Could the Public Option be Dead?

According to this article, Obama is willing to let it die. I guess showing him how much half the country absolutely hated the idea was effective. We can't stop now. Even though Obama may be willing to let it go, other democrats like Pelosi are unlikely to give it up.

Interesting quote from the above mentioned article "White House officials say they are looking forward to "a break from the August break" -- a chance to take back control of the debate after a grim month where news coverage of the issue was dominated by vocal, emotional opponents at lawmakers’ town meetings, railing against the cost and complexity of the plans being debated."

Obama wants control over the debate, he wants the people to shut up basically and do what he demands. We won't. With all this talk of healthcare choice and competition Obama ignores one thing. Not everyone has the purest of intentions. I've personally known people who prioritize lots of things over purchasing health insurance. They want two new cars, with two large payments, a big house with a big mortgage, that Prada bag. They are willing to play the odds, that their healthcare costs will be less than the cost of a premium, and if not, then bankruptcy.

The cold reality is that the people that can't afford healthcare have often made choices that lead them to that end. They are paying a for a bigger house/apartment then they need, a better car, a fun vacation, daily starbucks, they don't budget for it on purpose. Then they say they can't afford it when they have allocated the money to other things.

The truly poor do have options. There are state run programs for the poor as well as federal programs for the elderly and disabled. The emergency rooms turn away no one. The reason costs are so high are the deadbeats who don't chose to have healthcare and use the emergency room as a doctors office. Also, there are people who are not citizens who are similarly using these services, it's quite a drain on the system.

I say instead of a healthcare reform we should reform the people. Teach them what shame and pride are and stop promoting a culture which completely disregards personal responsibility. When my mother was growing up and times got tough my grandfather got a second and third job to take care of the family responsibilities. Where has that mentality gone?
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