The New Your Times reported on Sunday that the "public option" was dead and will not be a part of any health care reform bill that is eventually passed. What do you think?
The blue dog Democrats are running away from the public option, and not a single moderate Republican in the Senate seems likely to vote for it. The charges of "socialism" appear to have scared and fooled enough voters that the public option may not make it.
The shame is, that without the public option, there is no real way to pressure insurance companies into lowering their premiums.
The last ditch effort to keep the public option alive may be to establish a sunset clause some years into the future, that states something like this, "If rate continue to rise at X rate above inflation, congress shall revisit the public option."
I am an optomist. I do not think that the public option is dead. We need to voice our adminance that this option be included. We have the vote. If our elected representatives lack the courage to vote the will of the people, we need to vote them out of office.
Here is a sample letter anyone can send to keep the Public Option alive...........
I stand for real health care reform
To members of the U.S. House and Senate,
Every day we see how the rising cost of health care is hurting our citizens and the economy. Because of this, we are writing to urge support for creating a strong public health insurance option in health care reform this year. We badly need to bring health care costs under control, and a robust public health insurance option is central to making that happen.
In order to accomplish these crucial goals, we need a “R.E.A.L.” public health insurance option, one that meets a set of key criteria:
Right away: Every day we wait on real reform, health care costs continue to rise. A strong public health insurance option right out of the gate is key. Proposals that would delay implementation for years—like the so-called “trigger”—would undermine the public option’s potential to help control costs and provide widespread care.
Everyone: A strong public health insurance option should be broadly available, and a core piece of an overall reform plan that will help guarantee access to quality health care for everyone in America.
Accountable: To ensure it's held to the highest standards of accountability, a public health insurance option must be publicly accountable and transparent to Congress and to voters.
Large enough to lower costs: In order to truly control costs, a public health insurance option must be available nationwide with a broad network of providers so that it is competitive and able to bargain on a level playing field with private plans.
Proposals lacking these elements—like plan for small, regional, private “co-ops”—should not be considered adequate substitutes. We strongly urge Congress to give Americans the choice of a real public health insurance plan as part of health care reform this year—one that is able to help cover all Americans and provide cost competition with private insurance companies. The creation of a nationwide public health insurance option will help lower costs market wide, something that we need to happen in order to play our role in rebuilding our economy and our communities.
Democrats who fail to represent their constituents should be replaced with independents if need be. The Public Option is NOT an option!
Michael Moore Mocks "Whiny" Democrats: At Least GOP Has Courage Of Its Convictions (VIDEO) Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/09/30/michael-moore-mocks-whiny_n_304033.html
The blue dog Democrats are running away from the public option, and not a single moderate Republican in the Senate seems likely to vote for it. The charges of "socialism" appear to have scared and fooled enough voters that the public option may not make it.
ReplyDeleteThe shame is, that without the public option, there is no real way to pressure insurance companies into lowering their premiums.
The last ditch effort to keep the public option alive may be to establish a sunset clause some years into the future, that states something like this, "If rate continue to rise at X rate above inflation, congress shall revisit the public option."
Scott:
ReplyDeleteSay it ain't so! But you are probably right. However, even Olympia Snow is now opposed to delayed public option trigger.
I am an optomist. I do not think that the public option is dead. We need to voice our adminance that this option be included. We have the vote. If our elected representatives lack the courage to vote the will of the people, we need to vote them out of office.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous:
ReplyDeleteI hope you are right. But the public option doesn't look good.
Here is a sample letter anyone can send to keep the Public Option alive...........
ReplyDeleteI stand for real health care reform
To members of the U.S. House and Senate,
Every day we see how the rising cost of health care is hurting our citizens and the economy. Because of this, we are writing to urge support for creating a strong public health insurance option in health care reform this year. We badly need to bring health care costs under control, and a robust public health insurance option is central to making that happen.
In order to accomplish these crucial goals, we need a “R.E.A.L.” public health insurance option, one that meets a set of key criteria:
Right away: Every day we wait on real reform, health care costs continue to rise. A strong public health insurance option right out of the gate is key. Proposals that would delay implementation for years—like the so-called “trigger”—would undermine the public option’s potential to help control costs and provide widespread care.
Everyone: A strong public health insurance option should be broadly available, and a core piece of an overall reform plan that will help guarantee access to quality health care for everyone in America.
Accountable: To ensure it's held to the highest standards of accountability, a public health insurance option must be publicly accountable and transparent to Congress and to voters.
Large enough to lower costs: In order to truly control costs, a public health insurance option must be available nationwide with a broad network of providers so that it is competitive and able to bargain on a level playing field with private plans.
Proposals lacking these elements—like plan for small, regional, private “co-ops”—should not be considered adequate substitutes.
We strongly urge Congress to give Americans the choice of a real public health insurance plan as part of health care reform this year—one that is able to help cover all Americans and provide cost competition with private insurance companies. The creation of a nationwide public health insurance option will help lower costs market wide, something that we need to happen in order to play our role in rebuilding our economy and our communities.
Democrats who fail to represent their constituents should be replaced with independents if need be. The Public Option is NOT an option!
ReplyDeleteMichael Moore Mocks "Whiny" Democrats: At Least GOP Has Courage Of Its Convictions (VIDEO)
Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/09/30/michael-moore-mocks-whiny_n_304033.html