Reid, Baucus ready to split on public option as vote nears

The Hill by J. Taylor Rushing | Oct. 5, 2009 (News Report)

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.), once in polite disagreement over the idea of a public option component in healthcare legislation, are approaching a breaking point over the issue.

Reid and Baucus have staked out opposing positions on the central question of a government role in health reform — Reid has consistently stood in favor, but Baucus has consistently said the idea doesn’t ... Full Story »

Posted by Derek Hawkins - via The Hill

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3.6

by Derek Hawkins - Oct. 5, 2009

Interesting story that hits on the slippery deal making among Reid and the Senate Democrats, who are trying to merge three separate bills. The Hill worked from the outside in, comparing Reid, Baucus and Harkin's statements to newspapers, then went to aides on both sides of the aisle. Short but effective.

I reiterate: If you're going to write a news story about health care reform in Congress it should look something like this. Don't worry that it quotes anonymous sources -- at this point, I get more from low-level aides on background than Senators on the record or pundits crunching numbers.

“President Obama clearly articulated his blueprint in his speech, and everyone knows Finance has the bulk of the bill that reflects that blueprint,” the source said. "Everyone, including the White House, knows the Finance bill is the only bill that’s paid for and can pass. In short, the White House wants a win, and using the bulk of the Baucus bill is the playbook to get the ‘W.’ "

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Derek posted this story.