Sen. Grassley hopeful on limited health reform

DES MOINES, Iowa — Iowa Republican Sen. Charles Grassley said Monday he remains hopeful a limited health care reform measure can be negotiated but a small group working on the issue agrees a government-run public option won’t be part of a package.

Grassley, the ranking Republican on the Senate Finance Committee, is among a bipartisan group of six lawmakers who are negotiating a compromise to overhaul the nation’s health care system.

“I’m still hopeful, but I’m hopeful based on I think you’re talking about something a little less sweeping than what we talked about before,” Grassley said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press. “I say that with some comfort because we hear other senators at the table say it.”

The six key Senators have scheduled a conference call Friday to discuss health care, but Grassley said nothing can be resolved until next week when Congress returns and the affect of town hall meetings can be assessed.

Some issues have been settled, he said, and one is that a public health care option sought by President Barack Obama won’t be in the mix.

“It’s pretty clear that’s something not on the table,” said Grassley. “It’s fair to say that not every one of the six is opposed to it, but they realize the reality of it.”

While Grassley is among the key bargainers on health care reform, he made it clear there are limits on what he can accept in a final version.

“There are things that for months have been things I have said can’t be in a bill,” said Grassley. “There are some instructions from my caucus I have tried to take to the table: no public option, no rationing and tort reform.”

Grassley declined to be precise about what he could accept in a final health care reform package.

“I think that would be negotiating through the press, and I don’t think I should do that,” said Grassley.

He was less reticent, however, about what he would not accept in a final version.

During the congressional recess, Grassley attracted huge crowds at town hall meetings across the state, and many of the speakers were angry about health care proposals they believed were being pushed in Washington. Most members of Congress endured similar meetings, and Grassley said it’s unclear how much they have changed the debate.

“There’s an entirely different environment, I believe, as a result of democracy working through the town meetings,” said Grassley.

Grassley insisted that the core group of lawmakers bargaining a compromise would remain engaged.

“We’re still together as of at least last Thursday,” said Grassley. “I don’t have any reason to believe we won’t be together after the Friday conference.”