Hoyer Unfazed By Senate’s Threat To Public Option

By Justin Duckham – Talk Radio News Service

While House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) stands by his belief that a public option is an important aspect of health care reform, he appears unfazed by recent reports indicating that the Senate Finance Committee will likely drop the program from its draft of the legislation.

“The Senate is going to go its way,” said Hoyer during a pen and pad session with reporters Tuesday. “I wouldn’t say I’m concerned, if you mean worried…I don’t think there’s any specific item that’s absolutely substantial to reform.”

The Majority Leader said that he was unsure if Congress would pursue the creation of nonprofit insurance cooperatives as an alternative to the public option.

“We’ll have to see what the Senate does on Co-op and see how it’s formulated…after all, a co-op will be a competitor.”

On previous occasions, Hoyer had stated his desire to have the House pass legislation prior to the August recess. However, he announced on Tuesday that the vote will not get to the floor by Friday, the House’s last day in session.

“I think it’s unfortunate that we didn’t meet our timelines, but I don’t think it’s a failure by any stretch of the imagination,” Hoyer said.