Could the opt out clause end up defeating republicans at the state level?

[Hamlette]

I know people don't always vote what's best for them financially but if the state next door has a pubic option and you can't get coverage because your legislators are pricks, might you just decide providing doctors for your kids is more important that stopping gay marriage?

My state legislature nixed the unemployment stimulus dollars in January and it made headlines. Since then they have passed all but one provision (or will soon) to get most of the money. Quietly.

I think the same thing would happen here with PO.

[dkf]

1. Finally someone sees the brilliance in this option.

Its a Republican killer. Really.

[Demoiselle]

2. In a word, YES! (nt)

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

3. Yes, it would demolish them wherever they tried to opt-out

[Celebration]

4. Absolutely.

I think it is a great idea, myself.

[jwirr]

5. I can almost guarantee that Pawlenty would go if he dared try it. nt

[Proud Liberal Dem]

8. Yeah, but will he be there long enough to opt-out?

and, anyway, will the proposal (as it is currently being discussed) enable governors to unilaterally opt-out or will it require a vote by the legislature?

[jwirr]

10. Hopefully the Congress will be smart enough that if they are going

to give states some rights that they give them to the whole legislative body and not just the governor.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

12. My thoughts exactly

The legislature would be more representative/responsive to public pressure IMHO. I don't really think that any state could easily "opt out" in any event if/when a lot of people start signing up for the PO. In order for a state to "opt-out" it would probably have to be the "reddest" of red states and not a lot of people signing up for the PO to be able for it to actually be considered. I can't even think of many states where those circumstances might actually end up existing? Idaho, maybe? Utah? :shrug:

[angee_is_mad]

15. and he said he would

thank God. Bye, Bye, pawlenty.

[Aramchek]

6. it's better than that. All States will start out in the Public Option

and will have to remain in it for a period of time before they can opt out.

By then, to opt out would mean stripping the insurance of thousands of voters.

Repukes aren't even dumb enough to do that.

[eleny]

7. Ideal!

[phleshdef]

9. States will start out having the PO and anyone that dares threaten to take it away is toast.

[Clio the Leo]

11. And there ya go! NT

[FrenchieCat]

13. Which is why the Repugs in the Congress are going to HATE the OP-Out even more than

the original one. :rofl:

[angee_is_mad]

14. Strong possibility

I would think that the states that would opt out would be southern. The southern states tend to be the most economically challenged.

When the residents realize that they can move a couple of states over and receive health care what is to stop them? It's not like there is a job keeping them home.