I have come to the conclusion that the only way to get any kind of healthcare reform passed at any time in our lifetimes is to simply support a triggered public option. We cannot have a robust public option that starts without giving insurance companies a chance to cover more people. I dont like this, but it is the reality. Insurance companies are simply too powerful not to be given a chance.
We have at least three Democratic or Independent Senators who are vowing to kill any healthcare reform bill that has a public option. Why are we at the mercy of these three? I will tell you why. Like it or not, this is a generally conservative country. It it always going to be very, very difficult for liberals to get what they want given the political realities. Getting a triggered public option would be an amazing accomplihment for liberals in this country.
The consequences of not getting a healthcare bill done before the 2010 elections would be disastrous and could well end the Democratic party. With an absolutely horrendous economy that will not get better anytime soon, Democrats need some type of accomplishment that shows voters that they are able to get things done to avoid getting plucked out of offices at every level of government next year.
Those Democrats who say they will kill any bill with a trigger are just as bad as Republicans. They would handing Republicans a huge victory that they badly want.
If it takes a trigger to get healthcare reform through the Senate, I support and so should other Democrats and liberals. It may be the best thing that we can possibly get.