We have never been closer to a public option as we are right now.

[deacon]

Changes are going back to the house. Send it back with a public option. A vote in the senate will deliver a public option. It will go through the house. Thank you GOP. All it takes is the vote and promise kept by Senator Reid.

[DrDan]

1. not in the cards - this administration does not want the PO - that is quite obvious

[Dawgs]

3. That's the spirit.

No wonder Dems are seen as weak - some give up before even trying.

[DrDan]

7. if you want to issue personal insults - aim them where they belong -

with the administration that delayed getting involved until the PO was history and the congress that is bought-and-paid for

[ashling]

15. So you think that if it has a public option

Obama won't sign it?

[DrDan]

19. uh . . . where did I say that?

Of course he will sign it. He certainly recognizes that the majority of Americans want it. He would have to sign it.

But . . . that does not mean he prefers it over what we are currently getting. Now does it.

[ashling]

27. You didn't ... exactly, but

You said that it wasn't going to happen because he doesn't want it. If it were to get added - a big if - the only way your assertion could play out is for him to not sign it. In other words, it all comes down to him.

What I am asking is, in such an event, would you stand by that assertion?

[DrDan]

28. the PO is not the first choice of the administration - that has been made

perfectly clear.

Would he sign it should it come his way? of course he would.

That is what I said and I stand by it.

Just state your own opinion - do not put words in my mouth if you please.

[ashling]

30. I'm not putting words in anybody's mouth

I just asked a question (notice the question mark at the and of the sentence in my first post to you.

If I were putting words in your mouth I would have just come out and say that is what you said.

I was just asking for clarification.

Don't get so defensive.

[DrDan]

31. you are right - you didn't - I stand humbly corrected

[Dawgs]

34. Why do you keep bringing the administration into this? We're talking about the Senate.

They can add with or without Obama's support.

[DrDan]

36. of course the administration is driving the bill they want

sure, the Senate could include it . . . but that is just not going to happen

[Dawgs]

33. So, you acting like them means they get the blame but not you.

Okay.

[DrDan]

35. that was certainly a stretch . . . . oh well

[deacon]

5. I think it comes down to more about courage by the senate. One senator calls for a vote

annnnnnnnnd we got it. The votes are there.

[daleanime]

12. It would be nice...

but just because they don't want to vote against it, doesn't mean that they want to vote 'for' it.:banghead:

[grahamhgreen]

37. Tough sh*t - do they want to win in November? Then deliver a PO!

[DrDan]

38. I support your position

a bold PO is what this country needs

I just wish we had strong support from the administration and the bought-and-paid-for congress.

[Stinky The Clown]

2. Wishful thinking, Deac. Not gunna happen, however.

TPB do not favor a public option. They favor insurance companies.

[deacon]

6. It's tragic that it is wishful thinking when it's so close. All they have to do is just do it.

Drives me nuts.

[Stinky The Clown]

32. You and me, both, Friend.

You and me both.

:hug:

[Statistical]

4. The only thing preventing a public option at this point is Democrats.

Of course most people will buy the party line and blame Republicans but through reconciliation there are MORE than enough votes from Democratic side of the aisle (in both Houses) to get s public option.

We don't even need 100% of votes there is plenty of margin.

[deacon]

8. It's knocking at the door. Just hafta open it. The GOP opened the door for it. n/t

[stray cat]

9. A small public option or bust?

[deacon]

10. The house Whip said the votes are there. 51 in the senate,

hey, f___g joe biden will be there for a vote :)

[GinaMaria]

11. One amendment one up or down vote

and we would know who really stands with us and who does not. I'm all for it, but apparently even Bernie backed down from this amendment. Any idea who would champion it at this point. I'd love to see a vote forced on this issue. Even if the votes are not there as some like to claim, it will tell us everything we need to know for upcoming elections. That's exactly why the D's don't want this amendment brought up. Put up or shut up is what I say to the D's in congress. No more playing both sides. Take a stand one way or the other.

