The Baucus bill is bad enough. But the so-called "public option" isn't yet dead. Reports Politico:
The forces in favor of a public health insurance option roared back Thursday on Capitol Hill after weeks when their cause looked bleak.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) looked closer than ever to including a robust U.S. government-run insurance program in the House bill - saying recent attempts by the health insurance industry to undercut reform prove insurers can't be trusted.
And in the Senate, a weekly policy lunch turned into a heated debate when liberals went after the Senate Finance Committee bill and made clear they won't roll over for legislation that doesn't include a public option.
Reflecting deep divides within the caucus, the Senate luncheon turned tense, with voices elevated and senators venting. "In today's lunch, it even involved a little performance theater," Sen. Evan Bayh (D-Ind.) said, describing it as an "emotional catharsis."
In a week when the Senate Finance Committee passed a bill without a public option - raising questions about whether that would prove the public option's last gasp - progressives in both houses showed they won't go down without a fight.
As bad as the Baucus bill is, the end result still could be far worse.
Martin j smith| 10.17.09 @ 8:44AM
The Democrats have majorities in both Houses. Let them duke it out amongst themselves. Thus, ANY
Republican that supports ANY possibility ( even the remotest ) of apublic option gives the RNC and NRCC a black eye indeed. Enough irresponsible behavior .
Oldefarte| 10.17.09 @ 11:41AM
The public option may not be in trouble, but Democrats that vote for this healthcare bill will be so [politically speaking of course] beginning with next year's elections!!!!!!!!!
tomic| 10.19.09 @ 3:26AM
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