Axelrod: Obama Firm on Public Option-"not willing to accept that it's not going to be final package"

[jeffbr]

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/09/13/ftn/main5307095.shtml

(CBS) Senior White House adviser David Axelrod said President Obama is "not willing to accept" that a so-called public option "is not going to be in the final package" of health-care legislation on "Face the Nation" Sunday.

"He continues to believe it's a good idea," Axelrod told CBS News Chief Washington correspondent and "Face the Nation" anchor Bob Schieffer about a government-funded alternative to private health insurance. "He continues to advocate it, and I'm not willing to accept that it's not going to be in the final package."

Axelrod said the president "believes that it will add an element of competition where there is none in some places in this country where there's a monopolistic situation with insurance companies."

[Parker CA]

1. Obama said as much himself yesterday in MN. nt.

[drm604]

2. K&R

:kick:

[mvd]

3. K&R

I did not give up on the public option after the speech; maybe Obama thought conciliatory words before Congress would help.

[Toucano]

4. That's not what I took away from his congressional address. n-t

[me b zola]

5. K&R

:)

[Coyote_Bandit]

6. Ummmm......

I'll believe it when I see it.

I will take the opportunity to point out that a public option ain't worth shit if folks still cannot afford the premium, or if the coverage is not accepted or if it is so minimal as to be largely meaningless. IMHO, mandated insurance will leave millions worse off. Uninsured and facing penalties.

Meaningful healthcare reform is my line in the sand. If the President cannot deliver meaningful reform that actually helps me, my diabetic sister in law and my self-employed 40+ younger brother and his kids secure affordable healthcare then I will not vote for Obama - or my local Congresscritters - to retain their office. Simple as that.

[BumRushDaShow]

7. K&R

Lobby CONGRESS. That is who will draft the final bill.

[berni_mccoy]

8. Again this is consistent with what he has been saying: PO OR BETTER

Many here don't want to believe that's what Obama has been saying, but it is. Single Payer advocates don't like it. But that's what it is.

And sincere there are no other options on the table or in legislature currently being considered, it's going to be the PO.

[mmonk]

11. What is meant by defining it in certain markets?

If it isn't available to everyone and if it isn't a "real" public option or not designed along the lines of an alternatibe that will be cheaper than private insurance with it's 30% overahead that does not go for healthcare but profits to keep their Wall Street expectations, what good would it be or the point?

[tridim]

9. But the AP said.. Oh wait.

[emulatorloo]

10. And then Politico and CNN said . . . Oh wait.

[Frank Booth]

12. This is good, but I still wonder if Obama has the spine to stand up to the increasing number of

so-called Democrats in Congress who are moving to kill any public option.

[mistertrickster]

13. Holy mackeral . . . I'm surprised the "single payer" ideologues haven't unreccomended this one. nt

[midnight]

14. The devil is in those details. A tax for those not able to fork over

thousands of dollars to the insurance co.? I hope not.