Public insurance plan not essential: Sebelius (HHS)

[progressoid]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The government-run health insurance option favored by President Barack Obama is not essential to a healthcare overhaul as long as the final measure boosts competition, a top U.S. health official said on Sunday.

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said a public insurance option was "not the essential element" of any overhaul, and non-profit cooperatives being considered by a Senate panel could also fulfill the White House goal of creating more competition on insurance.

"I think what's important is choice and competition, and I'm convinced that at the end of the day the plan will have both of those -- but that is not the essential element," she said of the government-run insurance option on CNN's "State of the Union" show.

...


White House spokesman Robert Gibbs avoided a direct response when asked if the exclusion of a government-run option would be a deal-breaker for Obama.

...

"The bottom line again is do individuals looking for health insurance in the private market have choice and competition?" Gibbs said. "If we have that the president will be satisfied."

etc: http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSTRE57D23Q20090816


Sorry Secy Sebelius this isn't just about "competition".

[gateley]

1. I'm so happy the President will be satisfied -- but what about US being satisfied? nt

[Why Syzygy]

2. Glad you posted k/r..

I read this and was going to post it.

COMPETITION??? COMPETITION?? Who gives a flying fig about COMPETITION???
This is about HEALTH of Humans!

Simply disgusting.

Wall Street had COMPETITION didn't it? How did they do with that!???

This is infuriating. They are writing a bill for the insurance industry.
Someone there wants more COMPETITION!

[Clear Blue Sky]

3. What else will be "non-essential"??

[WillParkinson]

6. The people who can't afford insurance, apparently...

But what's a few hundred thousand less people?

[Clear Blue Sky]

18. Maybe a dumb question, but

why can't Medicare be available for the uninsured? Pay premium for coverage, tied to income level. Most on Medicare seem happy with it.

[WillParkinson]

4. If a person cannot afford insurance now....

What good will "competition" do? If you don't have money all the competition in the world is useless to you.

Of course, as those who cannot afford the insurance die off I'm sure there are many Republicans (and apparently some Democrats) who won't mind too much because, hey, they got theirs.

[derby378]

5. Sebelius debunked - in one easy lesson

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x6319258

[Why Syzygy]

8. -1

[WeDidIt]

14. +1

[sharesunited]

7. Premium regulation is an alternative. How does that sound to the insurance lobbyists?

[rocktivity]

9. Did Sebelius SPECIFICALLY SAY "A public insurance option in not an essential element

of any overhaul" Or is this the reporter's interpretation? As for "choices and competition," why can't a public option be one of the choices?

:headbang:
rocktivity

[enlightenment]

11. The program will be on again at 1pm ET and 8pm ET -

you could watch it yourself and listen to exactly what she said - link to the program's webpage below.

http://www.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/state.of.the.union/

[rocktivity]

13. And the reporter could quote her exactly and completely

"I think what's important is choice and competition, and I'm convinced that at the end of the day the plan will have both of those -- but that is not the essential element," she said of the government-run insurance option on CNN's "State of the Union" show.

It's just isn't clear what's she's referring to: What is "that" essential element--the choice and competition? How do we know that she means that the public option be one of the choices?

:shrug:
rocktivity

[enlightenment]

17. Actually, I was referring to the program SHE was on this morning.

You could listen to what she said and decide for yourself what she was referring to in the context of the discussion.

I understand that you're uncomfortable with the quotation, so it would probably be best to listen to her words coming from her lips.

[Why Syzygy]

10. Vote this up, people!

Outrage needs to be visible.

[progressoid]

19. It's going down fast!

[Why Syzygy]

20. I don't get it.

x(

[Seen the light]

12. So they're backing off the public option?

Is this a precursor to dropping it too? If so, fuck this pathetic and weak administration. Say goodbye to my vote in 2012.

[WeDidIt]

15. The instant you signla a willingness to let an option drop during negotiations

is the instant that option is officially dropped.

It's dead, Jim.

[Bluerthanblue]

16. I'll believe it when I hear Prez.O say so, until then it is gossip and

destructive speculation.

:hi: