Snowe suggests scenario for government-run option (AP)

[jefferson_dem]

Snowe suggests scenario for government-run option

RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR | October 14, 2009 08:51 AM EST |

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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.

<SNIP>

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/huff-wires/20091014/us-health-care-overhaul/

[tekisui]

1. Thanks, Snowe, but you vote will suffice.

[donco6]

2. Disengenuous.

There's more than ample evidence that the insurance companies have NO INTENTION of complying with anything. Daily reports of egregious practices underscore this.

[WCGreen]

3. Just another Snowe job perpetrated on the American Public...

That's all this is, to curry favor and to have her moment in the lime light...

[CoffeeCat]

4. That doesn't make sense...

She wants a government-run option that will "kick in" if insurers "fail to live up to expectations".

Who would determine that...the insurers? You'd have to have a public-run program up and running--for
when people get "sent" to it. So it would exist. I'm not getting it. This is stupid.

I think Snowe is just trying to appease the Republicans who are pissed at her for being the only
Republican vote. She's got to parse her vote now--coming out against the public option, even though
she voted for the plan.

Can't get the mafia-overlords too upset, now can we?

...and by the way, haven't "insurers" "failed to live up to expectations" enough for Ms. Snowe?
They kill thousands of Americans each year. And they don't care, because it's part of their
business plan. Are those the insurers to which Ms. Snowe is to?

Do you ever just want to say, "Stop it. Just shut up. You know your full of shit. I know you're
full of shit. Please...stop."?

[BzaDem]

15. No, it would kick in based upon well defined metrics.

For example, if we don't have affordable coverage for 95% of citizens in a state by 2013 (where affordable coverage costs, say, 10% of one's income level and meets certain minimum coverage requirements), a national public plan becomes open to citizens of that state.

Right now, even in the house bills, the public option doesn't open to anyone until 2013.

[Zen Democrat]

5. The government is ... the PEOPLE. She doesn't want the People to have an unfair advantage?

That is some crazy logic which entails people working against their own interests .... but I guess that accounts for all non-billionaire Republicans.

[chelsea0011]

6. In other words there will never be a public option.

The only way this could ever happen is to have the Dems in control of all the government at the same time some years down the road the insurers have to held accountable. Fat chance. Even if this senerio happened you know that they will try to compromise. It would be another generation or two or three before the time comes again. We are in control now and need to do it now.

[high density]

7. She opposes the public option unless the public option is kicked indefinitely down the road

Yes, waiting for things to get worse is always the best solution, Sen. Snowe.

[TankLV]

8. Gee - I guess EIGHTY YEARS of Insurance Co. GREED isn't enought, huh, Olympis?!!!

So, WHEN - and they certainly WILL - this "worst case" scenerio occurs, you will be calling for "more time" to "see what happens" ALL OVER AGAIN!!!

Sorry - repuke - we've heard this for almost a CENTURY now...

[Mass]

9. Just dont vote for a filibuster. That is all we care.\nt

[rvablue]

10. I'm so sick of the "disproportionate advantage" argument.

The reason a PO would have a disproportionate advantage is because it would not be in the business of ripping people off.

[Blasphemer]

11. Sorry... the trigger has already been pulled.

The industry has had a "disproportionate advantage" over the public for far too long. They've already failed.

[tridim]

12. O. Snowe-you-di'in't!

Thanks Colbert. :)

[rudy23]

14. Beat me to it!

It really is catchy.

[Uncle Joe]

13. The government is We the People and we should have a disproportionate advantage

over amoral corporations; having nothing to do with health care, willing to profit off the American Peoples' illness and injury, for that matter "health" insurance corporations should be outlawed if not restricted to cosmetic endeavors.

Medicare for everyone from the cradle to the grave.