Open Left

Not sure where Chris got his number

of 51 Senators open to a single-payer option, especially citing Max Baucus.

This article from 'The Missoulian' regarding a 'listening session' that Baucus' staff held in Indian Country shows that Baucus is far from on-board.  

http://www.missoulian.com/arti...  

As the lead says, "Sen. Max Baucus' insistence that consideration of a national single-payer health plan at this point will squander a golden opportunity for health care reform in the United States continues to be met with stiff resistance from many of his constituents." Currently, the polling on the Missoulian's site shows 79% want to include a single-payer option; 21% don't.

Kevin Howlett, director of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes' Health and Human Services Department, stated: ""We're only given 40 percent of what it would take to bring health care for Native Americans up to the level we provide federal prisoners," Howlett said. "Our people cannot get basic diagnostic screenings. We have the highest mortality rate of any race. The Indian Health Service must be identified and addressed."

At this point, counting on Baucus' support would be a mistake.

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by: Brad Klafehn @ Fri May 29, 2009 at 17:55:27 PM CDT