I Don't Support Schumer's "Public Option" Compromise

[Better Believe It]

Daily Kos
by slinkerwink
June 8, 2009

I Don't Support Schumer's "Public Option" Compromise

and neither should you. Why? Because it's designed to weaken a strong, robust Medicare-like public option in favor of private insurance companies. The New York Times goes further into detail about why the Schumer so-called "public option" compromise is designed to hamper its potential:

slinkerwink's diary :: ::

“No one has ever put up a plan to compete that exploited the bargaining leverage that you have with Medicare,” said John F. Sheils, a senior vice president at Lewin, which is owned by UnitedHealth Group, a major insurer. “It’s never been done, and if it’s never been done there’s not much you can conclude from looking at these state plans.”

Mr. Sheils estimated that only 12 million people with private coverage would migrate to a public plan if Congress provided protections for insurers, along principles suggested by Senator Charles E. Schumer, Democrat of New York. Seeking to broker a deal that might attract Republican support, Mr. Schumer is promoting many of Mr. Nichols’s proposals, including that a public plan be subject to the same regulations as private plans and that it pay providers at higher levels than Medicare.

And it's rather interesting how a lobbyist for UnitedHealth, one of the WORST insurers, thinks that the Schumer so-called "public option" compromise would be okay. This is why I always specify what kind of a public option to fight for--a strong, robust Medicare-like public option, NOT the Schumer so-called compromise.

Please read the complete article at:

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/6/8/739946/-I-Dont-Support-Schumers-Public-Option-Compromise

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In the House, the 50 or so conservatives who make up the Blue Dog coalition argue that the government plan must look and work a lot like private insurance. It would be run by an outside contractor. And it couldn't compel hospitals and doctors to sign up, but would have to negotiate payment rates with providers. To stay solvent, the plan would have to rely on premiums, not taxpayer dollars. The House conservatives share many ideas with Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., who has been looking for compromises in the Senate.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gap9wCaolRYguYQesA2i2Yr98yLgD98MOM5G3

[Sebastian Doyle]

1. I don't even have to read Snake Schumer's plan to know it sucks

He's made it obvious what team he plays for, and it's not the American people.

[chieftain]

2. When safe Democrats from New York sell out the public ,

we should be outraged. Compared to Chuck "Mukasey's a good guy for AG" Schumer, Ben Nelson is a profile in courage.

[DrToast]

3. Medicare dictates rates because nobody else will insure old people

I don't really have a problem with the government plan negotiating its own rates.

Some doctors won't even take medicare. I don't see how you can offer medicare rates to the entire public. That would crush doctors. I don't blame the doctors, just the insurance companies.

[Better Believe It]

5. The doctors would continue to make a nice living even with Medicare for All

As tens of million of people drop the insurance companies and switch over to a public option the doctors would have to accept public "insurance" and Medicare if they want any clients.

Medicare rates will hardly "crush" doctors. And the government plan can and should set reasonable rates, no need to negotiate anything.

[Thrill]

4. Kennedy's plan is the only way to go. Why do Democrats feel the need to compromise

The Republicans aren't going to vote for it anyway. They just want to weaken it

[Better Believe It]

6. Because some are financed by the insurance industry?

[DrToast]

7. Are we sure enough Democrats will vote for it?

That's the sad, sad problem.

[Thrill]

8. Not sure. But one thing I found interesting was Olympia Snowe was the only

Republican on the comm. who didn't sign the letter to Obama opposing the Public plan.

[DrToast]

10. I think she's still pushing her "trigger"

[Better Believe It]

9. 50 Votes Are Needed with Biden breaking a tie

If the Democratic Party and President Obama can't get 50 votes for a public option, let alone single payer, the Republicans will have won again without even controlling Congress or the White House!

[AdHocSolver]

11. The only thing we have to fear is...

the turncoat Democrat.

If we don't get a meaningful public health insurance option this time, it will be time to organize TWO new political parties.