Opinion Pieces Debate Co-Ops as Alternative to Public Plan
Although "people get a warm feeling when they hear" about health insurance cooperatives, it "takes real muscle, not nostalgia and fuzzy feelings" to "force doctors, hospitals and patients to cut costs as much as a public option might," argues a USA Today editorial. However, although a public plan has "virtues," it "cannot get 60 votes in the Senate" and "its inclusion could doom the larger health reform effort," argues Sen. Kent Conrad (D-N.D.) in a counterpoint.
- "Health Co-Ops Emerge as Weak Substitute" (USA Today, 8/5).
- "My Compromise Works" (Conrad, USA Today, 8/5).