graphic by twolf1

Leave aside the lack of a public option and the fact that the weak exchanges are probably unworkable. And, for now, let’s ignore the poorly designed regulator framework and the huge give away to PhRMA. (I know, big stuff to leave aside). Let’s just look at Baucus’s bill from 10,000 feet.

Self-indulgent or effective? Will it move the debate or not?

Americans cutting back on health care, good taste

New videos from The Fruit Bats and Moss.

Over the weekend we had a few laughs about how our friends on the right were once more debating the state of their Intellectual Movement, especially in regards to whether or not they have one. Of course, if you have to ask this kind of a question at all it is usually a pretty good sign you don’t.

Last week, Think Progress wrote a piece about how the media was falsely equating Cantwell’s “basic health plan” amendment with a public option. Since then, the problem continues to persist, so I think it needs to be addressed again.

Tucked away among one of the numerous amendments to the Baucus bill is a provision that would automatically reduce the subsidies individuals would receive when purchasing insurance from the new exchanges. The CBO revealed this provision as part of its analysis of the net costs of the Baucus bill.

Conservatives apparently want to rewrite the Bible, but after re-reading the big health care parable told by Jesus, I don’t think that will be easy. I don’t think changing it to “A man was going down from Little Rock to Pine Bluff . . .” will help.

Well suprise, surprise.  In a meeting with leadership, Pelosi asks the progressives to suck it up:

In an interview with me, Dem Rep. Raul Grijalva described the scene in frustrated tones. He said House leaders acknowledged the popula

Rockefeller has been very public with the fact that he is both unhappy with both the shape of the Baucus bill and the secretive way it was written. Baucus now needs Rockefeller to help vote the bill out of committee, but seems to have left the job of twisting Rockefeller’s arm completely up to the White House.