Define "public option" in re: to healthcare reform (Congress, interview)

[brokensky]

I am hearing all sorts of misinformation about a "public option" in the discussion on healthcare reform.

What do you define as a "public option?" I want to know what folks actually think that public option represents.

I have heard some people refer to it as "free healthcare."

I have heard others say it would mean a type of insurance issued by the government which would have low cost premiums.

I have heard others say it would mean that any of us could participate in the Medicaid program, if our employer didn't provide insurance, and would have a low monthly premium cost.

So what are you all thinking this means: "public option?"

[roysoldboy]

Originally Posted by anifani821

I am hearing all sorts of misinformation about a "public option" in the discussion on healthcare reform.

What do you define as a "public option?" I want to know what folks actually think that public option represents.

I have heard some people refer to it as "free healthcare."

I have heard others say it would mean a type of insurance issued by the government which would have low cost premiums.

I have heard others say it would mean that any of us could participate in the Medicaid program, if our employer didn't provide insurance, and would have a low monthly premium cost.

So what are you all thinking this means: "public option?"

Now stop asking all those hard questions.

[arielmina]

I believe it's a government insurance plan designed to compete with private insurance companies, which you can buy into whether you have access to employer-sponsored health plans or not.

[Politico]

Originally Posted by anifani821

I have heard others say it would mean a type of insurance issued by the government which would have low cost premiums.

That one. Although, as far as I know, actual potential premiums have not been determined yet. The public option is an alternative insurance option, funded by the government, which a person can choose if s/he cannot afford private insurance, if s/he does not have access to private insurance through work, or if s/he doesn't want to purchase a private insurance plan, but would like to be covered.

The public option is not the same as Medicaid. Medicaid is a government-funded insurance option for people who earn less than the poverty threshhold.

[ovcatto]

Originally Posted by roysoldboy

Now stop asking all those hard questions.

Nothing "hard" about them.

The concept of a public option is rather simple. The Federal government establishes what in effect is a public health insurance company. The insurance provided by the government would be open to any citizens with premiums predicted, by the Congressional Budge Office, to be somewhere near 10% less than a similar plan through a private insurer. The stated goal of the public option is to provide less expensive insurance to the public while at the same time interjecting greater competition amongst insurers.

[roysoldboy]

Originally Posted by ovcatto

Nothing "hard" about them.

The concept of a public option is rather simple. The Federal government establishes what in effect is a public health insurance company. The insurance provided by the government would be open to any citizens with premiums predicted, by the Congressional Budge Office, to be somewhere near 10% less than a similar plan through a private insurer. The stated goal of the public option is to provide less expensive insurance to the public while at the same time interjecting greater competition amongst insurers.

I have tried and tried to understand how those horrible companies manage to COMPETE on a level footing when the government program can always fall back on tax money to make up losses. I just can't see how there will be any competition when the government is aiming to give less expensive policies to people than the privates can afford.

I still say that this is the first step to single payer which they just don't have the votes for yet. Oh, yeah old Barney said that much in an interview with a single payer backer. Barney says he is more in favor of that then anybody but they just don't have the votes and this is a great first step toward it.

[Katarina Witt]

Originally Posted by anifani821

I am hearing all sorts of misinformation about a "public option" in the discussion on healthcare reform.

What do you define as a "public option?" I want to know what folks actually think that public option represents.

I have heard some people refer to it as "free healthcare."

I have heard others say it would mean a type of insurance issued by the government which would have low cost premiums.

I have heard others say it would mean that any of us could participate in the Medicaid program, if our employer didn't provide insurance, and would have a low monthly premium cost.

So what are you all thinking this means: "public option?"

I haven't read the rest of the thread yet, but I'll say I have had these discussions with my daughter. What IS a "public option"? I think of the 3 optons you stated, #2 is my best assumption of what that means.

[Katarina Witt]

Originally Posted by roysoldboy

I have tried and tried to understand how those horrible companies manage to COMPETE on a level footing when the government program can always fall back on tax money to make up losses. I just can't see how there will be any competition when the government is aiming to give less expensive policies to people than the privates can afford.

I still say that this is the first step to single payer which they just don't have the votes for yet. Oh, yeah old Barney said that much in an interview with a single payer backer. Barney says he is more in favor of that then anybody but they just don't have the votes and this is a great first step toward it.

I have no love lost for the insurance companies, either personally or professionally, my friend.

[ovcatto]

Originally Posted by roysoldboy

I just can't see how there will be any competition when the government is aiming to give less expensive policies to people than the privates can afford.

You assume that the market is competitive now.

http://www.ama-assn.org/ama1/pub/upl...tudy_52006.pdf

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/30/us/30insure.html

I still say that this is the first step to single payer which they just don't have the votes for yet.

That certainly is the perspective of some folks, so what, if people come to believe that single payer is the a better system, that is their right, just as conversely they come to believe that the private sector can provide better service and reject it. See Fedex, UPS vs the USPS.

[PurpleLove08]

An insurance exchange that federal employees are allowed access to would be opened up to the average American. People would be able to choose what plan works for them and their family.