Schumer:Public option is close to gaining votes

[cal04]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091025/ap_on_go_co/us_health_care_overhaul

A proposal for government-backed health insurance is close to gaining the 60 votes needed to pass the Senate and probably will be in overhaul legislation, a Senate Democratic leader said Sunday.

A proposal for the public option that is gaining wide support would allow states to choose not to participate in a government-run insurance program, said New York Sen. Chuck Schumer, the third-ranking Democrat. The "opt out" proposal is drawing support from many liberal and moderate senators and less opposition from lawmakers wary of government insurance, he said.

Although Democrats control the 60 votes needed to advance legislation under Senate rules, not all Democrats support creating a government-run health insurance program. Negotiations in recent days have focused on crafting a public option that would satisfy liberal and moderate Democrats and not drive away others.

Sen. Ben Nelson, a Nebraska Democrat who objects to a national government-run insurance program, said he would be interested in a proposal that allows states to participate only if they ask to join; he called this approach an "opt in" program. Nelson's vote would be critical in reaching the 60-vote threshold.

(snip)
Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, said the public option is needed now to provide competition in regions where one or two insurance companies dominate the market.

"I'm fine with the state opt out," Brown said. "If Nebraska or Utah doesn't want to do the public option, their governor and legislature can pass a law saying, 'We're not going to give our citizens that right to have a public option.'"

[rucky]

1. If states opt-out, could we make the PO more available in Opt-in states?

In other words, how does opt-out affect the scope/cost of the program?

[DefenseLawyer]

2. The "public option" that most of the "public" won't be able to get...

You spend months telling us we will get nothing, so then when we get something crappy we will be grateful. Politics is awesome.

[KittyWampus]

who has been saying for months we will get nothing? Answer, the Mediawhores. You are the one foolish

enough to listen to them.

[KittyWampus]

7. dupe

[ananda]

3. Close..

.. only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.

I heard Al Gore say that once. Ah the irony!

[Bluenorthwest]

4. these people are the worst

A week ago, we had to mandate every American into the plan or it would fail. Now we can do without entire States? Seems to me if individuals 'opting out' would make it too expensive, States opting out would make it more costly for the rest of us, and according to the 'must mandate' logic, make the plans too expensive to work. Mandates AND Opt Outs. Just stunning.

[Kansas Wyatt]

5. Until Americans receive what they voted for...

The Democrats shouldn't expect to be a winner in 2010 & 2012.

[lonestarnot]

6. So state's will have to foot the bill on the riots too?

[Fridays Child]

8. I wonder if businesses looking to set up or relocate would find PO states more favorable.

[mvd]

9. K&R; I find the opt-out acceptable, if not ideal

The trigger is a definite no sale for me, though.

[Oregone]

10. ....as it becomes arbitrarily close to irrelevant

[cal04]

11. Schmer on Meet the Press (video)

Speaking on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Schumer said that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid – whom he called a “wizard” at counting votes - was rallying support around a bill that would allow states to opt-out of a government-run public-insurance option.

Schumer’s comments came as the health care debate enters its final stretch. Democratic leaders are now in intensified talks about what form of a government insurance option will reach the Senate and House floors. Aside from the opt-out track, Democratic leaders are also pondering whether to include a “trigger” mechanism for a public option.

Video
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1009/28698.html

[MarjorieG]

12. Heard somewhere suggests a trigger fpr Medicare + 5 for non-performance, also a winning incentive.