Obama Hiding Behind Single Payer Supporters

Obama Hiding Behind Single Payer Supporters
By Michael Munk | www.MichaelMunk.com

NPR reported this from an interview this morning with HHS Secy. Kathleen Sebelius:

"Asked if the administration's program will be drafted specifically to prevent it from evolving into a single-payer plan, Sebelius says: "I think that's very much the case, and again, if you want anybody to convince people of that, talk to the single-payer proponents who are furious that the single-payer idea is not part of the discussion."

Obama said at the AMA convention Monday:

"What are not legitimate concerns are those being put forward claiming a public option is somehow a Trojan horse for a single-payer system. I'll be honest. There are countries where a single-payer system may be working. But I believe - and I've even taken some flak from members of my own party for this belief - that it is important for us to build on our traditions here in the United States. So, when you hear the naysayers claim that I'm trying to bring about government-run health care, know this - they are not telling the truth."

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Michael Munk comments:

To me, he sounds like deep down he's for single payer and acknowledges that many Democrats (and most citizens) are too. But he considers that capitalist interests (what he calls American "traditions") are too powerful to achieve it. His last sentence, of course, is another instance of his using the straw man dodge -- single payer is NOT "government-run health care." That would be genuine socialist health care.