American Morning
Sen. Collins hopes to reach a 'yes' on health care reform
The Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday rejected two amendments to include a government-run public health insurance option in the only compromise health care bill so far. It's one of the many road blocks the plan has faced and the White House is trying to get some Republicans on board.
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/09/30/collins.susan.art.jpg caption="Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) says so far she hasn't seen a health care bill that accomplishes what she thinks needs to be done."]
Senator Susan Collins of Maine is one of those Republicans whose support is being sought by the White House. She spoke to John Roberts on CNN’s “American Morning” Wednesday. Below is an edited transcript of the interview.
John Roberts: We were talking off camera. You said you don't recall seeing times like these. There is so much going on.
Susan Collins: There is. I can't remember another time when there were more important issues on the table. You've got the two wars, a major decision coming up in Afghanistan, the health care debate, a faltering economy, the need for financial reform, environmental legislation, the cap-and-trade bill. It's just an enormous array of issues, all of which are extremely important.
Roberts: This morning let's take a narrow slice of all of that and talk about health care reform. Are you going to be able to vote for health care reform, do you think?
Collins: John, I want to vote for a health care bill but so far I haven't seen one that accomplishes what I think needs to be done. And that is to really focus on the cost of health care. It's the cost of health care that's the biggest barrier to the uninsured and causes such a struggle for middle income families and small businesses.
Roberts: So you say cost is the central concern that you have. Proponents of this public option have said that's one really good way to lower costs. You don't like the public option, you don't like this idea that your fellow senator, Olympia Snowe, is proposing about a trigger to a public option. So what do you do?
Collins: There is so much that we could do. For example, we could allow small businesses to band together to boost their purchasing power. We could pass medical liability reform. That would have a direct impact on cost. We could revamp the Medicare reimbursement system so that it focuses on quality rather than quantity. That would help reduce unnecessary tests. We could provide tax credits for small businesses so they could help insure their employees. There is a lot that unites us and I think that's what our focus should be.
Roberts: Now, if you were to adopt all of the measures that you have just outlined there, how much do you think it would reduce in America the number of people who are currently uninsured?
Collins: Well, 82% of the uninsured are in families where someone works. They either work themselves or they work for small businesses that can't afford to provide health insurance, or they are self employed. So that's where I would start. And from my conversations with many small business men and women, I'm convinced that if we gave them a generous tax credit they would provide health insurance for their employees. That would substantially reduce the number of uninsured Americans.
Roberts: I know that you are a very sought after vote there in the Senate, the White House is certainly pitching you hard. Give us some idea – a behind the scenes look at the sales pitches. How hard are they wooing you here?
Collins: Well, I appreciate that the White House has reached out to me. I've had great discussions with the director of office of management and budget, with Nancy-Anne DeParle the White House adviser, with Rahm Emanuel and I hope we can get to “yes.” I would like to see a bipartisan bill that makes a real difference in reforming health care to expand access and to lower costs, without greatly growing the role of the federal government. I don't think that that's what the people are looking for.
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Aside from all the points raised in this discussion, one thing that never ceases to crack me up is how many people are LIVID with Republicans for holding up health care reform!!!
Um, last time I checked, the Democrats control both houses and can do whatever they like. But they can't even find agreement in their own party. Imagine that?
But keep blaming those Republicans!!! 🙂
So I hear the senator say that cost control is his biggest issue, yet he opposes a public option. He gives an example in his interview about allowing small business to pool together to negotiate for smaller prices, but he's completely avoiding the fact that this money is still going straight to the private insurance companies.
This has been my biggest criticism of the GOP during this whole reform debate. They are dead set on keep the flow of premiums and other payments directly to the health insurance companies that (to date) still have no regulations applied as to cost control. If we don't have a public option where small business, individuals can pool through the Government to negotiate for an even better price, the health insurance companies can still charge whatever they want without any downside.
Unless the Insurance companies get some competition they will continue to raise premiums. They are in the buisness for huge profits and not to see that every American have affordable insurance. That is why reform is needed.
We need to join Michael Moore to challenge the blue dog democrats to support the public option or prepare to lose their seat. Michael can help us fight the sellouts in Congress. He's not beholden to the insurance companies or big pharma. I'll even vote for a republican in protest next time if the public option is not included in the healthcare bill.
Do people not understand simple economics? True free-market competition drives down prices and increases quality. Doesn't matter if you're talking about cars, computers, restaurants or insurance. Currently, healthcare insurance choices are limited by existing federal governement policy that restricts competition across state lines and encourages employer sponsored plans through tax breaks. Anyone with a basic understanding of economics knows that if there isn't a barrier to entry, more and more companies will move into a profitable industry, increasing competition and thereby drive down prices and raise quality. If dozens more companies were allowed entry, why would we need a single public option when we'd already have plenty of private options? A public option only gives the government bureaucracy an unfair advantage over the free-market – it's not part of the free-market. It would ultimately result in the government taking over the industry (more power to politicians and bureaucrats), more taxes (often hidden), and lower quality of care. What we're seeing today is straight out of Atlas Shrugged. Don't trust the power hungry liberal politicians, or the existing insurance companies! The former are power hungry socialists who dislike free-markets, and the later are afraid of increased competition.
George are you ok paying 60%-70% income taxes? I assure you this all comes at a steep cost to everyone not just insurance companies. If the democrats truly supported a public option, why did they vote down the amendment that would have changed congresses health insurance plans they are on personaly, to be the same as the public option people. Becuase they know the insurance would have been terrible coverage. Yet so if it is good for us, why is it not good for them. The same people who are pushing a public option, voted against including themselves in the public option.
Whats the issue? A non-profit public option, seems simple enough. Its an option! You can still waste your money on a private plan if you want. Public option will offer coverage for pre-existing conditions. And guess what! It won't be to long before private ins. offers coverage too.
My insurance company paid a claim to a Hospital for a arm sling for $100.00 without bating an eye, same sling sold at Medical Supply Store for $17.00. Anyone ever read their statements? This is just one example. This is want happens when there is no regulations.
What does the insurance company care, they just pass on the cost to the consumer in the form of higher premiums and deductibles.
I want a Public option, better yet a single payer system that would certianly bring down cost.
Conserve56
The latest poll says 65% of the American people want a Public Option. I know the truth hurts and you are in denial but they are the facts....
