THE DAILY DOSE: FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2009

Under the Microscope

PRINCIPLES FOR HEALTH REFORM: Various Democratic caucuses have come forth with what they want health care reform to include. Read below the health reform priorities identified by different House Democratic caucuses:

Blue Dog Principles for Health Care Reform
Read the Blue Dogs press release here.

Congressional Progressive Caucus
Principles for a Public Health Care Option
Read the CPC’s corresponding press release here.

Congressional Tri-Caucus
Health Reform Consensus Document
Read about the Tri-Caucus and CPC’s shared principles for a public health insurance option here.
(Congressional Black Caucus, Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Congressional Asian & Pacific Islander Caucus)

New Democrat Coalition Public Option Framework

Health Care Headlines

• Centrist Dems Raise Big Concerns
  A coalition of more than 100 moderate House Democrats is hoping to unify as they attempt to limit the size and scope of a government-sponsored health insurance option — a key sticking point as health reform enters a delicate phase of negotiations. [Politico, 6/12/2009]
• Has Kent Conrad Solved the Public Plan Problem? An Interview
  Earlier today, Sen. Kent Conrad, the North Dakota Democrat who chairs the Senate Budget Committee, introduced a "potential compromise" on the public plan: A system of federally-chartered co-ops that could offer a non-profit alternative to the for-profit insurance industry. [Washington Post, 6/11/2009] Read about the AMA and the Co-Op Proposal here.
• Public Plan for Health Care Bill Is Choice of House Democrats, Pelosi Says
  Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Thursday that House Democrats strongly want a government-run insurance plan to be part of any health care overhaul, while top House Republicans said they are unalterably opposed to such a public component. [CQ Today, 6/11/2009]
• Questions Over Lobbyist Meetings Complicate Health Care Negotiations
  Health care lobbyists met Thursday with Senate Republicans despite what some characterized as warnings from Democratic staffers against undermining overhaul legislation. [CQ Today, 6/11/2009]
• AMA Wary of Obama Call for Public Health Insurance
  The American Medical Association, the nation's largest doctors group, is wary of President Barack Obama's call for public health insurance. It doesn't want government meddling in their jobs. But these days, most doctors aren't members of the AMA, and just how much that body can sway Obama's health reform efforts will be a test of its once mighty clout. [Associated Press, 6/11/2009]
  Read more coverage of this in The Atlantic and CongressDaily and CQ Today.
• Bill Clinton Sees Hope for Health Care Changes, This Time
  As President Obama’s drive to remake the nation’s health care system shifts into high gear this summer, one thing he wants to do is avoid making the mistakes President Bill Clinton made. And one person who thinks he will be able is Mr. Clinton himself. [New York Times, 6/11/2009]
• Dems Brace for CBO Score
  Senate Democrats are bracing for what they expect will be a huge price tag connected with revamping the nation’s healthcare system. [The Hill, 6/11/2009]
• OPINION: Opposing View: Tax 'Liquid Candy'
  By Michael Jacobson, executive director of The Center for Science in the Public Interest
  Soda and other sugary soft drinks are the only beverage or food that has been shown to increase the risk of obesity. [USA Today, 6/12/2009] Read the corresponding editorial here.
• OPINION: How Safeway Is Cutting Health-Care Costs
  By Steven Burd, CEO of Safeway Inc, and founder of the Coalition to Advance Healthcare Reform
  Effective health-care reform must meet two objectives: 1) It must secure coverage for all Americans, and 2) it must dramatically lower the cost of health care. [Wall Street Journal, 6/12/2009]