Public Option

I was recently talking with a friend about Health Care reform, and he told me how disappointed he was that President Obama dropped his support for the public option so early. I've heard several versions of this charge, and figured it was time to put it to rest. I did about 30 minutes of research and found dozens of speeches where the President reiterated his support for and defended the public option. (I've listed just a sampling below). It is true that the President never said "I won't sign a bill unless it contains a public option." Whether this statement would have worked or not, nobody knows. It might have, or it might have put us in worse position (e.g., we have the same bill that we have, which the President would have have to sign, and thus make him look like a hypocrite or there would be no bill at all). Let's face it, looking back, the public option was effectively killed when the right wing showed up at town halls in early August and the left didn't. During the summer and fall, the President kept up his support for the public option, taking all the heat from left, right, and center. Before blaming the President, ask yourself "how many town halls did I attend." I'm ashamed to admit my answer is zero.


June 9 American Conference of Bishops. " I believe one of these options needs to be a public option "
June 16AMA Speech, Explains why his public option plan is not socialism.
June 24. ABC Prime Time. Explains how public option would benefit families.
July 7. Press Release "as I've said before, that one of the best ways to bring down costs, provide more choices, and assure quality is a public option that will force the insurance companies to compete and keep them honest. "
July 28, On-line town hall with AARP "And one of the options should be a public plan that would increase competition "
August 15, Town Hall Meeting in Denver. Mentions Public Option 25 in defending it against critics.
August 22. Weekly address. Defends public option against attacks
Sept 7, 2009. Labor Day Speech supporting public option.
Sept 9 Joint Session of Congress
Sept. 12 Rally at Target Center in MN. "I think one of the options should be a public insurance option"
Sept. 17. Town Hall Meeting in MD. ", I've also said that one of the options in the insurance exchange should be a public insurance option. (Applause.) "