Two down and one to go! Though the one will only be with a Washington staffer of Senator Snow and that will be on the 18th. Meanwhile Gerda and I have met with Representative Michaud on Sunday, November 29th in his Lewiston office and Senator Collins through a video-link on Monday, December 7th. Both were very attentive though it was a relatively short meeting with Collins as she had other meetings scheduled. Let me detail the encounters individually.
Michaud: Very knowledgeable about the details of the bill and very sceptical about it and without much hope of meaningful change. He does want the government to negotiate with pharmaceutical and insurance companies over costs and does want a vigorous public option. Finally he was very upset about the Stulpak amendment and does not expect that it will stay in the final bill though there likely will some restriction on abortions.
Collins: We did agree on a number of points as cost containment and that the bills as now presented will do little to change that. She did seem surprised to learn about the waste of monies here in Lewiston-Auburn. There was little time for discussion. I have asked for clarification and explanation of one remark that was left dangling-that she was opposed totally to any government plan. So far, no reply.
And that's the update from here in L/A
where the women are strong
the men, good looking
and the children above average.
Stephen & Gerda
Saturday, December 12, 2009
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