Reply #186: Whether or not it could have passed is very relevant to whether or not Obama worked for it.

[BzaDem]

If it was clear that the parliamentarian would rule against the PO in reconciliation, there would be no reason for Obama to continue to fight for it after that point only to lose. I would question why Obama would be wasting his time if he did that.

Your argument seems to be that Obama actively killed the PO. Your only "evidence" is a Hospital lobbyist, who if you look close and do some critical thinking, DIDN'T EVEN CLAIM that any deal barred a public option.

He claimed that he opposed a public option based upon Medicare rates (as they pay much less than private rates), or with the potential for later implementation of Medicare rates. I hate to break it to you, but the public option he is talking about (with Medicare rates) couldn't even get out of the Energy and Commerce committee in the House, and wouldn't have even gotten 200 votes in the House.

http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/health-care/exclusive-robust-public-option-lacks-votes-to-pass-house-internal-whip-count-document-shows/

Even if we assume Chip Kahn's word as gospel, a PO that was based on completely negotiated rates without potential to use Medicare rates (or anything resembling them) would have satisfied even him. And I don't assume Chip Kahn's word is accurate, and I further don't assume that Obama would have cared at all about Chip Kahn's preferences if he thought it was actually feasible to get a PO through the House and Senate.