GOP head calls co-ops 'back door' to public option

[September 17, 2009]  WASHINGTON (AP) -- Republican Party Chairman Michael Steele says he fears the health insurance cooperatives envisioned in the bill the Senate Finance Committee is promoting amounts to a "back door to a public option."

Interviewed Thursday on CBS's "The Early Show," Steele also said he doubts Republicans will embrace the legislation produced by committee Chairman Max Baucus and the "Gang of Six," -- Baucus, two other Democrats and three Republicans.

Steele said he believes that the "co-ops in this bill represent government control. The government is financing these co-ops. We need to watch this very carefully." Steele also repeated an earlier assertion in which he disagreed with former President Jimmy Carter that racism has played a role in the at-times bitter opposition to President Barack Obama's health care overhaul plans.

[Associated Press]

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.