He based his views on the fact that most of the Democratic caucus that is in the majority still believe very strongly in including the measure in a final bill:
"The vast majority of the Senate Democratic caucus is for the public option we have in our bill,'' which was approved by the health committee in July, Mr. Harkin said.
http://prescriptions.blogs.nyt...
He also voiced support for the House idea of going outside the Healthcare system to find funding. Namely raising taxes on the very rich:
Mr. Harkin, an Iowa Democrat, said Congress would probably have to "go outside the health care system'' to raise revenue to finance coverage of the uninsured. "That's what the House has done,'' Mr. Harkin said, and House leaders can "make a pretty strong argument'' for that approach.
The main health care legislation in the House would impose a surtax on high-income people. By contrast, the bill approved by the Senate Finance Committee would raise revenue within the health care system - by imposing an excise tax on high-cost insurance plans and by requiring insurers and makers of drugs and medical devices to pay annual fees to the federal government.
And while some in the Senate Finance Committee insisted on writing a Corporate Welfare bill that the Insurance industry still attacked mercilessly, Harkin's views on getting healthcare done should be very refreshing to us all:
"It's not so important who you get on the bill,'' Mr. Harkin said. "What's important is getting it done right.''
Unlike many other Democrats, Harkin has not sold out some of his biggest supporters in organized labor and does not want the working middle-class, or whats left of it to have to foot the bill for healthcare reform while the rich once again get a pass.
Harkin also called out his party to use their power and quit trying to appeal to obstructionists. He also answered the insurance industry arguments that they would be driven out of business by a public option in healthcare:
"We are in an irrevocable position,'' Mr. Harkin said. "The momentum is there. We will not be stopped by obstructionists. We will have a bill on the president's desk before Christmas. And yes, it will have a public option.''
Insurance companies say that a government-run plan could drive them from the market. But Mr. Harkin said, "I do not expect them to lose business unless they have products that are overpriced for the value.''
Which is what is happening right now. One of the major reasons we need reform is that the insurance companies have a monopoly and have greatly overpriced their products due to lack of competition. After reform and a public option, the only way they would be put out of business is if they still refuse to do business honestly, and still insist on being part of the problem. If so, Americans will finally have a viable alternative.
Where are all the Democrats in the Senate like Tom Harkin?? It is a shame that more Democrats in that chamber cannot show the same guts and gumption he has throughout this whole fight. One thing is certain, as Harkin has stated it is more important to get this right than to let Republicans and Corporate Democrats water down and effectively destroy healthcare reform.
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