Obama campaigned on everyone having the same insurance option that he and congress have

[Peacetrain]

and I went to more than one campaign stop.

[MercutioATC]

1. The silly part is that it IS the easiest way to solve the issue.

He just won't fight for it.

[DrToast]

2. Why would that solve anything?

That doesn't satisfy those who wanted a public option.

And the insurance exchanges should be better than what they have right now.

[MercutioATC]

4. Expand Medicare to 300% of poverty level. FEHBP for the rest.

Sliding-scale subsidies for premiums.

They're both existing systems, so it could be implemented quickly. It would cover EVERYBODY, and it would give people choices.

[DrToast]

5. Why do you consider FEHBP better than the insurance exchange?

[MercutioATC]

6. I don't. It's probably essentially the same thing.

...but it's an existing plan.

It's easier to expand an existing plan than to create a new one. If the goal is to get the 30 million (or 45 million, depending on who you talk to) covered quickly, this is an issue.

[Orangepeel]

10. if it is overseen by the OPM, won't it be exactly the same thing?

I'm asking, not arguing.

[MercutioATC]

14. Probably (at least nearly identical)

...but FEHBP isn't mandatory. If they're going to make it mandatory, they have to enforce real price controls.

[Cronus Protagonist]

3. I read today in the news that the bill actually does do that

The gubmint has to use the new system too.

[Schema Thing]

8. yep.

It's ok to admit that you don't know every facet of this bill yet.

[Orangepeel]

7. That would be a selection of private insurance companies

However, he did say that he would add a public option to that selection, which is something he and members of congress (under 65) do not have now.

[Clio the Leo]

9. You know what amuses me about this latest outrage?

I'd venture to guess that many of the same people who are upset over his campaign promise regarding the PO and this new sudden outrage over mandates (despite not mentioning it for 11 months) are the ones we were debating a month ago about what he also promised regarding Afghanistan. We want him to keep some promises and not others?

Cute huh? If we pick enough cherries we'll have enough for pie for Christmas dinner.

[Donnachaidh]

11. let's go to the videotape, shall we?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x416707

[Clio the Leo]

12. a 900 billion bill to help low-income Americans afford health care coverage...

.... and anyone who's going to try to find negativity in that (be they Republican, progressive or otherwise) can get stuffed.

[depakid]

13. Let's see how they like $5,000 deductibles, 20% copays and $500 per month for drugs

and a ton of coverage denials- Bet if that were the deal- we'd see real reform AND FAST.