Another blow to the public option

It’s more bad news for the so-called public option.

Even though Obama made a case for it during his address to Congress last week, the push for a government-sponsored health insurance option has appeared doomed for a while. And now a poll out shows that many people would be more amenable to reform if that piece were dropped.
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The public has been skeptical of healthcare reform efforts, to say the least. But the Washington Post is reporting that opposition may be easing somewhat, according to a Washington Post-ABC News poll.

I thought Obama made a pretty concise and compelling arguement in favor of the public option - as well as a concession for opponents, stating that people with private insurance wouldn't be eligible for the public option. But he did also hint that that portion wouldn’t be what stands in the way of passing a bill.

The poll found that if the public option was removed, opposition to the overall package drops by six percentage points. Without the public option, 50 percent back the changes and 42 percent are opposed.

Further, if it is indeed limited to those unable to get private insurance, support would rise to 76 percent.

But I have to agree with Bob on this one: Why not extend the choice and competition to all Americans? Why not let us decide if we want to opt for the public option? Well, it might all be a moot point now.