Are Southern Dems stifling health care reform?

Institute for Southern Studies: Are Southern Democrats holding up health care reform?

Health care reform advocates and bloggers have been outraged over the opposition by some Southern Democrats to President Obama's health care reform plan.

But a closer look shows that some Southern Democrats are in fact promoting the public option, in which a government-run health plan would provide an alternative to private insurance. The approach, which has the backing of President Obama, would create pressure to hold down health care prices, encourage innovation and improve health quality, as Igor Volsky at Think Progress has noted.

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Also in the South:

ALABAMA: State wins award for creating new jobs

ARKANSAS: Gov. Beebe announces 'major disaster' declared for 37 counties

FLORIDA: Gov. Crist signs bill banning local governments from charging for emergency response

GEORGIA: New global climate outlook is grim for Southeast

KENTUCKY: House panel approves overhaul of state's incentive programs

LOUISIANA: "Pump to river" plan for rerouting storm water supported by Sen. Boxer

MISSISSIPPI: A look at green jobs in Mississippi Delta and mid-South

NORTH CAROLINA: Gov. Perdue to talk about budget for education

SOUTH CAROLINA: Legislature overrides Gov. Sanford's vetoes

TENNESSEE: Report says TVA wasn't equipped to handle coal ash spill

VIRGINIA: State prisons going tobacc0-free

Editorial: Immigration Reform: Reason must trump fear in our communities
"In what has already been a year of transition and tumult for Tennessee and the nation, the debate over immigration reform has only begun to warm up."

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