So is there a public option or not?

[liberal_at_heart]

All of a sudden the bill is very popular and it looks like they will get it passed. But why is it so popular all of a sudden? Does it have a public option or is this just the democrats circling the wagon so they get the win?

[zipplewrath]

1. What would make you think that?

It's not "suddenly popular" it always has been, which is why they love to run around saying the love it. Actually DOING something about it, not so much.

[The Northerner]

2. I was told that a public option doesn't exist in the bill

[Ozymanithrax]

3. Because progressives in Congres realize that it is a progressive bill...

that will help 30 million AMericans and improve teh existing system.

[Romulox]

4. No. nt

[Skinner]

5. It is "so popular all of a sudden" because this is crunch time.

It was fine to oppose the bill when it was just a hypothetical that might not ever get voted on. But now that the vote is imminent, members of Congress are having to face reality, and pick a side.

The choice they face is this: What's better, this bill or the status quo? There is no "option C" anymore. Personally, I think it is not surprising that most progressives are deciding to vote yes, because the bill is better than the status quo.

I do not believe this is an issue of "circling the wagons to get the win." It's an issue of "something is better than nothing."

(FWIW: My understanding is that the package does not include a public option.)

[lonestarnot]

6. I don't know what happened with this yesterday.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x7931053

:shrug:

[Skinner]

8. Unfortunately, I don't think that is going to make a difference.

Check out this post:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=7931053&mesg_id=7931060

Sounds like the real action is in the Rules Committee.

[lonestarnot]

9. Thanks sir!

[Mari333]

7. no.

[Individualist]

10. Not!