This is what our Republican Governor, Jodi Rell, said about the Charter Oak Plan last month on its one-year anniversary:

"A little over a year ago, I announced the start of a program I said would change the face of health care in Connecticut – change it for the better and change it forever," Governor Rell said. "Today that program is covering 10,257 individuals and another 5,884 applicants are eligible for coverage as soon as they select from one of three contracted health plans and begin paying monthly premiums. "That means more than 10,000 people who – a year ago – had no health coverage or could not afford the coverage they had now have affordable health care," the Governor said. "That is an accomplishment worth celebrating. From routine checkups to treatment for life-threatening illness, the program is filling a critical gap. "

link: http://www.charteroakhealthplan.com/...

This is how her press release describes the Charter Oak Plan:

There is no income test or asset limit to qualify for Charter Oak coverage. Enrollees earning more than 300 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL) currently pay a flat, unsubsidized monthly premium of $259. Enrollees with incomes below 300 percent of the FPL pay reduced, subsidized premiums ranging from $75 to $200 monthly, depending on income and family size. Charter Oak’s annual, income-based deductible ranges from $150 to $900. The deductible does not apply to primary and specialist doctor visits, ambulance and emergency room care, behavioral health services, pre- and post-natal care, prescription medications and certain other benefits. The Charter Oak Health Plan is administered by the Department of Social Services.

link: http://www.charteroakhealthplan.com/...

It's still a new plan, but it's there, so I have some questions for my Honorable Senator from the State of Connecticut:

Is he planning on filibustering a federal public option because he feels that the people of the State of Connecticut don't want the rest of the country to enjoy a public option, even when they do?

Is Senator Lieberman to the right of Republican Governor Jodi Rell when it comes to health care, and does he believe that the people of the state of Connecticut are also the to the right of Governor Rell on this issue?

Is Senator Lieberman willing to come out and make a statement on the Charter Oak Plan - and for that matter the very popular Husky Plan - as these are both government-run health care plans? Is he in favor of one, or both, or neither?

Gosh, I would hate to say that any of this had to do with Senator Lieberman putting his personal political interests above his solemn duty to represent the people of the State of Connecticut.

It'd be nice to hear from the Senator on these open questions just so he can put that concern to rest.

UPDATE:

Oh, this just gets better:

"I think that a lot of people may think that the public option is free. It's not," Mr. Lieberman said. "It's going to cost the taxpayers and people that have health insurance now, and if it doesn't, it's going to add terribly to our national debt."

link: http://online.wsj.com/...

Who? Who among your constituents who live in Connecticut think their public option is free?

Name ten.

UPDATE 2: Personal testimony on the Charter Oak Health Plan from dragonfire in the comments...

The Charter Oak Plan is yes a Public Option- I am in the program- I have gotten better service through Charter Oak & Community Health here then Blue Cross. Lab work 100% Covered

Preventive care 100% covered

1 Physical a year

Emergency room visit covered 100%

I went to a UCONN dermatologist-$35 co pay A good program- I pay a fraction of what I paid with Blue Cross. This Public Option works well- Lieberman need to be held accountable for not bringing this issue up. Others across the nation deserve the same type of program.

The people of Connecticut are good, kind, generous people. My friends and neighbors would not want to deny a fellow citizen access to healthcare just because they live in a different state. Senator Lieberman severly underestimates the character of his constituents if he's planning on filibustering a health care bill with a public option in their name.