The Public OPTION

With 77% of the population in favor of some kind of public option, why not give it to them?

Crazy right? Only we need to keep it a true option, meaning if I opt out of coverage, I also opt out of paying for other people's health care. Additionally, no government funds will be used in this program other than those collected  specifically for the purpose of the health care insurance via premiums.

Basically, it is an independent, non-profit, nationwide insurance company. It could be run like a co-op, with each policy holder also being a shareholder, voting on company leadership.

But this program could not be backed by the federal government. No Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac, AIG, or Postal Service style bailouts. Once it fails, it's done.

This would of course have to come in conjunction with new legislation shifting the regulation of insurers from the state to federal level, breaking up state monopolies and encouraging national competition, in addition to other reforms.

This way all the bleeding heart liberals can pay for poor people's health care without it impacting my personal bottom line or our national deficit.

A similar idea is gaining traction in Washington.