TPMDC: Democrats Agree Tentatively Trade Opt-Out For Trigger, Medicare Buy In

[Politics_Guy25]

Just wanted to create another thread since Josh Marshall of TPM was just able to obtain all the details of what's in tonight's breakthrough. Here it is so that we can all know what we're discussing:

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/12/democrats-trade-opt-out-for-trigger-medicare-buy-in-and-more.php

Snippet:

An aide briefed on the negotiations among the gang of 10 offers up the rundown of the most important aspects of the public option compromise being sent to CBO.

If this trade-off carries the day, the opt out public option is gone.

In its place will be many of the alternatives we've been hearing about, including a Medicare expansion and a triggered, federally-based public option.

As has been widely reported, one of the trade-offs will be to extend a version of the Federal Employees Health Benefits Plan to consumers in the exchanges. Insurance companies will have the option of creating nationally-based non-profit insurance plans that would offered on the exchanges in every state. However if insurance companies don't step up to the plate to offer such plans, that will trigger a national public option.

[FBaggins]

1. Is it really right to call it a "breakthrough" or even a "deal"

When it appears that many of the key players haven't said that they'll vote for it?

It appears (IMO) to be a "deal" that can get something to conference. Somebody still needs to craft something that can get 60 votes for final passage.

[Mojambo]

3. Right. Conference is where they'll lose the "trigger" cause Lieberfuck will dig in.

[NYC_SKP]

2. I'd rather have opt-out than trigger, if I understand what these are.

The trigger to launch a public option might never be "pulled", and we get, effectively, nothing.

Better that a few states opt-out, eventually their POV or leadership will change and they'll Opt-In.

:shrug: