Which Way For Healthcare Reform?

Before I even had a chance to comment on the Medicare buy-in proposal it appears to be dead even before the CBO gives an estimate of its potential costs. 55-64 yr. olds are a market that many insurance companies have looked at. But given their age and likely poor health profile insurers have not rushed into this marketplace, not without strong underwriting at least. The only way for the buy--in to work would be to require all 55-64 yr. olds to purchase the coverage from the government. This potentially would spread the risk enough that premiums would not be outrageously expensive and there only attract the sickest individuals. But this discussion may be moot since some senators believe this Medicare buy-in concept is the "first road to a single-payer system".

So it appears the alternative to the public option is dead. Where will Reid find his 60 votes to move discussion along? That right now is a very good question withoout an obvious answer.