What is the definition of Public Option?

dgibby

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Mon Aug-17-09 11:51 AM
Original message

What is the definition of Public Option?

Regarding the latest kerfuffle about whether or not Pres. Obama supports a public option: has he ever defined the term? Does he consider a co-op a public option? Until we know his definition of public option, I think we'll continue to have a great deal of confusion about this subject.

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

Eric J in MN

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Mon Aug-17-09 11:52 AM
Response to Original message

1. No, a co-op isn't a public option. Public=government.

The co-ops would be run by non-profits.

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

dgibby

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Mon Aug-17-09 11:55 AM
Response to Reply #1

2. Yes, you're right, of course.

The question is what would the Admin and/or Congress consider it to be? Considering how they manage to strain at gnats and swallow elephants (no pun intended), I wouldn't be surpised to see them try to pass it off as a public option.

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

femmocrat

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Mon Aug-17-09 11:55 AM
Response to Original message

3. I agree that he needs to sharpen his message.

After watching all three town halls, I can understand why so many are still confused. He went from calling the public option a "menu" to an "exchange". People don't even know what it is and they are opposed to it!

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

dgibby

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Mon Aug-17-09 12:00 PM
Response to Reply #3

6. Bingo!

Considering how on message he and his entire team were during the Primaries, I find it amazing that this is so confusing. I think this nebulous message is a large part of what's hampering these town hall meetings. Dem. after Dem. keeps saying they don't know what's going to be in the final bill. The republicans have a much stronger (albeit, false) message.

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

sharesunited

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Mon Aug-17-09 11:56 AM
Response to Original message

4. I think public option means insurance offered by the government at an affordable premium.

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

Oregone

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Mon Aug-17-09 11:56 AM
Response to Original message

5. No one has defined it on purpose; it gives them wiggle room

It could almost be anything offering coverage, or the purchase of coverage, ran, owned or merely regulated by a public entity.

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

dgibby

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Mon Aug-17-09 12:05 PM
Response to Reply #5

7. I agree, but I think it's killing us in the long run.

It's hard to be for or against something when it's unclear what you're supposed to be for or against. Basically, they're asking us to support a blank slate, and trust them to give us somethng worthwhile later.

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

Oregone

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Mon Aug-17-09 12:34 PM
Response to Reply #7

12. Yeah, its taken over the entire fucking debate, and not in a good way

I think it was a bone crafted to motivate "leftists" to support a "centrist" reform, but left ambiguous so it would be mostly unsubstantial in the end. Unfortunately, its motivated a whole lot more right-wingers than leftists, and probably because it scores so damn low when it actually comes to covering anyone. Its just a political tool that is being used to manipulate people, and is a fraction of the actual reform. Yet people can't seem to look past

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

timeforpeace

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Mon Aug-17-09 01:02 PM
Response to Reply #7

13. It was supposed to be a clever tactic but it's become a losing tactic.

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

DeadEyeDyck

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Mon Aug-17-09 12:07 PM
Response to Original message

8. I always thought of the public option as

medicare for everyone. You just go to the doctor and get your health care. It don't cost you nothing. Paid for by the government.

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

dgibby

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Mon Aug-17-09 12:08 PM
Response to Reply #8

9. I wish! n/t

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

ipaint

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Mon Aug-17-09 12:24 PM
Response to Reply #8

10. That is what the original concept was suppose to be.

The ins. companies nipped that in the bud and all that has emerged from congress is a bill with very narrow requirements and severely limited enrollment, and only 10 million participants after 10 years. This defeats the purpose of the public option-cost controls across the board. The plan also leaves 17 million uninsured.

Obama himself has yet to define a strong public option.

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

dgibby

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Mon Aug-17-09 12:32 PM
Response to Reply #10

11. I hope we get a decent public option,

but if the insurance industry has it's way, we won't, or whatever we do get will be so hard to qualify for, it won't be worth it. It definitely won't compete with the industry, no doubt in my mind about that.

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

DU AdBot (1000+ posts)

Thu Apr 18th 2024, 05:44 PM
Response to Original message

Advertisements [?]

Top

Powered by DCForum+ Version 1.1 Copyright 1997-2002 DCScripts.com
Software has been extensively modified by the DU administrators

Important Notices: By participating on this discussion board, visitors agree to abide by the rules outlined on our Rules page. Messages posted on the Democratic Underground Discussion Forums are the opinions of the individuals who post them, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Democratic Underground, LLC.