swing vote maybe?

[PreachersWife2004]

Hmm...

Shunned Illinois senator suddenly relevant | General News | Comcast.net

 

[DaisyDay]

Since I am also in favor of a public option, I hope he gets his way in this.

 

[PreachersWife2004]

Since I am also in favor of a public option, I hope he gets his way in this.

Since you're in favor of it, perhaps you could help explain exactly what a "public option" is...that is one aspect of the health care bill that I am not completely clear on...

 

[jayem]

The public option is allowing the federal government to formulate and sell a health insurance policy to the public. It would compete with private insurance. Think of it as something like Medicare, but sold to anyone, regardless of age or health status. Theoretically, it could underprice all private insurance policies, since it would be non-profit, and it would be ultimately backed up by the taxing power of the federal government. The concern among its detractors, is that no private insurance plans could possibly compete with it. It would drive all other carriers out of the market. And we'd be left with no other option for health coverage except the government run plan. It's supporters say that's not realistic, and that an affordable health insurance option available to everyone is needed to keep the private insurance carriers honest. A public, non-profit plan will keep the premiums down for everyone.

But no one really knows how things would go down if a public option were to be enacted. Obviously, a lot depends on how it's structured. But it's all basically guesswork on both sides.

 

[PreachersWife2004]

Thanks, great explanation!!

The public option is allowing the federal government to formulate and sell a health insurance policy to the public. It would compete with private insurance. Think of it as something like Medicare, but sold to anyone, regardless of age or health status. Theoretically, it could underprice all private insurance policies, since it would be non-profit, and it would be ultimately backed up by the taxing power of the federal government. The concern among its detractors, is that no private insurance plans could possibly compete with it. It would drive all other carriers out of the market. And we'd be left with no other option for health coverage except the government run plan. It's supporters say that's not realistic, and that an affordable health insurance option available to everyone is needed to keep the private insurance carriers honest. A public, non-profit plan will keep the premiums down for everyone.

But no one really knows how things would go down if a public option were to be enacted. Obviously, a lot depends on how it's structured. But it's all basically guesswork on both sides.