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Originally Posted by Axeman
You can blame a lot of things on filibusters slowing down laws in the Senate, but blaming it for the lack of a public option is not it. Your beloved Democrats bailed on it early to ensure that the insurance companies kept their election coffers full.
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a little internet searching dug up this, from the NY times...
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?There?s a lot to like about a public option,? Mr. Baucus said, but he asserted that the idea could not get the 60 votes needed to overcome a Republican filibuster on the Senate floor.
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had there not been a 60 vote wall before obamacare, & it did not get out of committee, then you would be correct. but sadly, the filibuster was the cover needed for some dems, in conservative districts, the vote it down.
&, the republicans opposition basically admitted a government provided health plan would be cheaper than private insurers & would run them out of business. Better that more expensive private plans exist than the evil government providing a better value to the public.
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But Senator Charles E. Grassley of Iowa, the senior Republican on the committee, said a government insurance plan would have inherent advantages over private insurers. ?Government is not a fair competitor,? Mr. Grassley said. ?It?s a predator.? He predicted that ?a government plan will ultimately force private insurers out of business,? reducing choices for consumers.
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