Why so scared of the "public option"?

The fear of the so-called public option for universal health care is ridiculous. Medicare is a public option. I don't see seniors out campaigning to get rid of Medicare, complaining of rationed care or not being able to choose a doctor. Instead I know people who are anxious to become 65 so they can have Medicare.

Instead of I know people who have employer-sponsored or other private health care plans that require them to use only network doctors (not much doctor choice there!) or the plan either doesn't cover them or covers only a small percentage of the cost.

Instead I know people whose medical insurance plans don't cover needed services or only allow so many visits for a particular condition. Talk about rationed care!

The idea that the health insurance companies (translate, "big business" in it for huge profits) either could or would "do things better" is nonsense. They've had YEARS to do it better and haven't made the effort. Too much money in business as usual. They are behind the campaign to get rid of a public option because they are scared they will not have profits as high as they do now. People might begin to see through the smoke screen.

The idea that government is always a bad choice is also foolish. I don't see the public screaming that we should get out of national defense (the military), law enforcement (from the FBI to the courts, from local police to state troopers) because private enterprise can do it better. I don't see the public screaming to replace the federal highway system (federally administered but contracted to contractors) with a hodgepodge of business interests.

From what I have seen, my friends and relatives on Medicare have more choice of doctors and hospitals and less rationing of care than those on many of the private plans sponsored by employers.

My family has had federal health care insurance for over 40 years due to military service. Whatever problems we've had weren't the result of the insurance, and we are very grateful for the health care we have received. We have a choice of three plans with varying copay and deductible arrangements. One is an HMO plan.

We are extremely thankful that we have not had to fear a lack of affordable medical care or going broke because of a family illness or injury. We would like to see that kind of security and freedom extended to everyone in our country.