Everyday Americans argue for public healthcare option

[ProSense]

Everyday Americans argue for public healthcare option

By Carey Gillam Carey Gillam – 2 hrs 25 mins ago

KANSAS CITY, Missouri (Reuters) – Kathy Cook's health insurance premiums of $740 a month are nearly as costly as her mortgage. William McEachen struggles to help his disabled adult daughter get the care and medicines she needs. Business owner Don Phipps is outraged at rapidly rising insurance premiums for himself and his employees.

Stories of personal struggles to find affordable healthcare spilled out across the country this week in street-corner picketing, petition drives and rallies, as supporters of President Barack Obama's healthcare overhaul sought to counter what they fear is a weakening in the reform efforts in the U.S. Congress.

Their concern was that the so-called public option -- a government-run insurance plan that would compete with private insurers and possibly be more affordable and accessible -- may not survive in Washington.

"They seem to be backing off on the public option," said David Quinly of Prairie Village, Kansas, who joined a group of about 40 protesters to picket outside the Kansas City office of U.S. Senator Sam Brownback, a Kansas Republican.

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[ProSense]

1. Give it up for "everyday Americans." n/t

[DrToast]

2. But who will think of the everyday insurance CEOs?

Oh...Congress.

[Colobo]

3. Good for them. Keep it up!

[bluethruandthru]

4. Too bad millions of us "everday Americans" don't

have the clout of a handful of insurance company executives.