I was saddened to see Mr. Frazier's e-mail, which is critical of a public option in the health care reform bill and states that he thinks that most doctors don't support a public option. Quite the contrary in fact: a September 2009 study by a pair of doctors at Mount Sinai School of Medicine found that nearly three-quarters of physicians supported some form of a public option, either alone or in combination with private insurance options.
And, of course, so do large majorities of American citizens. The latest Washington Post polling shows that 57 percent of all Americans now favor a public insurance option, and independents prefer a bill that includes a public option but does not have Republican support, by 52 percent to 35 percent.
Seems this ship has sailed.
Charles Davis is the executive director of the National Freedom of Information Center and an associate professor for the Missouri School of Journalism.