Wyden questions the reach of the public option

[depakid]

“I agree with Senator Reid that health reform should give Americans more options. Now, I want to work with him to ensure that all Americans can choose those options,'' Wyden said. `

"The bottom line is that the public option can’t really hold private insurers accountable if it is only competing for 10 percent of the insurance market, because private insurance companies aren’t going to change their business practices if 90 percent of their customers can’t take their business elsewhere.

"Real reform means empowering Americans to choose insurance that works well for them and their family, while rejecting plans that don’t. Including a public option is a step in the right direction, now let’s remove the firewalls in this bill that prevent Americans from choosing it"' Wyden said in a statement.

The range of options and reaction was predictable, following the well-honed positions of the parties and the interest groups who have been involved in the health care battle for nearly a year.

All sides acknowledged that the details of Reid's plan aren't fully known and when they become available it could alter the debate.

We're all going to be waiting for the details, <Oregon Senator> Jeff Merkley said.

Merkley, for example, said he would be unhappy if more Americans weren't able to select the so-called public option. As a member of one of the committees that wrote a health care bill (HELP), Merkley actively supported a government-option as the best way to maintain costs and provide greater choice.

Merkley said in an interview Monday that he would press for any public option to be broadly available along the lines of an amendment he successfully offered in July when the bill was in committee.

Merkley's amendment is designed to give small businesses access to newly created health insurance exchanges that, in theory, breed competition by pooling the number of customers in a specific region. Merkley estimated that his amendment would allow nearly 25,000 more businesses – employing 485,000 workers – to enter the exchanges and 32 million people nationwide.

Merkley said he expects that flexibility to part of Reid's plan, but he conceded he has yet to see the details.

That amendment would increase the size of small businesses eligible for enter the national exchange that includes a public options. He also supports giving states the right expand the size of eligible businesses even more.

"What sense does it make to keep companies from going into the exchange?" he said.

More: http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2009/10/senate_bill_will_include_a_pub.html

Good to see Oregon's Senators are doing their part to improve health care and the overall economy..

[bluestateguy]

1. How about an opt-in for counties in states that opt out?

nt

[ProSense]

2. Merkley's amendment is included in the HELP bill.

Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley joined a majority of his colleagues on the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee to approve groundbreaking health care legislation today. The bill includes two provisions authored by Senator Merkley: one to increase options and lower health care costs for small businesses and the other to assist nursing mothers.

link

Merkley Applauds Inclusion of Public Option in Merged Senate Legislation

October 26, 2009

Washington, DC – Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid announced today that health care reform legislation to be considered by the full Senate will include a public option. Under this version, states would be able to opt-out of the program.

Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley, a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee and strong supporter of a public option, issued the following statement on Reid’s announcement:

“It has been clear from the beginning of this debate that a public option is absolutely necessary to provide consumers with more choice, hold insurance companies accountable and keep costs down.

“Senator Reid made the right decision to include this critical component in the merged legislation. States may choose to opt-out based on their individual needs and the input of their citizens, but this provision will ensure that most Americans will have the choice between private insurance or a public plan that operates on a level playing field. This is a reasonable compromise to this issue and takes us one step closer to action by the full Senate to finally pass health care reform and fix our broken system.”

Wyden is still trying get support for his Free Choice Act, which doesn't really expand choice more than the others bill. I frankly don't trust Wyden, who voted against adjusting doctor's fees.

[sandnsea]

4. Wyden is a strange one for sure

He tends to follow Feinstein, it seems to me. He voted for the Medicare Part D, even after Kennedy said it had been ruined in conference. It had to do with the Medicaid and disability provisions in it I think, but his vote was still one that helped Bush claim "bipartisan". I've never really understood his health care bill anyway, or why it's so necessary for successful reform.

Merkley, he is turning out to be incredible. Really proud to have campaigned for him!

[depakid]

5. Wyden and Wu both voted for the Part D scam

Apparently the Republicans threw some illusory bones their way.

And Yep- Meckley's an up and coming leader, not a backbencher like Gordon Smith.

[slipslidingaway]

3. knr nt