There's the public option.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

[tridim]

1. Crow's on.. Come and get it!

:rofl:

[dflprincess]

4. Only open to those who don't have insurance

how competitive will that be? Oh I believe he just hinted at a trigger in "some markets"

We've been sold out to the insurance companies. We need access to health care, not to insurance.

[malaise]

10. It's a start n/t

[dflprincess]

12. No, it's not

It's a sell out

[galledgoblin]

20. I agree

it's not the end of the fight, but it's a big hurdle.

[Fading Captain]

2. That's "NOT" a public option

Sorry

[tekisui]

5. It sounded like it to me.

He didn't draw a line in the sand with it. But, he said it was in his plan.

[Oregone]

9. Its something to cover those who are not profitable to cover conventionally

And I doubt the private companies will feel compelled to compete for this small segment of the population.

[tridim]

11. Then, millions wont be able to afford insurance and will get the public option.

The insurance companies will panic and lower prices to match the PO. They will have no choice.

[Oregone]

17. Oh yeah, a whole 10 million

Im sure the private insurers are going to go ape shit re-adjusting their rate tables to "compete". Right. They have a choice due to the firewall. They will simply service anyone blocked (most people) because it will be more profitable to do so than to lower their rates for everyone to compete for the 10 million (25K people an insurer).

Ludicrous ass backwards logic here

[Fading Captain]

16. if they can afford it

Obama says it has to be self-sustaining.

Sorry, you need taxes to fund health care for people who can't afford it.

[Fading Captain]

13. No funding

It'll go broke.
It's stupid.

[tekisui]

3. He wouldn't have said it if it isn't coming.

[Deja Q]

6. I turned off the TV about 5 minutes ago - thanks for watching.

It's been enough trying to fathom the needlessly convoluted nature of what he's already said.

It does NOT make for efficient government.

[Lifelong Protester]

7. "We will provide you with a choice!"

No government bureacrat or insurance company bureacrat will get between you and the coverage you need.

[abumbyanyothername]

8. And there it went. nt

[Stinky The Clown]

14. It is not. It is, instead, a vague, wishy washy, undefined catch phrase. As was, I might add ......

...... "Public Option". These are terms that can mean anything to anyone who wants to infuse them with the meaning that was not provided by the crafters of the terms.

[Luminous Animal]

15. Please explain to me how this is a public option

"Now, I have no interest in putting insurance companies out of business. They provide a legitimate service, and employ a lot of our friends and neighbors. I just want to hold them accountable. The insurance reforms that I’ve already mentioned would do just that. But an additional step we can take to keep insurance companies honest is by making a not-for-profit public option available in the insurance exchange. Let me be clear – it would only be an option for those who don’t have insurance. No one would be forced to choose it, and it would not impact those of you who already have insurance. In fact, based on Congressional Budget Office estimates, we believe that less than 5% of Americans would sign up.

Despite all this, the insurance companies and their allies don’t like this idea. They argue that these private companies can’t fairly compete with the government. And they’d be right if taxpayers were subsidizing this public insurance option. But they won’t be. I have insisted that like any private insurance company, the public insurance option would have to be self-sufficient and rely on the premiums it collects. But by avoiding some of the overhead that gets eaten up at private companies by profits, excessive administrative costs and executive salaries, it could provide a good deal for consumers. It would also keep pressure on private insurers to keep their policies affordable and treat their customers better, the same way public colleges and universities provide additional choice and competition to students without in any way inhibiting a vibrant system of private colleges and universities.

It’s worth noting that a strong majority of Americans still favor a public insurance option of the sort I’ve proposed tonight. But its impact shouldn’t be exaggerated – by the left, the right, or the media. It is only one part of my plan, and should not be used as a handy excuse for the usual Washington ideological battles. To my progressive friends, I would remind you that for decades, the driving idea behind reform has been to end insurance company abuses and make coverage affordable for those without it. The public option is only a means to that end – and we should remain open to other ideas that accomplish our ultimate goal. And to my Republican friends, I say that rather than making wild claims about a government takeover of health care, we should work together to address any legitimate concerns you may have.

For example, some have suggested that that the public option go into effect only in those markets where insurance companies are not providing affordable policies. Others propose a co-op or another non-profit entity to administer the plan. These are all constructive ideas worth exploring. But I will not back down on the basic principle that if Americans can’t find affordable coverage, we will provide you with a choice. And I will make sure that no government bureaucrat or insurance company bureaucrat gets between you and the care that you need."

[Lex]

18. OMG--that's no "public" option.

It's not open to the public.

[Luminous Animal]

19. Exactly.

We're fucked.

[wickerwoman]

22. Isn't it?

I understood it as they're setting up insurance exchanges in 4 years where companies *and* individuals can buy insurance. And one of the options in the exchange will be a public one. So people who can't afford private insurance will have the option of buying a public one.

How is that not open to the public?

[Lex]

23. If you have to first prove you can't afford private insurance,

then it's not open to the public.

[roamer65]

21. The public option will eventually become the single-payor Medicare system.

The extortion (insurance) companies and businesses will dump a lot of people off into that plan. I've never known an insurance company to play fairly. The last thing they want is competitive marketplace.

When the plan covers the majority of Americans, it will be "game over" for private health insurance.