Republican supporters say the public option will drive the private companies out of business. All private companies want is to make a profit. If a public system exists that is non-profit, and therefore cheaper, the private companies will just have to compete. They will compete because they will take any profit they can get. If they are smart, they will find ways to be more efficient, cut CEO pay, offer real health maintenance, etc. and this will make them more competitive. The bottom line is they want money and they will find a way to get it even with a public option.
to Bud in NC, we are not a democracy, we're a republic and the last polls that I have seen say the majority doesn't want the public option. Furthermore we don't want the government controlling healthcare nor do we want the IRS to be the healthcare police.
Oh! what a surprise, another republican senator saying they want to see a bill , but they don't like whats in it. Unless a bill is put out that agrees with all the Republicans want in it , their going to holler. 'foul its not bipartisan.' The republicans weren't worried about bipartisanship when they were in power . And the democrats are falling for that argument. Are or they really! This may really be a fight between the people and the Insurance companies/democrats/republicans. Remember the Insurance companies own members of both parties. Trust me the bottom line is that the 'accepting pre-condition illnesses' are going to be the only thing the American people are going to get out of this bill.
I have had enough of this! Im one of the MANY MILLIONS of Americans who can not afford Health Care, and I will vote against ANY politiian that does not support the Public Option. EVEN if it is the President I voted in office, or any of the Democrats out there now waffling. We do not need the Rebpublicans on this vote. Just an excuse. However if you wait until next year, I have a feeling there will be less of both of them in the House and Senate. I will vote Independant just to get them out of office, and from what I am reading so will many of my fellow voters out there. America is fed up with the bs. Get it done! NOW!
Everyone keeps reiterating a public option is cheaper, only to those not paying taxes. If our taxes are paying for it then it is not, especially if you currently have insurance and are happy with it.
We should make the system set up, so you can only use them if you pay into them, and you can select not to pay into them. That is fine. So everyone that owants this public option can pay for it. I will keep my insurance as is.
And hell if we really want to be fair and equal, move a flat tax with no exemptions. That is the only fair and equal option. Mathematically when you standardize something you use a percentage. Everyone pays 10% flat across the board, no deductions no exemptions.
Oh that's right people don't really want fair and equal, they want someone else to foot the bill all the time. Keep playing this game and there will be no one to steal from anymore.
1) For those who keep bringing up tort reform to bring down cost, that is a red herring. Liability claims only make up 1% to 2% of total HC costs. The Republicans have wanted to go after malpractice attorneys for years.
2) Going across state lines would not help at all. Insurance companies would just do what the banks have done. They will find the state that has the least amount of insurance regulations and they all will settle there so they can screw more of their clients over than they do now. Why do think all the banks seem to have a Delaware address.
So the real problem is this, the BIG 2 elements of all Republicans reform plans do NOTHING, let me repeat do NOTHING to bring down the cost of HC for everyday folks. #1 helps them go after malparactice lawyers to satisify the Health Insurance Industry that the Repugs get millions of dollars of campaign contributions from and #2 helps the Health Insurance Industry again.
So you tell me where the Republican Parties loyality lies, sure as hell not the everyday American People. Ms. Collins I am afraid spouted off the repugs 2 biggest talking points, so i am afraid it will be a cold day in Hades before she votes yes becasue she is no better than the rest of them.
the republican party has declared a war against the american people ,no to the economy, no to health care,no to all the jobs in auto industry yes to a depression, we have elected a lot of anti-government people thats trying to destroy us from their positons in the government they were elected to serve. we all know who they are, they always say in unison, no, no,no, no to anything for the american people, and moderates there are none they all follow orders very well
All the commenters seem to agree that competition is the way to go. It doesn't ring that true to me.
Competition in the restauration market is what made McDonalds what it is today. One could argue, that fact itself is a major contributor to your health crisis today. In a purely competitive, free market, the people go for what's cheap, not what's good, even if the long term consequences are disastrous.
Competition in the mortgage market was thriving until it ended up sending the entire world's economy on its knees. I'm no expert on the matter, but many sources I've read mention that deregulation of those financial products are the cause of the economic crisis. Warren Buffet knew this, and who can argue with his investing expertise?
When speaking of supply and demand, it is assumed that the demand is in the demander's best interest. This can only occur in an educated population, where propaganda and cheap advertising is that much less effective. With the cost of education in America being what it is, it looks to me like you've been fooled into believing you have the power.
You put too much faith in competition. Try cooperation, I think you'd be surprised. You ridicule socialism, yet the idea of sharing the cost of the education of the middle and lower class seems like a pretty good idea to me, doesn't it?
Senator Snowe and Senator Collins are always approached for their vote when Democrats need to reach across the isle to get a bill passed. They are moderate Republicans because they are from Maine, if they were not extremely moderate they would not be re-elected. I am a Maine Democrat, and I think they are the model of what a Republican should be, they have a different idea than I do but they are not unreachable.
It amazes me that issues like reducing costs and fixing out of control government spending is somehow irresponsible to some people. What ever happened to common sense. You can bet our founding fathers would have had a different view.
Funny how everyone is discussing how the republicans aren't willing to compromise wtih a publich option when the Senate committees dominated by dems can't even agree to a bill..
I don't want a public option – but greater choice in insurance plans... Competition drives down prices folks.
It's the cost. It's who pays.
1. Stop forcing Hospitals to cover illegal immigrants
2. Cap Mal practice claims
3. Bring down the costs...I don't trust the Feds or insurance companies to bring down the costs as neither have.
4. Like the border issue–show me the solution and how you get there.
With healthcare, start chopping costs and then maybe I will believe you enough to hear your proposals
Mandates should not be required if it truly is a better deal at a better cost...so far it is neither.
It is about time that the republicans begin to add some productive dialogue to the conversation. If they would have focused on getting serious concerns out in the beginning and not spreading misinformation and distractions congress may have been well on its way to constructing some meaningful legislation. She brings up some valid points that should be considered. The DEMS have valid concerns that also should be considered. THE MEMBERS OF CONGRESS SHOULD REALLY ACT LIKE "WE THE PEOPLE" Stop trying to one-up the guys in the other party and do what is best for the people. If we continue to bicker, fight and put partisan views before reason and compromise then WE WILL NEVER ACCOMPLISH ANYTHING OF ANY TRUE MEANING.
Tax credits? So, say for example that I'm a small business (which I am) and in this economy making any income has been tough. I get taxed when I make money, I don't when I'm not – so how will this solve my problem with paying for healthcare?
If I lose money 3 years in a row, do I accumulate a backlog of tax credits? What if I go bankrupt or don't make an income? What happens then? How will tax credits help me?
