Senator Kent Conrad says there are not the votes in the Senate for the Public plan. At least Conrad has introduced a new slant to the debate from "yes" or "no" to "this" or "that". Those opposed to the public option that would eventually lead to the dreaded single-payer plan, are applauding the new suggestion because it will not be government controlled. It would be non-profit so the assumption is that with collective purchasing power, costs would be less. No doubt about it, that's a huge carrot. But this carrot is not a fresh idea. Use the link below to read a 2002 Brief about co-ops.

The co-op has been tried and failed like the Florida Community Health Purchasing Alliance in the 90's and the Colorado Alliance that closed in 2002. Those in favor of co-ops point to the success of the Pudget Sound program in Washington State, a private sector plan. So what's it gonna be now, "this" or "that."

Apparently, it is up us grass rooters to do our homework, become informed and then educate our representatives in Congress. So here's a place to start. The Commonwealth Fund, a private foundation, published a brief in 2002  on Health Insurance Purchasing Co-operatives. Use the link and download the brief in PDF form. It is worth reading and presents revealing information based on the successes and failures of co-ops.

I'm also including Conrad's statements in this video. Please leave your comments below, with or without your name. Initials are fine.