Political notes from Free Press staff writers Terri Hallenbeck, Sam Hemingway and Nancy Remsen
10.09.2009
Dean on a health care compromise
Check out what Howard Dean told the Huffington Post about a compromise proposal for one of the most controversial aspects of health care reform -- to include or not to include a public option. The compromise would allow states to opt out of offering a public option.
If he had a Senate vote, this would be something he could support, he says, given that a full-blown public option seems to lack support.
Health care changes are moving along _ if not smoothly _ in Washington.
Today, a deal with the hospitals.
WASHINGTON (AP) — The nation’s hospitals will give up $155 billion in future Medicare and Medicaid payments to help defray the cost of President Barack Obama’s health care plan, a concession the White House hopes will boost an overhaul effort that’s hit a roadblock in Congress.
Vice President Joe Biden announced the deal at the White House on Wednesday, with administration officials and hospital administrators at his side.
Tomorrow, former Gov. Howard Dean will hold a telephonic press conference to urge Vermonters to back what's going on in Washington.
Former Gov. Howard Dean has added another hat to his collection as he adjusts to life after being chairman of the Democratic National Committee.
Dean, along with being a speechmaker, political consultant, health care reform advocate, Democratic think tanker and Democracy for America chief cheerleader, will now also be a regular "contributor" (code for talking head) on CNBC, the cable biz outlet for NBC.
Dean was on the air this morning at his CNBC gig, chatting up the Obama administration's new bank bailout plan. Here's a peek at how it went...
BTW, Huffington Post covered the news of Dean's newest parttime gig this a.m., noting that while Dean's no economist, he "worked on Wall Street after graduating college and has family ties to the financial sector."
True, but do ya really think that's why he got the CNBC gig.
