Lieberman on Public Option Health Care: ‘I Have No Other Choice ... I’ve Got To Stop It’

CNS News ^ | 10 Nov | Matt Cover

[chuck_the_tv_out]

Senator Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) said he has “no other choice” but to filibuster a health care bill that contains a government-run health insurance option, adding that while reform is needed, the public option would be harmful to America’s future and that he would use his right as a senator to try “to stop it.”

“I have no other choice,” Lieberman told several reporters on Capitol Hill on Tuesday. “I’ve got to use the right I have as a senator to stop something that I think is going to be terrible for our future, which is the public option, not health care reform. I want to vote for health care reform.”

“People, I think, who really want a single-payer system and government control of health insurance are using the public option as a nose under the tent, a camel’s nose under the tent,” he said, adding that, “they’ve got a right to that point of view - I think they’re wrong and I think it would be terrible for the country and for health care, so I’ve got to stop it.”

The health care bill that passed (220-215) in the House of Representatives on Saturday, the Affordable Health Care for America Act, includes a “public option.” This means that the federal government would establish a health insurance agency administered by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and available through a federal Health Insurance Exchange.

States can run their own exchanges under the House plan with federal permission and if their exchange mirrors the federal one.

While neither of the health care bills from the Finance Committee or the Health, Education, Labor and Pension Committee contained a government-run public option, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said on Oct. 26 that he would incorporate one.

[BuckyKat]

Thank God for Joe Lieberman. I hope he holds up to his statement.

[Ranald S. MacKenzie]

I don’t trust him. When all is said and done he is a Democrat at heart. The same goes for Snowe, Collins, and some of the other RINOs.

They may not want a strong public option as such, but they may very well cave when it comes to a trigger, “co-op”, etc.

[FTJM]

If he does, it will give him a great legacy.

[ChiMark]

Senator Lieberman has never claimed to be a conservative and has with stood the wrath of the Democrat party.
Currying favor with this administration won’t win him any points. The democrats are ready for total health care Jihad sacrificing many democrats for their sacred cause.

Senator Lieberman did not leave the democrat party they
forced him out.

[Carley]

The entire bill is a disaster for America.

This public option is simply one part of many.

[Recovering_Democrat]

Words are cheap. Let’s see action, Joe.

[IIntense]

...public option>>>

Those on the Hill very well know that, with government control of health care, they will control the insurance companies and will eventually force American citizens to enroll in government-controlled health care.

I watched an on-line video of Obama saying that in 5 years or so, this would come about.

[iowamark]

People, I think, who really want a single-payer system and government control of health insurance are using the public option as a nose under the tent

The plain and simple truth.

[Right Wing Assault]

I bet it would happen even faster.

http://www.defendyourhealthcare.us/images/What_the_Pelosi_Health_10-7-09_.pdf

[REPANDPROUDOFIT]

Oh how I would love to hear just one Congressman say he is not in favor of any bill, nada, nothing! Quit telling me about the parts you don’t like. We don’t like any of it!

[Bellflower]

ping

[Polybius]

I don’t trust him. When all is said and done he is a Democrat at heart. The same goes for Snowe, Collins, and some of the other RINOs.

It's really time for everybody in the Conservative Republican or Nothing Club to do the simple arithmentic of the 21st Century American electorate.

ONLY 27% OF ALL AMERICAN VOTERS ARE REPUBLICANS.

If you automatically reject any alliance with anybody that is not 100% with you, you have guaranteed a 73% to 27% drubbing at the polls in every election.

When we are up against the radical far-Left agenda of an Obama administration, whether you like it or not, we need the support of people that are not broken-glass Republicans.

Two wolves and three sheep were voting on what's for dinner.

One sheep insisted on fresh grass in the pasture and would not tolerate any other option. One sheep insisted on hay and would not tolerate any other option. The last sheep insisted on grain and would not tolerate any other option.

After three votes, the tally was one vote for grass, one vote for hay and one vote for grain.

Right after the two wolves voted "Mutton" they gorged themselves on the three sheep until their bellies nearly burst.

[mkjessup]

The democrats are ready for total health care Jihad sacrificing many democrats for their sacred cause...

[goldstategop]

The GOP should help Lieberman with his filibuster. We can kill it in the Senate. America doesn't need the government managing its health care decisions.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find only things evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelogus

[Carley]

He wants single payer.

We’ll live like europeans.......all on the dole.............no more America.

[Let's Roll]

Stay the course, Joe. You are absolutely right.

Healthcare is too important to every American to allow the government to mess with it.

[Munz]

I can only wonder if he will really do it or not when it comes down to it though.