Lincoln Journal Star: Nelson Wants State Decisions On Public Option

News Article

Nelson Wants State Decisions On Public Option

Source: Lincoln Journal Star

Standing in the eye of the storm with the health care debate swirling about him, Sen. Ben Nelson on Monday mused about his preferred end game scenario.

Nelson opposes a public option insurance alternative that competes with private health insurance.

A trigger that would create a public option only if the private market does not provide competitive health care insurance at reasonable rates would be better, he told University of Nebraska law students.

A competing proposal to allow states to "opt in" to a government plan would be better than the "opt out" proposal in the Senate bill, Nelson said.

But his preference, he said, is a system that would allow states to create their own specific government programs only if they wish.

Health care needs are unique in each state, Nelson said.

One student asked the Democratic senator if he'll "stick to his guns" in opposing the government option plan in the bill in the face of pressure bearing down on him as one of the vital swing votes.

"If it's a robust public option plan," he said, "you bet, I'm sticking to my guns."

In supplying one of the 60 votes required on Saturday to proceed with Senate debate on the bill, Nelson vowed to oppose a cloture motion later this year to end debate and allow the Senate to vote on the bill if it is not amended to meet his concerns.

That motion also will require 60 votes, and Nelson is one of a handful of senators who will cast the decisive votes.

Nelson said he believes it would have been better to approach health care reform on an incremental basis rather than through comprehensive reform this year.

As Nelson spoke to the roomful of students at the College of Law, a new Internet video began targeting him, and a flurry of health care reform advocates rushed to praise his Saturday vote and seek his support.

The Republican National Committee video said Nelson "sold out his conscience" by voting to debate a bill that does not contain the strict anti-abortion language contained in the House bill.

Nelson has indicated he may propose a more restrictive amendment that prohibits any federal funds from being used to either fund or subsidize abortions.

Supporters of Nelson's cloture vote on Saturday began to turn the spotlight on Republican Sen. Mike Johanns for his vote to prevent the Senate from debating the bill.

"We are disappointed that Senator Johanns chose to block the democratic process, particularly on an issue that is so critical to all Nebraskans and the country," said Rebecca Gould, executive director of the Nebraska Appleseed Center.

"Nebraskans deserve a vote and a debate," said Jane Kleeb, state director for Nebraska Change that Works, which will begin airing a TV ad Tuesday criticizing Johanns' vote.

Johanns said the bill is not "worthy of consideration" and will be "tremendously difficult" to amend under Senate rules that require 60 votes.

Nelson told the students that skyrocketing health care costs need to be addressed.

Opponents "can't say no to everything," he said.

Source