A government-run health plan is a viable way of lowering the rapidly increasing federal deficit, according to statements made by Rep Lynn Woolsey (D-Calif) to the Los Angeles Times. Woolsey has been a consistent champion of a so-called "public option" throughout the health care debate.
"There is all this concern about the deficit," Woolsey is quoted as saying. "Well, guess what: This would reduce the deficit because it saves so much money."
The bill, according to the story, "faces long odds."
Democrats tout the possibility of millions in savings if the country adopts a federal health care plan; critics argue it would undermine private health plans and eventually lead to a government monopoly.
The public option was pulled from early versions of proposed health care legislation after a series of closed-door meetings, ultimately making it possible for Barack Obama to sign sweeping health care reform into law.
