I noticed they did their best to push the Public Option reborn myth through the media today. Harkin even claimed they had the votes. In the Senate straight up, perhaps. But I doubt they had 60. And it doesn't matter anyway for now. Public Option - see Dr. Obama. Until then, a Public Option seems to be DOA.
h/t Hot Air headlines
WASHINGTON - Liberal Democrats failed Tuesday to inject a government-run insurance option into sweeping health care legislation taking shape in the Senate Finance Committee, despite widespread accusations that private insurers routinely deny coverage in pursuit of higher profits.
The panel rejected two "public option" proposals — by Sens. Jay Rockfeller of West Virginia and Chuck Schumer of New York.
Heck, do you really think leftists are going to give up on ObamaNirvana after just one committee vote in the Senate?
No, the "public option" won't be DOA until we treat it like a vampire: pound a stake through its heart, cut off its head, flip it face down, toss garlic, crucifixes, and holy water into the coffin, and then bury the whole stinking mess six feet underground.
Posted by: MarkJ | Tuesday, September 29, 2009 at 06:00 PM
The State of Florida has a more or less universal coverage system that is based solely on the state government negotiating rates with private sector insurance companies -- and it works quite well. No taxes or subsidies. I guess this isn't being considered on a national level because it's a GOP brainchild?
Posted by: Mark Turner | Tuesday, September 29, 2009 at 06:51 PM
Speaking as an uninsured disabled person who doesn't get a gov't check, with four minor children, an elderly mom and with two disabled brothers..........this news regarding the death of the public option makes my day. Hope it dies and is never resurrected under another name or trigger or whatever. Freedom is kinda important to me.
Posted by: Lisa Graas | Tuesday, September 29, 2009 at 07:00 PM
"We just don't have the votes," said Senator Baucus.
http://threebeerslater.blogspot.com/2009/09/senate-panel-rejects-health-care-option.html
Posted by: richard mcenroe | Tuesday, September 29, 2009 at 07:59 PM
It's the 'Norwegian blue parrot,' it's just resting, pining for the fjords
Posted by: the bishop | Tuesday, September 29, 2009 at 09:06 PM
Good. I hate public options. Like the Postal Service, public parks, and municipal garbage collection.
Posted by: Brian Lynch | Tuesday, September 29, 2009 at 10:13 PM
I wouldn't be doing the happy dance anytime soon. Co-op or exchange are just different words for government run health care. It's a smoke screen and a ruse. Camel nose coming under the tent, doncha know!
Posted by: Adrienne | Tuesday, September 29, 2009 at 11:44 PM
As I noticed in a quick sidebar item at American Thinker the government passed the rule requiring electronic records be submitted and recorded in a national database by 2012.It was hiding in the stimulus bill but there it is in full force now. If you think this wont be how some kind of Public Option will get in the Happy ass freeloader health bill your smokin dope or drinking heavily.
Posted by: Rich K | Wednesday, September 30, 2009 at 12:01 AM
Barry is going to sign whatever health care bill makes it to his desk, then proclaim to the world that he has fulfilled another campaign promise. Sarkozy has him pegged as a naive, colossal egotist. It is funny to see the liberals eat crow, after predicting that the health care overhaul bill would have "a strong, robust public option." About the only robust thing in Washington these days is the distrust of Barry and his crew of slapdicks.
Posted by: david r | Wednesday, September 30, 2009 at 10:06 AM