Obama does not offer public health insurance?

[denem]

Am I reading them correctly?

Clinton/Obama/Edwards all propose setting up a national store ( health menu / health exchange / health mart) where all insurers may put forward a new insurance plan that meets certain minimum criterion such as coverage for preexisting conditions and the benefits that members of congress get.

All talk also about a 'public plan'. The meaning of that with Clinton and Edwards is clear - its a Government Not for Profit Medicare Plus Plan which will complete with the private plans.

This plank is crucial because 1. It will keep all costs down by introducing real competition into the market; 2. As a public plan accountable to the public, not shareholders, people can have more confidence that they won't be swept into cracks and 3. It is the first and most important step towards single payer. The private health insurance companies might believe today that they can compete with this over time - I have a different take. Over time, the Government, not for profit insurance will come to dominate the market. And as the size of the insurance pool grows, it's costs fall further.

I have looked for the same plank in Obama's health policy but I can't find it. He talks about a public plan, but apparently means health insurance that complies with public health policy: ie - private insurance. For Example in his Blue Print for Change, he mentions "Participating insurance companies in the new public program".

Am I missing something here?
Ref: http://www.barackobama.com/pdf/ObamaBlueprintForChange.pdf Page 11

[sandnsea]

1. "subsidy to buy into the new public plan"

Under "Subsidies", page 11

[denem]

2. Good, I'll look it up.

[rodeodance]

3. Paul Krugman---check out his article last few days also

[sandnsea]

5. Paul Krugman hates Obama n/t

[no name no slogan]

4. Yes you are. They all have Nixon's plan from 34 years ago.

Visionary for 1974, but pretty uninspiring for today.

[papau]

6. you are correct - there is a subsidy for a "public plan" - as in the Mass standard minimum benefit

plan - but that plan in Mass, at least, is through private insurance companies.

There is nothing that says "public plan" is more than "plan written by the government" -

Someone should asked him if "public plan" means "Government Not for Profit Medicare Plus Plan"?

[denem]

8. I believe a universally available Government run Insurance is essential

Only hard competition will keep the HMOs in line. And who trusts a private company in a matter if critical but highly expensive care?

[papau]

9. I agree - it is only the Medicare like plan option that gives me hope. n/t

[denem]

7. OK - From the full statement of Obama's health policy

Specifically, the Obama plan will: (1) establish a new public
insurance program, available to Americans who neither qualify for Medicaid or SCHIP
nor have access to insurance through their employers, as well as to small businesses that
want to offer insurance to their employees; (2) create a National Health Insurance
Exchange to help Americans and businesses that want to purchase private health
insurance directly; (3) require all employers to contribute towards health coverage for
their employees or towards the cost of the public plan ; (4) mandate all children have
health care coverage; (5) expand eligibility for the Medicaid and SCHIP programs; and
(6) allow flexibility for state health reform plans

http://www.barackobama.com/pdf/HealthPlanFull.pdf Page 3

I see the words there "new public insurance program". I can't find any details. And as I mentioned before is the a reference to "participating insurance companies in the new public program"

[2rth2pwr]

10. Whoa, hold on there. Obama Fever is not about the issues. nt

[denem]

11. Is it Government Not for Profit or Private bids on a public specification?

Massachusetts has "public" insurance that's private. I would like to know.

[2rth2pwr]

15. You may carry an immunity. nt

[denem]

17. I dont want an immunity, I want whats best for the United States.

But you are right, this is the first issue I have really dug deeply with. I hope the rest is not like this. I mean its health care. You would expect the policy to be clearly drafted.

[NYCGirl]

12. So what's this?

# Obama's Plan to Cover Uninsured Americans: Obama will make available a new national health plan to all Americans, including the self-employed and small businesses, to buy affordable health coverage that is similar to the plan available to members of Congress. The Obama plan will have the following features:

1. Guaranteed eligibility. No American will be turned away from any insurance plan because of illness or pre-existing conditions.
2. Comprehensive benefits. The benefit package will be similar to that offered through Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP), the plan members of Congress have. The plan will cover all essential medical services, including preventive, maternity and mental health care.
3. Affordable premiums, co-pays and deductibles.
4. Subsidies. Individuals and families who do not qualify for Medicaid or SCHIP but still need financial assistance will receive an income-related federal subsidy to buy into the new public plan or purchase a private health care plan.
5. Simplified paperwork and reined in health costs.
6. Easy enrollment. The new public plan will be simple to enroll in and provide ready access to coverage.
7. Portability and choice. Participants in the new public plan and the National Health Insurance Exchange (see below) will be able to move from job to job without changing or jeopardizing their health care coverage.
8. Quality and efficiency. Participating insurance companies in the new public program will be required to report data to ensure that standards for quality, health information technology and administration are being met.

http://www.barackobama.com/issues/healthcare/#coverage-for-all

[denem]

14. What is the "the new public plan" - is it Government run

or a subsidized public specification that private insurance companies may bid for?

[AGirl]

13. This is a really good question.

[denem]

16. In Hillary's plan it's all spelt out properly

In addition to the array of private insurance choices offered, the Health Choices Menu will also provide Americans with a choice of a public planoption, which could be modeled on the traditional Medicare program, but would cover the same benefits as guaranteed in private plan options in the Health Choices Menu without creating a new bureaucracy. The alternative will compete on a level playing field with traditional private insurance plans. It will provide a more affordable option, in part through greater administrative savings.

http://www.hillaryclinton.com/feature/healthcareplan/americanhealthchoicesplan.pdf pg 6

[denem]

18. And here's Edwards. Again, right on the money.

Choice between Public and Private Insurers: Health Care Markets will offer a choice between private insurers and a public insurance plan modeled after Medicare, but separate and apart from it. Families and individuals will choose the plan that works best for them. This American solution will reward the sector that offers the best care at the best price. Over time, the system may evolve toward a single-payer approach if individuals and businesses prefer the public plan.

http://www.johnedwards.com/about/issues/health-care-overview.pdf pg.4