Obama Ally Schweitzer: I Like The Public Option But It's Likely Dead

Montana Governor and Obama ally Brian Schweitzer acknowledged on Friday that while he supported a public option for health insurance coverage, the proposal was likely dead in the Senate.

Speaking at The Atlantic's First Draft of History conference, the current chair of the Democratic Governor's Association said that he personally favored a government-administered plan to provide insurance. "I like the public option," he said.

But before offering his endorsement, Schweitzer acknowledged that the provision was likely "not an option any more."

Asked after his speech why he thought the public plan was dead -- while other Democrats inside and out of government argue (against the odds, mind you) that the proposal could be salvaged in conference committee -- Schweitzer told the Huffington Post that he was basing his assessment on what he's seen and read about the health care debate.

In making his remarks, Schweitzer becomes the second Montanan to read the public option its last rites. Senate Finance Committee Chair Max Baucus (D-Mont) has based his votes against the proposal on the notion that it simply lacked the 60 votes needed for passage.

Unlike Baucus, however, Schweitzer offered his remarks in the context of largely praising the role that the government could play in lowering costs and expanding access within the health care system. Pointing to his state's northern neighbor, the governor chastised those U.S. conservatives who have tried to vilify the Canadian health care model.

"I ask [Canadian officials] a lot about their system," he said. "And they ask a lot about our system. And I read a lot of Canadian press. And one thing I noticed about Canada is that they are flummoxed about this debate we have down here from time to time when someone lobs an insult to the Canadian health care system. I'll tell you folks there is a better chance of someone getting struck by lightening in Canada then there is for a Canadian to come to the United States to get their health care. And yet, we are disparaging a system that has been working in Saskatchewan, my neighbor, since 1946."

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Comments

[owendog]

I don't know ONE Canadian that would trade their system for ours - except for maybe the top 1/2% of wage earners.

[jkpcguru]

He don't know jack! He's a governor. He's not credible on the current status of anything before congress.

[kemo]

Gov Schweitzer, know your place in history.

Come out tomorrow to confess your poor understanding of the will of the American people, who overwhelmingly desire and deserve a strong public option. Quote the relevent polls: CBS/WSJ (+77%), NYT(+66%) and NEJM(+72%), and then shut your pie-hole.

[Veeve]

I like Brian Schweitzer but let's be real; he's playing politics here. He honestly doesn't like the public option because the states will be required to raise 20% of the money and that's not exactly easy when the population of your state is... 6...

[lthuedk 1]

No to both statements. Liar. http://www.light-to-dark.com/Let_Cigna_Decide.html

[den1953]

Never say never Gov it ain't over until it's over this issue is still alive and well!

[letsmakesense]

Brian.
Why have you allowed criminal foreign mercenaries to pose as The American Force in your state?
Folks google Hardin Montana news and see how bad things are. Where is the governor?

[DuPageDem]

It wouldn't be, Brian, if you and other fake Democrats weren't trying so hard to bury it alive.

[kdlaiusa]

You don't go out to the public and say your president's public option is dead, you come out to encourage in the Congress and Senate to come up with one and the effects of not having one.

[Billar]

Well if you live in a state like Montana with less population than Western Pennsylvania, you have to be a blue dog dem or like Baccus a DINO.

[rosiebond007]

"Obama ally" ????????????
How could this be ???? Get behind the Prez and work with and for him.

Crank it up buddy - GET TO WORK AND MAKE IT HAPPEN -

WE WANT THE PUBLIC OPTION - SO GET BUSY.

[DMHendrix]

I'm seriously starting to wonder what is in the water in Montana.

[Montgriz]

not the kool aid you want us to drink....

[Alabama John]

What if 95% of illness caused by a diet high in fats?

Thousands of those in healthcare think so, and average American diet being 50% of calories fats would lead one to believe so.

Well, it would mean that all this effort to reform the medical industry would affect only 5% of the problem, what with 95% of the problem being outside of medicine and square in the processed food industry.

[max hp]

A PUBLIC OPTION - DON'T REFORM WITHOUT IT.

Without a Public Option, you are delivering more to Private Insurance.
Without a Public Option, we are at the mercy of Private Insurance.
Without a Public Option, there is NO COMPETITION.
Without a Public Option, there is NO COST CONTROL.
Without a Public Option, there is MORE CARE DENIED.
Without a Public Option, we will be worse off than we are today.
Without a Public Option, we bend over - AGAIN.

Without a Public Option, the US is doomed to mediocrity.

No Co-ops, No triggers, No mandates, No tax gimmics. A Public Option is not just a good idea, it's a NECESSARY REQUIREMENT. Anything less is unacceptable.

I have NO DESIRE to contribute to the Insurance companies' profits. I won't stop anyone from doing so, but don't FORCE me into it.

WHY IS THAT SO HARD TO UNDERSTAND?

[hhayden]

With a public option we are doomed to more government control and bad managment.

[Tom Langley]

You mean the government that established the protected monoloplies of the health care companies therebye incresasing their profits by 350% over the last decade by denying the care people have paid for? THAT government control is okay, right? Where does your paycheck come from hhaycen, an insurance company? Like Wellpoint maybe, who is cutting their employees benfits? What the hell are you smoking fool?

[PhilipTaylor]

BILL FRIST ENDORSEMENT TELLS YOU HOW CORRUPT THE DICTATED BAUCUS PLAN IS:

1. $Half a Trillion to Insurers! 30 to 40 Million Paying Clients!
2. NO COMPETITION COST SAVINGS in a so called Capitalist System!
3. A Scrap! A Bone of the Public Option tossed out the Back Door to the Masses!
4. No Choices for 180 Million Americans - Still mostly Monopolies = No Private + Public Marketplace
5. Penalties for those barely surviving!

Politicians V10LATED their 0ATH of 0FFICE to Represent the People who ELECTED THEM!

Instead Politicians Represent Moneyed Corporate Executives!

Corporations control Politicians and Politicians Turn-Around and Control Corporations

--- American People Missing in Action! ---

[hhayden]

What did you expect?