Reid’s views on overhaul taking shape
Las Vegas Sun, 08-28-09 — Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is often hesitant during the health care debate in Washington to express his personal views, but he let down his guard a bit this week in Nevada.
Reid opened a private meeting of health care providers in Las Vegas on Tuesday by saying, according to one attendee who took notes: "We have a problem in America and it’s called the private insurance industry."
Reid went on to express support for a public option, the proposed government-run insurance plan that he compared to Medicare, saying any meaningful reform legislation would have to include a public component.
Nevada's main progressive group said the majority leader’s comments during Tuesday’s meeting of about 20 hospital CEOs, doctors and other health care providers was among the most significant statements they have heard on his thinking.
"We're energized and we're also confident that Sen. Reid is on the right side on this issue," said Michael Ginsburg, a community organizer at the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada, who attended the meeting. "That's something we can take to our supporters and reassure them.”
Reid has been traveling throughout the state talking to constituents about health care and other issues while Congress is on summer recess. The senator has declined to host a public town-hall meeting on health care, criticizing as "Astro Turf" - a political term for corporate-sponsored campaigns made to appear like spontaneous uprisings — the protests being organized by groups opposed to health care reform. He has called those who are shouting down elected officials elsewhere across the country "evil mongers."
Instead Reid will host a telephone town-hall meeting this afternoon, hoping to reach as many as 50,000 Nevadans. The deadline has passed to register for the call.
But in settings with voters over the past few days in Nevada, Reid has shared his thoughts.
"Clearly he is not enamored of the insurance industry," said Dr. John Ellerton, a physician in private practice who attended the meeting.
Click here to read the entire article >>
Reid’s views on overhaul taking shape
Las Vegas Sun, 08-28-09 — Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is often hesitant during the health care debate in Washington to express his personal views, but he let down his guard a bit this week in Nevada.
Reid opened a private meeting of health care providers in Las Vegas on Tuesday by saying, according to one attendee who took notes: "We have a problem in America and it’s called the private insurance industry."
Reid went on to express support for a public option, the proposed government-run insurance plan that he compared to Medicare, saying any meaningful reform legislation would have to include a public component.
Nevada's main progressive group said the majority leader’s comments during Tuesday’s meeting of about 20 hospital CEOs, doctors and other health care providers was among the most significant statements they have heard on his thinking.
"We're energized and we're also confident that Sen. Reid is on the right side on this issue," said Michael Ginsburg, a community organizer at the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada, who attended the meeting. "That's something we can take to our supporters and reassure them.”
Reid has been traveling throughout the state talking to constituents about health care and other issues while Congress is on summer recess. The senator has declined to host a public town-hall meeting on health care, criticizing as "Astro Turf" - a political term for corporate-sponsored campaigns made to appear like spontaneous uprisings — the protests being organized by groups opposed to health care reform. He has called those who are shouting down elected officials elsewhere across the country "evil mongers."
Instead Reid will host a telephone town-hall meeting this afternoon, hoping to reach as many as 50,000 Nevadans. The deadline has passed to register for the call.
But in settings with voters over the past few days in Nevada, Reid has shared his thoughts.
"Clearly he is not enamored of the insurance industry," said Dr. John Ellerton, a physician in private practice who attended the meeting.
Click here to read the entire article >>
