CBO Tells Blue Dogs That The Public Option Will Save $$$$$

[Bill219]

The Congressional Budget Office just said that a public option based on Medicare reimbursement rates would save the government hundreds of millions dollars in comparison to a public option that would have to individually negotiate reimbursement rates with medical providers. This goes against the Blue Dogs's so-called fiscal conservatism in opposing a robust public option. Here's more from this story below:

The Congressional Budget Office dealt Blue Dogs a blow Thursday by notifying House Democrats that tethering a public option to Medicare reimbursement rates would save the government $110 billion more than a public option in which the government has to negotiate rates with doctors and other health care providers.

The initial projections showed the difference between the two was $65 billion. But this shows it would cost the government a lot more money to heed moderate demands.

House Democrats need to trim as much as $200 billion from a bill that most estimates peg at $1.1 trillion in order to meet President Obama's $900 billion target.

more at link below....

http://campaignsilo.firedoglake.com/2009/09/24/cbo-tells-blue-dogs-that-the-public-option-will-save/

[Doctor_J]

1. Save constiuents money, sure. It will also kill campaign contributions

from Big Insurance. I wonder whom they would rather serve.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

2. Now if the CBO were to tell them that it will put money in THEIR pockets

that would be a whole different story. They'd be lining up to support them.

[babylonsister]

3. H-E-L-L-O, Dems, are you listening? Rec'd. nt

[Thrill]

4. They'll come up with another excuse

[CrownPrinceBandar]

5. Cool.......

Now lets see the CBO's numbers on single-payer. Yanno, just for shits and giggles.

[Ruby the Liberal]

6. Didn't Weiner submit 676 for rating?

[CrownPrinceBandar]

7. According to Ezra Klein it has been submitted.........

The blip doesn't say who did it.

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/ezra-klein/2009/09/scoring_single-payer.html

[Ruby the Liberal]

8. Thanks for the confirmation.

I thought I remembered hearing Rep Weiner saying that on one show or another.

[dmr]

9. Finally some good news, now if they'll only LISTEN. n/t

[donheld]

10. k & R

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

11. So in other words this pan may help them spend less, not save any.

[BlooInBloo]

12. Most excellent.

[steelmania75]

13. Where's the CBO's study on Single-Payer?

It would save even more money, potentially $900 billion a year.

[LiberalAndProud]

15. Thank goodness it's getting one.

[LiberalAndProud]

14. I'd say Ben Nelson's conditions have been met then.

Would you agree?

I truly appreciate hearing from Nebraskans such as yourself on such a crucial issue. In many of my recent weekends at home, I have made it a priority to meet with others from our state, including patients, caregivers, doctors, nurses, small and large business owners, and health reform advocates, to hear their views as well. As we move ahead, I will continue this dialogue; and I remain committed to working in a constructive, bipartisan manner to do all I can to ensure that the ultimate reforms are the right ones.

Thank you again for contacting me. Congress needs the input of all Americans to solve such an important issue, and I believe we can come together as a nation and collectively confront this shared challenge.

Sincerely,

Ben Nelson
U.S. Senator

Edit: pasting under the influence?

[eridani]

16. CBO cares about the government saving money, not consumers

Anyone over 55 without insurance can expect mandates to destroy their discretionary income.