back to 46

The Census Bureau reported today that the number of uninsured Americans increased to 46.3 million in 2008, 600,000 more than in 2007, when the number dropped to 45.7 million after the 2006 peak of 47 million. Undoubtedly, when the Census Bureau releases new numbers next year for 2009, they will be even higher, due to the fact that the only drop in uninsurance rates has been coming from children, and S-CHIP programs were slashed in states across the country this year. If uninsurance increases among the young, the overall rate of uninsurance will increase even more rapidly.

This is why, as fantastic as President Obama's speech was on Wednesday, I am quibbling over his statement targeting progressives in Congress that implies that a public insurance option is only one possible means to the end of reforming the health care system. It is, in fact, THE means, the only means on the table that has any chance of reigning in insurance companies, making health care affordable both to families and the nation as a whole, and providing a real choice in the health care insurance market. It is currently THE BEST means we have at improving the health care system, given that a single-payer Medicare-like proposal is off the table.

Had he instead phrased his statement as, "let's not forget that, despite the centrality of the public option, we need to push through additional reforms that will better the system as well," I wouldn't be quibbling. But alas, he didn't, and despite the overall greatness and beauty of his speech, he left open room to sell-out on the public option in the final bill, a move that would strip health care reform of its meaningfulness.

Not surprised, but not 100% sold yet. 89% sold; that's why he gets a B+.

Transcript and video clips at HuffPo.