Yellow Dog Democrats Kill Public Option

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When push came to shove, the democrats shot themselves in the foot. Three "yellow dog" Democrats voted to kill the public healthcare option, including Max Baccus the Finance Committee Chairman and head dog.

As a business professional for over 25 years I know how crucial the public option is.

One of the companies I worked for offered three major HMO plans, Aetna, Blue Cross, and United Healthcare. Aetna offered premiums about one-third less than the other two plans. Most employees chose Aetna. The following year, the other two plans were not offered as they could not compete in the market. Aetna's rates were increased by one-third.

The following year Aetna increased it's rates by 200%. That's right 200%! the average employee received a 3.5% increase in wages.

Everyone freaked out and began to drop all coverage during the open enrollment period. The state had a public option called "Florida Kids" that covered children of individuals living at or near the poverty level. Most employees were without coverage for themselves while their kids were covered by the state. These were the only options available.

Without a public option we will forever be at the mercy of the insurance companies who are in the business for profit only. The well being of the patient is secondary to profit, always.

Forcing every citizen to be covered by a private insurer only gives the insurance companies 30 million new customers. The companies usually collude to fix rates so that all are similar. The rates are increased every year, not based on competition, but pre-determined in dark rooms. Just like increases in home insurance after a hurricane and car insurance after an accident, health insurance will increase after a claim. claims will continue to be bogged down in bureaucracy as people die. Patients may no longer choose their own doctors as doctors change which insurance they will accept based on payments and the amount of paperwork required.

There can be no reform without a public option. Anything else is a Roman orgy for the insurance companies. Doctors, insurance companies, and pharmaceutical companies will get RICH on the the suffering of the sick.

The Yellow Dogs must be voted out of office. They are clearly in the pockets of the insurance companies as exhibited by their vote. Where the hell is the Majority Whip? Time to use it to whip some ass~!