Klein’s support for public option grows in anticipation of Obama’s speech
by Michael C. Bender | September 9th, 2009
President Obama addresses a joint session of Congress in February. He focused on economic issues then, but will talk about his health care agenda tonight at 8 p.m.
Heading into tonight’s address from President Obama, several of Florida’s U.S. House members say the dramatic moments from the August recess (here and here for just a couple examples) have served only to reinforce their positions heading into the break.
Wexler
U.S. Rep. Robert Wexler, D-Delray Beach, says his pledge to oppose a bill that does not include a so-called public insurance option (essentially a new government health care program that would compete with the private market), isn’t so iron-clad. More on that shift here.
Meanwhile, U.S. Rep. Ron Klein seems to moving in the other direction.
During an Aug. 26 teleconference, Klein, D-Boca Raton, was not willing to commit to a public option.
Klein
He said he would support the public option as it stands in the current House bill. But he’d also get behind tweaks that have been proposed, including one that trigger a public option only if the insurance industry failed to meet certain standards and another that would let small businesses and individuals buy into the health care system set up for state workers.
Klein insists there’s nothing controversial about a public option. He said the only controversy is over the way the plans have been presented.
“I support any one of the three,” Klein said. “There needs to be something that drives competition into the market. That is something that is important.”
Klein has given his guest ticket to tonight’s address to Andrea Levy, a 24-year-old cystic fibrosis patient from South Florida. Levy has been fighting the disease her entire life, but recently lost her insurance when her father lost his 45-year-old family business to the recession, Klein’s office said.
Obama has maintained his support for a public option, but has refused to draw a line in the sand over the issue. He is expected to maintain that position in his prime time speech at 8 p.m. tonight.
The speech is expected to be the latest “critical moment” for Obama’s health care agenda.
He has already held a prime-time press conference on the subject, but that broadcast is now remembered more for his answer to a racial-profiling question.
Obama also held three town hall meetings during the August break, but those events have failed to halt his dropping poll numbers and appeared to energize his opponents.
For a preview of his address tonight, check out his speech on Sunday in Cincinnati.
He said any changes should “deliver more stability and security” to Americans.
He also said, under a new system, Americans would “never again have to worry” about losing coverage if they’re out of work, getting bankrupt by high medical bills and being denied coverage because of pre-existing conditions.
Watch for further details on those themes tonight.
Staff writers George Bennett and Stacy Singer contributed to this blog item.
Tags: Barack Obama, Robert Wexler, Ron Klein, speeches
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September 9th, 2009 at 1:15 pm
Klein didn’t have the guts to meet with his constituents and tell them his position. He pretended to be on the fence until he could get back to Washington and be surrounded by protective party hacks. He will vote for whatever he is told to vote for by Pelosi. He will jam this down our throat.
Vote Ron Klein out!!!
September 9th, 2009 at 1:20 pm
I would submit that his support for Obamacare grows as the distance from his constituents grows. When in his District, he doesn’t know how he’llvote. When in Washington he knows exactly how he will vote. In Washington he doesn’t have to justify he position to those pesky voters back home.. Vote him out
September 9th, 2009 at 1:56 pm
I hope he will support the Healthcare bill with a few minor adjustments. For all of us that have been silent and want a much needed healthcare overall, It’s time to Support our representatives!!!!
September 9th, 2009 at 1:59 pm
WHO IS SURPRISED?!
Robert Wexler, that disgusting piece of feces, can’t even bring himself to live in the state he “represents,” and he lies about just about every other issue, so who is really surprised that his “pledge” turns out to be worth dirty toilet paper?!
I’d like to say that the “pledges” of Democrats are absolutely worthless, but that wouldn’t be the whole truth. Pledges made by Republicans are also often worthless–just less often than those made by Democrats.
They’re ALL degenerate liars and scumbags.
September 9th, 2009 at 2:09 pm
ron wont meet col west or the general public what would you expect from him
September 9th, 2009 at 2:19 pm
Just remember… the government cant run Amtrak or the post office and make a profit… They lose billions every month with Medicaid and Medicare. If you expect the government option to be great you are a real moron. Get ready for rationing and more people dying from treatable diseases. And for those who say “Obama doesn’t want a single payer option” this is a stepping stone, just like Clinton tried to do in the 90’s with the assault gun ban. Take away your rights in the middle of the night and when you wake up you have no rights. Hugo Chavez was democratically elected… the first time. Now he owns everything and that is what our wonderful president has in store for us.
September 9th, 2009 at 2:40 pm
We have our ways to those who stray from the Maximum Leader. We shall bring Klein into the fold.
October 4th, 2009 at 9:30 pm
[...] can remain moderate under the right circumstances. Pro-bailout, pro-stimulus, pro-cap and trade, pro-public option, pro-gun control, etc. He mostly ducked out of the town hall events, appearing in one where [...]
October 5th, 2009 at 8:48 am
[...] can remain moderate under the right circumstances. Pro-bailout, pro-stimulus, pro-cap and trade, pro-public option, pro-gun control, etc. He mostly ducked out of the town hall events, appearing in one where [...]