(thanks for some answers) debating the costs of the public option on the person buying it

[Divine Discontent]

The Universal Health Care "Single Payer" plan we all believe should occur is potentially not going to happen. I know this 'insurance' plan has what Obama has been pushing since even before he was President, but, if the cost of the premiums are still 3/4 as much as a Cigna/Aetna/UHC etc plan, and the GOP strip the subsidies that make it affordable for poorer folks, I don't see how millions could afford it (and why Single Payer was such a great idea to finally get) And is the penalty for not having insurance still there, to 'promote' people getting preventative care and save money by not having to go to the ER/hospitals for care? (edited: as someone said below, I can't see how Dems would let subsidies get stripped)

I just think it's horrible if our senators cower down to GOP demands and let them control the debate. We should have no problem getting a public option, and truthfully, a single payer plan, but people like a few of the blue dog Dem senators like Landrieu have taken so many hundreds of thousands in donations that they will fight single payer tooth and nail.

[sandnsea]

1. Don't force people to make a payment

for a high priced underperforming plan that they can't afford.

Is that it?

[Divine Discontent]

2. 'why do so many of your colleagues give so much away' Dean to Sen. Sherrod Brown

isn't this just more insurance baloney? I mean, I want Single-Payer, but Public Option will work if the GOP doesn't get to gut the subsidies to help people who are poor or lower income working class afford an insurance plan.

how can they expect everyone to get an insurance plan when millions in this nation can't put food on the table the few days before their next check? let alone an insurance plan.

I'm just a little confused why the public option is being pushed so hard, and not the single payer. Our party is not listening to us, it's like we've caved down though to now saying in the past month, 'well, anything you do better have the public option', which seems like a win still for the insurance industry.

I just hope the DEMS in the Senate don't cower down to the GOP's demands... that's my concern!

[Jeep789]

3. What makes you think there will be a penalty for those

unable to afford $50. I seriously doubt it.

[Divine Discontent]

4. thanks!

I agree with this senator (Sherrod Brown) in this video - http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x345172

I wish more Dems in the Senate were like him. They couldn't gut the good things out of the bill if the Dems wouldn't cave. I just recall there is a penalty mentioned in the debates and up to recently that there is a penalty if you don't get an insurance plan (hence why I hope they still do Univeral Health Care)

Yeah, I guess they will make sure there's enough subsidies to make sure poor people can afford the plans so they don't get penalized with a fine, nothing is certain though. We've got to take control back of the message on health care, that's why Obama being out there helps.