Sen. Jay Rockefeller declared Tuesday afternoon that, "the public
option is on the march." Moments later, the Senate Finance
Committee defeated his proposal for a government-run plan by a
15-8 vote, with five Democrats joining all 10 Republicans on the
committee in voting against it.
The five Democrats voting "no" were: Sens. Max Baucus, Kent
Conrad, Blanche Lincoln, Bill Nelson, and Thomas Carper.
The committee is now considering a different version of a
government plan introduced by Sen. Chuck Schumer, which would not
have the government directly set reimbursement rates at Medicare
levels.
Based on statements to date, this amendment is likely to be
defeated also, but by a narrower margin than Rockefeller's.
