Dems seek to play down role of public option idea

[debbierlus]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090913/ap_on_go_pr_wh/us_obama_health_care

WASHINGTON – The White House and its Democratic allies on Sunday tried to play down the role of a government insurance option in health care legislation as the party in power worked to reclaim momentum on President Barack Obama's top domestic priority.

His spokesman described the public option as just one way to achieve Obama's goal of providing coverage to the estimated 45 uninsured Americans without insurance. Congressional Democrats took care to say the idea, backed by liberals and targeted by conservatives, is not a deal breaker in a debate that has consumed Washington for the summer and shows now sign of abating.

"I think that's a reasonable way to go. But I think it's important to stay focused on what we're trying to accomplish," said Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H.

President secretary Robert Gibbs stressed Obama's commitment to choice and competition and declared the public option "a means to an end, but it is not all of health care."

Echoing that sentiment, Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., said the focus on this specific issue has become a distraction in a debate over how most people receive health care coverage.

"That's a small part of this," McCaskill said.

And Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., said there's "more than one way to skin that cat" when it comes to lowering health care costs, stopping short of insisting that the overhaul include a public option.

The chairman of the Senate Budget Committee said his committee was nearing an agreement on legislation that would extend coverage to most uninsured Americans. Sen. Kent Conrad, D-N.D.

Republicans, though, did not seem swayed.
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http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090913/ap_on_go_pr_wh/us_obama_health_care

[steelmania75]

1. We should be fighting for single-payer, not a public option

[debbierlus]

5. Given that there is no real public option on the table and there is legislation

for single payer, we should definitely fight for that....

Support the Weiner Amendment to HR3200!

[debbierlus]

2. My video response to this issue....

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/debbierlus/318

[ruggerson]

3. I'm shocked

shocked, I tell you.

[Name removed]

4. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[debbierlus]

9. This article just came out and I see it no where else on the board

And, the Debbie Down comment is absolutely hysterical. I picture a four year old ready to throw a temper tantrum every time I hear it.

I just posted the article. You don't like the contents, take it up with your reps.

[KittyWampus]

6. Good. If it helps get it actually INTO THE FINAL BILL, I'm all for downplaying it.

[ixion]

7. "more than one way to skin that cat"

The cat, of course, being the US Taxpayer. :grr:

[debbierlus]

8. We need to fight back.

[endless october]

10. no public option, no bill. n/t

[emulatorloo]

15. Then it will still be legal for insur companies to deny coverage on pre-existing, and drop coverage

for sick people.

I am for public option too, and expect it to be in there.

[corpseratemedia]

11. snatching defeat from the hands of victory

even though I swore I heard Obama talk about a public option to overwhelming applause in his speech just yesterday (I support single-payer but am somewhat hopeful a public option would do what it's supposed to).

[Nikki Stone1]

12. This is "unrecommended"? It's important

This is a misuse of the feature.

[emulatorloo]

13. Maybe somebody doesnt trust the bullshit Associated Press and their endless negative spin n/t

[emulatorloo]

14. Axelrod: Obama Firm on Public Option-"not willing to accept that it's not going to be final package"

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x6539535