--than the actual facts about it? Probably this is an automatic reflex response against the Repubs and insurance companies who don't like the idea, but please consider that they are taking this approach because it enables them to win no matter what happens. This is already a close replay of 1993, when Clinton's bill, written in secret by big insurance companies at Jackson Hole, was attacked by Republicans and small insurers. Of course the big insurers didn't defend her and the legislation they had written--they preferred no reform at all, and the Clinton legislation was just a fallback in case it was forced on them. This is exactly what is going on here.

Of course the public likes the public option idea. This is the same public that overwhelmingly wants government involvement in health care one way or another, whether a comprehensive single payer plan or just taking care of all the people who don't have access to health care in some other way.

Buthe facts on the ground are this. The public is going to absolutely hate any of the bills being considered if they are enacted. For one thing, we have two election cycles to go through before anyone sees anything at all happen in 2013, during which the victims of a jobless recovery are going to see health care in this country go further and further down the drain. Yes, I know that forbidding discrimination on the grounds of pre-existing conditions comes into effect immediately, but that has no practical significance as long as insurers are allowed to charge whatever they want for such policies.

For another thing, the public option is sort of like the Holy Roman Empire. It's neither public nor an option if 95% of the public is not allowed to take advantage of it. Our Dem representatives have figured out by now that their base likes it whenever they act tough advocating a public option. Few of those people understand that the public option will most likely never be for them. When they find out, I predict big political trouble.

And for another, what people will experience instead is being forced to spend 10-12% of their incomes to buy private insurance which at the basic level will only cover 70% of medical expenses. They will still have insurance companies choosing their doctors and denying claims at will. Those worried about deficit spending will be asking "We've gotten another trillino into national debt for THIS?"

Older people are going to hate the mandated age discrimination. Younger people are going to hate having to pay anything when most aren't going to see any benefits.

How to get around this while being stuck with incremental reform? Very simple--just make the Medicare program that exists right now open to anyone. If there is concern about a big rush to the door, open the door in increments, starting with early retirees over 65 and the unemployed of any age. No set-up time necessary. The result will be a visible and good-sized minority who will counter any Republican lies about reform with a really big fact on the ground.


Edit--oops! over 55!