MSNBC "Countdown With Keith Olbermann" - Transcript

Interview

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OLBERMANN: Time now to bring in one of the primary advocates of the state opt-out compromise, the Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer of New York.

Great thanks for being with us tonight, sir.

SEN. CHUCK SCHUMER (D), NEW YORK: Hey, good evening.

OLBERMANN: How do you know-how are you sure that Blanche Lincoln and Ben Nelson will let Democrats have the up-or-down vote on the public option?

SCHUMER: Well, the reason I think, there's a lot of confidence in our caucus is Harry Reid. He's the best vote counter there is. He spent a lot of time with each of them and I wouldn't bet against Harry Reid.

He was not, you know-our primary goal here is to pass a good, strong health care bill. We-many of us-feel strongly that a public option should be in the bill, and Leader Reid is able to weave the desires of the caucus into sort of a finished product. And, so, again, don't bet against him.

OLBERMANN: Senator Schumer, Senator Dodd said tonight that this is his committee's version of the public option that has been presented. How accurate is that to your knowledge?

SCHUMER: Well, it is. The level playing field public option is something that the health committee backed. I had proposed it early on as a way to bring moderates around and not have the Medicare set the rates and the health committee thought along exactly the same lines. The proposal that I made, the proposal that the health committee made were very similar. So, Senator Dodd's correct.

OLBERMANN: Senator, if the public option is enacted and it is still closed to people who get their coverage through work, how will that exert competitive pressure on the insurance companies who sell company plans?

SCHUMER: Well, if the public option works as we think it will, it's going to be different. It's going to have to play by the same rules as the insurance companies-same reserves and same requirements and same kinds of regulations. But, first, it's not going to have to make a profit. That's 10 percent to 20 percent off the top. Second, it doesn't have to merchandise. It doesn't have to go out and try and sell. And third, it's going to have sort of a different view.

And the private insurance company is supposed to maximize profits for their shareholders, that's what capitalism is; whereas, the public option is supposed to serve its members. And so, they're not going to be scrambling for ways-if you have cancer-to figure out a way, well, maybe we can say that it was not covered by our insurance policy as private insurance would.

So, it's going to be a competitor on a level playing field but with different values. And we'll have to see who likes what best.

We think a public option will do two things. First, it will give a home to people who don't like private insurance, who private insurance won't treat will. But second, even if you want to keep your private insurance, it's good for you, because it will create pressure on those companies, pricing pressure downward, and delivering services in better way.

OLBERMANN: To that point, do you know, Senator, what Mr. Reid meant when he talked about states possibly opting out by 2013. Was he talking about giving them a one-year window before they had to opt out? It weren't clear.

SCHUMER: Yes. And I know what Senator Reid is intending, but because we has sent it over to CBO and as a private matter, and you don't want to make the CBO score public yet, although we will certainly have it balanced, it's wise not to talk about the specific details.

OLBERMANN: All right. Let me ask you.

SCHUMER: And Senator Reid asked me not to when I'm going to.

OLBERMANN: OK. Fair enough.

SCHUMER: I'll obey that.

OLBERMANN: A question about another date. "Politico" reported that several Democrats were pushing to move up some of the more tangible benefits of this project to start next year. Is that plausible? Will they succeed?

SCHUMER: It is plausible. You know, I think that once we pass health care-good, comprehensive, strong health care-it's going to be very popular with the American people. And there are some who say, "Let's bring some of those tangible benefits immediately to people." And that's a good idea. But, obviously, it will have to be done within the constraints of keeping this balance.

The president has promised and we, in the Democratic Caucus-liberals and conservatives alike-are going to stick with the promise that this will not increase the deficit.

OLBERMANN: Last question, Senator, give me an assessment of where this date ranks among the dates of the process of getting health care reform in this country? Is it time for congratulations or is this just a plateau on the mountainside?

SCHUMER: Well, it's in between. It's a great day. It's a giant step forward. But it ain't over until the fat lady sings and this has been a very, very tough thing to do.

I give the president credit in this sense. This is one of the hardest things I've ever seen to be accomplished because we've seen it fail so many times before. He stuck with it. We're sticking with it. The House is sticking with it.

And I would bet we're going to get this done, but there will probably be some twists in the roads that you and I don't anticipate because that's how this has been from the get-go.

OLBERMANN: Well, to the degree the congratulations are ordered, whatever that in order-my congratulations to you, Senator Schumer of New York and thanks for your time tonight.

SCHUMER: Thank you. Nice to talk to you.

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