Early in the health care debate, Speaker Nancy Pelosi promised single-payer advocate Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-NY) that the House would hold a mostly-ceremonial vote on a Medicare-for-all amendment. It was a move intended to appease the sizable faction of House liberals who felt they’d had to swallow too many compromises during the committee process.
But if you allow a vote on one amendment you might get drowned in them, so Pelosi and Weiner have come to an understanding and are walking away from the agreement.
“I have decided not to offer a single payer alternative to the health reform bill at this time,” says Weiner in a statement. “Given how fluid the negotiations are on the final push to get comprehensive health care reform that covers millions of Americans and contains costs through a public option, I became concerned that my amendment might undermine that important goal.”
His decision is a tactical one, but it may nonetheless disappoint progressive activists and elected officials who, at the very least, want to put members on the record, and see single-payer given its day in the sun.
“Congressman Anthony Weiner has been a forceful and articulate advocate for the single payer approach and our legislation,” Pelosi said. “His decision not to offer a single payer amendment during consideration of H.R. 3962 is a correct one, and helps advance the passage of important health reforms by this Congress. While single payer, like other popular proposals, is not included in the consensus bill we will vote on this week, Congressman Weiner has been a tireless and effective advocate for progress on health care, and his work has been a vital part of achieving health care reform.”