Just got my quote on Company health care :
$1571/month family.
$970/month individual.
Just got my EXXON charge statement. 74.9% annual percentage rate.
Working 80 hours per week is only for fools like me.
Where in the world is the logic of paying small businesses to insure their workers, which will do absolutely nothing to address the cost of insurance but contribute to maintaining the status quo, and at the same time refusing to support the public option which is guaranteed to be able to reduce the cost of health insurance for individuals? What is wrong with these Republicans? I do not get it. They are confusing the issues and giving the wrong answer to the each and every question by overlapping their rote responses. Listen to yourself, Senator. You make no sense at all.
Come on Senator...fess up to the American people. You have no intention of reaching across the aisle and working with the Democrats to get something done to actually help reduce cost and help Americans. You'll vote like all the rest...to give the Insurance companies a "Win" and the citizens will keep paying the price. A public option is the only true way to keep costs down and it's what the American people want. Why won't any of you listen????
OK…………………ok…..ok…WOOOSA!!
1) For the jealous, envying, lazy pieces of good air, who say Dr’s make to much are just haters of hard work. Sorry to break it to you but if I went to school for as long as these Dr’s do, have to worry about saving or caring for all there patients lives, and you want to say that Dr’s make to much money??? How is making an AVERAGE of 180,000 a year a lot of money? YES some make more but if they are awesome at open heart surgery that have the right to charge what they want. YOU want cheaper go to a cheaper not so awesome Dr. Try going to a socialist country where you have no choice, and no legal recourse of the Dr’s performance. And remember many Dr’s don’t just work there 9-5 like you and I do. Many work at least 80+ hours a week, on call for there patients. If you aren’t smart enough I will do the math for you…….IT equals about 44$ an hour. Sorry but you can keep that 180K a year I prefer my 48k and enjoy my family.
2) If there is a public option, Dr’s and clinics should have a choice to accept it or not (Dems shouldn’t have an issue with this since they are PRO-CHOICE).But remember when the GOVT takes control you have the same GOVT who agreed to a war, who are criminals themselves, and who cheat the citizens all the time because they get paid off by lobbyist.
3) NO MORE for PROFIT hospitals, or insurance companies, there is no need for PROFIT when it comes to health, and lives. There should be CO-OP’s with a CEO who gets paid accordingly not Millions for cutting procedures, or like in a hospital give more nurses more patients and quality is diminished.(REPUB’s should love this since we are saving LIVES). Remember CONSERVATIVES wwjd?....lol
4) A central system that co-ops and hospitals use that has a patient’s medical history, so there isn’t a redundancy of test done.
5) Also my taxes should not be affected because someone likes to SMOKE, EAT like a PIG, be sexually ACTIVE and unprotected. And neither should anyone have to pay for my extra insurance cost because I eat a lot of red meat, and get frustrated quickly which all affects my blood pressure. I am doing it to myself so I should bare the burden.
6) If you are POOR and can’t afford it fine, but you better not be a SMOKER, or DRUG abuser, and PIMPING a Benz, because if you can afford those things than cough it up.
7) IF you are a LEGAL immigrant like my family had to wait and themselves become, you are included in what ever plan comes out. BUT if you are here ILLEGALLY, I’m sorry but you broke the law. Take the money that you are sending back to your country, and save some to get your paper work done like the rest of us LAW abiding immigrants.
And you know what I don’t know what party to associate my self because A) Democrats pander to race, poor, lazy, and thinking just cause of my race I myself cant achieve so thy do it for me AND B) not Republicans because thy pander to big business and only about PROFIT. I am fine with people making profit from work and innovation, but not PROFIT from stealing a workers pay or by leaving one without a limb or without a parent……..And to be quiet honest BOTH have sh!ted on our Constitution.
PS: remember 131,257,328 total voted in this past election, and there is 212,720,027 eligible voters, that is roughly 62%, so before one considers a majority power in congress. Remember a Politician is more worried about keeping there seat in Congress and they know most people who vote are in the middle, they don’t want to lose the PERKS and there 172K + benefits a year including all the vacations, and lobbyist extras.(don’t hear anything about there PROFITS???)
I think what all health care proponents are missing here is the realization that the GOP does not care about the wishes of the majority, the merits of rational debate, the results of polls, or even the appearance of bipartisanship. The GOP platform is not only too inflexible to change its position once established, Republicans are actually proud of that fact they are so infexible. They call it character to stand in the way of progress. Changing their position would be "flip-flopping" and respectable Republicans simply don't change their minds regardless of the pressure. So, it's time to give up on convincing the GOP and steamroll right over 'em before they completely derail reform altogether
Anyone who believes that tort reform is the solution is seriously uninformed/naive. I am from Texas where the cost of health care has not decreased as a result of constitutional "tort reform"–in fact, we have the second most expensive city on health care spending per capita (McAllen, second behind Miami). Malpractice only accounts for 1.5% of the increase in health care spending and would barely make a dent if malpractice was completely eliminated. What we now have in Texas is no recourse for patients who've experienced serious medical errors and an arrogant attitude among those who commit these errors because they know there's no accountability.
The timing of major healthcare reform could not be worse what with deficits projected at a TRILLION dollars, two wars going on that have become secondary news, Iran developing nuclear weapons, and an unemployment rate hovering near 10%. Most people don't even know what "pubic option" means. The American people want reform, but have a far greater fear of being hoodwinked.
And judging by the juvenile name-calling and the varied opinions being bandied about, this is not a topic to be rushed through Congress for the sake of political expediency.
Two spurious ideas: allow cross state selling of insurance. Right. the reason some states are more expensive is that they don't allow pre-existing condition exclusion and forbid rescisions. And they require the policies to actually pay for health care. Simpler solution: forbid rescisions and require anyone to buy the policy at same price ignoring pre-existing condition. both of these are in the Obama/democratic plan.
the other bugaboo is cheaper drugs abroad. They are because the [evil] government healthcare systems NEGOTIATE with pharma. here they are forbidden by law. Solution: allow Medicare/caid to negotiate for everyone.
Those are the real reasons and the solutions that address the real problems. not these pseudo-fixes.
If she really wants healthcare that will lower costs, she should support a public option; it's the only thing that will ever pressure the private insurance to lower rates.
actually bud in NC, we are a Republic. It is not, I repeat NOT majority rules everything. If that were true, then gay marriage which you no doubt support would be banned everywhere.
