Updated - Earth to Lieberman: Connecticut HAS a Public Option

[ProSense]

Updated - Earth to Lieberman: Connecticut HAS a Public Option

by grannyhelen

In the form of the Charter Oak Health Plan:

The goal of the Charter Oak Health Plan is to provide affordable health care coverage to Connecticut adults, aged 19 to 64, of all incomes. It’s the first time every uninsured adult in Connecticut can get quality, affordable health insurance, and it costs as little as $75 per month in premiums, depending on your income.

link: http://www.charteroakhealthplan.com/coh/cwp/view.asp?a=...

This is what our Republican Governor, Jodi Rell, said about the Charter Oak Plan last month on its one-year anniversary:

"A little over a year ago, I announced the start of a program I said would change the face of health care in Connecticut – change it for the better and change it forever," Governor Rell said. "Today that program is covering 10,257 individuals and another 5,884 applicants are eligible for coverage as soon as they select from one of three contracted health plans and begin paying monthly premiums.

"That means more than 10,000 people who – a year ago – had no health coverage or could not afford the coverage they had now have affordable health care," the Governor said. "That is an accomplishment worth celebrating. From routine checkups to treatment for life-threatening illness, the program is filling a critical gap. "

link: http://www.charteroakhealthplan.com/coh/cwp/view.asp?Q=...

This is how her press release describes the Charter Oak Plan:

There is no income test or asset limit to qualify for Charter Oak coverage. Enrollees earning more than 300 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL) currently pay a flat, unsubsidized monthly premium of $259. Enrollees with incomes below 300 percent of the FPL pay reduced, subsidized premiums ranging from $75 to $200 monthly, depending on income and family size.

Charter Oak’s annual, income-based deductible ranges from $150 to $900. The deductible does not apply to primary and specialist doctor visits, ambulance and emergency room care, behavioral health services, pre- and post-natal care, prescription medications and certain other benefits.

The Charter Oak Health Plan is administered by the Department of Social Services.

link: http://www.charteroakhealthplan.com/coh/cwp/view.asp?Q=...

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Oh, this just gets better:

"I think that a lot of people may think that the public option is free. It's not," Mr. Lieberman said. "It's going to cost the taxpayers and people that have health insurance now, and if it doesn't, it's going to add terribly to our national debt."

link: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125665773148910625.html...

Who? Who among your constituents who live in Connecticut think their public option is free?

Name ten.

A defender commented that Lieberman supports state plans, but he is still distorting a public option and prepared to deny others the right to benefit under it.

Lieberman = deceitful, selfish liar

On edit, this is delicious irony: Here is a Republican Governor touting the benefits of a public option.