Co-ops don't cut it. That's what some health care reformers are saying in response to U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Washington, and her endorsement last week of private health care co-ops over the public insurance plan that President Obama wants to see in legislation now making its way through Congress.
In a radio interview on KUOW, Cantwell indicated there aren't enough votes to pass legislation that includes a public insurance plan. But, "Any proposals that dilute and delay that option are no substitute," Deana Knutsen, chair of the Washington Community Action Network, said in a statement released by the group. "If it's not national, not publicly accountable, doesn't have bargaining clout, and isn't ready on day one, then it's not a strong public health insurance option, and it won't fix our health care system."