Democrats hit back at Republican address

The Democratic National Committee (DNC) on Saturday morning hit back at the Republican weekly address given by Sen. Mike Johanns (R-Neb.), saying it stretched the facts and claimed that the GOP has healthcare ideas when they "aren't in favor of much of anything."

In a "rapid response" e-mail, the DNC hit at Johanns' statements regarding the results of the healthcare bill but ignored his claim that the bill merger process is a "shameful" series of "backroom deals."

Democrats have long disputed claims that Republicans are willing to propose an alternative healthcare plan, accusing the GOP of wanting to torpedo healthcare reform to score political points. The e-mail pulls a Huffington Post article on Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), saying that anything short of scrapping the entire bill would be difficult to attract GOP support.

The DNC also hit back at Johanns' claim that the bill would drive up healthcare costs. They cite the Congressional Budget Office analysis of the Finance Committee's healthcare bill that said it would lead to $81 billion net reduction in the federal deficit. They also provide quotes from Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) who praised the Baucus bill for reducing healthcare costs.

They also slammed the former Nebraska governor for criticizing proposals in the Baucus plan to tax "Cadillac" or high cost healthcare plans. The e-mail includes statements Republican Sens. Lamar Alexander (Tenn.), Richard Burr (N.C.), and Bob Corker (Tenn.) who expressed support for such a tax.

The release bases most of its claims off of the Baucus bill, which does not include a public option. It is likely the Baucus bill itself will not be the final version of healthcare reform. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) is merging the bill with the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee bill, which does include a public option.

It remains to be seen whether or not Reid will include a a controversial public health insurance plan, which liberals favor and moderates oppose.