The problem with a trigger, as I see it.

[drm604]

Think about it. Why are they willing to compromise on a trigger?

The whole point of a public option is to introduce new market pressures on the insurance companies so that they have to become more attractive to consumers - meaning lower premiums, better coverage, less hassles, less denials, lower co-pays and deductibles, etc. Obviously they don't want that.

But they seem to be willing to compromise on a delayed public option coupled with a trigger. The whole point of a trigger is that they will have something hanging over their heads that will go into effect if they don't get their act together. So, in theory, it's just as big a threat to them as the public option without a trigger is. So why are they apparently willing to compromise on a delayed PO with a trigger?

I submit that the only reason they would be willing to make such a compromise is that they believe that they will be able to weaken or even eliminate the triggered PO before it has a chance to become a threat to them.

It's a delaying action, plain and simple.

[Vinca]

1. You're exactly right. And what happens if, when the trigger is ready

to be used, the Republicans have the majority in Congress? How fast do you think it will be repealed?

[drm604]

4. That's right.

They will pour all of their resources into getting control of Congress. And that doesn't necessarily mean a Republican majority. It just means enough people, of either party, who are willing to do their bidding.

And of course, they will continue to whip up fear in the population to make it easier for Congress to do what they want done.

[el_bryanto]

2. It is a delaying action for sure; it's baffling to me that we are this weak

But theres where we are. I mean it is better than nothing; but it is nowhere near as good as it should be.

Bryant

[gateley]

3. It's not what we were promised, it's not what we want, plain and simple. nt

[Anti-Republician]

5. So sad...

It's so sad that we have to compromise Healthcare reform for these Republicians....When there are many of people with pre-existing conditions and people with no healthcare, suffering. Pres. Obama need to stand firm on what he said he would do for Healthcare reform...he shouldn't let these republicians have him like a puppet.

[Anti-Republician]

6. So sad...

It's so sad that we have to compromise Healthcare reform for these Republicians....When there are many of people with pre-existing conditions and people with no healthcare, suffering. Pres. Obama need to stand firm on what he said he would do for Healthcare reform...he shouldn't let these republicians have him like a puppet.

[WeDidIt]

7. For the first time in Republican history

Republicans will be DEMANDING a "trigger lock".

[RDANGELO]

8. Here are some thoughts.

There are many people who have been led to believed that health care can be expanded to all and the costs substantially lowered through free market competition. These people are also concerned about the costs of pending legislation. Many of these people are independents who voted for Obama. If you have the trigger, than the initial costs will be lower because the public option won't be started. Since we are right about the competition aspect, it will be proven to the free market people that the public option is needed, and you won't have the backlash for excessive spending.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

9. It's a sugar coated placebo to make us think they're actually doing something beneficial.

[Warpy]

10. Consider Medicare Part D had a "trigger."

A "trigger" is useless unless somebody pulls it.

They know damned full well the cowards in Congress never will.

[FiveGoodMen]

13. Completely agree.

I'm positive that's the plan.

[ellenfl]

11. it needs to be a hair trigger. eom

[jgraz]

12. It's not a delaying action. It's a con job pure and simple

It lets Rahm pretend that they passed reform without actually passing it. I guarantee whatever trigger they pass will never get ... um ... triggered.

[OHdem10]

14. There is a trigger in the present Medicare Drug Law and it has

never been pulled.

The trigger is nothing. If no one has the nerve to pass
the bill now, who will pull the trigger when there are
even more Republicans in the Congress.

IM0, it is just a pacifier.

Rest assured we are getting a Republican Lite Bill.
You can mandate until you are purple. If a business cannot afford
to provide Insurance, they will not provide it. If an American
Citizen cannot afford to buy Insurance they will not buy it.

What ever happened to bringing the Costs down????
We are ending up just like the GOP.

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

15. It will be a trigger with a sunset clause, meaning if it isn't activated

by such and such a date, it dies period. That is my prediction.

A "trigger"?! Don't make me laugh. "This time we really mean it Mr Health Insurance Industry! If you don't act right, we're gonna . . . we're gonna . . . we're gonna . . . oh, yeah, MAKE you act right in about 5 more years or so. So there!"

[LiberalAndProud]

16. The problem with the trigger ...

http://drugtopics.modernmedicine.com/drugtopics/Managed+Care+&+Medicare+Part+D/Part-D-price-controls-trigger-new-arguments-in-hea/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/549118

We will argue day and night over whether the conditions of the trigger have been met. When we find that they have, we will be told to ignore the fact that conditions have been met, because ... look over there, we're SAVING money over there.

And the insurance companies will snicker into their hands right before they point and laugh and laugh and laugh.