People need to realize 7 of the top 10 politicians recieving money from health insurance companies are Democrats. So if these people despise the insurance companies publicaly and take there money privately, wow that seems a bit hypocritcal to me. So you people who think these are the people fighting for reform, Need to look at the money trail. If you want to change the insurance companies, how can you take there money at the same time. Seems like a fair question to me.
Tort reform issue is a red herring. Medical malpractice only accounts for like 3% of the total costs of health care. Totally eliminate citizens right to recourse for malpractice and you only save 3%. Big whoop! Why does the party that claims to want to get government off of our backs want to impose government restrictions on our ability to fight the corporation? Is the Corporation that afraid of Joe Sixpack?
The true solution to medical malpractice awards is to provide universal health care. Paradox.....follow the logic. One of the biggest drivers of big awards when someone is injured through malpractice is the cost of rehabilitation on lifetime medical care given that they now have a preexisting condition and cannot buy insurance at any cost. Of course the awards are in the millions.
Universal healthcare would in and of itself solve the medical malpractice award problem, no additional legislation needed and no need to take away people's basic right to have grievances redressed by a court of law. That's freedom, baby! Susan Collins? How is this contrary to your party's ideology?
Another Health Insurance Lobbyist Owned Senator How shocking. The problem with health costs are the same as the cost of everything else. Each industry has our senators/representatives in their pockets and until that is taken out of the equation the only thing the working class will see in a America is a bigger monthly bill. Strip these corporations back down into companies. Place a annual profit gain limit of no more than 3% with all other profits being taxed at 80 to 90% and all of this will change. This was how they controlled inflation for this sort of corruption 40 years ago and it would work again today. Your representatives are lying to you. They know exactly what to do. They also know It's not in their political future interest to do so because if they refuse the lobbyist money would the desperate crook they select off the street to deal with the problem refuse it as well.
More americans support a public option. Different polls show 83, 76 and 65% of Americans support a public option. The Ramussen poll shows only 35%. There are differnt polls out there , but like everything its is how you phase the question and who you poll. http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&source=hp&q=healthcare+public+option+polls+&aq=f&oq=&aqi=
The Rasmussen poll was done on a focus groups that don't include everyday americans thus the 35%. It just goes to show you that you can't trust just headlines and you must do research before believing everything you hear and read. In todays information age reliable information/jounalism is dead.
http://www.examiner.com/x-5738-Political-Buzz-Examiner~y2009m9d29-Rasmussen-and-CBS-polls-differ-greatly-on-public-option-in-health-care-and-there-is-a-reason-why
Stay away from NewsMax .... they mislead...
The COST of HEALTH CARE??? For whom??? Stop already with your party line. Either you are for the people or you are for lining your pocket with insurance money. Without a public option the cost of health care is going to rise exponentially and just like was said last night those that are not for the public option either want you, the people, to somehow stay healthy, or if you get sick – to die quickly. Maine had a wonderful caring governor in Governor Baxter. What are you all about? Certainly not wonderful nor caring.
I want the Public Option....So manner of you writers say the same.....What are we doing about it????......The other idiots seem far more organized....what can I/we do???...This is insane...we all want it but where is the march? the exposure of the Senators voting against it for personal gain??? This is stupid of us!! Where is the email campaign?? THEY quip about birth certificates and death panels and people believe it!!!
Someone please tell me why we will all watch the Public Option go down the drain when it is what the majority of people want.
I thought Congressional conscious began with : For the People.
We ARE the People but can't seem to elevate our priorites above those who profit from us.
Someone...tell me we are lemmings.
I am surprised to find Susan Collins being quoted. Health care reform is not a priority of hers. She is more interested in armed services issues.
Perhaps she should look at the health care for the armed services. The personnel deserve this health care. They have fought for this country and deserver all the assistance possible. However, the military have what one might consider free health care while on active duty. Their families also have health care. She supports this insurance but not insurance for the rest of the citizens.
The federal workers and members of Congress have terrific health insurance. She supports that as well. I think there is a small hole in her rationalizations about health care.
I guess the country is not willing to stand up to the insurance companies. They win and we lose. Oh well maybe in another 15 years we can go through this whole debate again when people ARE willing to stand up to the insurance companies. This is really all about "I'm not paying for your kid" and "gov't can't do anything right". I disagree with both points but until these two assumptions change for for a lot of folks we will continue to lag behind other countries in Health Care. This should be a no brainer.
The very notion that she "can’t remember another time when there were more important issues on the table." is troubling to me as these issues have all been around for years. I guess it's just easier to ignore them.
Another sellout! Get used to it folks, Rupert Murdoch has won.
Goodbye Uncle Sam , Hello USA Inc.
I truly don't understand why there is not a comprimise position that is acceptable to both parties?
Set a "trigger" (like the poverty line) for the public option to allow low income families the opportunity to buy into Medicare....or they can get their own health insurance. Individuals who have been turned down by insurance companies for pre-existing conditions would be eligible to buy into Medicare. If health insurance premiums exceed a certain percentage of gross monthly income the individual would be eligible to buy into Medicare. You can raise taxes to cover the uninsured (low income families wont pay those taxes anyway) and give all citizens that get or have health insurance coverage a tax credit, thereby the people who chose not to get insurance will cover their own medical costs anyway.
Then work on Health Insurance Reform separately to reduce costs.
Maybe I am too dumb to understand such a complex problem?
Susan Collins just trying to get elected again, just like all the other liars in Washington.
Let's take republican and democrat out of this and look at the issue of healthcare. If you put in a public option all it is going to do is grow the government and do nothing to curb costs, anytime the government tries to run a social program it ends up bankrupting it and having to play its own form or creative accounting, taking money from the general fund to try and keep programs that were supposed to be self sufficent running. look at medicare, medicaid and social security all technically bankrupt and if all were real business would have been liquidated years ago as failed businesses, being kept a float by moving money around from other parts of the government to keep them running, this will be the same with any public option. Instead they should be concentrating on why healthcare costs are so high? why does 1 tylenol cost 20 dollars in a hospital when I can buy a bottle of 100 for the same price in the drug store? Why are frivilous law suits that should never have been allowed to be filed in the first place even allowed to be settled for any money? Take a look at pre-exsisting conditions and say, hey you decided to be in the insurance business you have to take the good with the bad. We don't need major reform to a system were 80 to 85% of the people are satisfied with their healthcare, you just need to look at the causes of costs right now and make sure that the insurance companies abide by certain rules and make sure the government does not get involved in making mine or your healthcare decisions.
