by Michael Ostrolenk.  (More news and views from Capitol Hill by Mr. Ostrolenk at The Hills Have Eyes Blog.)

Senator Reid (D-NV) released a statement on 12/8/09 in which he said;

“This has been a long journey.  We have confronted many hurdles, and tonight I believe we have overcome yet another one.

“I asked Senators Schumer and Pryor to work with some of the most moderate and most progressive members of our diverse caucus, and tonight they have come to a consensus.

“It is a consensus that includes a public option and will help ensure the American people win in two ways: one, insurance companies will face more competition, and two, the American people will have more choices….”

He statement on consensus reached contradicts other Senators from the Democratic party (and LIEBERMAN (Independent) who in response to the consensus talk said the following;

SEN. BEN NELSON (D-NE): “I Haven’t Signed On To The Proposal.” (“Nelson Still Withholding Cloture Vote,” Lincoln Journal Star, 12/9/09)
 
SEN. MARY LANDRIEU (D-LA): “There’s No Specific Compromise. There Were Discussions.” (“Landrieu, Lincoln: No ‘Compromise’ Made On Health Bill,” The Hill, 12/9/09)
 
“According To Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.), Sending The Bill To The CBO Was About All The 10 Senators Agree To Do.” (“Landrieu, Lincoln: No ‘Compromise’ Made On Health Bill,” The Hill, 12/9/09)
 
SEN. ROLAND BURRIS (D-IL): If “It Does Not Have A Public Option In It, I Will Not Vote For It.” (“Burris Threatens To Filibuster Health Care Without Public Option,” The Huffington Post, 12/9/09)
 
SEN. RUSS FEINGOLD (D-WI): “I Do Not Support Proposals That Would Replace The Public Option.” (Sen. Feingold, Press Release, 12/8/09)
 
SEN. BERNIE SANDERS (I-VT): “I Understand That The Leadership Wants To Move This Bill Forward As Quickly As Possible. I Understand That. But In My View, We Have A Lot Of Work In Front Of Us … In My View, The Only Way We Are Going To Provide Comprehensive, Cost-Effective, Universal Care Is Through A Single Payer.” (Sen. Sanders, Congressional Record, S.12698-9, 12/8/09)
 
SEN. JOE LIEBERMAN (ID-CT): “My Opposition To A Government-Run Insurance Option, Including Any Option With A Trigger, Has Been Clear For Months And Remains My Position Today. Regarding the ‘Medicare buy-in’ proposal that is being discussed, we must remain vigilant about protecting and extending the solvency of the program, which is now in a perilous financial condition.” (Sen. Lieberman, Press Release, 12/9/09)

It would seem that there was not much consensus between the moderate and liberal wing of the Democrats in the Senate of much substance.  Obviously, time will tell if true consensus is reached.

I do take issue with two points Senator Reid made in his statement.  He says the public plan will cause private insurance  companies to face more competition and that the American people will have more choices.   Both statements show that Senator Reid does not understand the nature of true competition in a free market versus managed competition in a collusionary economy and that choice comes from expanding options not in reducing them through coercion and centralization of control.   I dont know his heart, I can only hope its in the right place and that he does actually want to improve Americans lives as they deal with medical matters but this approach will not serve those ends.