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The bill does not include a government-run public insurance plan option, instead setting up a system of private non-profit health insurance cooperatives. It would also tax some of the most expensive, so-called "Cadillac" insurance plans.
Baucus' compromise proposal would cost about $900 billion over 10 years -- about $100 billion less than the other bills Congress is now considering. About $180 billion of that cost would be covered by the tax on "Cadillac" plans, about another $400 billion would come from Medicare savings.
Under the proposal, Medicare would be expanded to cover all individuals who make less than 133 percent of the federal poverty level. It would provide tax credits to help other lower- and middle-income individuals and families buy private insurance, and would set up a new marketplace -- a health insurance exchange -- to help them find that coverage. Some of the options in those exchanges would be private, nonprofit health insurance cooperatives.
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According to the Washington Post, a summary of the proposal said that it " dramatically increases the focus on and coverage of prevention and wellness programs" and "begins the shift of health care delivery to the quality of care provided, not the quantity of services rendered, which will result in higher quality patient care."
On the surface it sounds tenable. I look forward to independent analyses to see what, if any, hidden caveats are not being fully-advertised. I'm also still a little concerned that "cooperatives" are nothing more than wolves in sheeps clothing. If the goal is a public option, then call it what it is because it will ultimately come to light.
On the surface it sounds tenable. I look forward to independent analyses to see what, if any, hidden caveats are not being fully-advertised. I'm also still a little concerned that "cooperatives" are nothing more than wolves in sheeps clothing. If the goal is a public option, then call it what it is because it will ultimately come to light.
From what little Ive read of them, cooperatives as they exist now work well when they're small and regional. Maybe the problems with the model will be corrected for this incarnation, in this bill.
Baucus’ plan also omits the creation of a government-run insurance program to compete with private insurers, the subject of great debate throughout the health reform process.
President Barack Obama has said he sees the public option as a way to increase competition and lower cost, a message echoes by two of his staff this weekend.
White House spokesman Robert Gibbs called the public option a “valuable tool” on ABC’s “This Week,” indicating that in his speech before both houses of Congress Sept. 9, the president “will draw some lines in the sand” regarding the reform efforts.
You better duck from your fellow venom-spewin' liberal sheep who will be here in a minute to whine about the lack of a true Public Option.
You have a valid point. Democrats are in a precarious position. Vote for the public option, get booted in 2010 in conservative leaning districts. Vote against the public option, risk losing union support and get booted in 2010 in liberal leaning districts. It will be interesting to see how well-recieved the Baucus Compromise is amongst Democrats. It could turn into an all out frackus and further divide the party.
Health care interests spent hundreds of millions of dollars - Sep. 8, 2009
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Health and accident insurers, HMOs and health services organizations increased their contributions to Blue Dogs from $106,200 in the first quarter of 2009 to $122,650 in the second, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.
That is a 15% increase. By comparison, Democrats not in the Blue Dog group saw a 3% hike in contributions.
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Who are "you guys"? Those of us who aren't blind-loyalists to the far-left or far-right wings of the two major parties. If so, you need to take a long and hard look into your own mirror of reality.
Baucus’ plan also omits the creation of a government-run insurance program to compete with private insurers, the subject of great debate throughout the health reform process.
President Barack Obama has said he sees the public option as a way to increase competition and lower cost, a message echoes by two of his staff this weekend.
White House spokesman Robert Gibbs called the public option a “valuable tool” on ABC’s “This Week,” indicating that in his speech before both houses of Congress Sept. 9, the president “will draw some lines in the sand” regarding the reform efforts.
Odd that you go on and call the right "sheep" and then you go on and quote those on the left to prove your point..
Btw, the plan looks rather similar to plans called for by McCain..
Taxing insurance plans, health savings accounts, tax credits.
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