Talking Points Memo:..."There is no way I can pass a bill in the House of Representatives without a public option," [House Speaker Nancy Pelosi] said to a crowd in California, noting that regional health care co-ops won't get the job done. "If they want to have [co-ops] for their state, perhaps that could be included in the legislation. But it is not a substitute for a public option."
The House Energy and Commerce Committee has agreed to a provision that would allow states to erect co-ops in addition to the public option. But a large progressive bloc insists that the overall bill must contain a public option or it won't pass.
"Let me just be very clear," she said. "If we don't pass this bill with all the comprehensive aspects of it now, I don't know when we'll have a chance to do it."
Of course, Pelosi is just stating the facts. Inclusion of a public option is a settled issue in the House of Representatives. House liberals have made it clear that a bill without a government-run health plan isn't getting out of the People's House -- and apparently they're sticking to their guns.
It's the senate that's out of whack here. The president says he wants a public option (although you wish he'd come out and fight for it), the house wants it, and the people want it -- in fact, polling shows that a solid majorty opposes any bill that doesn't include one. Only in the senate is it some big freakin' controversy.
Try to get on the same page with the rest of America, senators.
