"House Democratic Leader Steny Hoyer said on Tuesday he could back a bill to overhaul the U.S. healthcare system without a so-called public option that would create a government-run insurance program," Reuters reports. Although Hoyer maintained his support for the public option, he said "he believed meaningful legislation to expand coverage could pass without it." His comments came a week after "the top House Democrat, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, said real change would require a public option, which Republicans, insurance companies and some centrist Democrats oppose." Pelosi also said that a health reform measure that did not include a public option would not win House passage (Ferraro, 9/8).
The Hill: Hoyer's comments on Tuesday were similar to remarks he made during the August congressional break, "but went into considerably more detail." The Hill reports that, currently, a public option "that would compete with the private sector is in the bill, but Democratic centrists have expressed concern over the provision and Republicans have signaled it as a deal-breaker."
Public Health Insurance Option is Viable, Says Obama
President Barack Obama on Wednesday said he was open to the idea of a public funding of health insurance
President Barack Obama on Wednesday said he was open to the idea of a public funding of health insurance
Meanwhile, Hoyer also "indicated that a House vote might not come until after members have a clearer idea of what the Senate intends to do and what can pass. 'I don't have a timetable' for bringing the bill to the floor, Hoyer said. 'There are some of us, myself included, who would like to see what the Senate will do'" (Soraghan, 9/8).
Source-Kaiser Health News
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Obama Stands By Public Plan During Radio Talk Show Interview
President Barack Obama is standing his position that a public option for health insurance coverage should be considered as part of legislation to overhaul the health care system, .
President Barack Obama is standing his position that a public option for health insurance coverage should be considered as part of legislation to overhaul the health care system, .
Reform Measures Target Health Insurance Practices Such As Dropping Coverage
Health reform legislation seeks to eliminate practices used by insurance firms known as rescissions, which firms defend as fraud control.
Health reform legislation seeks to eliminate practices used by insurance firms known as rescissions, which firms defend as fraud control.
US President to Defend Public Health Care Option
President Barack Obama this week will defend his controversial push for a public health care option to be offered alongside existing private insurance plans, the White House said Sunday.
President Barack Obama this week will defend his controversial push for a public health care option to be offered alongside existing private insurance plans, the White House said Sunday.
