We need a strong public option

The bill needs to be amended to eliminate any opportunity for states to opt out of a public option; it has to once and for all cover all Americans. The bill also needs to be amended to remove any language about gun possession, since it gives health insurers targets for denial. We don't need any amendment to make it tougher on employers -- we need a strong public option. It will take courage and commitment, but I am banking on the majority of senators to realize that most Americans don't have the Cadillac health-care coverage that they enjoy and is paid for by tax-payer dollars and many of those Americans would settle for the smart car version.

The health-care bills introduced by the House and now the Senate are the products of long, exhaustive and complicated political efforts. What has become clear is that our leaders are not showing any strength, courage or commitment to the American people. I have been writing about health-care reform for the past three years in my breast cancer blog and I have received hundreds of comments from people without health care who are desperate for answers. These are mostly women diagnosed with breast cancer. Several ask what their options are for an easier death since they cannot afford treatment. These are the stories we are not hearing when these bills are introduced. These are the families that need a public option.

As debate begins surrounding Reid's bill, even liberal senators are now shying away from a public option and several are putting emphasis on states being able to opt out. Joe Lieberman cites the economic crisis as the reason to leave many people without a government provision for health care when in fact it is because we are in such a dire economic crises that people are now looking to their government for health care. They are all disregarding polls that show most Americans now want a public option.

By Kathy-Ellen Kups  |  November 25, 2009; 9:42 AM ET  | Category:  Economic crisis , Insurance , Public option Save & Share:                 
Previous: Lose a job, lose insurance | Next: The noxious 'free rider' provision

The comments to this entry are closed.