I've been reading all over that the senate health care reform version does not contain the "public option." Any so-called reform that does not include the "public option" will be useless, in my view. It's no wonder the Senate's version omits this since Sen. Max Baucus, who chairs the committee, has received more money from health and insurance industry lobbyists than any other member of Congress. "In the past six years, nearly one-fourth of every dime raised by Baucus and his political action committee has come from groups and individuals associated with drug companies, insurers, hospitals, medical supply firms, health service companies and other health professionals. Funny how all that works out."
As we know the House version does contain the "public option." The hope is in the reconciliation process it will be returned to the Senate. As long as insurance companies and powerful health professionals have their money involved in this process, there remains the chance that business as usual will win out and we'll have a watered down version of useless mumble jumble we all have grown accustomed to from Washington. It's a wonderful Democratic Party we have running things.
*Update:
My man Paul Krugman backs me up and cautions his "people in the know" better be right.
**Update:
President Obama again publicly announced his support for the "public option." Also debunks right wing garbage about it being a government-run health system.
