Rep. Ellison (D-Minn.): It is 'time to defend' the public option

[annm4peace]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x6329878

saw this posted in General Discussion. Just had to let other MN's know.
*******************************************************************************

The Minnesota Democrat joined a chorus of liberal Democrats who criticized remarks made by Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs that suggested that a public option is not the "essential element" of healthcare reform.

Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-N.Y.) said that "leaving private insurance companies the job of controlling the costs of healthcare is like making a pyromaniac the fire chief." Weiner also said the president could lose as many as 100 votes on the health bill if the public option is not included.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) issued a statement backing the public option but did not specifically address the administration officials' comments.

Both Gibbs and Sebelius made their comments on Sunday talk shows this week.

President Barack Obama spoke along similar lines at his healthcare town hall meeting in Colorado on Saturday.

"The public option, whether we have it or we don't have it, is not the entirety of healthcare reform," he said. "This is just one sliver of it. One aspect of it."
A nation that does not take care of its veterans has got no business whatsoever making new ones." Stacy Bannerman