“Sen. Evan Bayh Is Now In Favor Of Bringing The Health-Care Debate To The Senate Floor, A Day After He Told CBS News It May Not Be Worth Even ‘Starting A Discussion.’ A brief statement Thursday by Bayh’s staff confirms the senator will support moving forward to a debate, where Bayh ‘will work hard to address his concerns and craft legislation that reduces deficit and lowers health care costs.’ Bayh told CBS on Wednesday that he may not support a motion to proceed, depending on what the bill includes, especially if changes weren’t made to the $800 billion plan. There was talk that Bayh may join the Republican ranks in filibustering a debate on the reform.” (Tom Moor, “Bayh Will Back Opening Debate,” South Bend Tribune, 10/30/09)

• “The Announcement Came On The Same Day Indiana Members Of Moveon.Org, A Political Action Group, Say Support For Bayh’s Re-Election Hinged On His Health-Care Reform Vote And Whether He Joined The Republicans To Block An Up-Or-Down Vote. Bayh’s stance on an up-and-down vote is unclear. A referendum over the weekend showed that 93 percent of MoveOn’s members would not support re-election of any senator who sides with Republicans to block a public option, according to a news release. There are about 66,000 such members in Indiana.” (Tom Moor, “Bayh Will Back Opening Debate,” South Bend Tribune, 10/30/09)

“Bayh Was In The Hot Seat Earlier This Week After Reports Came Out That He Was Considered Backing A Republican Filibuster. But He Said Thursday, And Affirmed Friday, That He Will Vote To Get A Senate Version Of A Health Care Bill On The Floor For Debate.” (Dorothy Schneider, “Health Care Reform Infuses Bayh’s Talk,” Journal and Courier, 10/31/09)

Bayh “Said There Will Be A Public Option In The Final Bill.” “‘By the end of the year, we will enact health care reform legislation,’ Bayh said during his speech, receiving a standing ovation from roughly 75 people in attendance. After someone in the room yelled, ‘What about the public option?’ Bayh went on to explain what he wants to see in a health care bill. The senator said there will be a public option in the final bill — another statement that received thunderous applause — but he wants one that makes sense and doesn’t raise costs for those who can’t afford it.” (Dorothy Schneider, “Health Care Reform Infuses Bayh’s Talk,” Journal and Courier, 10/31/09)

Bayh “Has Made It Increasingly Clear” He Won’t “Stand In The Way Of The ‘Public Option.’” “Bayh, for his part, says he wants to see the actual bill before he makes up his mind. But he has made it increasingly clear in the past week that he will not stand in the way of the ‘public option,’ which Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada is promoting. Bayh says his biggest concerns are about adding to the deficit and making sure the legislation’s programs are sustainable in the long term.” (Drew Armstrong, “A Senator’s Health Care Ties Under Scrutiny,” Congressional Quarterly Weekly, 11/7/09)