EDITORIAL: Don't Block That Bill, Joe: SEN. LIEBERMAN ? Connecticut senator should support an up-or-down vote on health reform bill

U.S. Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman of Connecticut, a self-styled "independent-minded Democrat" who doesn't mind being the center of attention, created quite a stir Tuesday when he said he opposes creating a new government-run health insurance plan in any form and suggested he might join a Republican filibuster to prevent a final vote on a reform bill that features the so-called public option.

The compromise bill of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid contains a public option to compete with private insurance plans. His version of the option is coupled with a provision allowing states to opt out if they wish.

We hope Mr. Lieberman changes his mind about a filibuster. It takes 60 votes to stop debate and move to a final vote in the Senate. There are 40 Republicans in the chamber, and so far they have been unanimously opposed to any Democratic version of health legislation.

All they need is one Democrat or independent to join them and they can effectively kill that legislation.

We object on process grounds. Bills deserve an up-or-down vote on their merits -- a position The Courant has traditionally taken on legislation and nominations that come before the Senate. They should not be filibustered to death by a minority.

Mr. Lieberman is not the only registered Democrat in the Senate who has doubts about the public option and other facets of health reform. There's a lot more to be found out about the legislation. It's now being "scored" by Congress' fiscal office to see what its impact will be. The bill may be modified during further negotiations.

The finished product should be debated by the Senate and allowed to pass or fail on its merits rather than be sidetracked by a minority of members.