Health Care Public Option schumer 60 votes

[cal04]

Run time: 00:31 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWR2Rdygb80   Posted on YouTube: October 25, 2009 By YouTube Member: Views on YouTube: 0   Posted on DU: October 25, 2009 By DU Member: cal04 Views on DU: 842

 
transcript here
left a lot of what Schumer said out
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33459891/ns/meet_the_press/page/2/

[clear eye]

1. "level playing field" public option

The questioner asked if Schumer backs a public option to drive down our costs, but the whole point of including "level playing field" as a requirement of the public option is to make sure it can't drive down our costs. The "level playing field" they speak of means figuring the premiums of the private plans first, then matching the premium of the public option to those. It's done specifically to reassure private insurers that the public option can't drive down premiums.

To his credit, Schumer is really open about what he's backing. In the linked article, he says, in effect, that the public option would not be required to pay providers Medicare plus 5%, as some have advocated, but will instead have to, by law, pay providers whatever the private plans are paying. And otherwise follow their lead, so as not to upset the private insurers and maintain "competition".

As though buying healthcare is the same as buying a widescreen TV, and "competition" is better than the gov't set rates traditional Medicare has.

[cry baby]

2. I thought the whole point WAS to drive down premiums to make them affordable

for those who cannot afford the premiums offered by insurers under the current system. What good does the level playing field do for the people who need affordable healthcare? I don't understand.

[Divine Discontent]

4. it's a DISASTER... I'm very disgusted.

[clear eye]

7. For some it will still be more affordable, but at an inflated cost.

Let me explain what I mean.

First you're right in feeling bamboozled. The PO was supposed to save both the future insurees and the country money by acting as downward pressure on costs. Set up as a "level playing field", it doesn't do that. It has basically no impact on prices.

The only affordability in the proposed healthcare reform bills comes from a) gov't sliding scale subsidies of the premiums, b) some regulations about how much the private insurers can charge above "costs", and c) creating insurance for individuals allowed into the exchange that matches the premiums of large group coverage. Of course even partially subsidizing fairly expensive private insurance and the continued high administrative costs that providers like doctors & hospitals have to pass on, will add up to quite a pricetag. That is the reason for the high projections from the CBO (that some people don't want to believe). Unless the feds suddenly get "religion" and raise taxes on the ultra-wealthy (the top 1% who earn as much as the bottom 50%), it will have to come as usual from increased taxation of the middleclass, probably by allowing bracket creep. In other words, as the dollar depreciates and people earn more, less valuable dollars, instead of correcting the tax brackets for inflation as was done in the past, we would just go into the higher brackets even though we had no more buying power than before.

It's just about the least efficient method of increasing affordable coverage that could be created. Since paying for one's own insurance will still be fairly expensive, the pressure for workplace insurance will continue, so the program won't reduce the penalty to our economy. And it will be mandated.

[cry baby]

8. thank you! why does everything have to be so complicated?

Corporate America - that's why. very sad.

How's about something simple like medicare opening up to everyone at a pro-rated premium for different age groups. Medicare E is what I would like to see.

[Go2Peace]

3. Many of us have said before, no PO is better than a political PO

As much as I think a Public Option is the right thing to do, placing one out there that is weak would be worse than no PO at all.

They just don't get it.

[bertman]

5. They get it. They are looking out for their campaign financiers-not the American public.

[Divine Discontent]

6. "Level Playing Field" - sorry, against the American people, the lobbyists millions are not a

"level playing field".

It's watered down like cheap Kool-Aid - and Schumer knows it - and for all we know - was instructed to make it just so.

We need to be vocal, angry, and do all we can to make these people lose their jobs if this shitty plan goes through. This is a joke in its present form, and they know it - because when you say "level playing field' in regards to the health care debacle in this country - you know the people are being given a prescription of doom.

[Piewhacket]

9. Where's the F* has the "level playing field" been the last 30 year, Chuck? Bullshit!

If you bring me that deal chuck, it will be
a whipping, tar and feathers, and a hanging for
sure. Chuck.

:nuke: