There might be a glimmer of hope.
U.S. Senator Max Baucus has finally broken his silence regarding his personal position on including a public option in health care reform legislation. Last Monday night (8/17), in an unprecedented conference call to Montana Democratic central committee chairs, the powerful leader of the Senate Finance Committee told his strongest supporters that he supported a public option.
While discussing the obstacles to getting a public option through the Senate, he assured his forty listeners, "I want a public option too!"
This probably won't make a lot of difference in terms of the Finance Committee bill. But it could mean big things in terms of the floor vote on a conference bill containing the public option.
A new poll aimed at pressuring Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.) shows 55 percent of Montana Democrats disapprove of their state's longtime senator's actions on health care, while just 34 percent approve.
Thirty-six percent of Democratic voters said they would likely vote against Baucus if he opposed a public plan, while just 12 percent said his opposition would make them more likely to win their support. Fifty-two percent said it would have no impact on their decision.