HELP Committee Leak Details Likely Outline Of Public Option

[SpartanDem]

A source has leaked details to Politico of what reporters there describe as a "draft of HELP's likely public option proposal." Here are the key details:

The option would be one of the Gateway choices. It would follow the same rules as private plans for defining benefits, protecting consumers, and setting premiums that are fair and based on local costs....

The payment rates paid by the option would be no more than the local average private rates - but could be less. The Secretary would negotiate these rates.

Initial reports of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions process suggested that the committee's draft would call for a public option that paid providers Medicare rates plus about 10 percent--a robust plan which would have left a wide middle ground on the issue between that committee and the Senate Finance Committee. This leak doesn't rule that configuration out explicitly--but if it's accurate, then the committee's kicking the issue back over to the executive branch, and insisting only that the public plan operate on at least a level playing field with private insurers.

It's unclear whether this language will please freshman Sen. Kay Hagan (D-NC)--the HELP Democrat whose reservations about the public option have forced the committee to modify their plan and delay it's roll out.

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/06/help-committee-leak-details-likely-outline-of-public-option-andy-stern-pleased.php?ref=fpb

[avaistheone1]

1. If rates stay the same this reform is worthless.

[MarjorieG]

2. I hope this is just getting out of cmte. politicking, to be reconciled later.

[blm]

3. hopefully... but...we sure show faith in some of these Dems who just don't deserve it.

.

[SpartanDem]

4. Franken being put on this committee could be game changer

With Kennedy out they've been short a solid liberal vote this could negate Hagan

[karynnj]

5. That committee really does have many of the liberal Senators

Edward Kennedy (MA)
Christopher Dodd (CT)
Tom Harkin (IA)
Barbara A. Mikulski (MD)
Jeff Bingaman (NM)
Patty Murray (WA)
Jack Reed (RI)
Bernard Sanders (I) (VT)
Sherrod Brown (OH)
Robert P. Casey, Jr. (PA)
Kay Hagan (NC)
Jeff Merkley (OR)

It is always nice to have another one. We don't yet know how liberal Franken is going to be - he will be a good liberal if he ends up ranked in the middle of this group in terms of his votes. That is not a comment on Franken, but a comment that self selection has made this possibly the most liberal committee in the Senate.

[SpartanDem]

7. Franken has said basically he'd like to continue the legacy of Wellstone

I'm thinking he's going to be a very solid liberal vote

[Thrill]

6. It amazes me how the Senate allows one person to have so much power

especially a freshman.