Good news from CBO, debunking repug talking point. Gov't plan can coexist with private insurance

[jefferson_dem]

Gov't plan can coexist with private insurance
By RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR, Associated Press Writer Ricardo Alonso-zaldivar, Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON – A new government health insurance plan sought by President Barack Obama and congressional Democrats could coexist with private insurers without driving them out of business, an analysis by nonpartisan budget experts suggests.

The estimate by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office — seen as good news by Democrats — comes as leaders pushed Monday to make progress on health care overhaul before lawmakers go home for their August recess.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., says a floor vote is still possible in the next few days, and Democrats called a meeting of all their House members late Monday afternoon. In the Senate, a small group of lawmakers from both parties were resuming negotiations in search of an elusive compromise.

Obama's ambitious timetable for his top domestic priority has slipped as Democratic dissension has slowed the legislative work.

The White House and congressional Democrats were angered two weeks ago when the budget office director, Douglas Elmendorf, told Congress that the House bill lacked mechanisms to bring health care costs under control.

Now, Democrats are using the budget office's suggestion that a government-run insurance plan would not destroy private insurers to rebut one of the main charges against their proposal — that it would lead to a federal takeover of the private health insurance marketplace.

<SNIP>

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090727/ap_on_go_co/us_health_care_overhaul/print

[xchrom]

1. while as a whole i'm not excited by the 'reform' as it is being cobbled together --

this news has to BURN republican ass.

so -- what's not to like?

[Eric J in MN]

2. That's because the public option won't be an option for most people.

Individuals with private insurance through their employer won't be able to choose it.

Employers with 25 or more employees won't be able to choose it unless they get special permission.

[Jackpine Radical]

4. And yet...the camel's nose...

[customerserviceguy]

3. I've always assumed that private insurance will co-exist with a public option

I also assume that private co's will try to fob off the most costly patients on the public option plan. Regardless of what the laws say about who has to take which patients, the private co's all know that they can simply drive away undesired business by giving lousy service to those they want to rid themselves of.

Forget public option, it's a Band-Aid on a sucking chest wound. Let the mushy middle class find out just what poorer people have long known, and they'll be on board with single-payer, which is the real cure for the problem.

[MarjorieG]

5. Once system is set-up and the sky didn't fall, we can tinker and regulate more

That's providing we stay Dem, and there's more campaign finance in place.

[bvar22]

7. YES! The Democrats can "tinker" with it and fix it!!!!

Like they fixed Medicare Part D.
Like they fixed the Patriot Act.
Like they fixed the Military Commissions Act.
Like they fixed NAFTA et al.
Like they fixed the Wall Street Bailouts.

"They" won't go back and "fix" anything.
If they pass this piece of Insurance Industry Profit Protection bullshit, we are going to be stuck with it for a long time.

Please cite an example from the last 20 years where the Democratic Party went back and fixed anything.

Thanks.

[MarjorieG]

10. True, they've orgotten how to lead, but it's been six moths and Obama insists Congress flex unused

muscles. A lot of what you cite was during a GOP Congress, then adding Bush.

[bvar22]

11. We have had a Democratic majority in Congress for 2-1/2 years.

How much "fixing" have they done?...
tried to do?...
put on the schedule for later?
Obama campaigned on "Fixing NAFTA", but that has fallen off the radar since he got elected.

Pass a GOOD Bill and they won't have to go back and fix it later.
"They can fix it later" is a poor rationalization for supporting BAD legislation.

[jefferson_dem]

14. Exactly how do you propose we "pass a GOOD Bill"?

I hate to point this out but screaming about putting private insurers out of business will not do the trick.

Seems our best hope is to let the wimpy Senate Finance Committee offer whatever shitpile they come up with, then fold it into the Kennedy/Dodd committee package and reconcile with the House version in committee. No blue dogs allowed!

[bvar22]

6. Thats NOT "good News". Thats BAD news.

It means that Congress has gone to great lengths to protect the profits of the Private Health Insurance Industry by saddling the Public Options with crippling requirements and restricting enrollment.
I don't see how you could read this any other way.

A legitimate Publicly Owned Government Administered Public Option that is open to ALL Americans WILL indeed drive the For Profit Health Insurance Industry OUT-OF-Business!

I mean, thats the point.

[slipslidingaway]

8. knr your comment n/t

[jefferson_dem]

12. Your point is well taken but a fantasy.

For now, in order to get reform enacted, it's important to find support for the argument that the public option will not make obsolete private options. Unless we can get that across, real reform cannot happen because the public option will not be part of the package.

Actually, that's the point...

[bvar22]

16. Looks like the "For Profit" Health Insurance Industry agrees with you.

I don't.

[rucky]

9. The finance committee disagrees

[grantcart]

13. theoretically that is true. Once people see the difference the insurance industry

will be reduced to selling a supplemental service.

[HopeOverFear]

15. k and r