RETREAT : White House appears ready to drop 'public option'

Associated Press Writer ^ | August 16, 2009 | PHILIP ELLIOTT

[RobinMasters]

WASHINGTON – Apparently ready to abandon the idea, President Barack Obama's health secretary said Sunday a government alternative to private health insurance is "not the essential element" of the administration's health care overhaul.

The White House indicated it could jettison the contentious public option and settle on insurance cooperatives as an acceptable alternative, a move embraced by some Republicans lawmakers who have strongly opposed the administration's approach so far.

Officials from both political parties reached across the aisle in an effort to find compromises on proposals they left behind when they returned to their districts for an August recess. Obama has been pressing for the government to run a health insurance organization to help cover the nation's almost 50 million uninsured.

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said the White House would be open to co-ops instead of a government-run public option, a sign Democrats want a compromise so they can declare a victory on the must-win showdown.

[radiohead]

Thanks for the link. Very informative.

[CriticalJ]

“Bowing to Republican pressure, President Barack Obama’s administration signaled on Sunday it is ready to abandon the idea of giving Americans the option of government-run insurance as part of a new health care system.”

Say what?

Republican pressure? Maybe the AP doesn’t realize that the Republican part cannot block anything legislation. This was blocked by the people.

Spin, spin, spin, spin, spin.

[lapsus calami]

 

The corrupt amateurs and academics we have in charge are leaning an important lesson.

 

Things don’t work the same way in Washington, as they do in graduate Political Theory classroom, while writing the foundation of an academic paper.

 

 

Precisely. Ideologues like that live in a vacuum and get shocked when things don't work the way it's supposed to from their view. Their typical answer is to redouble their efforts at their stupidity which depending on the circumstances could have either a bad effect on themselves (preferred) or the public. Or both. They're getting schooled right now, it will be interesting to see if they learn and adapt or stay intractable at their same feeble level of non-expertise.

 

 

[MichiganConservative]

The press, especially the AP, is just plain stupid.

[riri]

I rarely go to DU but followed your link today. I must say it was refreshing to see that the libs are apparently as frustrated and fed up with their Messiah as we are. So many vowing not to work for his re-election or vote for him. Gotta love it!

I went over after I read your post, glad I did. Sure brightened my day. LOL, what a sorry bunch of whiners.

[SkyPilot]

Not good enough.

Scrap ALL the Democrats, and their plan of a massive POWER GRAB.

[tobyhill]

The Libs aren’t going to accept anything less than some sort of public option so I’m really skeptical about this claim.

[Mr. Silverback]

I don’t believe it...but just the fact that they’re discussing this means we have them on the ropes. Kepp hitting!

[wny]

Since they’re such lying ba$tards, don’t believe them when they say something you want to hear.

[RushIsMyTeddyBear]

Don’t believe it.....and don’t take even their “CO-OP OPTION”. Don’t fall for that, either.

[Ghost of Philip Marlowe]

BS

Without the “public option,” there is no “healthcare reform.”

ALL of this push for government-run medical care is to set up a government agency to compete with and destroy the private option.

They can’t do this without a public option.

[alecqss]

That, too.

[pctech]

That’s only just one part of a very bad bill. The only way to satisfy core America is to just drop the entire bill.

[rom]

I love this post:

Dean let it be known he was ready but the con artist Obama didn't want him around, knowing Dean would not watch us being sold out quietly. Obama says he is for the option personally which he sees as way to make us think he is on our side and will shut us up, but he has never really fought for or demanded the option. What still surprises me is why did he go down this road knowing absent the option - which I think he sold out many months ago and has been playing a con game since - when it will drive a stake in the heart of democratic party. I won't step out my door to vote for another democrat if the option is not in the bill. Even "good" democrats can't save this nation when we have con artists and frauds leading who won't be removed. The dems have sat back and not even challenged Reid as the leader when he is so obviously a weak leader. If 8 years of republican rule didn't wake this nation up, nothing is going to.

[Miss Behave]

Dear Obung and Congress:

Americans are fresh outta gimmes. Do not pass go; do not collect $200. No more crap sandwiches. AMERICA IS NOW AWAKE. DEAL WITH IT.

[matt1234]

Great wailing and gnashing of teeth at the DUmp. Love it!

[GregoTX]

"White House appears ready to drop 'public option"

Public option appears ready to drop White House

[stevem]

Now if we can just get them to drop the “Health Care Reform Option” we will be on to something.

[TigersEye]

Are they ready to drop the bank audits yet?

[PowerPro]

I don’t buy it for a second.

They might say they’re dropping it but they’ll just call it something else.

Furthermore, until they drop individual mandates, dismantle the bureaucratic nightmare of that chart, incorporate choice and tort reform (among other things), we still have a lot of work to do.