No public option, no reform

I've been saying for ages that HR3200 is a steaming pile compared to HR676 when it comes to reforming health care in the United States. Well, the Obama administration just made that pile stink a little more. From the AP:

President Barack Obama's health secretary is suggesting the White House is ready to accept nonprofit insurance cooperatives instead of a government-run public option in a health overhaul plan. A Republican senator says that is worth looking at.

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius says Obama still believes there should be choice and competition" in the health insurance market — but that a public option is "not the essential element."

The "public option" was probably the only thing in HR3200 which even slightly looked like a reform. With that gone, this is truly a reform bill with no reforms whatsoever. To wit: government as usual. And you suckers thought you'd all voted for change.