Bud in NC, we are NOT a democracy. We are a constitutional republic. I shuder to think what this country would be like if all our politicians catered to the fickle and largly uniformed american public.
And pretending to know what the public wants is largely dependent on what poll you look at. Take for example this story regarding two recent polls conducted by Rasmussen and CBS. The polls put support of the public option at 35% and 65% respectively.
What we need are elected officials who take the time to educate themselves about issues and vote their conscience, regardless of the almighty polls and the corrupt special interest groups.
The health care situation would improve if we stopped giving free health care (usually unnecessary emergency room visits) to illegal aliens and also put a cap on malpractice law suits. The rest of us hard-working Americans are paying for that, one way or another.
Too much government control is an invasion of opinion
ie.
prayer in schools
are cuban cigars still illegal ......
🙂
The above laws have their place but Healthcare is a RIGHT.
The only negative thing I hear about a public option is that it is "possible" that it would drive the private insurance co.s out of business.
In the USA insurance is a very profitable business.
why is it so profitable? b/c some people pay for a service in advance and when it is time to cash in they are declined that service.
Its a very profitable business model and, steps to deny claims are deliberate. Proactive steps are taken to make sure that it continues.
I question the true motives of ANYONE that turns down THE OPTION of getting virtually free health care.
Its all too obvious.
Your main argument is too much gov control.?!
Your kid cant pray in school!
you cant go over 65 mph
The gov tells you when, if and where you can drink and smoke
you better check with uncle sam before giving your kid a spanking too
you have to pay the gov every year for the privilege to drive.......
and how bout that Patriot act???
You people wait until now to complain about gov control?????
and on the subject or health?!?!
Please ......the majority of us know whats going on.
It a shame how much insurance co.s will pay for air time to misinform some "people" and decline services to others.
PRivate companies ruined my parents retirement . now they have to work longer and save more so they can make sure that they can pay another private insurance comapny for the rest of thier lives
ANY gov official against a PO is being influenced by insurance lobbyist or is a republican.
Do not cheat people out of an OPTION just b/c of what could happen. and even if private insurance goes out of business is that really the worse thing in the world?
The Republican fixation on "tax credits" as a fix all for everything is completely off the mark.
Who is most likely to be uninsured? Those with the least income. Who is least likely to pay taxes? The same people, those with the least income. Name the problem; almost any problem, and it is worst for those who don't have the income to provide relief on their own.
Senator Collins should know a tax credit it worthless to those who pay no taxes. If she does know this (and I fail to see how she could not) then she's merely making what sounds like a helpful suggestion, all the while knowing it is not.
I want a PUBLIC OPTION....I have insurance but I've seen it become less and less over the last ten years. So don't think because you HAVE insurance that you are set for life....you are a sitting duck....We will all suffer if the PUBLIC OPTION is left out. Obama should be on his soap box about that in addition to his passion for the 'games' in Chicago.
Why are we paying insurance companies to broker health care? They provide no added value in this equation. All they do is rake off at a minimum 40% of the premium costs in order to pay and over-pay a bunch of executives to administer a program. That 40% now stuffing the pockets of executives that could go find other jobs would more than pay for the cost of insuring ALL Americans.
What is it that we don't get about this situation? The corporate culture of the Congress has allowed this egregious situation to grow and flourish, enriching the richest among us. Let's put a stop to it now.
The health insurance companies will go the way of the pony express and using canals for transportation of people and goods. Let's move on to a modern, government run system like the rest of the civilized world.
Look, I concede that would could make a single-payer system work. No doubt. But what happens to those people who depend on profit from the healthcare system? I'm not talking about the top executives because you could completely eliminate their salary and it wouldn't significantly change anything. I'm talking about all the people who work for insurance companies and all the people who hold stock. Do we tell them to pound sand and give up their jobs and stock? What ripple effect will THAT have on our already fragile economy?
Approximately 14.5% of adult residents of Maine have had no health insurance for at least a year. The number of those with employer-based coverage decreased from 71.8% of the population in 2001 to 67.9% in 2008. The number of high income people without insurance has increased from 5.4% in 2001 to 6.6% in 2008. The simple fact is that folks in Maine, like the rest of the nation, are having ever increasing trouble affording health care. Both of Maine's Senators are more interested in protecting health insurance companies than they are in assuring their constituents of quality, affordable health care. And yet the citizens of Maine continue to elect these vile, disgusting women. Go figure...
Senator Collins, what the American people want is the public option according to most of the polls out there today. 60% of them as a matter of fact. 60% percent in this country is a extremely large number. Please don't start making up what the American People want. They want the public option!! And you have not come up with any ideas that can have as great of an impact as the Single Payer plan or the Public Option plan. Your ideas outlined in this interview is just going to further enrich the insurance companies while providing limited reform for the working stiff like me. Please don't mislead the American people any more. I think if anyone in Congress who have taken significant money from the inusrance companies in the past ought to recuse themselves from this whole process.
Hah, spock can't even get the RINO acronym right!
She's not a RINO, just a GOPer who respects the true Republican brand and isn't a neocon obsessed with social issues.
Drew, I dont agree with you but thank you for not name-calling like everyone else does. There is no such thing as a "Tax Break". When democrats and republicans use that term, the taxpayers are paying for someones "Tax Break". A public option will break the bank. Liberals say this is a right so my question is why should I pay for my right? If there is a public option, I plan to drop my benefits through work to use the public option.
Am I crazy? Or did we, or did we not, recently have an election? And did the Democrats win, or not? And do they have majorities in both houses of congress, or not?
I think it's been swell waving the Olive Branch to the Republicans, but it's been made very clear in the past nine months that the twig of peace is unwelcome in certain parts. So, let's do the people's business. Let's pass health care REFORM, and see what happens.
When costs go down, when the quality of care goes up because competition will be greater due to the OPTION of a public plan– calm, and satisfaction will finally prevail.
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"None of what Collins suggests here would compel private insurance companies to reduce their rates. The single largest issue in health care form is cost. Period. Without a public option that offers consumers a less expensive choice, there would be zero pressure on the insurance industry to reduce its overhead and reduce premiums."
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A not-for-profit organization does not promote healthy market competition. It may (though I doubt it) lower costs in the short-term, it would not foster healthy competition and would just create a new set of problems that we would need to deal with in the next 10-20-30 years. Though immediate relief is necessary it should not be done at the expense of long-term stability, particularly when dismantling or ending government programs is EXTREMELY hard to do. If we created a public option and it became damaging to the insurance market, we'd never be able to rid ourselves of it.
