Sunday, August 16, 2009

Did Obama Just Give Away Public Option?


It certainly looks that way, with the White House courting the GOP by offering to replace the public option with "cooperative, non-profit insurance." What gives?

Republican Sen. Richard Shelby of Alabama says a potential administration shift from a government-run health insurance to a privately run cooperative is something that opponents like him should consider.
Shelby is a vocal opponent of the health care overhaul proposed by President Barack Obama. Shelby says he sees insurance co-ops as "a step away from the government take over of the health care system."
He says "that's something we should look at."
Democratic Sen. Kent Conrad of North Dakota has been pushing the co-op system as an alternative to a government-run public option to help cover the nation's nearly 50 million uninsured. Conrad says it's an idea that has worked well in other business models.


Sigh...good for you, Mr. Pre$ident. Your corporate overlords are smiling and patting you on the head for this.

1 comment:

Philosopete said...

I just don't get it. This 'co-op' idea is no different than outsourcing the day to day administration of Medicare to insurance companies. The answer isn't new insurance companies that need to be capitalized: it's getting rid of the rapacious corporations (BC/BS, Aetna, etc)that are sucking money out of the US budget now. Up until now, Mr. Obama has compromised but not sold out. I get the feeling that's about to change.