Private insurance mandate + subsidies for poor - P.O. = direct govt payments to insurance co.s

[HamdenRice]

This was the overall point of the first segment on DemocracyNow this morning. Even if the subsidy scheme means everyone will be able afford insurance because the government will make up the difference between cost and what's affordable, that means the government would essentially be paying directly to private insurance companies on behalf of the insured.

That's stupid. If the government is going to pay the difference, why not pay it to themselves through the public option?

[jeffbr]

1. The mother of all CORPORATE WELFARE programs

Plain and simple.

[Triana]

2. Private + govt $$$$ = Windfall of profits to greedy insurance cos.

YEP.

It sucks red monkey arses in Hell. I hate this bill for that reason most of all - in most all its forms.

[dkf]

3. That is why this is a complete RIP OFF.

And I bet these people won't have enough for the co pays, medication and denial of claims anyway.

PAH its all a scam.

[madokie]

4. I think we in the end will get universal health care, repube's be damned,

irregardless what one calls it. We're only going through the semantics now

[donco6]

5. That's exactly what it is.

And now we're feeding the Beast, there'll be no stopping it.

[zeemike]

6. Yep that is the plan.

Everything that comes out of the congress must pass the profit test....does it increase profits for corporations or not.

[OHdem10]

7. This is exactly the same thing the Republicans did with their Medicare

Drug Plan. Gave the money to Drug Companies. Now the
Democrats want to give a big pot of money to Insurance
Companies. Oh My! and they wonder why some say there
is not a dimes worth of difference between the two parties.

[KharmaTrain]

8. Rockafeller & Schumer Painted An Interesting Picture...

In response to yet another stupid GOOP talking point, I think it was Rockefeller who first said that by doing nothing the rushpublicans all but ensure this country will end up with a single payer system as so many will be frozen out of being able to afford insurance and the government will be forced to help these people.

The Baucus plan is unenforceable...as it would be difficult to track yet enforce. There are millions who already have slipped through the cracks with no coverage and will the government go after these people...especially those who are elderly? Forcing more people into the hole means they will only go for emergency treatment that will be passed on to the taxpayers. If prices continue to rise (and with the Baucus plan they surely would...Schumer hit on that one) the number of uninsurced would soar thus forcing a bigger crisis.

I see a third way that could evolve here...and one not to the liking of the big insurance companies. A market would be created for small, minimal coverage for minimal cost...similar to the small companies that have sprung up in states with mandatory auto insurance. While I don't support plans for a co-op, if a PO fails, here's an alternative to at least avoid giving the big insurance companies a reward.

[Captain Hilts]

9. BINGO. Welfare for the Wealthy. nt