Public Option–Here or History? (CQ Politics, 8/18)
Whether the White House was really preparing to scrap the public option or just floating a trial balloon in the time-honored Washington fashion, the reaction from Democrats was swift.
Liberal Democrats Unhappy with Health Care Shift (Reuters, 8/17)
The White House signaled over the weekend it was not wedded to Democratic plans for a public insurance option, which has spurred intense Republican opposition, as long as the final healthcare measure created more choices for consumers and competition for insurers
Alternate Plan as Health Option Muddies Debate (8/17, NY Times)
The White House has indicated that it could accept a nonprofit health care cooperative as an alternative to a new government insurance plan. But the co-op idea is so ill defined that no one knows exactly what it would look like or how effectively it would compete with commercial insurers.
‘Public Option’ In Health Plan May Be Dropped (8/17, NY Times)
White House, facing increasing skepticism over President Obama’s call for a public insurance plan to compete with the private sector, signaled Sunday that it was willing to compromise and would consider a proposal for a nonprofit health cooperative being developed in the Senate.
Tackling Integrated Care is Key to Health Reform (8/11, Huffington Post)
As we talk about health care reform and cost containment, behavioral health care must be part of the discussion.
Obama Criticizes ‘Misrepresentations’ of Health Care Reform
(8/11, Washington Post
President Obama, taking center stage in an increasingly contentious national debate over health care reform, told a packed town hall meeting here Tuesday afternoon that “I need your help” to overcome what he called “wild misrepresentations” about the program by opponents and special interest groups.
Health care and Government: What nobody’s talking about
(8/11, Daily Kos)
There are 2 glaring issue absent from all the ranting and raving and countr-argumentation going on and those are on the flip: (1) Healthcare means jobs and (2) Govenment CAN work.
Pans and Praise for Health Care Public Option (8/10, CQ Politics)
What happens with health care overhaul won’t be known until September when Congress returns from its recess and whether Democrats will return re-energized or reticent from constituent feedback and whether Republicans are convinced support for an overhaul is slipping.
A Primer on the Details of Health Reform (8/7, NY Times)
With the debate over the future of health care now shifted from Capitol Hill to town halls, supporters and critics of the Democrats’ legislative proposals are polishing their sound bites and sharpening their attack lines.
Health Insurance Woes: My $22,000 Bill for Having a Baby…And I had coverage for maternity care! (8/3, Double X blog post)
The individual insurance market is like that old joke about the food being terrible and the portions too small; it’s expensive, shoddy, and deeply unsatisfying. Those of us who buy into it are not protected by the federal and state laws that govern employer-based health care. In fact, there’s no one looking out for us at all.
