WASHINGTON –A key Senate panel is expected to take up the most contentious issue of the health care reform debate as lawmakers go back to work Tuesday on President Obama’s top domestic priority.
The Senate Finance Committee is likely to consider whether the government should offer its own health insurance plan in competition with private carriers. A public option is the top goal for liberals, but it has no Republican support and moderate Democrats say the Senate will never go along.
Tuesday’s Senate debate is expected to pit Democratic liberals against party moderates.
Although the public plan isn’t expected to get a majority of the panel, supporters say at least they’ll know where everybody stands.
Finance Chairman Max Baucus is already in the hot seat — accused of being lukewarm, if not downright hostile to the government option.
Two liberal groups are launching a hard-hitting television and Internet ad featuring a young father from Montana. Bing Perrine, 26, in need of a heart operation, uninsured and deeply in debt, looks straight into the camera and asks Baucus: “Whose side are you on?”
The ad is sponsored by Democracy for America and the Progressive Change Campaign Committee, who say Baucus is too cozy with insurance and health care interests that have contributed to his campaigns and oppose the public option.
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Public Plan Debate to Pit Democrat vs Democrat
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