As you all know, Sebelius' comments last weekend created a firestorm about the public option. Yesterday, however, while visiting the Ohio State University Medical Center, her comments were much more supportive of the public option. Link and quotes below the fold.
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From The Columbus Dispatch:
http://www.dispatch.com/...
There's no question the president believes and I believe that the best way to make sure that we have choices for consumers and cost competition for the private industry is with a public option and a new marketplace," Sebelius said. "He continues to say that, I'll continue to say that.
In many parts of the country, Sebelius said, one insurance company has a monopoly on health care insurance. Monopolies are not known to be very good at lowering costs or providing innovative approaches," Sebelius said. "So, having the government compete on a level playing field with the private industry, I think, is the best strategy for cost control and competition.
Sebelius acknowledged "other ideas" about creating competition and lowering costs for health insurance, but pointedly said that four committees that helped draft health care reform legislation in the Democratic-controlled House have "made very clear" that a public option "is an essential component of the plan."
Some commenters have noted they would like to see even stronger language from Sebelius. I agree, but at least this is a huge improvement from last weekend.