MSNBC "The Ed Show" - Transcript
Interview
MSNBC "The Ed Show" Interview With Rep. Eric Massa
Interviewer: Ed Schultz
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MR. SCHULTZ: Joining me now is New York Congressman Eric Massa. Some of his outspoken constituents were at the town hall meeting on Saturday night.
Congressman, good to have you with us.
I have to tell you, I think there is a real disconnect with some of the folks in your district and what is happening in the White House. They don't feel they're pushing hard enough, and they think the Democrats are getting spineless on this public option and going strong enough. What's your take?
REP. MASSA: Well, Ed, first, it's great to be here. I've got to tell you, a lot of things have been said about me, but "spineless" has never been one of them. And frankly, I've got a pair of shoes and hands and feet, and we're here to give (them ?) back to the White House so that single payer has a seat at this table of national debate. I've said that for five years. I'll continue to campaign and to represent that as a member of Congress.
MR. SCHULTZ: It seems like single payer -- this is the phrase that we can't use, and it's never going to be on the table and it can't work. What is your definition of a public option? But most of all, if I put it this way, do you think that the Republicans in any way, shape or form will allow competition to be given to the insurance industry, as strong as that lobby is?
REP. MASSA: No, of course they won't allow competition. This is coming from a group of people who call themselves capitalists, who believe in competition, just not competition in the sector that may fund their campaigns or rob tens if not hundreds of millions of dollars out of the back pocket of Americans in health insurance.
Let's be very clear about something, Ed. If the private for- profit health insurance industry was working, we wouldn't be having this conversation, because 52 million Americans wouldn't be without health insurance. So as they say sometimes, the proof is in the reality of the failure of the system, which is what brought me to politics and which gives me the strength to stand on this issue and deliver this message.
MR. SCHULTZ: Well, I want to tell you that your constituents speak very highly of you, and I know that you are aggressive on this. But the bottom line here is that, in the sound chamber, what a lot of lefties in this country are hearing and a lot of people who are in the middle of the road that want something done when it comes to health care reform, they keep hearing this "We don't have the votes, we don't have the votes."
How the hell do you know whether you've got the votes or not if you don't even know what the public option is going to be yet? Will someone answer that?
REP. MASSA: So this is what we're asking for, to be part of the debate. I am willing to go anywhere to speak to any group, always focusing on my district, but taking this message wherever it will be heard, because, frankly, ask any retired American today; they're very satisfied with their public option. Ask any veteran in America today; they're very happy with their public option. Ask any military retiree; they're happy with their public option.
But here's the most important thing, Ed. Ask any member of Congress, because members of Congress have access to the most incredible public option available. I have refused to accept the congressional health care benefits plan until all Americans have access to that very same public option. I mean what I say about it and I say what I mean, and we're going to move forward.
MR. SCHULTZ: You do not take your health care benefit in the Congress?
REP. MASSA: No, I do not.
MR. SCHULTZ: Are you willing on this show tonight to challenge the rest of the members of the Congress to do the same thing until we get something passed in this country? Because if you did, you'd be the greatest American on TV today.
REP. MASSA: Well, not only have I, and not only do I; I don't know whether it makes me the greatest American on TV, but it makes me a very lonely person at the dinner table sometimes in the congressional dining room. This is not about what we're supposed to get as members of Congress. And, by the way, to make it very clear, I stood on the floor of the House. I said, "I will not take the congressional insurance program." I think that every member of Congress ought to examine that. And it's an individual decision.
But this isn't about us. It's about us being sent to Washington to do what's right for the people who have elected us. It's a very clear mandate. Darn be darned about what the future of elections are going to be. If everyone's focused on whether or not they're going to go to Washington and get re-elected, we get a self-perpetuating system. I'm focused on doing what I said I would do, and that's to bring access to quality health care to every single American citizen in this nation.
MR. SCHULTZ: Congressman Massa, you belong, my friend, in the United States Senate.
REP. MASSA: (Laughs.)
MR. SCHULTZ: You keep fighting. You keep fighting, because you're right where the people are right now. And I appreciate your time tonight on the program.
REP. MASSA: Thank you, Ed. Let me be very clear. I am the one member of the New York congressional delegation who is not running for the United States Senate.
MR. SCHULTZ: (Laughs.) Congressman Massa, thanks so much.
REP. MASSA: Thank you, Ed.
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