CBO.

There are no cost controls on providers who are the main drivers of medical inflation (btw they are for profit too just like the insurance companies).

This is a lousy bill and should be voted down.

Alan, NJ (Sent Tuesday, October 13, 2009 3:24 PM)

Alan, NJ (Sent Tuesday, October 13, 2009 3:26 PM)

Just watched Snowe---said she may not vote for it tomorrow---she just helped to shove it along.

Disgusted in MI (Sent Tuesday, October 13, 2009 3:26 PM)

You tired out yet liberals? You do look a little winded. Because you getting the bill, "A" bill, out of the Senate Finance Committee is not the end, it's the start. And now you Democrats will have to plant your lips firmly on Senator Olympia Snowe's posterior, you know, to keep her in the fold, as this tragedy of a bill works it's way through the Senate. And we're just getting warmed up. Good luck with that losers!

Health Care Is Not A Right (Sent Tuesday, October 13, 2009 3:26 PM)

Makes me think of that classic line from the A-Team ' I love it when a good plan comes together'...Eat your heart out GOP and right wingers!! You lose AGAIN!!!

Greg285 (Sent Tuesday, October 13, 2009 3:26 PM)

And now the markets tanked. They know a bad business deal when it hits them in the face.
Jeff Greenburg, NY (Sent Tuesday, October 13, 2009 2:38 PM)

------------------------------------------------

Dow Jones Industrial Average pretty even for the day...some "tank"!

Gloom & Doom (Sent Tuesday, October 13, 2009 3:26 PM)

The work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die...Ted Kennedy

Thank you Sen. Snowe, who is manned-up when the Rethug obstructionists traded in their love of party over their love of country.

This was supposed to be Pres. Obama's waterloo but look what happened! I guess we can add this to the other things he hasn't done! LOL

J. Ellis, Virginia (Sent Tuesday, October 13, 2009 3:27 PM)

Olympia Snowejob - "But when history calls, history calls".

It called Olympia - told you to go home - right away. Something about yellow snow.

HT - Boston (Sent Tuesday, October 13, 2009 3:28 PM)

I'm sure the conservatives will throw her under the bus. Thay have no problem throwing their kinfolk under the bus. Just ask Lindsey Graham, John McCain, George Bush and a whole lineup of other apostates.

JoeM Chicago, IL (Sent Tuesday, October 13, 2009 3:28 PM)

Another positive step! Onward through the fog of Congress..until final passage.

John Cornyism, do you have a backbone....it's amazing how you can stand up....scaring folk in Texas about MEDICARE prices soaring because of the HRC....prices will soar because of the practices of Health Insurers you weazel!...and TORT reform is a joke.....

The Tortuous behavior of the Repukes should be reformed, since TORT Reform only applies to middle and low income Americans, not the top 5 percent, who in no way see the same doctors as the rich!

TORT that Repukes......

Ed, San Antonio (Sent Tuesday, October 13, 2009 3:29 PM)

In the immortal words of Larry Craig,"Nooooooooooo".

Seriously though, it's over for the GOP, they're down to Sarah, Rush and the white sheet crowd.

South paw (Sent Tuesday, October 13, 2009 3:30 PM)

Rush is currently organizing a march on Washington to protest. It's called the "few hundred bigot march".

Mark Foley(R) (Sent Tuesday, October 13, 2009 3:31 PM)

And every other industrialized country EXCEPT the United States has a loser pays lawsuit system where the $200 million a year in donations from the Trial Lawyers to the DNC keeps that option off the table!

Where are the jobs Barry? (Sent Tuesday, October 13, 2009 3:22 PM)
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Question for you . . .

I keep hearing the republicans spouting about tort reform. So, if this is the solution to solving so many of this country's problems, why didn't you republicans pass it when you had control of the House, Senate, and White House? Just asking.

Chris - IL (Sent Tuesday, October 13, 2009 3:33 PM)

Yes we can. The finance bill is far from perfect but now the full senate can begin to debate and perfect it. Snowe shows that she recognizes that health care costs are hurting the economy and people; at least she was willing to try. Snake in the Grassley must think people won't remember that he helped write the bill so if he didn't like it, it was his own fault. Saw a comment that Snowe remarked it was better to be on the side of history than not. History, the GOP should look at theirs because the record doesn't say much about where they stand when it comes to human dignity or compassion.

Just caught the end of the GOP response which apparently was the same ole, same ole, we weren't allowed to contribute. A lady spoke up and responded with the truth--accusing the GOP of not contributing by choice and doing everything they could to block ANY effort. Wish I would have tuned in sooner.

