Olympia Snowe Amendment Proposing a Public Health Option as a ‘Safety Net’

[steven johnson]

An eminently reasonable proposal that will drive the GOP crazy.

Published: September 19, 2009
WASHINGTON — Senator Olympia J. Snowe, a pivotal Republican, described on Saturday the changes she wanted to see in a comprehensive health care bill to make insurance more affordable, and she proposed a government insurance company as a possible backup to the private market if coverage remains too costly.

Ms. Snowe’s proposal was among 564 amendments filed in the last couple of days by members of the Senate Finance Committee, which plans to take up the legislation this week as the struggle over health care enters a critical new phase.

Ms. Snowe, of Maine, conceived the idea of a “trigger mechanism” for the public plan, and the White House was receptive....Her proposal, ... “establishes a nonprofit government corporation through which a ‘safety net’ plan would be provided in any state in which affordable coverage was not available” to at least 95 percent of state residents. Insurance is deemed unaffordable if the cost — after government subsidies and employer contributions — is more than a certain share of a person’s income... $29,327 for a family of four) could afford to spend 3 percent of their income on health insurance premiums, while people at 300 percent of the poverty level ($66,150 for a family of four) could spend 13 percent of their income.




Proposing a Public Health Option as a ‘Safety Net’

[aquart]

1. I'm coming to hate this woman.

[kstewart33]

4. Hate her? Don't be so sure.

Snowe is the most moderate Repub in the Senate, much more so than Collins.

She is a Republican for geez sake. So what do you expect her to do?

The Senate Repub caucus is trying to hang her by her thumbs. And she's still willing to sign on with the Dems.

If she does sign on, the centrist Dems will likely follow.

So as I see it, she's the best hope we've got right now for something meaningful to get through.

Get real. We can't call the shots. We don't have 60 votes. I'd rather deal with Snowe than the blue dogs. She's willing to pay a terribly high price to deal.

What are the blue dogs willing to do?

[aquart]

5. A Republican is our best hope?

Jesus H. Christ, have we learned NOTHING?

[steven johnson]

6. Republicans consider her a RINO (Republican In Name Only) nt

[aquart]

9. So you now want me to rely again upon the opinion of Republicans???

Do you have NO opinions until a Republican comes along to validate them?

[eShirl]

11. Did you hate her when she voted for SCHIP?

Of all the Republicans in congress, I can think of many who are worse.

[Peregrine Took]

2. It makes me sick to my stomach that the Dems are compromising the

Public Option to suit this old....

[msongs]

3. this woman gets taxpayer welfare health care so screw everyone else lol nt

[jannyk]

7. It's not just the fucking monthly premiums - it's the deductibles &

co-pays!!!!

Our 'family of two' income is now around $50k. Our 'Premiums' are $500 per month, 12% of our income. For that premium, we have a $5,000 deductible EACH, every year, and a 20% Co-Pay and it does not cover any meds.

If, god forbid, both of us ever need medical care, we have to front $16,000 (premium + deductible) that's 32% of our income - plus meds - plus 20% Co-Pay, per year, BEFORE the Insurance company lays out a penny.

Under the 'proposal', we have affordable Health Insurance - we just don't have access to affordable Health Care!!!!

[shraby]

8. At what time would insurance be unaffordable for 95 per cent

of the population in a state???? Never happen. There will always be more than 5 per cent who can afford it. So her trigger would never get pulled. Olympia, go back to Maine and get out of the Senate. You aren't qualified.

[eShirl]

10. no: affordable to a minimum of 95%... unaffordable to 5% or more

They didn't word it as clearly as they could have.