Public Option Scorecard tracks Senate stances

This morning our sister site, the Washington Independent, released its Public Option Scoreboard, which tracks senators’ stances on health care reform. To be updated daily, the tally currently shows 47 senators are likely to support a public option, 38 are likely to oppose such an option, and 14 are on the fence. Both of Minnesota’s senators are in the “likely” camp.

According to the scoreboard, Franken said, “I think that we can use the public option to cut costs because private health insurers will have to compete with it. The public option also doesn’t have to make a profit so we can focus more on integrating care and coordinating health care homes and increasing quality to bring down costs.”

Klobuchar’s take: “I would prefer a public option that would be a competitive option that would allow people to buy into a Federal Employee Health Benefits Program, which is a series of private plans.”

Here’s how senators from neighboring states come down on the issue:

On the Fence:

Kent Conrad, N.D.

Likely Supporters

Byron Dorgan, N.D.

Russ Feingold, Wis.

Tom Harkin, Iowa

Tim Johnson, S.D.

Herb Kohl, Wis.

Likely Opponents

Charles Grassley, Iowa

John Thune, S.D.