Public option beaten back, but not dead

[cal04]

Commentary: Moderates like the idea, but vote against it anyway
Rex Nutting, Washington bureau chief
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/public-option-beaten-back-but-not-dead-2009-09-29

The Senate Finance Committee has rejected two amendments that would establish a government-sponsored health insurance plan to compete against private insurers, but the twin votes in the committee on Tuesday don't necessarily mean the final bill won't have the public option. See full story.

Liberals say the public option would hold the insurance companies' feet to the fire and drive health-care costs down. In most states, there's almost no competition among insurers. Without competition, insurance companies can jack up premiums, debase service and fatten their profits.

On the other side, conservatives have two objections: 1) Anything done by the government is bound to fail, and 2) the public plan would be so efficient that it would drive the private insurance companies out of business.

The public option does have the support of most Americans, most members of the House and most members of the Senate. Even a majority of the Senate Finance Committee supports a public option, despite Tuesday's votes. Of 23 members of the committee, a majority have either voted for it, or said nice things about it before rejecting it for pragmatic, political reasons.

(snip)
Failure in the finance committee could leave Senate Democratic leaders with no choice but to bring the other bill, the one sponsored by the late Sen. Edward Kennedy, to the floor for a showdown. The bill likely wouldn't have the 60 votes needed to overcome a lengthy filibuster, but it would have clear majority support. And it would have the public option.

The question then would be: Do Democrats have the stomach to fight a filibuster of their biggest priority?

[damntexdem]

1. If the Dems don't have the stomach, they may find their stomach trimmed come Nov. 2010.

If they induce nausea in the voters, they will be vomited out in 2010.

[drm604]

2. The two conservative objections mentioned in that story are contradictory.

1) Anything done by the government is bound to fail, and 2) the public plan would be so efficient that it would drive the private insurance companies out of business.

Those do seem to be among the objections that I keep hearing from the right (along with death panels for grandma, Republicans, the handicapped, etc.). I guess I shouldn't expect consistency from someone who's arguing disingenuously to begin with.

[USA_1]

3. Public Option, NOW!

Time for Democrats to stop compromising and conceding to the Pukes.

[theoldman]

4. Could someone please explain by both parties fear a filibuster?

Just let the guy talk his head off and then vote to pass the bill.

[thunder rising]

5. Reid will not allow a filibuster...he's a puny, sick old man without the will to fight for his party

He's a squeaky wheel greasing asshole that fears the Republicans and Blue Ticks

[ShortnFiery]

6. Yet, we better damn well bet there will be MANDATES to buy. We're screwed again! eom

[Ruby the Liberal]

7. 90% of ND (Sen. Conrad) is covered by BCBS

Any questions? Didn't think so...