Democrats are proposing a stiff maximum $3,800 penalty for families who do not buy health insurance.  If passed, then the government will force some private citizens to choose something they would otherwise not choose, it is making them worse off even if we ignore the $3,800 penalty.

They have also proposed fees (i.e taxes) on insurers, pharmaceutical makers, medical device makers, and clinical device makers, a curious supply-side attack on the medical industry. 

The public option is also not being off the table. 

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, while not embracing the idea outright, warned the insurance industry to back a government-run plan -- or face a tougher option later.

"If you have a triggered public option, it's because the insurance industry has demonstrated that they're not cooperating, they're not doing the right thing, and I think they'll have a tougher public option to deal with," said the California Democrat.

But Ms. Pelosi also said the public option was "the best way to keep the insurance companies honest," and that it was essential for passing a bill in the House.

I'm not sure that "option" is the right word.  Bill Clinton at least had the political sense to see that the public wasn't ready for his brand of health care and dropped it.  It looks as if Obama has decided not to change the product he's offering but has decided it to push the marketing, to use pleasant business terminology.  

Via Glenn Reynolds.