Senator Snowe suggests scenario for government-run option: The "Trigger "Option

[Better Believe It]

Snowe suggests scenario for government-run option
By RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR, Associated Press Writer
October 14, 2009

WASHINGTON – Sen. Olympia Snowe, the only Republican to support the Finance Committee's health care bill, said Wednesday she could foresee a government-run plan that would "kick in" if private insurers failed to live up to expectations.

Snowe emphasized that she still opposes the so-called public option, but said she also believes the private insurance market must yield a system in which health coverage becomes more widely accessible and affordable.

"I think the government would have a disproportionate advantage" in the event of a government-run option, the Maine Republican said in a nationally broadcast interview. Snowe said "at the same time, I want to make sure the insurance industry performs, and that's why we eliminate many egregious practices."

If the industry didn't follow through on congressionally-mandated changes aimed at overhauling the delivery of medical services, she said, "then you could have the public option kick in immediately."

Snowe previously had proposed using the public option as an incentive, or a threat, to private insurers who do not make their plans affordable by certain deadlines. This "trigger" option, or some version of it, has survived the bitter debate and scrutiny to remain a viable option for compromise.

Snowe broached this standby notion again as talks among lawmakers on health care were going back behind closed doors; Senate leaders are trying to merge two very different bills into a new version that can get the 60 votes needed to guarantee passage.



Read the complete article at:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091014/ap_on_go_co/us_health_care_overhaul

[PinkOwl]

1. Notice how the AP disappears the word "trigger" from the headline

They treat this as if Olympia Snowe was a hero who just made some new, ground-breaking revelation.

We have known for months that she supports a trigger. This isn't news. She still opposes a real public option. The MSM will always find euphemisms to substitute the watered-down "trigger".

Your headline is much better than AP's.

[KansDem]

2. "I think the government would have a disproportionate advantage"

Oh, really, Senator? Why is that?

Could it be because government health-care would lower costs? Provide coverage for all Americans? Do away with CEOs leaving work with $500,000 every day?

[Better Believe It]

3. Can't have that! We need a public option that is acceptable to the private insurance industry.

One that can't threaten their control and profits.

[Cleita]

4. Trigger hasn't worked in the past, most recently with Medicare part "D" so

why would it work with this issue? It's just another way of keeping Medicare for all away from the general public. Read my lips. The trigger never goes off. Time to send her back to moose country. She's been given too much power over this IMHO.

[Captain Hilts]

5. Is her access to her LIFETIME govt-sponsored healthcare subject to a trigger?

Probably not.

Just a hunch.

[flyarm]

6. and the dlc cheerleaders keep unrec'ing this thread! do it back at them! EOM

[depakid]

7. Here comes the push for "bipartisanship"

Look for repeated sell outs ahead.