Are lawmakers cheating the American Public?
Senate Democrats are getting close to having health care passed and it may include a public option. But it would still allow states to opt out of the program. One group could already be option out of the public option though CBS 2s Jack Miller has more on why people are asking, Is Congress reforming health care for everyone, but cutting themselves a special deal?

Five bills.. thousands of pages of legislation... Designed
To give all Americans access to health care.
But noticeably absent from most of the versions.. a
Provision requiring lawmakers to enroll in the public option.

How in the world.. it is obscene, it is
Outrageous, it is disgusting that you can have leaders that have a set
Of laws for the people they represent but a different set of laws for
Themselves. It is cowardice. How can you do what's in the best
Interest of American people when you don't have a skin in the game? (19)

It was a point of contention during the rowdy town hall
Meetings over the summer.
But even after all the outrage.. only the senate finance
Committee bill.. known as the Baucus bill.. requires lawmakers to join a
Public health care exchange.
The exchange gives people the option of private.. or
Government insurance.

I think everyone should be subject to the rules including
Federal employees and members of congress. I think these rules should
Apply to all.

Democrats insist health reform is about giving Americans choice.
Almost all private companies only offer one health
Insurance option.. while federal workers can choose from at least ten plans.

So under health insurance reform Americans will have
More choices, more choices of affordable plans just as members of
Congress do.

But lawmakers haven't been willing to fully commit to the public
Option.
Over the summer.. an amendment was introduced in the
House ways and means committee *requiring* lawmakers to forego their
Current plan.. and enroll in the public option.
It was rejected.
I don't see in terms of integrity, in terms of
Just sheer hypocrisy how you can have your elected representative
Negotiating for you when they have no skin in the game. They're
Negotiating something for you that does not apply to themselves.
I don't think that's going to happen. We're not going to
Exempt ourselves from this bill. I can almost.. I can guarantee that's not going to happen.


Government-run health care for all but Congress?