The Connecticut Senator says that President Obama didn't favor a public plan when he ran for president:
It’s classic politics of our time that if you look at the campaign last year, presidential, you can’t find a mention of public option,” Lieberman said. “It was added after the election as a part of what we normally consider health insurance reform — insurance market reforms, cover people, cover people who are not covered.
Wow, that's quite an important detail! Wonder why you haven't heard it before? Because it's totally untrue. I could cite any number of sources, but how about the New York Times guide to the candidates' platforms:
Mr. Obama would strive for universal coverage by establishing a new federal health plan for the uninsured, providing benefits comparable to those offered to federal employees. .... Mr. Obama also would establish a government exchange that would allow individuals to shop for the new public plan and approved private plans.
The Politico article in which Lieberman made this false claim lets it go unchallenged.
Update, by other Jonathan (Cohn): Jonathan (Chait) is absolutely right about this. In fact, Obama proposed a public insurance option in May, 2007, on the day he first introduced his health care proposal during a speech in Iowa. From the New York Times account:
Mr. Obama would create a new public plan open to individuals who cannot get group coverage through work or the existing government programs, like Medicaid or the State Childrens Health Insurance Program.
Second Update, by original Jonathan (Chait): Politico, to its credit, has updated its story to note that Lieberman's claim is untrue.
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COMMENTS (7)
That's not hallucinating - that's lying.
That's not hallucinating - that's lying.
The word is not "hallucinating." The word is "lying."
Though I can see how one might reach for the thesaurus for variety, lying being a "his lips are moving" thing with Holy Joe.
The word is not "hallucinating." The word is "lying."
Though I can see how one might reach for the thesaurus for variety, lying being a "his lips are moving" thing with Holy Joe.
no, no, no, how can anyone possibly claim Joe is lying? of course he didn't hear it, he had his head up John McCain's ass the entire time.
no, no, no, how can anyone possibly claim Joe is lying? of course he didn't hear it, he had his head up John McCain's ass the entire time.
He's a liar if he knew the facts and said the opposite. Bton, you seem to be burying your head in a dark place yourself.
Who knows what Obama meant by a public plan: my memory suggests he/others were talking about something similar to federal employees plan (pooling large number patients together, bidding out coverage, securing lower premiums).
I do have, from Obama campaign, his white paper on health insurance. Nothing in there talks about an insurance company being established by the federal government.
Again, I'm amused by your attacks on Lieberman. My guess, as he sees/hears more, he hardens his resolve to make your life sad.
Can someone address Barney Frank's can ... view full comment
He's a liar if he knew the facts and said the opposite. Bton, you seem to be burying your head in a dark place yourself.
Who knows what Obama meant by a public plan: my memory suggests he/others were talking about something similar to federal employees plan (pooling large number patients together, bidding out coverage, securing lower premiums).
I do have, from Obama campaign, his white paper on health insurance. Nothing in there talks about an insurance company being established by the federal government.
Again, I'm amused by your attacks on Lieberman. My guess, as he sees/hears more, he hardens his resolve to make your life sad.
Can someone address Barney Frank's cancellation of vote on finance reform/regulation today-blogs alleging committee members-specifically Dems-worried about jobs. If so, good luck on health care reform and cap/trade.
It's best not to let a good crisis go.
lobosven said: "Who knows what Obama meant by a public plan..."
Well, for starters, he probably meant a public plan.
lobosven said: "Who knows what Obama meant by a public plan..."
Well, for starters, he probably meant a public plan.
Fishboy, that's funny-except how to explain the quotes-which don't mention a government run health option and his health care plan-from the campaign website-which didn't mention a government run health option. As indicated-at the time-the notion of public plan seemed to be: expanding/extending the federal health insurance pool.
Fishboy, that's funny-except how to explain the quotes-which don't mention a government run health option and his health care plan-from the campaign website-which didn't mention a government run health option. As indicated-at the time-the notion of public plan seemed to be: expanding/extending the federal health insurance pool.
My government run health option-sorry-I meant: government run health insurance company.
My government run health option-sorry-I meant: government run health insurance company.