Reply #11: The coalition depends on states voluntarily joining.

[mainer]

And those who join, participate. Those who don't continue to have significant pools of uninsured residents.

Each state has to decide, and I suspect that that voters in Connecticut and Vermont will be more willing to vote for -- and join -- this system.

The federal government has NOTHING TO DO with this proposal. Why do you mention the federal government instituting this program? It's something the states may feel compelled to do on their own because Congress is too cowed (or overwhelmed by its conservative members) to ever pass a national public option.

Massachusetts already has a public option and full coverage on its books. The federal government didn't object.