Reply #20: PNHP has an agenda. [View All]

But here is why I think the public option can compete in every market:

I can only think of two circumstances that would create a market (a region or state or demographic) where a government run insurance plan would not be able to compete would be where existing private insurers have some stranglehold monopoly or unfair advantage.

At this point, the President reminds the private industry of their cries of "unfair advantage" and duly levels the playing field by regulating away that advantage or by other means.

Another way an advantage could exist against which the public plan could not compete would be if private insurers have a "loss-leader" market and, again, the solution above would level the playing field.

If indeed there is a private insurer that really runs a tight efficient program without unfair advantages and high executive pay, they might be able to beat a public option, but then that would be fine.

The president suggests an array of options, people need to choose the one that works best for them.

:patriot: