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Healthcare Lobbyist Hosts Ben Nelson Fundraiser

One of the big questions left as healthcare reform moves toward the Senate floor is whether a small group of Democrats from red states, most with heavy ties to business, will attempt to filibuster the final bill. Among them is Ben Nelson (D-Nebraska), who reportedly was telling folks back home he would not filibuster in June, but now might help block a vote.

Just in time to celebrate this change of heart, Nelson's having a little get-together tomorrow, hosted by a former Republican Congressman and a health insurance lobbyist... and you're invited!* 

The Sunlight Foundation obtained an invite for the event, which is being held at the "UPS Townhouse", a popular place for these kinds of functions.

So what's it all about? Perhaps getting to know our hosts a little better would help:

• Amy Tejral- once Nelson's Legislative Director, Tejral has found more lucrative work representing insurers like Aetna, United Health Group, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Bravo Health and pharmaceutical giant Medco at lobby-shop Avenue Solutions, which specializes in "creating opportunities the private sector needs in Washington."  As the firm's website says: "We maintain relationships for the long haul and for the hot issue... Among Democrats, we have relationships with all the key players, from the Leadership, to Committees, to the newest Members." 
• Henry Bonilla- a former Republican Congressman from Texas, now a lobbyist for The Norman Group.
• Sheryl Bonilla- wife of Henry, who lobbies for UPS on Healthcare, among other issues.

Should be an interesting event, particularly because there's no telling who the guests, each ponying up $1000 for lunch, will be. It's a safe bet, however, that more than a few of them will have some involvement with the insurance and pharmaceutical industries, looking to curry favor with show their steadfast support for Senator Ben. 

*If you've got $1000 to donate to Nelson's 2012 Senate bid.

Update 1: Turns out that Nelson was working very hard today to wreck the public option by reviving "triggers". Sure to please at least a few of tomorrow's donors.

Bill Nelson and the Public Option

Most politicians, try as they might, can't manage to vote on an issue and emerge having no clearly discernible position on the matter. One who can, apparently, is Florida's Senator Bill Nelson, who cast near-simultaneous votes for and against the public option last week on the Senate Finance Committee. First, he voted against the Rockefeller amendment, considered the stronger of the two options before the committee, and then pivoting to support the weaker Schumer amendment. Both versions failed.  In any case, after these two votes, it's hard to call Bill Nelson a strong supporter of a robust public option.

Which is why the following letter I've obtained, one that Nelson seems to be sending his constituents, is pretty amusing. The person who forwarded it to me specifically complained to the Senator's office about Nelson's non-support of the Rockefeller amendment, which is noticeably absent from a reply that could have been written by HCAN:

I'm writing you because I know that you're interested in health care reform.

There’s been a lot of confusing information flying around about the latest developments on health care reform. Most of the media is declaring as dead the idea of a public insurance plan. They’re wrong.

A public insurance plan may be down, but it’s not out.

As The New York Times reported on Wednesday, the Senate Finance Committee rejected two Democratic proposals to create a government insurance plan to keep private insurers in check.

Leadership tells me one of those plans, by Senator Schumer, still has a shot at being included in the final bill. And that’s the plan I voted for. I believe it offers help for consumers through fair competition to private insurers.

While it was defeated in the committee by 13-10, Senator Schumer promised right after the vote he’ll keep fighting to get his proposal in the broader health care bill. He’ll have my continued backing.

We’re going to keep fighting to make health insurance available and affordable for all Americans.

Sincerely,
Senator Bill Nelson

So what's the deal here? Seems like Bill Nelson would like to keep his progressive supporters on board, despite his hot and cold take on the public option. I just wonder what Nelson is telling public option opponents, writing to complain about his vote for the Schumer amendment. Either way, sounds like a classic case of trying to have it both ways while avoiding a principled stand.

Also, check out this nice breakdown of the Finance Committee votes from the Sunlight Foundation.