Paul Krugman: Opt-out public option

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

Opt-out public option

So the new idea seems to be a public option offered at a national level, but with states having the right to opt out — that is, make it not available to their own residents.

At first blush, that sounds good. It’s true that the states most likely to opt out will probably be small states that really need the competition. But many states, with probably a majority of the population, would opt in. And if the public option works well, there will soon be pressure on politicians in the others to do the same.

I guess there’s a possible issue of principle: if states can opt out of one component of reform, why not all? But I haven’t noticed principles playing much role in this process! And the idea of putting red-state governors on the spot, having to decide whether to deny their voters cheaper policies, definitely has some appeal.


http://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/08/opt-out-public-option/

[SemiCharmedQuark]

1. Thanks for posting this. I look forward to what Krugman has to say.

[BlooInBloo]

2. All that, and it's just a reverse-psychology ploy anyways.

[spaten]

3. "pressure on politicians"

is too risky of a gamble because the poorest people have to suffer.
And what is this pressure? the pressure exists right now for a public opition for all.

[bigwillq]

4. Hello.

Welcome to DU! :hi:

[FatDave]

20. I understand that concern.

But the poorest people are already suffering. Helping some of them is better than helping none of them, especially when every state will almost certainly be on board by their next gubernatorial election.

On edit: And welcome to DU.

[BootinUp]

5. I like it when Democrats get creative

like this. We have to be smart to keep the upper hand.

[vaberella]

9. I like your phrasing. Creative it is...I need to learn more about Carper. n/t

[mother earth]

6. Will the public option be available to everyone, or will it

be only for low income? This is the thing, if you have to be below a certain income, how then will this be any kind of real competition for insurance co.'s? If there's a public option that is more affordable and is open to all, then that's something, obviously the insurance co.'s would need to remain competitive and up their services, lower their prices.

I still think "public option" is a bit confusing, single payer is ideal because it would be similar to medicare, public option if it is income sensitive would be similar to medicaid. Are we really just renaming medicaid? If so, this stinks and does not accomplish what it should.

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

8. That's the real problem

Even the strongest PO in the House has a moat around it to keep people out. Not available for most.

But that's a separate issue that is likely to pertain in all scenarios.

[FatDave]

22. I'm hoping that the opt-out angle will allow the public option to be strengthened.

Opt-out seems to have sold most of the critics on the dem side, so perhaps with it in place we can make the public option better.

[vaberella]

7. Good post. When it comes to these sort of opinion based issues--I agree with Krugman. n/t

[gkhouston]

10. How many of the people who think this "opt-out" will work are Dems living in red states? n/t

[WyLoochka]

11. I think this has the highest

potential of working to accomplish a truly robust federal plan and I live in a deep red state - Wyoming.

I support this move. For far too long, small state right wingers have been getting away with talking trash about the big bad guvmint and thereby holding the rest of the country to their same low standards. Let them live a few real effects of their anti-guvmint spew.

So Wyoming opts out - I wouldn't be concerned. Better to have them opt out than succeed in totally blocking a robust plan for the vast majority in other states. They won't stay out once they see it working for the civilized states. They'll be throwing Enzi and Barasso and Lummis out.

[BootinUp]

15. Yeah

I agree, but Georgia is worse than Wyoming. ;)

[Kermitt Gribble]

17. So let people without insurance in red states suffer even longer -

great idea. Oh well, if it helps the Dems win more elections, I guess it's worth it. ::refusetousethesarcasmsmiley::

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

18. Progress for some or progress for none?

If the some left out are the very people that would deny progress for all, I'm perfectly okay with that, and it has nothing whatsoever to do with winning elections.

If the red staters that are left without insurance don't like it, they can elect better politicians or move. We all shouldn't have to pay for back-asswards thinking. My apologies if I'm all out of sympathy - there are too many people suffering for us to be left with nothing at all.

[Kermitt Gribble]

21. Every person in a 'red state' is not a republican

or against health care reform. "If the red staters that are left without insurance don't like it, they can elect better politicians or move." - what a brilliant idea! Let's tell the hundreds of thousands of homeless in the south all they have to do is relocate to get insurance. Or, what about the people who can barely afford to feed themselves or keep a roof over their families' heads? Are you going to be sending them money to relocate? How many will die waiting to "elect better politicians"??

[ipaint]

12. Where ever they reside they seem to have forgotten

it's democratic representatives from blue states blocking real health care reform, having been elected by democrats from blue states who now think democrats in red states should be left at the mercy of our national minority of rabid repubs.

Can't get more ironic than that. And it also highlights that the I got mine approach to human rights is alive and well on both sides of the aisle.

[stray cat]

14. Republicans are not on board - and they were the ones elected by the red states

if the red states want progressive health care they will have to vote for progressives.

[ipaint]

16. Like Baucus, the sole reason there is no public option. Right. n/t

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

19. Baucus is from a red state.

Nice try though, dipshit.

[Clio the Leo]

13. me me me!

Trust me ....... just like with the stimulus money, as soon as Bubba finds out that he's the only one not getting the goods, the tide will turn.