Obama's NYC Visit Brings out Demonstators For Public Option

By
Arun Venugopal
WNYC News | Jul 12, 2010

New York, NY —

President Obama's visit to the city brought the healthcare debate to the streets of Manhattan last night. About 200 demonstrators along 8th avenue and 34th street held up signs and shouted in support of a public option. Kitty Williston says polls strongly suggest Americans want a public plan, which would act as an alternative to private health plans.

WILLISTON: And the fact that Harry Reid and Max Baucus and these guys are sort of equivocating suggests that money may win out and we don't want that. We want Obama to stay pure and to be a man for change which is what he said he wanted to do.

REPORTER: There are various competing plans floating through Congress, and while some include a public option, the one proposed by Senator Max Baucus does not. The president has said that while he would like a public option he would sign a bill that doesn't include one.

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Arun Venugopal

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