Two HCR questions....

[archiemo]

1. If HCR is passed by the end of the year, why will it take so long to enact? I've heard 2013, etc?

2. If a person is eligible, and signs up for the public option, and then their state votes to opt-out does that mean that person loses their public health insurance?

I'm more confident than ever that HRC with a public option but am just curious about these points. Any insight would be greatly appreciated!

[Clio the Leo]

1. I'll take a stab at it.....

... I cant really answer #1 other than to say that there are provisions being discussed that would allow those most in need of health insurance to be given a temporary government subsidy until the full program kicked in. The President talked about this in his speech to Congress and other Congressmen have mentioned it as well on the various news programs.

As for #2 .... I'm not convinced that the program will really be "opt out" .... I think Reid chose his words carefully "will have until year x to opt out" which to ME means they could opt out immediately so the situation you're describing wouldn't happen. I think Reid may have been dressing up what is really a "opt in" method. The reason I say this is, Monday night, Olbermann asked Chuck Schumer to explain this specifically and Schumer said he'd given his word to Leader Reid that he would NOT address that issue until the CBO score was out. He completely avoided the question.

That's as much as I know anyway. :)

[archiemo]

2. Thanks for the help...I thought I heard on Bill Press this morning

that all states would automatically be in the plan and would be able to opt-out one year from the implementation. Each state legislature would have to vote to opt-out. That's why I was wondering about those who had signed up in an eventual opt-out state.

[Clio the Leo]

3. And see that's where the confusion is....

.... can they opt out UNTIL 2014? Or can they NOT opt out until 2014?

Here's the video of Keith asking Schumer about it...
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036677/#33486356

And here's one of our many threads where we debated the matter...
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=8716580

Guess we have to wait until the CBO score is out ..... which cant happen soon enough.