Erik Strand, Seattle Liberal Examiner

April 24, 8:14 AMSnohomish County Progressive ExaminerChad Shue

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Good readers, I am pleased to introduce you to Erik Strand; Seattle's new Liberal Examiner. According to his Bio page Erik is a "Seattle-based freelancer who writes and delivers personal observations on public policy".   His introductory piece, "Democrats consider using reconciliation process to pass Obama's healthcare plan"  focuses on President Obama's plan to expand healthcare coverage for all Americans and how Senate Democrats may be forced to employ a parliamentary tactic to move past the insurance lobbies and their Republican lapdogs to finally achieve this long sought after goal. Erik writes,

You mean they are alive? Democrats, with solid majorities in both houses are considering using the reconciliation process to pass Obama’s healthcare plan.

The bill authorizing this procedure has been around since 1974 and has been used several times  to pass major legislation such as Reagan’s Domestic Policy agenda in 1981 and even George W. Bush’s tax cuts  in 2001 and 2003.

Even so, Republicans are crying foul.

Many in the healthcare industry are worried that Obama’s healthcare plan might provide a lower cost government run alternative program, sometimes dubbed as “Medicaid for all”. This would make it difficult for private health insurers to compete and they fear they will be driven out of business.