Speaking with ABC’s Rick Klein just now on the Baucus health care reform bill he voted for Tuesday, Sen Ron Wyden (D-OR) took aim at conservatives and said there is “more do do” before the bill is complete.
Wyden said he voted in favor of the bill in the Senate Finance Committee because he “felt it was important to move the issue forward.” He said Democrats had to push the bill past “far right” senators who “want to prevent any health care reform” from passing this year.
Wyden also jabbed White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs for saying so often the president wants a final bill with choice and competition. Wyden says the exchanges found in the Baucus bill will exclude 90% of people from participating within seven years. He favors exchanges for all like the ones available to members of Congress, who can switch among providers and plans when they wish. In the interview with Klein, Wyden called the Baucus exchanges “unacceptable” and said the White House claim that exchanges do provide choice and competition is “not going to pass the smell test.”
A spokesperson told TPMDC later Wyden will vote against the Baucus bill if it includes the exchanges as written.
Late Update: Wyden appeared on ABCNews’ TopLine webcast (video not available yet).
