New Progressive Memo Sent Around Hill Warns Against Finance Committee Health Care

In a late-game push to pass the public option, progressive groups are trying to convince Democrats that it would be political suicide to pass a bill requiring people to buy insurance coverage but not giving them the choice of a government-run plan.

A memo making the rounds on Capitol Hill makes the case that the current construct of the Senate Finance Committee's legislation - which includes an individual mandate but no public option - will be resoundingly opposed by the American public.

Commissioned by the progressive-leaning Health Care for America Now - and obtained by the Huffington Post - the piece is based on three new polls conducted by reputable polling firms in swing House districts and the state of Maine.

"Nationally," the memo reads, "voters oppose a mandate to purchase private insurance by 64% to 34% but support a mandate with a choice of private or public insurance by 60% to 37%... Each [survey] found that likely 2010 voters oppose 'requiring everyone to buy and be covered by a private health insurance plan' but support 'requiring everyone to buy and be covered by a health insurance plan with a choice between a public option and private insurance plans.'"

In a not-so-subtle message to Senate Democrats, the memo concludes with a warning shot at the Senate Finance Committee's legislation - which seems unlikely to include a public plan.

"All of the health care reform proposals that have passed Congressional committees to date, including three House committees and the Senate HELP Committee, include an individual mandate and the choice of private or public health insurance," the HCAN memo reads. "The Chairman's mark introduced into the Senate Finance Committee includes the individual mandate without the choice of a public health insurance option."

Read the memo:

hcan -

A chief proponent of the public option, Health Care for America Now, like other progressive groups, is working to ensure that the provision makes it into the final piece of legislation considered by Congress. In that regard, the polling that the group sponsors should be taken with a grain of salt. Other pollsters, in particular, have criticized the use of the word "choice" in questions about the public plan.

That said, a wide swath of strategists in the party share the concerns raised in the memo. An individual mandate, while important policy, is already tricky politics - penalizing individuals who choose not to purchase insurance. The Senate Finance Committee has sought to allay these concerns by offering additional financial incentives to help consumers purchase their insurance. But, without offering consumers a government plan, the bill risks being framed as a give-away to private insurers.

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Comments

[ECBA88]

See, I know "choice" is one of the cue words at makes people always like what they hear in polls, but isn't that sort of the same reason the public option has been floated in the first place? To give people a real, substantive choice on health care? Just because the word is used doesn't invalidate a poll if its the most accurate word. If you poll people about whether they like kittens, and kittens is such a cue word, your poll isn't bad, it just shows that an overwhelming majority of americans approve of kittens.

[Beca]

OK, Sam, if you are going to try to play real reporter, perhaps you should get your facts straight instead of repeating the same misinformation that keeps going round and round. A PUBLIC OPTION DOES NOT NECESSARILY HAVE TO BE A 'GOVERNMENT RUN PLAN', IT CAN BE A PLAN MANAGED BY A NON-PROFIT ENTITY THAT IS CONTRACTED TO DO JUST THAT AND HAS TO COMPLY WITH ALL THE REQUIREMENTS WRITTEN IN THE LAW FOR THIS HEALTH REORM.
The reason why people are so confused about what is and what is not a possibility in our health reform, is that those responsible for imparting facts and truth are not doinig their job correctly. The laziness of people in the media is astounding! All they do is recycle what somebody else says, regardless if it is not completely accurate, if it misses important points, or adds to the confusion and misinformation. I AM SICK OF THIS! I AM SO SICK OF MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA BEING SO LAZY THAT ALL THEY DO IS PARROT THE RHETORIC THAT IS FLYING AROUND, REGARDLESS IF THE RHETORIC IS FACTUAL, ACCURATE OR INFLAMATORY.

[frankcaprafan]

"A PUBLIC OPTION DOES NOT NECESSARILY HAVE TO BE A 'GOVERNMENT RUN PLAN', IT CAN BE A PLAN MANAGED BY A NON-PROFIT ENTITY THAT IS CONTRACTED TO DO JUST THAT AND HAS TO COMPLY WITH ALL THE REQUIREMENTS WRITTEN IN THE LAW FOR THIS HEALTH REORM."

