2%, boy that was worth the fight.

[BobRossi]

"WASHINGTON – What's all the fuss about? After all the noise over Democrats' push for a government insurance plan to compete with private carriers, coverage numbers are finally in: Two percent.

That's the estimated share of Americans younger than 65 who'd sign up for the public option plan under the health care bill that Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., is steering toward House approval.

The underwhelming statistic is raising questions about whether the government plan will be the iron-fisted competitor that private insurers warn will shut them down or a niche operator that becomes a haven for patients with health insurance horror stories."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091101/ap_on_go_co/us_health_care_public_plan

"Change"

[Ruby the Liberal]

1. Why don't they just open it up to anyone who wants it?

I just don't get that.

[glitch]

12. That would cut into their constituents' profits, I'm afraid.

And by constituents I mean Wall Street and its emeshment in the insurance industry.

[ljm2002]

21. Why?

Because that would mean fewer new customers for the private insurers. Because that would mean a stronger competitor to the private insurers. Because that would strengthen the public option to include more younger, healthier people. Because that would start to decouple insurance from employment. Because that would be less "uniquely American". Because that would make too damned much sense.

[Ruby the Liberal]

24. Well stated.

I was being rhetorical. It makes too much sense on too many fronts to be considered. Sigh.

[tomp]

39. because obama sucks. nt

[nightrain]

2. knr. yep, dump it and start over...

[brooklynite]

3. No, "choice"

Sorry, but you can't expect that everyone eligible for the public option is going to take it. The reality is, we're expanding choices and hoping competition follows. If you don't want choice, go ahead and fight for single payer, but you're not going to get it passed any time soon. I'll take choice for now, and build on that later.

[BillE]

17. How is it "Choice" when

How is it "Choice" when the only ones allowed to "choose" it are the people the private insurance won't take. Everyone else (if insurance is mandated) will be forced to buy private insurance. The only way to force the private insurance to compete is to make the "Public Option" available to all, charge less premium than private insurance while not having co-pays or deductibles. and covering all health related problems including dental, eyes, and hearing. (i.e. glasses and hearing aides)

[ProleNoMore]

4. Hate To Say It - That Sure Is Change We Can Believe In

eom

[rhett o rick]

5. How many humans does that 2% equal? And arent they the ones w/o any coverage? nt

[BobRossi]

6. One in three under 65 without health insurance.

That's 33.33333%

"(CNN) -- One out of three Americans under 65 were without health insurance at some point during 2007 and 2008, according to a report released Wednesday."
http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/03/04/uninsured.epidemic.obama/


And I'm one of them.

[nightrain]

8. 6 million, in the yahoo article.. yes, mostly those w/o.

[MH1]

7. "a haven for patients with health insurance horror stories"

if it is truly a haven, then that would be a good thing.

Sure it is a teeny tiny step as far as the overall problem but if it makes some people's lives better that is a good thing.

[Ruby the Liberal]

15. But if it isn't opened up to people without "health insurance horror stories"

you have no way of mitigating risk. All that is left in the public option are the uninsurables and anyone else the Cartel decides to dump in there.

Fiscally it makes no sense.

[JVS]

28. I'm thinking this is more akin to the insurance pools for drivers that no company wants to touch

Basically it's a way of saying that the corporations don't have to face mandates the way that individuals have to.

[comrade snarky]

9. The Public Option under discussion has always been limited

From the very beginning, it's been for people without other options. The idea is to grow it like Social Security has grown.

If you don't know that, you haven't been paying attention.

[Donald Ian Rankin]

10. That's, what, about five million people? N.T.

[Shagbark Hickory]

11. The CBO estimated the 2%. Who knows how they arrived at that number.

I admit, I'm sure it will be like the making home affordable plan where a very tiny percentage of people that need help actually was able to get help but we don't know what that 2% is.

Some people say that the public option premiums will be higher tha private plans. A lot of people wouldn't sign up for it if it was more expensive.

[FrenchieCat]

13. It's starts small, but it starts.....

to campaign actively against this PO, or to throw your hands up in the air,
means it doesn't start at all.

It's call opening up the door and getting your foot in.

And starting small is usually better, because when it starts growing all of the kinks will be out of it.

[Ruby the Liberal]

16. But if the only people eligible are otherwise uninsurable

how can that be financially sustainable? They need to open it to the otherwise low-use 'healthy' people in order to spread the risk across a larger pool.

[FrenchieCat]

18. It will not be just the uninsurables.......

I will be eligible, cause I'm self employed in a company of exactly 2 (my hubby and me). We currently pay $15,000+ per year in coverage, something we actually can't afford, but are forced to by giving up other things. We will be eligible for this PO, and we are in sound health.

