I just don't see it, Public option

[justgamma]

I've read the HELP bill. I just don't see any controls on the insurance companies. If they are forced to accept pre-existing conditions and accept everybody, what is to stop them from raising their rates even higher? Without strong competition from the Public Option, where are they going to get their incentives to save money?

[LiberalAndProud]

1. How will it make health insurance affordable?

I'm not being denied insurance, I just can't afford it. Is there a fix for that in this bill? If that issue isn't addressed, the bill is toilet paper.

[Skittles]

11. it's not that the fix is in it

it's that the fix is in

[polichick]

2. They're "promising" to lower costs. Don't you trust them???

:evilgrin:

[RC]

5. They are already lowering their costs.

That is the problem. They need to lower their usurious premiums. Park the personal jet, forgo the 2nd yacht, forget about buying/building the 6th McMansion...

[polichick]

6. Yes, they need to lower OUR costs too. nt

[TankLV]

3. You're not the only one - I don't see it either.

Of course, as a FIRST BABY step, this COULD be "OK" - JUST "OK".

But if this is ALL it will be, then RIGHT OFF THE BAT, we'd better be PUSHING for UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE for all - MEDICARE FOR ALL...

I will settle for NOTHING less...

[sandnsea]

4. There are rate regulations

They can't charge based on illness and age has to be at a certain ratio so it isn't 5 times as high like it is now.

So if everybody pays within a very similar range, that in itself creates some competition. In addition, if the premium goes so high the subsidy becomes unaffordable, that will create pressure from the government. There are some incentives for them to control premiums, but not as much as a public option.

[S_E_Fudd]

7. The bill is worthless without a public option...

It is nearly worthless with it!!!

[harun]

8. Isn't that the truth.

[Cleita]

9. We can chuck all those bills. They are pages and pages of

legislation to pretty much protect the insurance industry. Just demand that anyone who wants Medicare can get it. People pay into it with payroll taxes so they should be able to get it if they want it. Make sure that Medicare is improved, comprehensive and robust and let it go at that. If anyone wants to throw their money away by buying insurance, let them. Once they get denied or dropped from coverage, then they can enroll in Medicare. I believe it could be done by progressive taxation of the rich.

[LittleBlue]

10. I'd rather we not pass anything than that, or the "mandated insurance" bullshit

Pass public option or GTFO.

[Gravel Democrat]

12. I Supported Obama over Clinton because of the mandate thing

And I'm damned mad that this flip flop isn't even being discussed. Not even a peep.

If people are just going to allow politicians to tell lie after lie after lie and "reverse" themselves
on very important things like the Feds ordering me by law to spend money (has this happened
before? if not..it's quite a precedent isn't it) the least we can do is limit the campaign season.
Instead of 24 months of lies we could have 8 or something.

The money saved could go to ... i don't know... maybe HEALTHCARE?

why he was against a mandate: "A mandate means that in some fashion,
everybody will be forced to buy health insurance. ...
But I believe the problem is not that folks are trying to avoid getting health care.
The problem is they can't afford it. And that's why my plan emphasizes lowering costs."

"Hillary Clinton's attacking, but what's she not telling you about her health care plan?"
the narrator in a Barack Obama campaign ad asks. "It forces everyone to buy insurance,
even if you can't afford it, and you pay a penalty if you don't."

http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2008/apr/21/barack-obama/her-mandate-doesnt-mention-garnishment/

This mandate thing is absolutely disgusting and it's no wonder it's not being talked about.
Both parties and the insurance companies want it-so it will be


Cost of War in Iraq
678,305,341,000

Cost of War in Afghanistan
225,638,135,601

http://costofwar.com/

[GreenPartyVoter]

13. Welcome to DU. I can't even comprehend those numbers you posted. :^(

[joeycola]

14. Yet, the word 'affordable" is a key word pushed by Dems and the WH.