Democratic Underground diarist Kpete has cited an interesting article, although obscure, emanating from the NYTimes here which does seem to have Obama caving to the hospital industry in regards Medicare rates included in the public option provisions.
If this is in fact a truthful representation of the negotiations occurring last summer, it would go a long way towards the President's non-comittal stance and lacklustre leadership when it comes to promoting the electorate's prime demand in healthcare.
Included in the body of the DU post seen here are allegations that also dealt away re-importation of prescription drugs and Medicare's ability to negotiate drug prices.
These three agenda items ironically are the three most powerful ways to lower costs not only for the government, but for citizens as well.
I for one am hoping there's not a shred of truth to any of what I've just reported and my apologies if any of this has already been discussed. But on this particular day of all days I thought we might do well to bear in it mind as we watch the progree on C-Span3.
Already those such as Harkin and Rockefeller have naysayed the people's wishes in peremptory fashion, as if they knew an "inside" truth and have lost patience with repeated questioning concerning the PO.
I'm hoping those Senators that signed THE LETTER meant it and are not just shoring up their creds w/their contituents.
We shall see.