nnyl1

Medicare started with an opt out option too

Posted on 10/27/09, 10:57 am

I'm listening to the Stephanie Miller show and she said Medicare began with an opt out option too.
Perhaps Harry Reid is on the right track to getting a public option?
I hope so. We got Medicare.

• Reply #1 10/27/09  2:35pm
  
  LindaJean
  I think he is on the right track. This way states can retain control - which should make the right happy - and they can opt out - if they have the nerve. More people want the public option than those who don't and if a governor wants to be re-elected - if his constituents want the public option - he'd/she'd better not opt out.
  
  Lieberman says he will not vote for the bill if it includes the opt out provision - I do not understand that man.
  
  This is such a blatant issue - but it seems that some politicians think their constituents will follow blindly behind them - regardless of what the people hear/know. Hopefully this issue will "showcase" those that really do not care about the people they represent.
• Reply #2 10/27/09  9:32pm
  
  shevan
  My thoughts exactly. Was listening to progressive radio today and the opt out option is something that the people in a state will rebel against - why would a governor not want the low income residents of the state be able to buy health insurance with their new tax credits, unless he or she didn't give a rat's ass about them, their constitutents? The people will vote these elitists out if they opt out. I wonder how many govs will get that now?
• Reply #3 10/27/09  9:33pm
  
  shevan
  typo - "constituents."
• Reply #4 10/27/09  11:32pm
  
  shevan
  Leiberman is from Connecticut which has several large corporations who have contributed heavily to his political campaigns so he is bought and sold by special interests and apparently isn't concerned about his immediate political future. Keith Olbermann discussed him briefly on Countdown tonight. He said he's not concerned till maybe 2014 but that was tongue in cheek, I am sure.
  
  This president of the CA Nurses Assn. talked about how Americans pay money for their premiums and the money goes to the health insurance industry which in turn denies care, makes huge profits, buys influence in congress with our senators and representatives who are then beholden to them and vote against the interests of the people in health care reform in the name of protecting corporate interests - it's a big gigantic mess and it's because we don't have a single payer government funded system!!
• Reply #5 10/28/09  2:01am
  
  shevan
  Those corporations are health insurance companies. Connecticut is "ground zero" for health insurance companies. They've given L over a million dollars in the last five years. He's going to oppose the public option but we will prevail - I hope!
• Reply #6 10/28/09  4:50am
  
  nnyl1
  Thing thing about public financing of candidates that irritates me....why can't we put a cap on what they can spend to run for election? so its a level playing field for all candidates? Now the person who wins, is usually the one who spent more money. They have the decision to accept public financing or opt out so they can spend as much as they want. Why do we have to bank roll their election, lets just put a cap on what they can spend. I like Obama. But he did opt out & he did spend the most money on his election And he did win true to form. The one who spends the most wins. What if they were not allowed to spend the most, but it was capped.
  
  There we would have the Television and advertising lobby fighting it..
• Reply #7 10/28/09  1:52pm
  
  shevan
  Much of Obama's money was from grass roots sources. But spending caps are good. I've always wanted campagaign finance reform and don't know why that can't get pushed through congress - I guess they like the perks that come from their benefactors.

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