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Dems: Let's Just Call 'Public Option' Medicare

House Reps suggest rebranding government-run plan

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 21, 2009 2:30 PM CDT

(Newser) – Some House Democrats think the public option would sound better if they renamed it “Medicare,” or maybe “Medicare Part E,” as in “Medicare for Everyone.” They think that rebranding could bridge the gap between liberals and centrists who oppose the plan. “People don’t know what a public option is,” a spokesman for Jim Oberstar tells the Hill. “Medicare is a public option.”

The rebranding has even drawn support from Blue Dog leader Mike Ross, who has been an outspoken opponent of a public plan. Other Democrats, however, say that there’s no need for a rebranding; the public option already has popular support, despite opposition attempts to describe it as a government takeover. “It keeps polling better and better as a public health insurance option,” said one aide. “I don’t think it’s changing.”

Mike Ross says he's in favor of rebranding the public option, a strange move given his longstanding opposition to it.
Mike Ross says he's in favor of rebranding the public option, a strange move given his longstanding opposition to it.   (AP Photo/Danny Johnston, File)
Rep. Jim Oberstar is in favor of the rebranding.
Rep. Jim Oberstar is in favor of the rebranding.   (AP Photo/Lawrence Jackson, File)
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif. gestures during her weekly news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif. gestures during her weekly news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009.   (AP Photo/Harry Hamburg)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 47 comments
cornelison
Oct 22, 2009 12:49 PM CDT
This will mean that Americans will not have to die needlessly & mothers will give birth to healthier babies.
Fondue
Oct 22, 2009 12:28 PM CDT
Well, looks like we do agree on something. However, the PO in it's varied forms is all we are being able to negotiate. As I said, I'm for a single-payer system, but that was taken off the table long ago. Our current public options can be fixed with the right priorities in place. What those are is debatable.
hybrid
Oct 22, 2009 12:20 PM CDT
sorry for the commonsence comment but i was frustrated as are you with this constant debate. i also do not believe there will be zero doctors in 3-4-6 years but that being said this po that is going to be past is so flawed, why replace a flawed system with another?

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