As the Senate appears to have all but kicked government-run health care to the curb, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said she still prefers the public option but is willing to look at the watered-down version.
“We believe, we in the House believe, that the public option is the best way to hold insurance companies honest, to keep them honest and also to increase competition,” She told reporters. “If there is a better way, put it on the table.”
Pelosi’s words seem to signal that House Democrats – the leadership, at least – won’t put up a huge fight over the latest Senate proposal, even though it would not create any kind of government-run option unless the states were unable to provide affordable coverage.
Pelosi and other Democrats are excited over the prospect of expanding Medicare to people as young as 55. Pelosi said the two chambers would need to negotiate on the Senate’s provision to tax high-end insurance policies. Pelosi pointed out that the House revenue-raiser would instead be in the form of a tax on millionaires.
“I think we can find some common ground on those issues,” Pelosi said.
As for timing, Pelosi told reporters, “I think we would do almost anything if it meant that we would pass health care for all Americans before the Christmas holidays. It may be that we can’t, that we have to do it for a New Year’s present to the American people.”
If Congress is still bogged down in health care reform in January, it is possible President Barack Obama will postpone his State of the Union address, which typically takes place in January.
Pelosi hinted at this Thursday.
“Traditionally, as you know, it is the end of January,” She said. “It could be the beginning of February. ”
