The apparent loss of any kind of public option to compete with private, for-profit insurance companies has left progressives despondent and some are ready to bail. Former DNC Chair Howard Dean has called for dropping reform. The White House and some others respond by pointing to the beneficial parts of the Senate proposal and observing that achieving even that much may not be repeated.

OPINION: This isn’t real reform, by Howard Dean
The Washington Post, December 17, 2009

RESPONSE: Health Reform: Help for Families in 2010
The White House, December 17, 2009

SEIU Urges Changes in Senate Health Care Bill, Calls Out Obama
HuffingtonPost.com, December 17, 2009

OPINION: Has Howard Dean lost his mind? by Ruth Marcus
The Washington Post, December 17, 2009

David Axelrod: Left ‘insane’ to sink health bill
Politico.com, (featuring video of ‘Morning Joe’ interview), December 17, 2009