Still waiting on Kay Hagan . . .
ByJust in case you were wondering, as of Friday, Kay Hagan claimed that she still hadn’t made up her mind about a public option. But this quote from the story in the News and Observer does not sound reassuring:
Hagan, in a statement released by her office, said she continues to think things over.
“I support having a backstop option for people without access to affordable coverage,” she said. “Some people would like that to be a public plan, while others have proposed having private, non-profit co-ops.”
Hagan said she wants a balance between the two ideas.
“We need to stabilize costs and make sure your health care will not be taken away if you change your job or have a pre-existing condition.”
That sounds to me pretty much like she wants to make sure that you go broke before the government will help you. And the worst thing about it is that it’s not just that she opposes a public option and is likely to vote against the final bill. No, this is worse: because she’s on the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions committee, she’s one of a very few senators who could prevent a public option from even getting to the floor of the Senate for an up-or-down vote. When you call, you might want to mention that fact and ask why, whatever her feelings are on the matter, she wants to prevent her Democratic colleagues from voting their preference.
Kay Hagan’s DC office: (202) 224-6342; Greensboro (apparently her only regional office so far): (336) 333-5311.
6 Comments
June 29th, 2009 at 9:18 am
There’s nothing wrong with thinking things over. Isn’t that why NC elected her over Dole — and why the country elected Obama over McCain? Because it grew tired of the constant coattail effect brought on by the GOP body for 8+ years? I want an agenda passed as well, but let’s do it right.
As an organizer for her Gulford campaign, I can tell you she’s a great candidate, and compared to Liddy, highly independent. That’s what I like about her. She’s aware of the deadline, just as she’s aware of the stakes. Her constituency reminds her everyday. Give her some time, it’s a big decision she’s making.
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June 29th, 2009 at 9:19 am
Paul Choi just let me know that your Harper’s Index style health care post has inspired a Facebook Group, Doug.
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=110327852912&ref=mf#/group.php?gid=110327852912
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June 29th, 2009 at 2:18 pm
Andrew,
Ultimately, it’s her call. That’s what it means to be an elected official. You get to make the decisions that come your way.
But constituents should make themselves a part of the decision-making process by whatever means at their disposal. And this is especially true when you’re talking about an issue that getting lobbied by special interests with deep pockets. You can bet that Blue Cross/Blue Shield has taken it upon themselves to inform Senator Hagan; we should do the same.
Also, though, my specific point here is that Senator Hagan, by dint of being on this committee, stands in the way of something that polls suggest a majority of Americans want. The public option may not make it to the floor unless she gets out of the way. So whatever she herself believes, why would she take it upon herself to make this decision for the rest of her Senate colleagues?
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June 29th, 2009 at 6:39 pm
Senator Hagan is a hypcrite. On the front page of her website she claims to support working families. Working families need affordable, accessible health care. Our present system does not provide that. Hagan therefore is NOT supportive of working families, nor the elderly, nor the disables, nor the sick, nor the poor, underemployed, underpaid, etc.
She is one of the top recipients of insurance industry campaign contributors.
She needs to be convinced to support her constituents or busted out of office. “One term Kay.” unless she steps up and does the right thing. Even then, I’ll have a tough time supporting her for her foot dragging, confict of interest, insensitive, self-serving behavior.
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June 29th, 2009 at 9:09 pm
Yes, yes. The audacity of patience.
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June 30th, 2009 at 5:44 am
I almost became very happy when I read the first sentence of Mountain Xpress’ article on Sen. Hagan’s visit to Asheville: “In a sit-down with Buncombe County Commissioners and Asheville City Council members on Friday, Sen. Kay Hagan endorsed public health care.”
Read on: http://www.mountainx.com/news/2009/sen_hagan_visits_local_leaders_pitches_health_care_reform
Contact her office everyday: hagan.senate.gov
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