Republican lawmakers fail to strip government-run option from health care bill
By APThursday, July 16, 2009
GOP fails to strip public option from health bill
WASHINGTON — Republicans have failed to strip a government-run benefits plan from the House bill overhauling health care.
The House Ways and Means Committee voted 25-15 on Thursday to keep the government-run option in the bill, rejecting an amendment by Wisconsin Republican Rep. Paul Ryan. All Democrats voted to keep the government option and all Republicans voted to remove it.
Ryan said a government plan would have unfair advantages over private insurance companies because it wouldn’t pay taxes and could set many of its own prices.
Democrats argued that a public plan is necessary to promote competition and lower costs. The issue has been one of the most contentious in the health care debate.
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