Why is Max Baucus Even a Democrat?Paul Hogarthbyline‚ Sep. 16‚ 2009Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus finally produced his own health care bill yesterday – and it’s an absolute gift to the insurance industry. Despite telling us for months that reform must be watered down to attract “bipartisan” support, Baucus couldn’t even muster the three Republicans that he handpicked to craft a “compromise” bill. Other Democratic Senators are livid, with Jay Rockefeller saying there is no way he can vote for the bill. The U.S. Senate is now expected to merge Baucus’ proposal (which does not have a public option) with a bill the Health Committee passed in July (which does), to produce a final version. Why did the Democrats allow Max Baucus to single-handedly delay health care reform for months – when it’s been clear all along that he’s a shill for the insurance companies? And why is Max Baucus even a Democrat, and what motivated him to run as one? |