Public option “opt-out” gaining
09 October 2009 3:51 pm by Jane Austen
http://www.taylormarsh.com/2009/10/09/public-option-opt-out-gaining/
I’m kinda with Andy Stern on this one. I see the public option coming in through a side door. I somehow doubt the people in states like Alabama and Georgia will opt-out. It’s an interesting concept at this point in time. And Howard Dean is right when he said it would be real health care reform. Just so long as it’s not Baucus’s bill. Cripes, I still can’t spell that guy’s name.
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Well, health care policy isn’t my beat (an understatement), but I thought this was an interesting development in the Senate on the way to 60.
I hope people chime in, because I’m *very* interested to hear what everyone has to say.
So do I because right now health care reform is more important than Obama getting the Peace prize and it gives me an opportunity to talk about what is most important to me politically and socially.
I spent yesterday with a bunch of doctors and nurses who have been active in the health care reform movement. To a man and woman everyone of them want a public option and would have preferred universal single payer reform but they’re willing to compromise.
One of the docs was my ob from years ago who now just practices as a gyn specializing in the problems of older women. I’ve known him since he was chief resident under my first ob who was head of the ob/gyn at a major hospital in NYC. This is a guy who loves and respects women. I love listening to him. We’re the same age. I was stunned to find out he had sold his very successful practice after more than forty years in this area. The reason – he can’t deal with the insurance companies anymore. He had to hire a separate staff just to handle all the insurance claims and problems that ensued. He got tired of the crappola as he put it. He said no medical practitioner should have to put up with justifying to the enth degree why he/she is ordering a certain treatment to a patient. And then be told it’s not covered for some asinine and absurd reason. So he sold the practice but plans to continue practicing medicine (thank God, I’d have to find another gyn otherwise) within the new practice, just so long as he doesn’t have to deal with the insurance companies. He figures he’ll go until he’s at least 80. Some of the other docs are thinking of getting out of their practices too and all agreed that any doc worth his/her salt is for good health care reform that benefits the people and not the insurance companies.
I’m chiming in – Have the balls to do what’s right and get on with it. It’s going to get ugly when the House and Senate have come up with something they all agree on. Frankly, I’m not looking forward to it. I don’t trust a one of them, other than Sen. Wyden and Sen. Rockefeller to stand on principle.
Plus the deficit neutral demand is a joke. The Baucus bill, and I am certain other will as well, is loaded with tax increases.
im opposed to this opt out idea. im with the progressive caucus here. lets let states opt out of roe. lets let states get out of the voting rights act too. this is the ks nebraska act for healthcare. congress wont do what is morally right here and mandate a natl po for all. instead it will let states vote out of it? what crap. anyone thinks rick perry in tx will opt in is mistaken. or most the south? disgusting.
kris says:
09 October 2009 at 4:29 pm
I think we should all converge on Washington, DC and let these politicians know what the people want. I can’t believe the vacillating and creeping around that some of these Dems are doing. I just wish they’d remember they won in 2008 and start acting like it. I’m tired of the Repubs setting conditions. Someone other than Wyden and Rockefeller has to have cajones. i really don’t care how ugly it gets, just do it.
texan4hillary says:
09 October 2009 at 5:19 pm
I don’t think the opt-out is in the same boat as Roe. It’s in the people’s interest to have the public option and I think most of them realize that. Just my opinion. I want universal single payer so I guess i’m way out in left field.
States can’t opt out of Roe. That’s like saying they could opt out of civil rights and voting laws.
I want a public option. Period.
Speaking of insurance companies, I’ve just spent several hours over the last 2 days getting a prescription drug approved by my insurance. They sent me a letter saying that my deductible would increase from $35 to $75 unless I changed to another drug. Note – the suggested drug is not a generic – it is a different drug. My doctor said that the suggested drug would in no way be equivalent to the one I had been taking for several years. Now, I’ve had to get a written statement from him and prepare a letter myself to appeal. This is the 3rd time I’ve had to do this in 2 years. I believe there is a bureaucrat between me and my talker.
Tip O’Neill cocktail time is up!
djjl says:
09 October 2009 at 5:30 pm
My son’s co-pay for the testing strips for his glucometer has gone to $65 for a two month supply because he no longer can get the generic. I called OPM yesterday and they’re going to come up with something more reasonable. According to OPM BC/BS can’t do it because generic is in the contract.
Hey JA -
I’m for single payer as well. You aren’t alone. It’s hard for me to get behind anything being proposed because they are nothing but half measures, if that, and the people will end up getting screwed one way or the other.