The pattern of belligerent Republicans and timid Democrats is now repeating itself on health-care reform. Democrats first excluded from the debate the one measure that probably could save significant money – a single-payer system – and they now appear poised to trade away Obama’s proposal for a “public option” to possibly garner a couple of Republican votes. Full Story »
Posted by Ben RossTo:
Separate email addresses with commas.
25 recipients max.
Note:
This tries to illuminate the politics of health care reform. And it's right about the dynamics - but angry Republicans with well financed spin have historically been able to make Democrats uneasy. However, the brutal fact is that the insurance companies are too big to be put out of business (and that would increase unemployment rolls). Somehow they will have to be incorporated. A public option plan with good negotiating powers would seem to be a good way to keep them honest, and revising payment systems should help with both cost control and better outcomes.
The problem is how to organize the supposed vast preference for a public option into a meaningful voice before the insurance company/AMA spin turns it negative.