Reply #9: Because it won't keep costs down [View All]

[Oregone]

Thats all well-wishing. You aren't going to significantly take a stab at prices unless an option can be devised to cut out that 30% private market overhead. If the public option is designed not to do that (due to negotiation rates and pool sizes), then you are gaining nothing. Whatever you gain by insuring everyone (maybe 8%), you will lose on the other hand by guaranteeing demand at certain price points (look at Massachusetts, the most expensive state for family premiums in the nation at 12% higher than average).

The public option was supposed to "compete against private insurers" and "keep them honest". Now it merely exists, but it will not do what it was sold as. There is no significant cost-control in this insurance reform bill.