Jody, Iowa (Sent Tuesday, October 13, 2009 3:33 PM)

Fellow Illinois residents . . .

If you are willing to accept Health Care Reform without a public option, please write to Senator Burris now. He is sounding like he's going to stand his ground and not vote for a bill that doesn't have a public option. I would still prefer a public option, but I think a bill that doesn't include a public option is better than no reform at all!

Chris - IL (Sent Tuesday, October 13, 2009 3:35 PM)

Health Care Is Not A Right (Sent Tuesday, October 13, 2009 3:26 PM)
---------------------------------------------------
Yes it is a Constitutional right!

And in order to have good health I must have good nutrition, therefore Uncle Sam OWES me three hot balanced meals a day.

And in order to have good health I must have good sanitation, therefore Uncle Sam OWES me a hot shower, a washing machine, a vacuum cleaner and a lifetime supply of antibacterial soap.

And Uncle Sam OWES me a lifetine supply of vitamin pills.

Where does it end lefties?

Must the state wipe your rear from cradle to grave?

Cradle to Grave Socialism- Is that Hope and Change? (Sent Tuesday, October 13, 2009 3:35 PM)

Beck is on at 5 PM. All of you know that.

You need to watch to find out what happens next.

Louisiana CoCo (Sent Tuesday, October 13, 2009 3:35 PM)

Sen Snowe was supposed to influence the Blue Dogs

How did the Committee Blue Dogs vote ?

What do Ben Nelson, Evan Bayh and Blanche Lincoln have to say ??

Even the final Senate Bill is not THAT important
Eventually, it will all be reconciled between the House and Senate versions

Nancy Pelois got the CBO to score a bill with the Public Option included

Let's see how that looks
Why not use the taxes cuts for the Rich that Bush passed through to help fund HCR ?
Tax High Income individuals !
Using a reasonable formula, tax companies that DON'T provide Health Insurance to their employees
A WalMart Tax

WHAT'S SO HARD ABOUT THAT ??

HCR can be revenue neutral

YES WE CAN !!!

Msierra, SF (Sent Tuesday, October 13, 2009 3:36 PM)

This is a terrible bill because it has no public option, let alone a strong one. Any senator who truly wanted a public option should have voted "no" or at least abstained. If this is the type of bill that finally gets enacted, we will all lose and the cause of true health care reform will be set back a generation.

Obama and Dems Are Spineless Wonders, Miami FL (Sent Tuesday, October 13, 2009 3:37 PM)

HISTORIC..keep it going.
This is not Republican, Democrat,Liberal or Conservative. This is American. I wish more would see that.
Kudos to Sen. Snowe for doing her job and having guts. Oh how I wish we had the quality Repubs. like her back. Time to toss out the clowns the way Wm.F.Buckley did in the old days.
Never, never, never, never give up.
TED is smiling-and still nudging...
YES WE CAN!

Deborah Greenlawn, NY (Sent Tuesday, October 13, 2009 3:38 PM)

If you think this is a good bill you are a moron but having seen your previous posts this is the schoolyard level of intelligence to be expected.

Alan, NJ (Sent Tuesday, October 13, 2009 3:26 PM)
________________

Oh Alan... lighten up... lol lol lol... have another shot or two of 'hatoraide'... it will bring you some much needed comfort :0)

It's not MY fault you're on the losing team...

Change is coming my friend and there's not a damn thing you and the rest of dopes of nope can DO about it...

Elections have consequences... and WE WON!

Cheers!

Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL (Sent Tuesday, October 13, 2009 3:39 PM)

amazing to hear the GOP talk about socialism - after they cut taxes for the top 1% (2 trillion) and started a war in Iraq (another 2 Trillion) did not bother about Afghanistan (another 2 Trillion) gave away another 2 Trillion to the banks - and pretty much dissed anyone with anything other than the neo cons approach to give aways - that is 8 trillion in our tax dollars - doubling the national debt in 8 years - and what does the GOP do when it comes to helping the american citizens, voting NOPE for health care so you don't go personally bankrupt. The GOP has bankrupted this country to benefit the top 1% - but heaven forbid if the other 99% should need an option to get decent health care... The GOP is the party of NO, the party of Hoovernomics, the party of the wing nuts and rich white folks screaming up and down to protect their trust funds - time to sod off and go the way of the dodo, the federalists , and the whigs. Oh and Olympia Snow - watch out because you are now setting yourself up for massive right wing nut attacks for helping protect the american citizen.

