More Signs “Public Option” May Be Abandoned

As I wrote yesterday, we are seeing the first signs that the Democrats are so desperate to avoid a defeat and get a bill passed (any bill, no matter the contents), that they are beginning the process of abandoning the “public option” in the health care “reform” bills. Today, I bring you more such indications.

It seems that Obama’s health secretary has indicated Obama could accept a bill without a “public option” included.

President Barack Obama's health secretary is suggesting the White House is ready to accept nonprofit insurance cooperatives instead of a government-run public option in a health overhaul plan. A Republican senator says that is worth looking at.

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius says Obama still believes there should be choice and competition" in the health insurance market — but that a public option is "not the essential element."

Personally, I’m not sure WHAT PresBo considers the “essential element” of any health care plan, except that he promised one and he’ll sign anything the Democrats put on his desk to fulfill that promise. Failure is NOT an option… because it would really hurt his and the Democrats' political reputation.


And a top Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee is now saying that a public option “simply does not have the votes to pass.”

Momentum behind a new government-run health care plan appeared to slow considerably Sunday, as a lead Democratic negotiator called the option a "wasted effort" and President Obama's health secretary suggested the White House is ready to accept a health care reform package without it.

Sen. Kent Conrad, D-N.D., one of six negotiators trying to hammer out a bipartisan compromise measure on the Senate Finance Committee, told "FOX News Sunday" that the so-called public option simply does not have the votes to pass.

"The fact of the matter is there are not the votes in the United States Senate for the public option. There never have been," he said. "So to continue to chase that rabbit I think is just a wasted effort."

It seems that a LOT of Democrats are beginning to backpedal from their dedication to a “government option” in the health care reform bill. It hasn't reached critical mass yet, but if enough do that, then they can pass a bill without it and still claim victory. However, if the radical-liberal wing insists on the "public option," then they can easily turn this thing into a defeat for themselves. It’s really their choice.

And I have to wonder WHY this sudden shift away from the “government option” is occurring. It couldn’t be because Democrat Congressman are hearing massed opposition from their constituents during this August recess, could it?

Keep it up, people, you’re having an effect.