The Wall Street Journal reported yesterday:

“The White House is holding intensive talks with Maine Sen. Olympia Snowe, a moderate Republican, about Ms. Snowe's proposal to use the public plan as a fallback option, aides familiar with the conversations said.  The overhaul under discussion would include a requirement for most individuals to buy insurance; a federally operated exchange where individuals and small businesses could buy insurance; and tax credits to help people buy plans."

H.R. 3200 contains a similar insurance exchange.  The operation of the exchange is analyzed in a CNSNEWS.com report, which concludes that the “Health Care Bill Gives Obama Power to Appoint Government 'Commissioner' With Sweeping Power to Dictate Health Coverage.”  For example:

“These powers would include deciding which treatments are covered, which companies can participate, which states can run their own exchange, and enrolling individuals into the public exchange. . .The Health Choices Commissioner [also] would establish “the benefits to be made available under Exchange-participating health benefit plans during each plan year.”

Senator Snowe’s Office insists, “No, She Doesn’t Back Government Health Care.”  It is impossible to characterize the health insurance exchange and the health-insurance commissioner created in H.R. 3200 as anything other than “government health care.”  Therefore, if Senator Snowe really does oppose “government health care” as her office says she does, she must also oppose any such health-insurance exchange and federal health-insurance commissioner. Does she? Someone with access to her should ask and let the public know.