House Democrats on Tuesday introduced the “Public Option Deficit Reduction Act,” which would provide consumers the choice to opt into a government-run health insurance plan in the Obamacare exchanges.
The bill, which almost certainly cannot pass in the Republican-controlled House, is a mostly symbolic effort meant to keep the public option alive as a policy prescription. It is sponsored by Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), who is on the Energy & Commerce health subcommittee, along with Energy & Commerce Ranking Member Henry Waxman (D-CA) and 43 other lawmakers.
“The Public Option Deficit Reduction Act will give health care consumers more choice and lower their premiums,” said Schakowsky. “And, by providing a lower-cost alternative to private insurance, it would put pressure on all insurers to lower their premiums in order to compete.”
Citing an earlier estimate by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, Schakowsky expects it to reduce the deficit by some $100 billion over 10 years by boosting competition among insurers and paying providers at Medicare rates. The 2010 version of the public option was expected to reduce the debt by $68 billion over 10 years.
I have long believed that President Obama's long term plan for the Affordable Care Act is to introduce the public option, and that belief was only reinforced with news that soon their would be at least two nationwide health insurance plans to be operated under contract with the federal government and offered to consumers in every state.
I think that this bill, and others like it, are simply a way to keep the idea in the minds of the American people so that when there is a public option made available they will be more than ready to sign on.
I know I will.
Considering what Gov. Parnell has done to refuse to set up a health insurance exchange in Alaska, and his refusal to work with other states to pool those resources, this is the best answer for those of us in the State without insurance, or inadequate options for insurance. Premara BlueCross/BlueShield is the only option for most Alaskans. As a healthy family of 3, we pay over 1/3 of our combined income to pay our premiums. This IS NOT acceptable.
ReplyDeleteCall me dumb, but how is a health care Bill going to reduce the deficit?
ReplyDelete"Schakowsky expects it to reduce the deficit by some $100 billion over 10 years by boosting competition among insurers and paying providers at Medicare rates."
DeleteThere will also be reductions in hard to calculate costs such as the reduction of people having to have emergency room visits, which the costs of are then passed off to the taxpayer.
Again I ask, how will this reduce the deficit? I don't recall the deficit being blamed on medical coverage before. More than 10 years of war and bailing out multi-billion dollar companies I can understand adding to the deficit.
DeleteBut me being uninsured and paying for my own medical bills, please explain how I'm adding to the deficit?
Read for comprehension, 4:13, when government agencies can get LOWER PRICES due to competition that reduces the amount they have to pay out, hence reduces the amount of deficit (adding to debt) that is done by said agency.
DeleteIt's like being able to have six stores selling something and each one can compete to get customers by lowering the price or adding to the item. If you only have one store, they can charge you as much as they want for everything and you pay it or go without. See how that works? It's known as capitalism in action, just what the GOPpers claim they want (free market).
If Obamacare is going to lower prices, why is the price of insurance going up?
DeleteThis is bait and switch. Just like the prop in Washington to close State run liquor stores. Supposedly private industry could sell liquor cheaper than the State because the workers wouldn't get the high wages and bennies the State workers got.
Well lo and behold, the prices are still about the same, but then there is a State liquor tax added. It's about 20% of the purchase price, plus there is another tax of about $3.77 per liter. So now the state still gets the tax, but has no worker liability. Sweet for the State.
As far as I can see, Obamacare is just a new excuse to gouge customers who buy health care. (now forced to buy health care)
In my state, South Dakota, our Republican governor (Daugaard), too, has refused to set up the health insurance exchange.
ReplyDeleteI would damn sure sign up with the public option today if it were available.
Yes, affordable health care for everyone!
DeleteI will as well. Won't it be nice when we have national healthcare - for EVERYONE - just like the rest of the Western world? Maybe we could be #1 again in something besides gun-related deaths!!! It sure won't be education anytime soon.
ReplyDeleteIf you don't have insurance in AK, when the Federal exchange is available you must shop the Federal Exchange instead of Alaska since Parnell didn't take the dollars to set up a state exchange. He is in the pocket of the insurance companies and you can't get a good deal on insurance in AK.
ReplyDeleteI remain single and poor enough to get state funded care for "women care" and try to get Medicaid when I can, but I'd like to actually claim all of my income and find a nice policy that I can afford without gaming the system. I think that can happen in 2014. Until then, Medicaid, you are my friend!
Off topic but more lying for the Lord. Mitt the shit would be so proud. http://deadspin.com/5976517
ReplyDeleteOne of the biggest costs to ASD's budget is health care costs, so where do they look for budget cuts? Classroom teachers and support staff. More people laid off, fewer services for students.
ReplyDeleteSchakowsky used to be my Rep when I lived in Chicago's Wrigleyville. Way to go, Jan!
ReplyDelete