A Setback for the Public Option

I am disappointed by the Senate Finance Committee’s rejection of two Democratic proposals that would create a public health insurance option to compete with the private companies and hold down costs. Despite a 13-10 Democratic majority on the committee, backing from President Obama, estimates that a public option would save tens of billions of dollars, and polls showing clear majority support for the proposals, five Democratic senators caved to pressure from private companies and Republican scare tactics. On the Senate floor and in conference with the House, Democrats must continue to push for a public option, which would be a boon for struggling Americans with and without insurance.

That said, Democrats must remain united in support of any bill that enforces strict regulations on insurance companies and mandates health insurance for all Americans—provided there are sufficient subsidies to make insurance affordable. Even without a public option, such legislation would represent the most significant action on healthcare in over 40 years.

Read my Huffington Post piece on health insurance reform: "Now is the Time to Deliver"

Comments

[Vivian Farmery]

Thank you so much for your statements in favor of the public option. We need to hold our senators feet to the fire!
Best regards,
Vivian Farmery

[Mike Hayes]

If you want the insurance industry to compete for your dollar, repeal the McCarran-Ferguson Act. This the law which exempts them from the constraints of the Federal Antitrust Laws. As a result they are free to collude, fix prices, share data, etc. Of all of the thousands of industries in the Country, only insurance and organized baseball are exempt. All attempts at repeal have died in committees. Imagine that!
Notice that in all of the vociferous debates, no one ever mentions the applicable Federal Law that the insurance industry has paid so much in bribes...err, campaign contributions, to keep on the books.