Things I learned in 1995

Conference calls are annoying.

What I didn't learn from this article, however, is what was actually said on today's call with progressive activists who care about real healthcare reform.

UPDATE: Jo Mannies at The Beacon has the story: 

Why now? [State Sen. Jeff] Smith said the aim was to show that, in the wake of heavy opposition from Republicans and private insurers, there would be local politicians who will go to bat for a public option. The message to the White House, he said: "We have their back."

The legislators sidestepped the question of whether the timing was tied to concerns by public-option supporters that Obama and his administration are backing off.

But state Rep. Mary Still, D-Columbia, said some legislators -- including herself -- were actively lobbying the federal government because "there is not the political will in this state to fix the health-care system."

Still, a former aide to now-Gov. Jay Nixon, blamed the GOP-controlled state House for failing to OK the plan of the governor and major hospitals to expand Medicaid coverage in Missouri Legislature without using any additional tax dollars. The Republican-controlled state Senate overwhelmingly supported the idea.