SWL (Sent Tuesday, October 13, 2009 3:39 PM)

Libby's want to be taken care of ... but the joke is on them.

That health Care bill is similiar to worshipping false Gods and idols.

Louisianna CoCo (Sent Tuesday, October 13, 2009 3:42 PM)

Health care is not a right and Cradle to the grave: Why are you so afraid of us? The left is what got you the protections you have as Americans--so you have a safe workplace, safe food to eat, clean water to drink, safe roads to drive on, safe cars to drive in, a cleaner world. Go ahead and try and stop us on health care, it won't work. Not this time.

LB, Virginia (Sent Tuesday, October 13, 2009 3:42 PM)

'...Where are the jobs Barry? ...'

George Bush's economic MISMANAGEMENT LOST THEM ALL !!

See Also: NAFTA
Remember all thos 'High Paying new jobs' ??
They turned into a 'Giant Sucking Sound'

What is so hard to understand ?
Corporations are moving their jobs to countries where the ycan pay $1 an hour and pollute to tehir hearts content

Wal Mart has helped this process along by relentlessly demanding lower prices from it's suppliers

DOG EAT DOG !!
The Republican Way
Who wanted Free Trade' ??

Msierra, SF (Sent Tuesday, October 13, 2009 3:42 PM)

HAD TO SQUEEZE THIS IN AS SOON AS I HEARD THE NEWS!

I just had to read all of the comments here. I know the righties have to be going absolutely ballistic. I can only imagine the coniptions that Beck and Limpballs must be having at this moment. If big pharma wants to make some extra money, they should mass produce PROZAC for all of the righties here. Between this and Obama's Nobel Prize, this has been a pretty bad week for them. They may also want to stock up on Oxy-Cottin. If Limpballs plans to purchase the St. Louis Rams, he's really going to need it.

This bill may not be everything we want, but the fact of it's passage, and that it's gotten this far says a lot for actual work being done in Congress. Make no mistake, there's still a lot of work to be done (it's not law YET, and the PUBLIC OPTION is still on the table).

Let's not forget Keith O's proposal either. I plan to make a donation this weekend.

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FREE CLINICS!
https://npo.networkforgood.org/Donate/Donate.aspx?npoSubscriptionId=1000863&code=NAFC2009

http://jawillie.blog.com

jawillie Philadelphia, PA (Sent Tuesday, October 13, 2009 3:45 PM)

Alan from NJ,

You hit it on the head sir...the libs don't care to read it, or care what it does and how...they just want it and America be damned if they don't get it.

btw: where are the democrats that said they wouldn't vote for it if it didn't have a Public Option? Hiding under party loyalty?

also Feisty is a nutbag moron...never really talks about issues just makes fun of people and cheers her Party no matter what (don't believe me , go read her posts on other blogs)

The Truth, Biloxi, MS (Sent Tuesday, October 13, 2009 3:47 PM)

Liz Cheney's new company is running ads attacking President Obama. The preview, surprise, she's trying to paint him as weak. I find her as disgusting and mean spirited as her father, Limbaugh, and Ann Coulter. Maybe she thinks she can be president some day. Right, left or center, God help us, the last thing this country needs is another Cheney.

Jody, Iowa (Sent Tuesday, October 13, 2009 3:49 PM)

Just now catching up on posts today......I see Fruity Redhead is trying to convince Debbie and others that people posting on other blogs on other websites are supposed to be fact. She wouldn't know a fact from an opinion from a lie.....what a joke.

Keep the Change (Sent Tuesday, October 13, 2009 3:49 PM)

Blood From A Turnip (Sent Tuesday, October 13, 2009 3:51 PM)

Did Orrin's head explode?

LB, Virginia (Sent Tuesday, October 13, 2009 3:52 PM)

Libby's want to be taken care of ... but the joke is on them.

That health Care bill is similiar to worshipping false Gods and idols.

Louisianna CoCo

many libs are atheists, so they have to worship something, and that something is government.

false gods indeed (Sent Tuesday, October 13, 2009 3:52 PM)

Reading the right here, you'd think the Baucus bill was the one the President will sign. The vote was to get something out of committee so that the full senate can begin the work to make it better and finalize it; the final bill will be different.

Jody, Iowa (Sent Tuesday, October 13, 2009 3:53 PM)

Oh Alan... lighten up... lol lol lol... have another shot or two of 'hatoraide'... it will bring you some much needed comfort :0)

It's not MY fault you're on the losing team...

