2016 Postmortem
Related: About this forumDems doubtful of Sanders health push
Sen. Bernie Sanderss (I-Vt.) renewed push for a government-run healthcare plan is getting a tepid reception from Democrats, with some saying he is waging a losing battle.
Long-time public option supporters like Sanders believe Aetnas decision to flee the ObamaCare marketplaces this week proves what theyve been saying all along: that the time has come for a new government-run healthcare plan in the United States. But on Capitol Hill, Democrats think a fight over a public option is nearly impossible to win, regardless of how the November election shakes out.
The public option was a good idea in 2009, and its a still a good idea today. (But) I dont know that the politics have changed at all on it, Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a top ObamaCare advocate, said by phone Wednesday.
Democratic leaders were forced to drop a public insurance option from early drafts of ObamaCare, to the deep disappointment of liberals. At the time, it was clear the idea would never garner the votes to pass.
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http://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/291792-dems-doubtful-of-sanders-health-push
geek tragedy
(68,868 posts)bettyellen
(47,209 posts)Response to DonViejo (Original post)
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Blue Idaho
(4,987 posts)Will contribute to their own demise. If they create a vacuum in the insurance pool, it will be filled. Hopefully filled by a "Medicare for all" program. If we can put enough Democrats in office we may be able to push back against the lobbiests. Personally, I don't think the insurance companies can force us back to the bad old days. While ObamaCare isn't perfect it's already had a significant impact on healthcare costs.
kacekwl
(6,993 posts)too much power. They all have health insurance and plenty $$$$ to cover copays drugs etc. WTF do they care.
Recursion
(56,582 posts)Pharma, doctors, and hospitals would like nothing better than to lock in their obscenely high rates.
If you think ACA was a giveaway to insurance, you won't believe how much of a giveaway a public option would be to providers.
they allow it to.
kacekwl
(6,993 posts)but just because it is a government program does it have to be a endless cash cow for anyone involved.
pnwmom
(108,925 posts)NCTraveler
(30,481 posts)We need to get majorities.
Additionally, writers have really gotten embarrassingly bad. Most of us understand the importance of what Sanders is saying. Most of us also understand it doesn't stand a chance at the current moments. It's getting a "tepid" reception from dems because at this point in time it is pie in the sky bullshit. The attachment to dems in the article is simply an attempt to sow more division.
DanTex
(20,709 posts)about 62 seats in the Senate (since there are going to be some Joe Liebermans in there). Talking about the public option is useless, the only thing that matters is electing Democrats.
I believe that Bernie understands this, but a lot of people on the far left don't.