I don't know about you, but I'm really confused where the "Blue Dog Democrats" are regarding health care reform in general and a public option specifically. Yesterday, we had this letter signed by 40 Blue Dog Democrats, including the Virginia Second District's Glenn Nye, arguing that the current health care reform proposal "lacks a number of elements essential to preserving what works and fixing what is broken." Items raised include: 1) "deficit neutrality," 2) "delivery system reform," 3) "small business protections," 4) "rural health equity," and of course 5) "bipartisanship." With regard to a "public option," the 40 signatories to this letter argue that there must be a "level playing field" with private health care providers. If "significant progress" is not made on all these conditions, the Blue Dogs say they "cannot support [the] final product." Wonderful.Meanwhile, there's a report that "A band of 22 New Democrat and Blue Dog lawmakers say they support a 'robust' government-run health plan, boosting chances of moving healthcare reform with a public insurance plan through the House." So far, I haven't figured out which 22 Blue Dogs signed this letter or exactly what it said. I also don't know how much, if any, overlap there is between signatories of the first and second letter. It's very confusing: are the Blue Dogs for a public option or not? Are they starting to splinter? If so, along what lines? Does anyone have any further insight into this? Thanks.
