Maybe it was a bit over the top, but let's be real. Actual Americans actually do die because they have no HEALTH INSURANCE. Many folks still get insurance through their employer, but that kind of benefit is going away as we speak. Employers are also laying off people and that's a trend that isn't going to stop...the US is a debtor nation now, not the 'richest country in the world', and is rapidly becoming a colony of trans national corporations that manufacture in China and sell finished goods in the US. The result is that the middle class, both blue and white collar are simply not in a position to purchase retail health insurance anymore. Evidently the GOP has cut a deal with the commercial insurers to do what they can to keep them in business...and to do that insurers need to keep as many paying customers as they can. In return for their help, politicians get 'contributions'. No big mystery there. A 'public option', being far less expensive than any commercial insurance would take away a large chunk of their potential client base. Bummer for them. But times have changed and we simply can't allow people to go without HEALTH INSURANCE. The HEALTH CARE side of the equation can't treat many more non-payers..as it is many ER have closed because of non-payment..you can check this out. Bottom line...the GOP is on the wrong side of history and reality. No insurance kills. That's the future unless we do something now.