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"One third of every dollar spent on health care in this country goes to the administrative costs of health insurance companies. THAT IS OBSCENE and costs will NEVER be cut unless that changes. And, there will NEVER be a bi-partisan health insurance reform bill because Ms. Collins’ political party is more interested in making Obama a one-term president. That is is their only objective. Forget doing what is right for the nation. "
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I'm not entirely sure how you've deluded yourself into thinking a government program will lower administrative and bookkeeping overhead. They are the masters of red-tape waste.
Why Lu Dobbs doesn't like President Obama?
When he was doing his broadcast he said President Bush was going to Demark. It Obama idiot.
"Roberts: Now, if you were to adopt all of the measures that you have just outlined there, how much do you think it would reduce in America the number of people who are currently uninsured?"
Sen. Collins just danced around that question. She did not provide any specific numbers. Instead, we should rely on what her business people tell her in order to reform health care!
Republicans sing this endless tune of tort reform, and while I agree that would contribute to bringing costs down, it won't guarantee that the insurance companies will pass it on. Serious tort reform has been done in Missouri, Florida and Texas. None of those states have seen any decrease in overall health care costs.
Sen Collins is a soft spoken non-combative republican but what she advocates is as republican and status quo as from all the rest of the other republicans.
polls show most people do NOT want a public option. i don't trust obama or the left wing extremists who worship him.
I love how the lab rats (liberals) say the majority want a public option. Either they are stupid or can't read or both but the majority of Americans do not want the public option. And why are we even arguing over it because the public option is as dead as Ted Kennedy.
Read the following http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/OnCall/congress-health-care-clinic/story?id=8706655
and then tell everyone that our representatives are trying to do something for the good of the people. What they are really trying to do is to come to grips with their conscience – if they have one. It's a smoke screen – the taxpayer is paying for "cadilac" medical coverage for our representatives (approx 3 mil per year) with the average cost to them at $503 per year (no deductible). Insurance doesn't even come into play unless they see an "outside" specialist.
One cost item has not been discussed in US is the marketing cost of drugs. Most, if not all other industrial countries, have prohibited the advertising of drugs. That would save money for drug companies, they could pass the savings to prices and leave the drug decision between doctor and patient
Senator Collins. Your state supports a Public Option.... What do your residents think of Mines Public Option? Here is a Poll done in Maine.
Research 2000 for Daily Kos. 9/14-16. Likely voters. MoE 4%.
Do you favor or oppose a government-administered health insurance option that anyone can purchase to compete with private insurance plans?
Favor Oppose Not Sure
All 58 29 13
Dem 81 16 3
Rep 18 58 24
Ind 67 20 13
Look at those Independent numbers–67 percent in favor! Hell, even 42 percent of Republicans like it or aren't sure that it's such a bad idea. http://www.newscred.com/article/show/title/some-news-for-the-maine-twins-they-love-the-public-option-back-home-4ab3f55f8996a/2038441
What is wrong with competition isn't that the main driving force in a successful capitalist society ?
Why does everyone keep referring to our great country as a democracy? We are a republic. A democracy is a majority rules system, and our country's framers saw the flaw in that. Wise up, people.
its simple if the congress cant or will not do what the majority wants we should fire and replace all that resist change, remember they work for us not the insurance co's.all the republican in the congress supports only the insurance co's, we really dont have to accept that they are employees, employees not kings or gods
I wholeheartedly agree with "John" above: "So why not just make the public option the option to buy into either the Federal employee benefits program or the benefits program for the state where they live? There’s already been a large group negotiation, so it satisfies the Senator’s idea of grouping businesses together only with a much larger customer base"
Excellent solution.
The Gallup Poll Sept 30: 61% polled believe it's a personel responsability to get health insurance. The reason why the Democrats want the Republicans on board is so they can have some cover when things go wrong and the only reason why they think their plan will go wrong is because they know their plan will go wrong.
Right now the Canadians are fighting for the private option, the Japanese cancer patients are fighting against rationing and the Europeans are complaining about the lack of money being spent on medical R&D. There is also the liberals' talk around the globe that the elderly and the very ill have a "duty to die." Sometimes "duty to die" is directly said as with former Governor of Colorado Richard Lamm or implied as with Obama's speeches.
The Republicans have a lot of ammo on this to get them back into the game in 2010.
Medicare is bankrupt. The Post Office is bankrupt. Pick a program designed by government for everyone else but government and you have failure after failure. Get it through your thick skulls, both right and left, government is EXEMPT from this. Any voting block that contributed to the current administration is EXEMPT from this. This bill is to fleece ANYONE who pays taxes in order to transfer their money to government.
Health care will not get better, nor cheaper. What will happen is insurance companies will say no thanks to the government mandates and then you will have nowhere to go but to the government. The only question you need to ask yourself is, do you want the government to tell you what care you should get when you get sick? Because when you do get sick and a Republican is in office, you cannot blame them. The only one you can blame is yourself for allowing socialized medicine to take over your life.
She simply is from a district that is marginally Republican or the demographics are changing she has to get re-elected because like the majority of these politicians, led by the Demokrats, are unemployable in any other job or are lawyers that have never been able to successfully practice their trade. Few if any have ever held real jobs.
She is no republican. She is a well known RINO.... republican in name only.
We need a public option and it needs to be administered by the Federal Government. Any legislation that is passed that leaves health care reform up to State control in any way will not work.
I would like to know how many of our elected officials that are against the public option are in the pockets of the insurance industry. There is so much money being spent right now to squash choice for Americans that it must be many of them. I know that many Democrats have received campaign contributions as well but they (most of them anyway) don't sell us out by doing what the insurance companies want them to. Any politician that votes against is suspect.
Having a public option really won't put private insurance companies out of business. Just look at Australia's system. They have public health insurance as an option. they also have private insurance companies. It works fine.
Those against a public option would deny me choice, I thought that is one of the things that makes America great.
I government run health care system will do nothing to lower health care costs. This type of system will lower the quality of health care and increase the costs. It will also create incentives for doctors to leave the medial profession so there will be fewer highly skilled doctors and specialists. A government run health care system will also add hundreds billions of dollars to the deficit each year. The proposed cuts in medicare will als mean that seniors will have reduced medical benefits.
The senator has the right idea of providing tax credits forsmall businesses because this will create incentives for employers to provide health insurance for their employees. Interstate competition would also help to reduce health care costs by creating competition.
