Typo Leads To Congress Passing Pubic Healthcare Option

Story by Jacob Zlomke 

| Published Nov 3, 2009

Clearing both the House and Senate Thursday, Max Baucus’ (D-Mont.) pubic healthcare option will soon be sent to the oval office for review by the president. The bill passed with considerable support on both sides of aisle with 63 percent of Democrats voting to pass it and 42 percent of Republicans.

The bill provides free pubic health care to all American citizens with a private option. Initiating the plan will cost an estimated $300 billion of taxpayer money. However, Baucus says taxpayers will only see a “slight” increase in their taxes.

“This bill will benefit all the American people,” Baucus said. “Families with lower income will get quality pubic healthcare that they need, and hopefully, it will drive down privatized prices for those that opt for that.”

President Obama is expected to sign the bill as he has previously expressed support for it.

“The American people have long had a burning need for pubic health care, and with this bill, that burning sensation will finally be relieved,” the president said in a press conference last Monday, “I know that, since I’ve been socially active, I’ve had a serious itch that could only be alleviated through pubic healthcare. I’m sure many Americans feel the same — and now that alleviation is on its way.”

Despite much positive government feedback, some have spoken out against the bill. Rep. Todd Akin (R-Mo.) was one who voiced opposition.

“Passing the plan for pubic health care is detrimental to the capitalist system,” Akin said. “The only people who see a need for pubic health care are irresponsible juveniles and socialists.”

Akin went on to say that “if we pass the pubic health care plan, then we’re hurting private doctors that have been offering their own medicated creams and shampoos for years.”

But the bill has garnered the attention of many in the public.

“I’ve got a major case of herpes,” said Sean Wesmeir, a full-time student at Kansas University. “And when I read that the government would be offering free pubic care, I was pumped. Now I can finally get it taken care of on my short budget — which means I can stop lying to girls about what that rash actually is.”

If passed, the bill will take effect at the beginning of 2010, and pubic treatment will begin shortly thereafter.