Former DNC chair Howard Dean, one of the most outspoken advocates of health care reform and a public option, said today that neither the House nor the Senate bill represents real insurance reform.
“This thing has been pretty watered down. Right now, it’s about as watered down as it could be and still be a real bill. For example, there’s really no insurance reform in this bill, already,” Dean said on MSNBC.
He added that the Senate bill is “decent” and the House bill is “better.” But, he said, insurance companies can still charge double for those with pre-existing conditions under the House bill.
“There’s not a lot left to this bill. The public option is about it,” Dean said.
He also said the best way to combat fearmongering and rumors about health care reform is to pass the legislation and let people get the benefits as soon as possible.
