Lieberman opposes public option

(WTNH) - The latest version of a health care reform bill was unveiled by the House Democrats today, but Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) says he can't stand behind it because it includes a public option.

"The so-called public option, which is a government created, government owned health insurance company, we just don't need and I'm afraid it's gonna gum up all the other good things that we want to do because it will end up causing us to raise taxes, increase health insurance premiums and add to the national debt," Lieberman said.

Mark Davis: "Well now the most recent survey of voters here in Connecticut done just last month by Quinnipiac University indicates that 64 percent say they favor the public option. 88 percent of Democrats, but also 61 percent of Independents said they favor public option, 28 percent of Republicans say they favor public option. Those are the people who elected you. What do you know that they don't?"

"You know, I think there actually is a lot of misunderstanding about the public option. I think a lot of people think the public option is going to provide free, or really low cost insurance. It's not. And because it's going to be another government entitlement program it will add to taxes, it will increase premiums to people who have insurance now and it will add to the national debt and make it a lot harder to save the great health insurance entitlement program we have now, which is Medicare," Lieberman responded.

Lieberman's Senate colleague Chris Dodd (D-CT) vigorously endorses the public option saying it will drive down premiums by creating competition to the insurance companies.

"Chris and I are friends, we're colleagues but I just disagree with him on this," said Lieberman. "I say, if you don't like what the private companies are charging, regulate them better, sue them, but why get the government into yet another business?"

MD: "I think the House plan that was unveiled today and the Senate plans call for an increase in the tax on couples making in excess of a million dollars and singles making in excess of half a million, do you favor that?

"I favor that, let me put it this way; I wish we didn't have to use it now because, I think we're going to have to raise taxes on the higher income people to do some of the deficit and debt reduction that I think should be our number one priority. I'll just say that I favor taxes on the wealthy," Lieberman said.

Democrats here in Connecticut who are still miffed that Lieberman campaigned around the country for John McCain are even more miffed now. Some of the Republicans running against Chris Dodd think Lieberman is an even finer fellow than they did before.