Progress Illinois

It's not the only crucial component of health care reform, but including a public option to compete with private insurance companies is an ingredient that progressives believe to be non-negotiable. To the delight of many who gathered in southwest suburban Summit last night for a health care forum, Democratic Rep. Dan Lipinski went on the record in support of such a provision. Whether the type of public plan he prefers is robust enough to work is another question altogether. 

About 300 people turned out for the packed event, which featured eight speakers from organizations with a large stake in health reform, such as businesses, doctors, unions, nurses, pharmaceutical companies, and hospitals. Rep. Lipinski wasted no time drawing a line in the sand, telling the 3rd Congressional District crowd that, in order to limit the cost of health care for individuals, small businesses, and the federal government, a public plan is a must.

But his support comes with a few caveats. Lipinski admits that employers may stop offering private insurance to workers if a government plan exists. "It all depends on how the public option is implemented," he said. And Lipinski prefers the "level-playing field option" championed by Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY), in which the government-run plan would be granted no special advantages over private insurers, such as the ability to use Medicare's low rates or to access taxpayer subsidies.

This version of the public plan is a political compromise, to be sure. And it has its political advantages. Namely, it undercuts the argument made by the insurance industry and conservatives (like Rep. Peter Roskam) that any public plan would eventually make existing private coverage obsolete by stacking the deck too far in the government's favor.

But it's not ideal public policy. The most sound way to ensure that everybody can get timely, quality, and affordable medical care and the cost of care is reduced overall is to let the federal government throw its weight around: by taking advantage of its bargaining power and economies of scale to negotiate deep discounts with providers, by promising that its insurance program will provide coverage to anybody who seeks it, and by ensuring that doctors don't face incentives that encourage excessive or ineffective care.

Before the town hall forum began, 3rd District residents associated with the Campaign for a Better Health Care gathered outside the American Legion hall to share their harrowing stories about obtaining coverage on the private market. Grace Horvat, a LaGrange resident who started law school at DePaul, had to pay enormous out-of-pocket fees because the university's health insurance plan wouldn't cover her preexisting condition of Lupus. Oak Lawn's Grant Suhs, a former high school valedictorian and brain cancer survivor, is worried that if he can't find a full-time job in this tight job market, he will lose insurance once his COBRA plan expires. And Terri Zduncyki of Brookfield, who has been unemployed for 18 months, is sinking deeper into medical debt. Watch as she tells the emotional story of her sick husband's fight to stay healthy while holding jobs that don't provide private insurance:

One thing all three speakers agreed on was that a strong public plan was crucial to safeguarding their family's medical and financial health. In fact, Zduncyki asked the congressman to sign a placard pledging support for that option during the meeting. She was rebuffed by Lipinski's staff. Hopefully, Lipinski won't rebuff voters' wishes in Washington.