Recently, Sen. Kent Conrad (D-ND) tossed out the idea of a national system of healthcare co-ops as an alternative to the much-vaunted "public option" government-backed health plan. One co-op getting much attention as a model of the form is the United Agricultural Benefit Trust, a small nonprofit in Irvine, CA which covers about 15,000 Californians and Arizonians. The plan is known for offering quick reimbursements and lower premiums. The problem is, it's not clear whether UABT's success can be duplicated nationally, critics say. Article