My initial reaction on Monday to the White House endorsement of Harry Reid’s opt-out plan was that it was aimed at helping Pelosi whip for a Medicare+5 robust public option. That idea has support in today’s Hill.
Amid the continued vote-counting [in the House], there was widespread agreement among Democrats of all stripes that Reid’s move has helped Democratic leaders move far closer to getting 218 members to commit one way or another.
Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-N.Y.) said Reid has given comfort to members who felt they were being asked to take a controversial vote on something that might never become law. He said there might be 15 Democrats willing to support the “robust” option because of that.
Why would the White House, or Harry Reid for that matter, particularly care whether or not the House’s public option is tied to Medicare reimbursement rates? Think about it.
