State by State Public Option is a fig leaf to provide a non option option.

[ddeclue]

1) Most states do not allow their state gov'ts to run deficits unlike the Federal government. Thus many legislatures will be prevented from passing a public option because they can't do it without deficit spending or raising taxes.

2) Given the divided nature of government it will be nearly impossible in most states to get a real public option passed because either a state Senate, a state legislature or a Governor will "stand in the doorway and block up the hall".

3) This will allow the insurance company lobbyists to divide and conquer - instead of having to face this on somewhat (not really) even terms they will be able to pour national levels of money into state legislatures one at a time and spend huge amounts of money while we won't be able to muster similar levels of support FOR a public option in each of the state capitols because it will be viewed as a state issue.

Imagine if this was how LBJ had decided to bring Civil Rights and Voting Rights reform in the 1960's - in individual state legislatures!

It would have never ever happened.

The Federal gov't needs to set a REAL floor with a REAL FEDERAL PUBLIC OPTION. If states want to go ABOVE that by offering government provided healthcare equivalent to the U.K's "National Health" or a single payer program on a state level that exceeds the REAL FEDERAL PUBLIC OPTION then fine BUT THIS IS NOT A FLOOR JUST A RACE TO THE BOTTOM.

This will offer these Senators a fig leaf so they can pretend that they passed reform when in fact they have just sold us out to the insurance companies.

Shame on them!

Doug D.
Orlando, FL

:argh:

[aquart]

1. Yep. A worthless lie.

[SandWalker1984]

2. Well said. FYI: They tried "exchanges" in FL & insurance corp killed them.

I agree with most everything you said. They already tried "exchanges" here in Florida, they were supposed to give those of us that were self-employed an opportunity to join larger groups to negotiate cheaper insurance premiums. It was a sham. The insurance companies killed the exchanges. They bought off the state reps, got the regulations modified to their favor, and the exchanges died.

Think it's going to be any different this time around? Think again!
The insurance groups much prefer to go state by state and destroy any viable competition.

Without a strong, Medicare-style public option at a national level, health care reform is a sham! With 60 democrats in the Senate, what is coming out of the Finance Committee is an insurance written bill that is unacceptable!

If we're going to get corporate Republicans from the Democratic party, why not just put the real thing back in office and get tax cuts? Why should we pay the high price (and taxes) to elect Democrats and get Republican legislation?