A Wisconsin labor official says break the grip of insurance companies from the health bill. David Newby, President of the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO, speaking on his own behalf and not national body, believes the US Senate’s health care bill falls short and gives too much power to insurers.
“The insurance companies, very frankly, are the problem there are not the solution to the problem,” says Newby.
The current version appears watered down after Senators, such as Joe Lieberman (I-CT), have threatened to derail the process unless any indication of a public option is eliminated. Newby says President Obama needs to be “twisting to some arms and butting some heads” to strengthen the bill including a public option.
The union head says not enough Americans have demanded their lawmakers push for affordable, expanded health coverage.
Lieberman has said public option is a way for the government to create a new entitlement in a time when the nation is saddled with heavy debt.