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The first online-only news site in state history to get media credentials to cover the state capitol and Seattle city hall, PubliCola has been called a “must-read” by the Seattle Post Intelligencer and a hot “New Media Mover and Shaker” by Seattle Magazine—which also cited our own Erica C. Barnett as the city's No. 1 news nerd.

Extra Fizz: Cantwell "Unsung Hero"

News   September 29, 2009 at 10:19 am Josh Feit

UPDATE: Public Option loses 13-10

From the NYT public option liveblogging.

Sen. Schumer begins this way:

A nod to Ms. Cantwell| 12:27 p.m. Mr. Schumer is giving a tutorial in why there is so little competition in the insurance marketplace. Along the way, he gives a nod to Senator Maria Cantwell, Democrat of Washington, whom he calls “the unsung hero” of the bill for her amendment on costs, which will be brought up later.

Watch the hearings live here.

And more on Sen. Cantwell:

A Democratic Dig | 2:14 p.m. Senator Maria Cantwell, Democrat of Washington, speaks in favor of the public option. But first, she slyly makes the point that if a state renders health care efficiently — a state, like, oh, say, North Dakota, home to Mr. Conrad, who opposes a public option — that state would be rewarded for its efficiency. Mr. Conrad was just returning to his seat as she was finishing her point, so it is not clear whether her fellow Democrat caught her drift.

I’m not sure Sen. Cantwell is right about that. Part of the problem with the public option right now is that it’s tied to Medicare payouts. And unless the Medicare payout system is changed to reward efficiency (something, admittedly, Sen. Cantwell and others—like Washington Rep. Jay Inslee— are trying to do),  North Dakota will actually take a hit with a public option.


  • Trevor

    Thankfully, the most important message here:

    “The question now is whether the support shown today by at least some Democrats for the public option will be enough to persuade Senator Harry Reid of Nevada, the Democratic leader, to include it when he reconciles the Finance Committee bill with one from the more liberal health committee — which does include a public option.”

    Hopefully Cantwell will work both publicly and privately to lobby Reid to revive the public option. It deserves a full up or down vote in the Senate.

  • Trevor

    Thankfully, the most important message here:

    “The question now is whether the support shown today by at least some Democrats for the public option will be enough to persuade Senator Harry Reid of Nevada, the Democratic leader, to include it when he reconciles the Finance Committee bill with one from the more liberal health committee — which does include a public option.”

    Hopefully Cantwell will work both publicly and privately to lobby Reid to revive the public option. It deserves a full up or down vote in the Senate.