No. 2 Senate Democrat 'Open' to Health Care Bill With No Public Option

[TheSarge]

The No. 2 Senate Democrat said Sunday that he's "open" to health care reform that doesn't include a government-run "public option," the latest indication that the Democrats' package could be scaled back as Senate negotiators try to hammer out a bipartisan compromise and constituents flood town halls to express discontent with the current legislation.

The so-called public option is a hot topic of debate at town hall meetings across the country. Supporters say it's needed to keep private insurance companies in check and extend affordable coverage to all. Critics warn that the government should not have so much control over health care and that a public option could eventually eliminate private insurance.

The Senate Finance Committee, the last of five committees to consider health care legislation, is trying to hammer out a bipartisan compromise by mid-September -- such a compromise might leave the public option behind.

Asked whether Democrats could support such a bill, Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin said he's personally willing to consider it.

"It doesn't have to be a perfect bill," the Illinois Democrat said. "I support a public option, but, yes, I am open."

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/08/09/senate-democrat-open-health-care-public-option/

[The Village Idiot]

What about the other 10000 bad bad bad provisions???

Guess who is questioning our patriotism? In USA Today.

[Sam Adams]

What the Democrats need to be "open to" is tort reform. That would reduce costs immensely, and the Republicans would stand with them. But it ain't never gonna happen.

[Rick]

How can it be a "Health Care reform" when the bill creats thousands of bureaucrats ( and union members) and not one doctor -hospital-clinic or ambulance.

[TheSarge]

How can it be a "Health Care reform" when the bill creats thousands of bureaucrats ( and union members) and not one doctor -hospital-clinic or ambulance.

HUSH!  Questions are now allowed by astroturfing NAZI's like you! /Pelosi

[Sam Adams]

As of right now, Durbin appears to be off the reservation. And he is from Illinois, no less! I wonder how long it will take him to backtrack.  His phone is ringing; is that Rahm Emmanuel on line one?

[Chris_]

Sooner or later he will fall right in step with the great Zero

[JohnnyReb]

Sooner or later he will fall right in step with the great Zero

Even after he informs them that the party name has been changed to SCUM.

Socialist Communist Unamerican MoFo's.

[Chris_]

Love it Johnny Reb mind if I "borrow" it I have a few people that would enjoy a good laugh at work

[Tess Anderson]

The public option is the socialists' Holy Grail - if the Dick is talking this way, he knows there's no chance enough dems will want to vote for the bill. They will probably produce some bill that does next to nothing to save face for Obama by the end of the year.

[Sam Adams]

The public option is the socialists' Holy Grail - if the Dick is talking this way, he knows there's no chance enough dems will want to vote for the bill. They will probably produce some bill that does next to nothing to save face for Obama by the end of the year.

I hope you are right. But I rather think Durbin is trying a "rope-a-dope" strategy. He's trying to get the heat off himself, and then it will be, "Oh, guess what? We were able to pass a public option after all."

[The Village Idiot]

The public option is the socialists' Holy Grail - if the Dick is talking this way, he knows there's no chance enough dems will want to vote for the bill. They will probably produce some bill that does next to nothing to save face for Obama by the end of the year.

With or without the PO its still a very very bad bill

[WMD Owl]

I hope you are right. But I rather think Durbin is trying a "rope-a-dope" strategy. He's trying to get the heat off himself, and then it will be, "Oh, guess what? We were able to pass a public option after all."

Sebelius: Public insurance option not essential

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama's health secretary is suggesting the White House is ready to accept nonprofit insurance cooperatives instead of a government-run public option in a health overhaul plan. A Republican senator says that is worth looking at.

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius says Obama still believes there should be choice and competition" in the health insurance market — but that a public option is "not the essential element."

Obama has been pressing for the government to run a health insurance organization to help cover the nation's nearly 50 million uninsured. But he had not seen a not-for-profit co-op as sufficient to offer consumers choice and competition that would bring down the costs of private insurance.

Sebelius spoke on CNN's "State of the Union."

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/top/all/6574563.html

IMO Obama's polls have come back and shown that public option is a loser. But this co-op idea is just as bad, because once its formed the Feds can take it over just like they did to GM.

[The Village Idiot]

Its still a very bad bill