Senator Sanders: "I am a strong advocate of a public option..."

[ProSense]

Sanders, Obama Administration tout Community Health Centers

Monday, 08/17/09
Bob Kinzel

Montpelier, Vt.

(Host) Senator Bernie Sanders wants to dramatically increase funding for community health centers across the county. Vermont currently has 8 of the centers.

Sanders' plan is being strongly supported by the Obama Administration and it's been included in the Senate's overall health care reform bill.

VPRs Bob Kinzel reports.

<...>

Sanders says that speculation is premature and he thinks the public plan will survive:

(Sanders) "I am a strong advocate of a public option I think that is one mechanism to keep the private insurance companies honest. If you're serious about cost containment you have to do that and so my strong hope and expectation is there will be a strong public option in any health care bill that is passed."

(Kinzel) Obama health care administrator Mary Wakefield says the President remains committed to the creation of a new public plan:

(Wakefield) "He believes that a public option really helps to ensure increased choice as well as increased competition in the health insurance market, so he's always said it and is saying that currently as well."

(Kinzel) Sanders will be holding another health care town hall meeting this weekend - it will take place on Sunday afternoon in Peacham.

[Oregone]

1. How does a firewalled public option really help increase choice and bring in competition?

[wtbymark]

2. haha, I know Bob Kinzel

good guy, used to be a regular panalist on Vermont this Week

Im sure Bernie wants a strong public option, its a comprimise for him. He's single-payer all the way.

[ProSense]

3. He does,

and he supports the HELP bill.

[John Q. Citizen]

8. It's unfortuante that the HELP bill has teeny tiny public options ran by the insurance companies.

So I doubt he supports the public option part of the HELP bill as currently written because is horribly weak. Bernie said:"...my strong hope and expectation is there will be a strong public option in any health care bill that is passed.

He didn't say that there is a strong public option in the HELP Bill. He said he hopes there will be.

I love Bernie Sanders. He's a socialist. And he's honest.

[Cha]

4. Rec'd for Bernie

and Obama.

[grantcart]

5. kick

[handmade34]

6. as a beneficiary of those health centers

I can witness to their quality and effectiveness.

[demwing]

7. But if Sanders doesn't think the public option is a sell out

Then HE must be a sell out too!

Bernie Sanders - Cooperate TOOL.

:sarcasm:

[John Q. Citizen]

9. Bernie's a good man. I hate when peope use other people. I know if you

asked Bernie directly about the teeny tiny insurance company run public options in the HELP bill he wouldn't try to avoid and evade the issue like some people do.