If there is no public option why does the healthcare legislation cost anything?

[Skink]

[pnwmom]

1. If you're talking about Baucus's plan, it's because millions of people who

currently carry no insurance would have to pay for it, at whatever the private insurers can make them pay.

[lostnfound]

16. I would be surprised if those private, mandated payments are included in the total.

Do you know that they are included in the total?

[marybourg]

2. Because many new people would qualify for Medicaid (paid for with

tax dollars) and many people who do not qualify for Medicaid would qualify for subsidies to help pay for insurance.

[Cleita]

5. Please explain, I didn't see that described as Medicaid. n/t

[stray cat]

14. They want to expand Medicare or Medicaid to cover more than those under the poverty line

[rollingrock]

3. Government subsidies to people

who can't afford private health insurance.

it's a massive gift to the insurance companies, financed by taxpayers.

[Cleita]

6. It was described by people smarter than me as a direct funnel from

our Treasury to the insurance companies and to Wall Street. It is such a shame.

[DCKit]

11. Congress is just being pro-active - bailing out the insurance agency with guaranteed public $$$$....

before they start lining up with their hands out as the banks and Wall St. did.

Now that we've set a precedent, every large corporation wants an equal share of the people's money. If the corporations don't get what they want, there will primaries in every district in the country for those who blocked them.

[rollingrock]

21. Especially with the ever-rising unemployment rate

the insurance companies can't make any money from the armies of newly unemployed, so now their plan is to have the government PAY for their private insurance plans.

[Skink]

8. So the public option is a way to keep costs down when it comes to government subsidies.

and since everybody would be insured it would be good overall.

[rollingrock]

9. Obama said only 5% or less of the population

would be covered under the public option.

if that's the case, it won't keep costs down.

[Cleita]

4. Besides what pnwmom says

federal funds will be available for qualifying low income families to buy insurance from the same parasites. What a bonanza the insurance companies got. First families who can hardly afford to get through the day will be forced to buy their inferior product but as taxpayers they will have to pay for others as well.

[grahamhgreen]

7. I know, it's laughable. Really it's because THE SCUMBAGS ARE STEALING MORE MONEY!!!

[notesdev]

10. Payoffs

Insurance companies and pharmas need more money so they can funnel that back into campaigns to elect officials that will direct more money into the coffers of insurance companies and pharmas so they can funnel that back into campaigns to elect officials that will direct more money into the coffers of insurance companies and pharmas so they can funnel that back into campaigns to elect officials that will direct more money into the coffers of insurance companies and pharmas so they can funnel that back into campaigns to elect officials that will direct more money into the coffers of insurance companies and pharmas so they can funnel that back into campaigns to elect officials that will direct more money into the coffers of insurance companies and pharmas so they can funnel that back into campaigns to elect officials that will direct more money into the coffers of insurance companies and pharmas so they can funnel that back into campaigns to elect officials that will direct more money into the coffers of insurance companies and pharmas so they can funnel that back into campaigns to elect officials that will direct more money into the coffers of insurance companies and pharmas so they can funnel that back into campaigns to elect officials that will direct more money into the coffers of insurance companies and pharmas so they can funnel that back into campaigns to elect officials that will direct more money into the coffers of insurance companies and pharmas so they can funnel that back into campaigns to elect officials that will direct more money into the coffers of insurance companies and pharmas so they can funnel that back into campaigns to elect officials that will direct more money into the coffers of insurance companies and pharmas so they can funnel that back into campaigns to elect officials that will direct more money into the coffers of insurance companies and pharmas...


I think you get the point.

[Hissyspit]

17. Post of the Day nt

[ashling]

12. To reimburse the health insurance industry for their contributions

to Baucus. :shrug:

[stray cat]

13. Covering more people by Medicaid and taxpayer money subsidies to those 300X above poverty line

you and I have to pay to cover the people who fall below 300X the poverty limit. Others who make over 300x the poverty level have to pay for themselves

[mmonk]

15. Because the current system is costly and we're going to subsidize

it more.

[Festivito]

18. Because the public-option/single-payer costs less, LESS, as in not more.

The non-public-option costs more, MORE, as in not less.

[Statistical]

19. Subsidies for low income families.

Public option or private option itself cost nothing.
Subsidies for either cost money.

[Skink]

20. Healthcare bump