The Oregonian is reporting that Senator Ron Wyden (D) is a candidate to be the next HHS Secretary. I'll discuss the rumors, who Wyden is and what this would mean for the US Senate if he were to be nominated.
Cross-Posted from Loaded Orygun: http://www.loadedorygun.net/...
Link to the story: Wyden gains traction as possible health secretary
Key Quote:
Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden is emerging as a potential candidate to become health and human services secretary after former Sen. Tom Daschle abruptly withdrew because of controversy over unpaid taxes.
Wyden's name is one of several prominently mentioned in Washington, D.C., health-policy circles and in news stories and blogs. Former Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber's name also surfaced, but several Washington health care observers said they doubt he would receive serious consideration.
So who is Ron Wyden?:
Birth Date: 05/03/1949
Birthplace: Wichita, KS
Home City: Portland, OR
Religion: Jewish
Party: Democratic.
Elective History:
Representative, United States House of Representatives, District 3, 1980-1996, defeating an incumbent in the seat now held by Earl Blumenauer.
Senator, United States Senate, 1996-present, winning a special election over former Senator Gordon Smith to replace the disgraced Senator Bob Packwood (R). He has not been challenged since.
Wyden's Healthy Americans Plan:
Quoting from Slate: http://www.slate.com/...
Quote:
Under Wyden's plan, employers would no longer provide health coverage, as they have since World War II. Instead, they'd convert the current cost of coverage into additional salary for employees. Individuals would use this money to buy insurance, which they would be required to have.
Private insurance plans would compete on features and price but would have to offer benefits at least equivalent to the Blue Cross "standard" option. Signing up for insurance would be as easy as ticking off a box on your tax return. In most cases, insurance premiums would be withheld from paychecks, as they are now.
Eliminating employers as an additional payer would encourage consumers to use health care more efficiently. Getting rid of the employer tax deduction, which costs a whopping $200 billion a year, would free up funds to subsidize insurance up to 400 percent of the poverty line, which is $82,000 for a family of four.
The Lewin Group, an independent consulting firm, has estimated that Wyden's plan would reduce overall national spending on health care by $1.5 trillion over the next 10 years and that it would save the government money through great administrative efficiency and competition.
Replacing Wyden:
Under Oregon law, a special election would be held to replace Wyden within 91 days (the law says "soon as practicable so it may be backed up to the May Primary"). Here is how I think it would stack up:
Republican Possibles:
Former Senator Gordon Smith would be by far the strongest possible candidate.
Rep. Greg Walden would be a likely choice but would be quite weak.
Allen Alley, who lost in his run for treasurer, would also be possible.
Democratic Possibles:
US Rep. Earl Blumeanuer would be a very strong pick and would certainly be favored statewide.
US Rep. Peter DeFazio would also be a very strong choice for us and would likely clear the field as well.
Losing Senate candidate Steve Novick would be a strong third possibility.
Overall I think we would clearly have the edge in any special election.
Let me know what you think.