Wyden Withdraws Choice Amendment, Derides Bill

Originally at Oregonlive.com

October 2, 2009 -- Defying his own party, Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon late Thursday sharply criticized the most ambitious health care legislation in a generation, concluding that the bill written by Democrats does not offer millions of workers sufficient choice of insurance plans and lacks muscular tools for controlling medical costs.

“We have stripped this bill of choice and competition,” Wyden told the Senate Finance Committee, minutes before withdrawing his amendment. He essentially conceded defeat on a measure he said was necessary to salvage a flawed bill.

“This amendment is an attempt to inject real reform in the bill,” he said.“Where in this bill does it give choice? I can’t find it in this bill, colleagues.”

His fellow Democrats attacked the idea in the meeting that ran well past midnight EDT.

Read More >>