Know that the most conservative estimates that you can kind of believe will get comes from the CBO as they play it safe.

[Ruby the Liberal]

19. Good point. Happy to hear that your rates will likely

go WAY down being pooled with millions of others as opposed to the pool of 2. :D

[nadinbrzezinski]

37. Social Security in 1936 stunk to high heaven

so did Medicare in 1965

For that matter S-CHIP in 1995

This is a stinker, but quite honestly more than I expected.... and it will grow... the battle just begins.

[joeycola]

20. "IT" is more money to health insurance and Big Pharm"

[cry baby]

22. +1...it will save lives and hopefully grow into something bigger.

I bet those 5 million people will be happy to get it and it may make their lives better. In my opinion, it's a beginning - and it will grow like Medicare did.

[eridani]

32. Right. Just like Social Security started with a requirement that everyone have a stock market

--retirement account. There was a small public option for a government guaranteed pension available to 10% of the population, which then grew into the program we know today covering everyone.

[emulatorloo]

14. "insurers fear that Congress could change the rules later, opening it up to all people"

From the same article.


---
It is my understanding that both Social Security and Medicare were "broadened" out over the years after initial passage.

---

P.S. You should know by now that AP and POLITICO usually spin things as negatively as possible.


Both Weiner and Howard Dean have said it is a good bill, represents real reform, and is worth voting for - even if it isn't perfect. I trust those guys.

[KharmaTrain]

23. But It's Not The Magic Pony

For some anything short of a socialized system where only the rich pay is "reform"...anything less is a sell-out despite millions being able to get healthcare coverage they currently don't have as well as wiping away the insurance companies anti-trust exemption and forcing them to honor their contracts regarding pre-existing conditions.

According to some, Dr. Dean, Paul Krugman, Cong. Weiner and Grayson are all corporate tools.

[rhett o rick]

25. Ahhh, an "according to some" post. What is your purpose with a post like this?

Are you trying to unify the party? or drive a wedge? Who is your "some" that call "Dr. Dean, Paul Krugman, Cong. Weiner and Grayson are all corporate tools."?

It seems to me that if the PO will only cover 6 million, that will only dent the number of people without any coverage. I thought one of the goals of health insurance reform was to get coverage of some kind for the approx 24 million uninsured.

So you are saying you are satisfied with the HOR bill? Do you think the Senate will agree or weaken it?

[KharmaTrain]

27. Sorry...I Don't Play That Game...

You can browse for yourself and draw your own conclusions. What I say or think doesn't matter...it's the 535 votes that do. I can express my approval or disapointment with the ballot box and the check book next year.

[rhett o rick]

29. If you mention pony you are playing "that game".

I have browsed and I know that a majority of the public wants a strong public option, one that covers ALL the 24 million uninsured. the HOR came up short and IMHO their bill will be further weakened by the upper class Senators that are on the payroll of big insurance.

If you are happy with the bill, fine. But why do you see a need to give the rest of us a bunch of "pony" crap? People are dying and you equate trying to save them with wishing for a pony. I bet you love Joe Lieberman.

[KharmaTrain]

31. Nice Try...

My last post on this place until the trantrums here die down. Yep...I sure loved liebermann so much I donated $500 to Ned Lamont. But presume away...if it feels good, do it. I'll give the pony a rest when others get off their high horses...

Peace...

[rhett o rick]

33. I suggest you re-read your signature. Peace back. nt

[optimator]

26. lets make our own nonprofit insurance org

since our party refuses to represent us

[inna]

30. "Public" "option" is a ruse, designed to be a distraction ("shiny object") for the public.

The budget office estimated that about 6 million people would sign up for the public option in 2019, when the House bill is fully phased in. That represents about 2 percent of a total of 282 million Americans under age 65. (Older people are covered through Medicare.)
...
The budget office said "a less healthy pool of enrollees" would probably be attracted to the public option, drawn by the prospect of looser rules on access to specialists and medical services.

As a result, premiums in the public plan would be higher than the average for private plans.

[bvar22]

34. 900 BILLION Dollars for a 2% Public Option.

What a DEAL !

[Skittles]

35. the bones are getting much smaller now

[PHIMG]

36. We've been had folks.

Democratic Party is addicted to campaign cash from the Insurance and Drug Companies and we are surprised at the result?

100% of the blame of this bill is going to go to Democrats and it's going to kill the DEMOCRATIC party.

MEDICARE FOR ALL NOW.

[kath]

38. Change I don't believe in.

SHEEEEE-ITTT!