Umm a couple of things here. First of all if you think we are a Democracy you need to educate yourself. The majority does not always rule and thank god. Its why we vote in representatives.
Just giving insurance to everyone will bankruot this country. Count on it. We are almost there as it is. And not because of just one party either.
Have you heard any Democrats suggesting anything other than raising taxes to pay for things? Have you heard them suggest cutting any spending? No just always raise taxes.
On the other side you have republicans who want to spend more and lower taxes. Gee that makes a lot of sense.
Both parties are screwing us the fatser you realize that the better.
Costs of Health insurance has to come down. Until then we are doomed. There were some interesting ideas suggested by a democratic congressman on Bill Maher. I forget his name. Several of his ideas were similar to the this Republican's.
Coninue to be the fool and let both parties separate us and we will never get anywhere.
On tax credits for small business: I owned a small business and had to close last November. Most small businesses do not pay taxes so tax credits would not enable them to provide insurance to employess. And anyone with older workers is "penalized" since when an employee turns 55 the insurance almost doubles. It way out of control. As an owner I could not affort insurance for myself, and went without insurance for 16 months. I paid all doctor visits out of pocket and now need to pay $1,200 off for an emergency visit. That would be about $100/minute that I was actually attended in the five hours I was at the hospital. Something must be done.
It is interesting that the republicans are always the no people. Has anyone read or listened to some of their input. No. The dems want it their way or the highway and don't care at whose expense. Let Congress have to deal with the same health care. I also find it interesting that Canada is adding a Private option as they know that the "universal" health care has failed.
Today's headline in USA Today newspaper: "Millions in Waste Clogging Medicaid". And Medicare is broke. In fact, the entire Federal Government is broke. And all you "More government solves everything" liberals want the government to take over all our health care system? The definition of a fool is "someone who does the same thing over and over again and expects a different result".
I want to see at least primary healthcare for all in this country. I think the idea of a public option initially sounds really great, but then I think about these things.....
I work for a large employer who offers me insurance options. A public option is now available and now my employer starts charging me more for it and maybe even stops negotiating very diligently for a competitive beneficial plan, because, I have the option of going with the public option if I don't like what my employer is offering.
Another thing to think about... We aren't happy with the Medicare system, the public school systems, welfare systems, bridge/levee/road systems, public transportation systems....what makes us think we will like a government run health insurance plan?
Can anyone tell me how the quality of healthcare will improve under the current bills in congress? Focus on the word Quality>
1. Small businesses band together – How does this reduce the overall cost of health care? Reduced premiums for small businesses in a co-op mean increased premiums for everyone else.
2. Medical liability reform – While important to doctors, it is generally acknowledged that this will have little impact on health care costs.
3. Re-vamp Medicare for quality vs. quantity to reduce the number of tests? A high quality system doesn't reduce much except for administrative costs. From a medical perspective it would increase costs as demonstrated by our high quality care now. Medicare must focus on quantity because the number of policy holders is going to increase dramatically in the next 2 decades.
4. Tax credits for small businesses to provided health insurance – how does this reduce medical costs? It just reduces the amount of increased costs for small businesses to provide health care?
Collins and the Republicans are so controlled by big insurance they will do nothing to really reduce insurance costs. The top 10 medical insurance companies saw their profits increase 430% from 2001 to 2007. That's obscene!
Regulate the insurance companies like the utilities. They are only allowed 5-7% profit. It’s very simple Prices go down to what people can afford and everyone keeps preset health care providers.
During her career in the Senate, Senator Susan Collins has taken more the 1.5 million, that's millon dollars. Now do you know why she doesn't want a public option to help American families? Can you understand why she would try to convince the gullible that there are other ways to accomplish the same thing? Now do you see why she wants what the health insurance companies want, rather than what our families need? She has a difficult task. She must put the interests of the American people aside, and give everything, including a big part of our future, and our children's future to the health insurance companies, while at the same time convincing voters that it's a good idea to give our money to the insurance companies even though it hurts American families. After all, she wants to keep that big money coming in from the health insurance companies, and she want to keep her job too. I guess it's not easy being Susan Collins. Would I be tempted to sell out the American people for cash? I hope not. Susan must have already answered that question for herself.
and this woman says nothing about the outrageous costs of insurance? Is she blind to the facts of what it costs small business and individuals to purchase health insurance?
She also says nothing about the Insurance industry's ability to deny health care coverage to so many individuals.
HELLO!!!
What is she talking about? There ARE tax credits for small businesses in the presidents plan. Everything she is saying that needs to be accomplished is exactly what the president has proposed. But tax cuts alone will not do it. They never have and they never will. Eventually, the public option will have to be an option because not enough people will get health insurance through tax cuts alone. It will help some people, but it's only one very small step in the right direction. It will take a public option that will create enough competition to help drive down costs. Private industry is not interested in helping us people. When will you learn that? They just wan to make a profit. Nothing will change until the public realizes that private industry alone is not the answer. We need a BALANCE between the public and the private industries. And that is NOT socialism. That is democracy. What he have right now is unfettered capitalism with no heart, no compassion, no regard for humanity.
NO to public/socialized government run Health Care. If I want to be on a government run plan I'll move to another country. My family & I have excellent health care coverage through our employers. The government can't even take care of our Veterans, I certainly don't want them making my health care decisions.
Health care reform isn't gonna happen until it gets so bad, that it breaks the bank and backs of the entire middle class. Even then, it probably won't change because the status quo is what makes everyone that matters- insurance companies, pharmaceutical companies, politicians, lobbyists, and the medical-industrial complex of this country the most money.
Regardless of what political ideology you support the simple fact is the US healthcare system is failling it citizens. Take Canada for example and do a comparison. Let's look at 3 major effectiveness comparitors of citizen health between the US population and the Canadian population. One...the average Canadian lives almost 3 years longer than the American. Two....almost 40 % more babies survive being born in Canada than in the US. And three....Canada spends 10 % of is GDP to cover everyone and the US spends 16% of it GDP to cover only 60% of the American public. The Canadian models seems to work for the people who live there. It may not max out all available profit from the citizens but...is maximum profit the sole reason to run a healthcare system? That is the ultimately the real question the politician will have to be accountable for.
Senator Snowe, don't be the dead carp floating down river with G "NO!" P. Be the living Tuna that swims up stream that does what is right. Your state and the public overwhelmingly support the public option and insurance legislation.
I mean come on! You have Sarah "Death Panel" Palin in your party to compete against as a strong, admirable woman politician. Look at what you have for company. Stand out from the sordid sorry pack and take care of those you represent.
