Is It JUST Me Or Did Obama Declare the HCR Bill Must have a Public Option OR BETTER?

[berni_mccoy]

He said very clearly that the Public Option is a means to an end. But he's open to other ideas IF THEY MEET THE SAME REQUIREMENT.

That says to me that it must be equal to or better than the Public Option at providing competition in the Insurance Market.

And after he's already rejected Baucus's plan today, it's clear that doesn't mean the terrible idea of COOPS.

That only leaves two options currently in the form of bills: HR3200 or HR676.

Am I the only one seeing this?

[dflprincess]

1. I thought he was referring to triggers when he said that

he made it clear tonight that single payer is out because it's "starting from scratch" (hasn't anyone told him about Medicare?) and "too extreme" a change. No doubt the insurance companies would find it "too extreme", anyone who has actually tried to use their for profit health insurance for a major illness would not.

[MarjorieG]

3. I can see adjusting Medicare overruns, and lowering age in the future.

[TheKentuckian]

5. Unfortunately, there is no majority of public support that is solid enough to drive it

and just a hand full of Senators to build off of.

[ddeclue]

2. NO he did NOT say that...

Listen again. Obama's speech treated PO as optional. There was no threat to veto PO-less plans but there was one for plans that raised the debt.

[berni_mccoy]

4. Just because YOU didn't hear it, doesn't mean it isn't there. Here it is:

"the public option is only a means to that end -- and we should remain open to other ideas that accomplish our ultimate goal. ... 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. "

He's already rejected co-ops. What else is there?

[laughingliberal]

7. I heard it the way you did

I didn't really expect a veto threat at this speech for a bill without a public option. But I think it is clear to most that the there are not other ideas that will achieve the goals he laid out. I may be wrong but I think it's a setup for the opponents of the public option. They can't get there with any of their plans.

[nadinbrzezinski]

10. I hard it... not covering as many of the population as I want

but he did.

[johnaries]

6. Here, you obviously need this....

http://www.earclear.com/

[Name removed]

8. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[TheWebHead]

9. depends on how you define better

it became apparent I think to most people the public option is officially dead but for political reasons Obama says he supports it. frankly the whole public option debate is overrated because if they actually managed to ram it through, it would be so watered down it wouldn't be meaningfully cheaper than private insurance, and then you'd have to ask why is it necessary... money wouldn't be saved, people wouldn't be satisfied with it who use it, and it would be used as a pinata by republicans.

They'll end up providing seed money for non profit providers in states where non currently exist and there's virtual monopolies, and offer credits for low income. In exchange for everyone having to get covered, the insurance co's give up pre existing conditions rules. Anyone thinking it'll be something to the left of that is thinking with their heart rather than their head.

[laughingliberal]

11. In addition to dropping their pre existing condition rules...

HR3200 must meet certain medical loss ratios. If they fail to meet these ratios they must provide rebates to their enrollees sufficient in amount to meet the loss ratio. So, not time to pop open the champagne but something the evil industry has never had to do before. I, for one, am glad to see they will be required to pay out a defined percentage of the premiums they collect in claims. It does stop them from being able to raise premiums or increase claims denials in order to raise their profit margins.

[and-justice-for-all]

12. He said Public Option a few times..

If you do not believe me, read the transcript.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/10/us/politics/10obama.text.html

[Uzybone]

13. The only people talking about Baucus non plan are Baucus

or the perpetually outraged. Both groups are hanging onto it like a life boat.