The American Spectator

The Spectacle Blog

Democratic Sen. Jay Rockefeller, a member of the Finance Committee, said on a conference call Tuesday afternoon that he would not support the health care compromise proposal of committee chairman Democrat Max Baucus.

"There is no way in its present form I will vote for it," Rockefeller said in a call co-organized with the liberal Campaign for America's Future. Though he said he's worked closely with Baucus in the past, he said, "I cannot agree with him on this bill."

Rockefeller cited the lack of a government-run plan as the main reason for he couldn't support it, but also said the proposed tax on high-end health plans would affect every coal miner in West Virginia.

If more liberal senators join Rockefeller in insisting on the government plan, it would put Democrats in a tight spot, becuase Baucus, Kent Conrad and other more moderate Democrats have said that a bill couldn't pass the Senate with a government plan.

UPDATE: Later in the call, Rockefeller referred to the proposed alternative to the government plan in the form of a non-profit co-op as a "ridiculous idea." He said a government plan was needed, and argued that simply passing new regulations on private insurers wouldn't accomplish anything because the industry has enjoyed a "lifetime of lavish living getting around rules."