QUOTE OF THE DAY…. I don’t usually think of Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.) as a champion of progressive public policies, but on health care, it sounds like he’s exactly where he needs to be. (via TPM)
“We can’t count on insurance companies. They are just maximizing their profits. They are sticking it to consumers. I am all for letting insurance companies compete. But I want them to compete in a system that offers real health-care insurance. I call it a public plan,” Rockefeller said.
Earlier this month, Rockefeller introduced the Consumers Health Care Act that would give all consumers the option to participate in a government-run plan competing with private plans. […]
On Thursday, Rockefeller admitted he expects little bipartisan support.
“There is a very small chance any Republicans will vote for this health-care plan. They were against Medicare and Medicaid [created in the 1960s]. They voted against children’s health insurance.
“We have a moral choice. This is a classic case of the good guys versus the bad guys. I know it is not political for me to say that,” Rockefeller added.
“But do you want to be non-partisan and get nothing? Or do you want to be partisan and end up with a good health- care plan? That is the choice.”
Good for Jay Rockefeller — a moderate from a “red” state where Obama lost last year by 13 points.
