FORGET ABOUT THE PUBLIC OPTION. Give it a NEW NAME and tell all the nay sayers to JUST SHUT UP!
NO MORE PUBLIC OPTION!
OFFER MEDICARE TO ANYONE OF ANY AGE WHO WANT TO JOIN. Make the PREMIUM a percent of income, making SURE that PERCENTAGE INCLUDES ALL INCOME NOT JUST WAGES, and let everyone join. I guarantee anyone except the richest whose major income comes from stock options, interest, dividends etc. WILL join and that ALONE will pay for ALL who have NO of extremely LOW income.
DONE! That's your "PUBLIC OPTION" by a different NAME.
Now stop the fighting, stop the Republithug and Blue thuggies obstructionism and get the job DONE and STOP THE UNNECESSARY DEATHS THE WILL OCCUR WHILE YOU STALL.