Logic FAIL. Why are people so stupid?Both the American Medical Association and the AARP endorsed the House Democrats' healthcare bill Thursday. The endorsements represent a shot in the arm for the Democrats' healthcare reform efforts. The AMA's move is particularly significant since the group has historically sided against healthcare reform. The AMA's president, Dr. J. James Rohack, expressed that the legislation is "not a perfect representation of our views" but is close enough to merit their support.

The bill does include a public healthcare insurance option.

Democrats posted the 2,000-page bill, H.R. 3962, Tuesday and it's set to hit the chamber floor Friday, so your pledged 72-hour review period has already begun.

Pelosi asserted her confidence in the bill Thursday, stating that she will have the 218 necessary votes to pass it. Furthermore, President Obama plans to meet with congressional Democrats on Friday to review the legislation. Voting on the bill is expected to occur Saturday.

The passing of the House bill with a firm public healthcare insurance option is paramount if the Dems hope to keep the option during House/Senate negotiations. That's of course assuming the Senate bill, which will have an opt-out clause for its public option, passes. The House bill still has that big $1.1 trillion price tag to worry about, but I like the 5.4 percent income tax surcharge on $500k+ earners and $1 million earning families more than the tax on "Cadillac" plans. A) It appears to be a steadier revenue stream and B) it doesn't hurt union members who exchanged higher salaries for such "Cadillac" plans that include more benefits.

As far as consolations go, I still prefer the "trigger option" to the "opt-out" provision. I can see red states like mine doing all they can to prove they can provide comparable coverage just so that they can be exempt from the public option. But there really is no comparison to not-for-profit healthcare insurance. It's the only way to eliminate the fundamental conflict of interest inherent in the status quo. I also like the leverage the government would have over insurance companies if we adopted the trigger option.

Gov't: Yeah private insurance companes, keep fuckin' up. Please. Test me. See what happens!

And that way we could possibly get what we want (no more pre-existing conditions and departments whose sole purpose is to find ways to weasel out of paying medical bills) without having to pay for so much reform. Of course, private insurance companies would never concede both terms so maybe the whole thing is wishful thinking on my part.

Oh, and if you're looking for some light reading, you can download the full-text PDF of the bill here. Enjoy!