Progress Illinois

Here's our latest health care round-up:

Reconciliation Is On The Table

As you've probably heard by now, the latest news from Washington -- as reported by the Wall Street Journal -- is that Congressional Democrats are considering splitting health care legislation into two parts if the Gang of Six can't reach a sensible agreement in the Senate Finance Committee. The first bill would include non-budget items with broad support -- insurance consumer protections, establishing the health insurance exchange and a co-op system, small subsidies for people who can't pay premiums -- that could pass the Senate with more than 60 votes and avoid a filibuster.

The second would include many progressive elements of the reform effort that effect the budget and could thus be considered under the reconciliation process. Under this scenario, 51 senators would have the leeway to push through measures like a broad expansion of Medicaid, new taxes on individuals or employers, more generous subsidies for people buying insurance, cost-saving Medicare and Medicaid reforms, and possibly a public plan. If the GOP and conservative Democrats show no interest in legitimate compromise, the theory goes, then mainstream Democrats should leave them behind and pass a meaningful bill on their own terms.

The tactic might backfire. After all, Republican senators might not approve of the first bill, even if it means voting against common-sense and widely-popular insurance regulations, if they think they are clearing the path for President Obama's full agenda. But that the plan is being considered -- and discussed publicly -- shifts the Congressional debate in the right direction, argues The New Republic's Jonathan Cohn:

But even the theoretical possibility of Democrats passing reform on their own would change the dynamics in Congress, by giving Republicans new incentives to negotiate in good faith--and giving Democrats a way to enact legislation in case the GOP remains as obstructionist as it is now.

Bean Supportive of Public Plan, Full Health Care Bill?

Melissa Bean, once rumored to be a potential dissenting voice on health care, participated in a tele-town hall phone conversation with constituents last night. While she did not commit one way or the other, reminding callers that the House hasn't seen a final bill yet, reformers have reason to be encouraged. Not only did Bean make clear that she is open to voting for a public option, but she defended enthusiastically many of the bill's major tenets. A Prairie State Blue contributor on the call explains:

The entire experience was very encouraging. Melissa spoke very well about the need for reform and explained how Democrats in Congress are going about it, in a very supportive way. (Republicans weren't mentioned.) There was nothing in the call that was negative or disturbing. There was no bashing of the pending bills; to the contrary, Melissa defended and spoke positively about the bills that are now in the House. Her discussion of the public option was the most positive I've ever heard from her.

Hare Tells 17th District Horror Stories

Another Congressional Democrat has been answering questions about health care as well. Down in Springfield yesterday, Rep. Phil Hare talked to the press about the progress of health care reform and the importance of passing a bill to extend access to all Americans, even if it's imperfect. Watch below as Hare offers anecdotes about the problems some 17th District constituents have faced because they've lost or could not afford health coverage:

The Tribune's Weak Lede

We already know that the Tribune's editorial board does not agree with President Obama on the best way to reform the health care system. But those biases may be creeping into the staff's reporting, as well. Two weeks ago, we highlighted a frustrating story on the town hall protests that cited one shallow poll as evidence that the public had turned on the reform effort. Today, Michael Muskal's lede in a piece on bipartisanship is also pretty misleading:

President Obama is stepping up his push for healthcare reform even as the latest poll raises questions about his trademark call for a bipartisan approach to politics.

That latest poll shows that a measly 17 percent of Americans blame President Obama for his partisan gridlock. It's true that the rate has jumped from 12 percent last month, but it's a bit silly to call into question his entire campaign message because 17 percent of Americans, many of them likely Republicans, think he's pushing too hard on one issue. After all, the same poll found that 29 percent blame the GOP, who clearly aren't doing much to work across the aisle.