Posted on 09/06/2009 12:16:18 PM PDT by Still Thinking
WASHINGTON – The Obama administration's bottom line on a government health insurance option blurred Sunday as White House officials stressed support but stopped of short of calling it a must-have part of an overhaul.
As President Barack Obama prepares for a Wednesday night speech to Congress in a risky bid to salvage his top domestic priority, no other issue is so highly charged. Obama's liberal supporters consider the proposal for a public plan to compete with private insurers do-or-die. Republicans say it's unacceptable.
The idea of a public plan has become a symbol for the reach of government in a revamped health care system. Supporters say it would give workers and their families similarly secure benefits as older people now get through Medicare, while leaving medical decisions up to doctors and patients. The plan would be offered alongside private coverage through a new kind of purchasing pool called an insurance exchange. At least initially, the exchange would be open to small employers and people buying coverage on their own.
While there's strong support for a public plan among House Democrats, the votes appear to be lacking in the Senate.
The uncertainty over the administration's position isn't new. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said last month that a government alternative to private insurance is "not the essential element" in revamping the system…
Liberals — many of whom want to do away with the private health insurance industry and replace it with Medicare for all — were furious. At the time, White House officials said Sebelius' remarks were being misinterpreted. Left unclear was Obama's bottom line.
Independents who helped propel Obama to the presidency are increasingly skeptical about his direction on health care. Voters appear most concerned about the scope and costs of the bill — around $1 trillion over 10 years.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
The article is significantly excerpted. Please read the whole article at Yahoo.
“Liberals — many of whom want to do away with the private health insurance industry and replace it with Medicare for all — were furious.”
What are these morons going to do when all of this is implemented and in the future they have to live with it when Republicans are back in charge? The wailing and gnashing of teeth and the rending of cloth will be deafening...as we all go bankrupt and there are no services for anyone.
“Get your LAWS off my BODY!”
Yeesh!
LOL!
I know. If they had the brains God gave a chicken, they’d want an individual small-r republican solution to the issue. That way, it matters not who’s in office, you’re always in control of your own health care.
The U.S. government was not established to “compete” with the private sector. PERIOD! Somebody needs to be impeached.
I defy anyone to pin these lying, thieving democrats down on ANYTHING!
That’s insulting to chickens! Mine are way smarter than any LibTard I’ve ever met, LOL!
Our bought-off Republicans are not making any kind of decent argument on how to save money on health care. Yes we need tort reform and national insurance. But doctors should have to compete as well, by posting their rates. It is beyond ridiculous that even on elective cosmetic surgery, one has to pay for estimates! Anybody thinking a person can make wise decisions on how to spend their health care savings is dreaming. Do doctors offer coupons or have sales?
As well, why am I told to “call 911” in an emergency? Records of patients could be pooled into a 24/7 service that could prescribe drugs. More drugs need to go OTC as well.
Right, that’s what I said. Liberals aren’t as smart as chickens. ;-)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.