[KharmaTrain]

13. The Exchanges Are Turning Into The PO...

An interesting sidenote from the other day the corporate media totally ignored was the warning issued to Insurance companies that they're not automatically entitled to be involved in the upcoming exchanges; giving the government a bunch of leverage in what is sure to be the biggest pool of premium payers. The warning appears to be more a reminder to the insurance companies not to hike rates but also this kind of leverage makes a public system very possible over time without a massive disruption to the healtcare system a sudden change from private to public would incur. The exchange is the toe inside the tent to set up the government program that could supercede the private...call it a back door public option.

While I like your idea, the political reality and fatigue have set in. These politicians want this thing done yesterday and this set back is going to be dealt with quickly. Expect the House to vote fast on what comes back to them. They're not going to want any major changes this late in the game.

[Statistical]

14. Except the bill as it stands now prohibits the govt from participating in the exchange.

Govt theoretically could prevent all private insuers from participation but that would simply make an "empty" exchange not a public option.

[KharmaTrain]

20. That Can Be Done Through Another Reconciliation Fix...

Just as they've done in the past, this bill can and surely will be revisited as time goes by. I am not 100% with the cost estimates and it could easily force changes in a couple years...or if the insurance companies attempt to exploit loopholes. Either or, the exchange appears to be the "mechanism" that can be modified to allow the goverment to set up its own program or expand medicare into that area and this creates the quasi public option.

We could also see a new tier of private insurers rise, similar to the auto insurance market, who will offer cut-rate plans that comply with the new laws that could undercut the big companies and force prices down. It'll be interesting to see how this exchange is handled.

[Statistical]

26. We are in a reconciliation fix right now and have momentum.

Why not do it now (as suggested in the OP)?

I doubt competition will bring prices down. Simple fact is average profit margin for insurance companies is about 5%. IMHO they just need to go. Unlike life & auto insurance companies they don't invest long term. They simply act as a tax on healthcare.

Every health-care expense is roughly 20% higher due to administrative overhead (15%) and profit(5%).

$100 doctor visit = $120 after insurance.
$1000 out patient operation = $1200 after insurance.

They take a cut of the money and the rest flows onward without serving any real function. Similarly to banks who profit from student loans. Govt provides loan guarantees. Tax payers take all the risk on student loans, banks get all the profit.

Maybe I am a cynic but I don't see the exchange being large enough to create real competition. If employer based system was scrapped and someday 100% of citizens all participated in exchange AND the exchange offered a public option then maybe it would be real reform.

[KharmaTrain]

29. That's Where We Are Headed...

I suspect that given the option of handling one's own insurance and letting an employer, people will opt to self insure. I self insure and know that my policy protects me and my family better than any employer-based plan. There are sure to be employers who will drop policies and let their employees go into the exchange...while others may once again use those plans as true benefits. Nonetheless, with 30 million new people in the pool it's going to drive a lot of competition among the insurance companies, it's not as though this bill was written in favor of just one. Auto is just as short-term as health and we see a lot of competition in that sector where I live...none of it is ideal, but I am a cynic that thinks a government-run system, as is sadly the case with many other beuracries have slow learning curves and given total control can be as corrupt and inept as any private company...especially if the rushpublicans one day return to power.

Again, I'd love to see the Public Option rammed down Boner's throat...watch faux go into hyperspace, but the political will isn't there. It's one bridge too far for the House leadership who needs the Stupaks and other Blue Dogs to get this thing across the finish line.

[deacon]

17. If it doesn't happen i think you nailed it- it will be from fatigue. n/t

[veness]

16. Kicking to Greatest! n/t

[harun]

18. I harbor no hope it will get in there, but oh my if it did it would be because

the GOP pressured the Reconciliation bill so hard it had to go back to the House. How rich would that be, that the GOP's poutathon got us the PO.

[deacon]

23. How sweet it would be eh? lol - it's right there dammit - it's right if front of us! n/t

[gkhouston]

21. "we have never been closer" -- great, now I'll spend the day ear-wormed by

the old Paul Simon song "Slip Sliding Away"

You know the nearer your destination the more you're slip sliding away...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuPJzzcV6jA

[femrap]

22. Wouldn't that be sweet?

But I'm not holding my breathe.

[deacon]

24. We're right joe f__g biden there, he's a vote. It could be done. n/t

[leeroysphitz]

25. That isn't saying much. n/t