Comment Rescue – Call Carper’s Office Today

John Manifold reminded us yesterday – we need to call Carper’s office today. Today the SFC will be debating several amendments relating to the public option. Carper is considered one of the Senators on the bubble, so calling him to tell him what you want is crucial.

Bob Reich says Tuesday is the day to call Carper’s office:

“Carper, Menendez, Baucus, and other Dems on the Committee should vote for it, or be forced to pay a price if they don’t.”

Comment edited so link would work – UI

There are at least two public option amendments: the Rockefeller amendment, which creates a public option similar to HR3200 (strong public option – tied to Medicare reimbursement rates) and the Schumer amendment, which creates a public option similar to the one from the Senate HELP committee bill (a “level playing field” option, with rates not tied to Medicare). The Rockefeller amendment saves a lot more money, of course, so that’s why it’s likely the Schumer amendment will pass (this is Blue Dog/ConservaDem/supposed fiscal conservative logic). There is also the “triggered” public option amendment, sponsored by Olympia Snowe.

According to Congress Daily, the CBO says attaching the public plan to Medicare rates will save even more money than originally thought:

In a bid to wrangle concessions from the Blue Dog Coalition on healthcare reform, House leaders Thursday released CBO estimates for liberals’ preferred version of the public option that show $85 billion more in savings than for the version the Blue Dogs prefer.

Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin, D-S.D., a Blue Dog co-chair, said any possible new momentum toward a public option tethered to Medicare rates is, in part, “because of the cost issue” and the updated CBO score.

The original House bill required the public plan to pay providers 5 percent more than Medicare reimbursement rates. But as part of a package of concessions to Blue Dogs, the House Energy and Commerce Committee accepted an amendment that requires the HHS Secretary to negotiate rates with providers. That version of the plan will save only $25 billion.

In total, a public plan based on Medicare rates would save $110 billion over 10 years. That is $20 billion more than earlier estimates, a spokesman for House Speaker Pelosi said.

Here’s Carper’s contact info:

Washington, D.C.
United States Senate
513 Hart Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: (202) 224-2441
Fax: (202) 228-2190

Wilmington
301 North Walnut Street
Suite 102L-1
Wilmington, DE 19801
Phone: (302) 573-6291
Fax: (302) 573-6434

Dover
300 South New Street
2215 Federal Building
Dover, DE 19904
Phone: (302) 674-3308
Fax: (302) 674-5464

Georgetown
12 The Circle
Georgetown, DE 19947
Phone: (302) 856-7690
Fax: (302) 856-3001