Senate opt-out public option won't start until 2014, and won't cover abortion procedures

[Are_grits_groceries]

The Senate health care bill is now online. It is a lot to wade through, but I can tell you a few things right off the bat:

The opt-out public option in the bill will not begin until 2014. This is one year later than even the 2013 date included in earlier versions of the bill.

The opt-out mechanism is simply when states pass a law. So, that means both state legislatures (except in Nebraska), plus a Governor's signature. Now, even if the opt-out public option passes into law, conservatives have an extra year to try and organize against it.

The penalty for individuals not purchasing health insurance will be $95, and also will not start until 2014.

Also, while the Senate bill does not include Stupak language in the House bill, the public option will not cover abortion procedures.

Obviously, in a bill this large, these bullet points just scratch the surface. Consider them appetizers.

http://www.openleft.com/

What else is in that magnum opus?

[Statistical]

1. I wonder how they "reduced the cost" compared to house version.

Simply they don't start paying until a year later.

So if bill is signed in 2010 then a 10 year score includes
10 years of revenue
6 years of major expenses (2014-2019)

While the score may be positive it is "funny math".
The next decade will be 10 years of revenue & 10 years of expenses so it will most certainly add to national debt.

[Toots]

2. Actually the CBO said the second ten year period would reduce the Deficit five fold

over the first ten year period.. They also said though that something that far out couldn't really be predicted very well.

[FBaggins]

3. They're lying

That doesn't mean we shouldn't do something, but there has never been a program anywhere near this size that didn't dramatically blow out it's projected costs.

Social Security is a worthy program... but costs WAY more than was projected. Medicare and Medicaid are necessary programs, but cost WAY WAY more than was projected. This too will be a big budget buster.

There's one thing in selling the plan to the public, but we should be ready for far more substantial tax increases to pay for it.

[BeFree]

4. Of course they lie

There is no way that they can tell the truth and get the majority of folks to
commit to giving health care to more people. Nice thing is we can tax the rich most.

[chill_wind]

5. K & R and a little more

here, too.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x7044606

"The opt-out public option in the bill will not begin until 2014."

NOT good.