What exactly have you won? "hatoraide" I'll leave that to you. I try and debate issues. Tell me why you like this bill?

Alan, NJ (Sent Tuesday, October 13, 2009 3:55 PM)

Hey GOP,
History called but you were out at a cross burning.

David Duke(R) (Sent Tuesday, October 13, 2009 3:55 PM)

Gaylord Beemer, Cleveland (Sent Tuesday, October 13, 2009 3:56 PM)

Must the state wipe your rear from cradle to grave?
Cradle to Grave Socialism- Is that Hope and Change?

I think it's a right to have a Porche!

Larry Ferrari (Sent Tuesday, October 13, 2009 3:58 PM)

CoCo ~ Republicans worship Mammon ... what's the difference?

Although some of us wouldn't mind being taken care of.

Anna Molly's Magical Mystery Tour (Sent Tuesday, October 13, 2009 3:59 PM)

I keep hearing the republicans spouting about tort reform. So, if this is the solution to solving so many of this country's problems, why didn't you republicans pass it when you had control of the House, Senate, and White House? Just asking.
Chris - IL

Tort reform saves nearly as much in health care costs money as the Baucus bill. It's a lot easier to implement too. But yet the Democrats never bring it up! I wonder why?

Larry the Lawyer (Sent Tuesday, October 13, 2009 4:00 PM)

From article on Snowe, Mike Nashua NH: "Can any one tell me, or any place in the world where they have government run health care, that doesn't also have a steady stream of medical tourism coming to the United States?"
-----------------------------------------------------

I don't know, but the US also has a constant stream of medical tourists going the other direction: leaving for other countries because health care is too expensive for them here.

There are no doubt some cases of people dying because of long wait times in countries having universal health care. But you tell me: how many of these countries have death rates comparable to the 45,000 people who die each year because they don't have health insurance coverage?

Houston (Sent Tuesday, October 13, 2009 4:01 PM)

Hey SWL,

Always fun to see the left talking about tax cuts to the rich as their money (like they earned it instead of the rich folks). How about less Government and less taxes for all.

The Truth, Biloxi, MS (Sent Tuesday, October 13, 2009 4:02 PM)

Can someone please explain to me why the think employers will still offer to pay for health insurance (in this economy) if this bill passes? If you think they need to retain talent when unemployment is 10% I think you are wrong.

Alan, NJ (Sent Tuesday, October 13, 2009 3:24 PM)
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Well, I don't think it makes a huge difference one way or the other, but it does not impose SOME penalty for not providing health care coverage. That is better than what we currently have, which is no incentive at all.

It makes no sense to me that so many people are saying companies are going to drop insurance coverage with HCR. There are zero incentives in place today. Anything we do to provide incentives (or, in reality, disincentives for NOT providing coverage) should have a positive impact, not a negative.

And yes, companies still want to retain talent. There is a cost in both acquiring and training new people. It doesn't matter what unemployment is. In fact, many companies have cut back on employment and therefore are even more reliant on their experienced employees to keep their business running.

I agree this bill would be much better if it included a public option, but the McCarthyists have pretty much insured that a public option won't pass the Senate.

Chris - IL (Sent Tuesday, October 13, 2009 4:03 PM)

Don't get overconfident, my friends. We still have a lot of work - work - work to do.

Let's hope a few other Republicans join in on the victory. Sorry, but I'll take their support just like my parent's era welcomed the Soviet Union at the end of World War Two. Let them take some of the credit from President Obama and the Democrats. What's important are the American people and it would be great to be one country, united again...

I know, I'm naive and an idealist, but that's what being a liberal does for me...

Tim Stocken, Highland Lakes, NJ (Sent Tuesday, October 13, 2009 4:06 PM)

Just caught the end of the GOP response which apparently was the same ole, same ole, we weren't allowed to contribute. A lady spoke up and responded with the truth--accusing the GOP of not contributing by choice and doing everything they could to block ANY effort. Wish I would have tuned in sooner.

Jody, Iowa (Sent Tuesday, October 13, 2009 3:33 PM)

You didn't miss any thing Jody, that was the only question they got. They stood there a while ask if any media had a question, the media walked out, the Republicans turned red in the face slumped their shoulders and left. Looks like the media is getting tired of their same old talking points too. What a joke the conservatives are.

Mo (Sent Tuesday, October 13, 2009 4:09 PM)

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