WASHINGTON — As the White House and Congressional leaders turned in earnest on Wednesday to working out big differences in the five health care bills, perhaps no issue loomed as a greater obstacle than whether to establish a government-run competitor to the insurance industry.
The administration has already signaled that it is wavering on its call for a government-run competitor to private health insurers, a proposal that liberals consider vital but that has helped fuel the opposition argument that Washington is moving perilously close to dictating personal health decisions.
The increases come at a politically fraught time for the insurers, as they try to fight off the creation of a government-run competitor and as they push their case that they have a central role to play in controlling the nation's health care costs.
And they insisted that Mr. Obama had not given up on the provision that has attracted the most fire from the right, a proposal for a government-run competitor to private insurers, although many Democrats say the proposal may eventually be jettisoned.
Because formulating an effective exchange is so difficult, some policy analysts are still arguing that only a new government-run competitor could create a powerful enough force in many parts of the country to offset the home-court advantage many insurers already wield.
Shortly after our bullish story ran, competitor PhyCor Inc. offered $8 billion for the company, amid much Wall Street applause.
"You know a company is in deep trouble when the news coming out is that one of the financial backers wants to buy its larger, extremely well-run competitor," commented Bill Emerson, president, Emerson Advisors.
Daschle personally advocates a government-run competitor to private insurers.
"The government-run competitor was swamped with parcels just like UPS and FedEx were, with holiday package volume 19percentt higher than the same period late year.
The 15K is dedicated to longtime Spirit Run competitor Juan Ramirez, who was killed last year by a hit-and-run driver while running near Mile Square Regional Park in Fountain Valley.
