Short and sweet. President Obama is abandoning his requirement for a public option.
As a healthcare provider who daily sees the havoc that private insurance companies can visit upon unfortunate individuals who have pre-existing conditions or serious current conditions, and a healthcare provider who frequently deals with Medicaid patients and the uninsured, I find this unacceptable. Without a public option, there will be no real healthcare reform and at best some insurance reform and requirements for all to buy or otherwise obtain private policies. The insurance companies must be salivating at this prospect for it will pour billions of extra dollars into their coffers, while institutionalizing and subsidizing their rapacity.
Well, all of this leads me to believe that it is time for me to drop my lifetime allegiance to the Democratic party. They are in the process of selling the American people down the river with regard to healthcare. I will wait until the dust settles before changing my allegiance, but change I will if President Obama and the Dems back off of a public option requirement in any healthcare legislation.
Am I alone? Your thoughts would be appreciated.