Decide whether you will be judged with the company you keep or the admired woman Senator who makes history by voting for what is right.
No, senator, the reason most people are uninsured is because they can’t afford it. Small business, tort reform, co-ops, blah, blah, blah. None of this will reduce cost like the choice of a public plan option. Real competition will drive the cost down for everyone and improve the coverage for the rest of us.
Mike thinks all we need is insurance across state lines. This will not solve insurance companies refusing to sell insurance to someone with a pre-existing condition or them tossing you off their plan as soon as you get really sick.
Don't those people mater, too?
Unfortunately, Ms. Collins is no more a Republican than Arlen Specter was or is. She has moved so far left in order to keep her seat she has moved past at least 10 percent of the Dems in her views and voting record.
She would do better to go ahead and switch parties as Specter did and remove the amiguity. She and Ms. Snow have lost their way.
Of course, about 30 or so so-called Republicans have also lost their way and joined the AMerican Evangelist Christian party.
Republicanism as defined by Ronald Reagan and for that matter even Richard Nixon is dead.
That's why I have left the Republican Party and currently am not voting FOR any particular candidate. I cant tolerate the liberal left and my party has run off to the far, nutcase, religously intolerant RIGHT.
Sad.
For all of the people out there who think that the government is incapable of doing anything right – I respectfully submit the following written by an anonymous source:
"I am a conservative.
This morning I was awoken by my alarm clock powered by electricity generated by the public power monopoly regulated by the U.S. Department of Energy.
I then took a shower in the clean water provided by a municipal water utility.
After that, I turned on the TV to one of the FCC-regulated channels to see what the National Weather Service of the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration determined the weather was going to be like, using satellites designed, built, and launched by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
I watched this while eating my breakfast of U.S. Department of Agriculture-inspected food and taking the drugs which have been determined as safe by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
At the appropriate time, as regulated by the U.S. Congress and kept accurate by the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the U.S. Naval Observatory, I get into my National Highway Traffic Safety Administration-approved automobile and set out to work on the roads build by the local, state, and federal Departments of Transportation, possibly stopping to purchase additional fuel of a quality level
determined by the Environmental Protection Agency, using legal tender issued by the Federal Reserve Bank.
On the way out the door I deposit any mail I have to be sent out via the U.S. Postal Service and drop the kids off at the public school.
After spending another day not being maimed or killed at work thanks to the workplace regulations imposed by the Department of Labor and the Occupational Safety and Health administration, enjoying another two meals which again do not kill me because of the USDA, I drive my NHTSA car back home on the DOT roads, to my house which has not burned down in my absence because of the state and local building codes and Fire Marshal's inspection, and which has not been plundered of all its
valuables thanks to the local police department.
And then I log on to the internet - which was developed by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Administration - and post on Freerepublic.com and Fox News forums about how SOCIALISM in medicine is BAD because the government can't do anything right."
Our Company has a US & Canadian branch & I do payroll for both.. Here are some black & white figures. Healthcare cost for a family of 4 in Canada is $2,600 a year – for the same family in the US it costs $16,608. In Canada you can't be refused coverage due to an existing condition nor do the rates increase every year like Humana does to our people in the US. Before all you government public option haters discount it entirely – you tell me which you would rather pay for the same coverage and guess what – if you lose your job in Canada you don't lose your basic coverage. Our government officials do not rake in $500,000 towards their re-elections in Canada like your Congressmen & Senators get (if they are Republicans) from the HC Insurance Companies. So much of the US healthcare costs are going to buy off your politicans and ridiculous ads – why that is appealing to so many of you is a total mystery to me. A more accurate description of "democracy" in the US would be "a government by the Special Interest Groups, for the Special Interest Groups so help me God."
Why do the Republicans so strongly support a system that puts my health insurance coverage in the hands of my employer? In the last 7 years we've changed coverage 5 times, all to lower his costs. Shouldn't this be the decision of the individual? Shouldn't I get the tax beaks instead of him? I'd rather he put that money into my salary and let me make the decision as to what kind of health care coverage I want to cover my family.
Three words, no public option. Bud in NC said the public supports a public option. Please look at the polls and you will see that the public does not support a public option. Why throw away something that works for 85% of the population? If Bud really wants democracy then he will be willing to abide by the majority, which does not support a public option. Why are the democrats appeasing the lawyers regarding tort reform when that would be a big place to save money? Let's start with simple fixes first and work towards the hard ones as we find that the simple ones are working.
Shane
Allowing Private healthcare companies to compete across state lines can provide small benefits , ..... however they must follow strict regualtions, prices would come down a little but not alot. But the insurance companies would still get together and price fix. Bottom line is that they are still in business to make a profit. And you have seen what that has done over the past 50 years. Profitability is the driving force when it comes to them authorizing individuals health procedures. A gov't run health care system that utilizes the same doctors and hospitals will not be for profit! And will allow healthcare providers the freedom to practice medicine that is in the best interest of the patient. Plus it will bring down the overall cost in the industry, since it will not pay any shareholders.
Think about it if Health care insurance is mandatory we are giving the healthcare Insurance providers 15 to 47 million new customers with gov't subsidies. They are getting more business and not being forced to compete and lower prices.
It is sad that most of the comments on here (both on the left and the right) are simply rehashes of partisan talking points.
The only real clear answer here is to:
1) Break-up the bill into smaller, easier to manage/examine pieces and pass them one by one
2) Remove all barriers that bar cross-state insurance options (both the Republicans and the President has endorsed this idea)
3) Update the laws regarding malpractice suits to limit award amounts based upon severity of damage to the patient
4) Reform the laws regarding frivolous lawsuits which requires doctors to purchase insurance protection (the cost of that insurance gets passed down to you)
5) Require hospital administrations to open their books to ensure price gouging isn't occurring, and punish those who are
6) Require "one price" rules for insurance policies, so the cost for an individual to purchase insurance is the same price that is paid by employees of large corporations
Those changes will lead to lower costs to the individual; expand choice, without growing the government or getting them involved with health care management. Both sides of the argument can agree on those points overwhelming majorities and end the debate once and for all.
I'm always amazed at whom CNN considers to be "key" Republican senators. What a joke.
do what is right for the people–include the pubic option.
forget the republicans. they would not vote for any coverage which is on the side of the people . they would vote against any plan == even one designed by Jesus Christ Himself.
if the repubublicans (and some blue doge dems) voted for the people they would not receive anymore lobby money.