Reply #4: Pelosi has nixed the co-op idea, so best float something else, AMA... [View All]

Pelosi rejects proposal to skirt government healthcare
By Alexander Bolton
Posted: 06/11/09 12:11 PM


House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has rejected a Senate proposal floated in recent days to create privately-run healthcare cooperatives in place of government-run insurance plans.

Pelosi told reporters on Thursday morning that House Democrats want healthcare reform to include a government-run insurance option to ensure that all Americans can receive affordable healthcare.

“Not instead of a public option, no,” Pelosi said when asked about the proposal unveiled by some Senate Democrats to set up privately-run co-ops.

“In our house there is strong support for a public option,” Pelosi said.

The Democratic leader, however, said that a government-run plan should not have to depend on subsidies from the government and should be put on a “level playing field” with private plans.

“It should be actuarially sound, it should be administratively self-sufficient. It should be a real competitor with the private sector and not have an unfair advantage.”

more...

http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/pelosi-rejects-prop...