Can you site the pages in the bill that indicate this please?

[frankcaprafan]

"cite" :(

[bigironal25]

If there is NO public option , the democrats lose this voter FOREVER!!!!

[bigfro]

Just don't go republican. I agree with you, but the reoublicans love Obama doing their work for them.

[TN60]

How tone deaf are these idiots on Baucus' team? It makes one wonder if these people ever get out of the rarified air of the Washington bubble.

They have made such a hash out of health reform, they should all be fired and made to give up pensions, health insurance and those ivory towers they occupy.

My only hope is that Pelosi will pass a government health option for everyone and the President is waiting to do an end run when all the bills get to conference.

It is a given that the Republicans will come roaring back if these stupid Dems pass a bill without a good government run health option while proposing a mandate for all to buy insurance. And....that does not mean a "trigger/exchange /co-op sop."

As Joe Biden said, and I've said all along. you can kiss goodbye the rest of Obama's agenda on Energy and Education. The Republicans will declare an Obama defeat and then they will be off and running.

These tea bag hags, run by Dick Armey, was/is about the larger picture of regaining power, not as everyone assumes, about health care, alone. This one issue is only the beginning of their quest. Wait for the oil/gas/coal boys to get involved. They are the big boy players.

[AlDavidson]

Coming to you from Canada, single payer should be the only way. I have many examples of how our system saves lives and livelihoods.

[Beca]

Please do share! I am serious! the corporatist media in this country has not allowed anyone to get any true facts about the Canadian health care system. All the media and politicians have done is perpetuate the many lies and misconceptions about the canadian system, and nobody seems brave enough to correct those lies--they just constinue to demonize the Canadian system. So please, AlDavidson, share with the rest of the people your examples of how your system saves lives and livelihoods.

[carljr]

Hate to bring this up...but I've had relatives who have dual US/Canadian citizenship. While they lived most of their lives in the United States, worked hard, paid their taxes and collected social security on retirement, most of them moved back to Canada after retiring.

It was the health care coverage that made them move. While I'm a little embarassed at the example of dual citizenship double dipping ...this point is worth making.

[AlDavidson]

My brother 2 years ago while visiting a restroom at a restaurant discovered blood in his urine, 3 days later he was recovering in the hospital from the removal of his cancerous kidney, today he is completely cancer free, total cost to my brother zero dollars, having a cancer free brother priceless.

My mother was just diagnosed with a very aggressive breast cancer, her operation is scheduled this Wednesday, she has a great doctor everything should go well.

I have other examples, these are just 2 that are very close to me, if you are to believe your media you would think that they would have both been left to die, but not only did they get immediate attention, it does not cost a dime.

I recently seen on CNN a republican Senator talk about a Canadian MP getting treatment for her breast cancer in the US, the real story is that she was operated on and treated in Canada and went to the US for breast augmentation, the Canadian system does not cover plastic surgery, the MP Belinda Stronach is now campaigning in Canada for this type of after surgery breast augmentation to be covered under our single payer system.

[CarmanK]

Public Option is an absolute. You cannot mandate insurance for all and not offer a public option. Even in the auto industry, MD requires insurance for all and there is a MD auto insurance fund, although, I am surprised you cannot make monthly payments, but have to pay more up front than you do with private insurance companies. Medicare, Medicaid and MedicOPTION. Sounds good to me

[grandma58]

Single payer and get rid of Baucus

[TeeLolly]

Yes and YES!

[PhilipTaylor]

Why do Axe1r0d’s and Em@nue1’s Media F1unkies constantly “B@D M0UTH” the Medicare Public Choice Option when both PARTIES Like it and 2/3rds want it?

CBO SAYS the Medicare Public Option saves $85 Billion MORE than BAUCUS BILL!

Democrats will commit po1itical su!cide if they force Americans to buy insurance and not have a Medicare Public Choice.

CBS Poll = 65% (2/3rds) support a Medicare Public Choice
CBS Poll = 47% of Republicans Support Medicare Public Choice and 42% say NO
CBS Poll = 57% of Republicans say NO to a bill without a Medicare Public Choice
CBO says Medicare Public Option can save $85 Billion MORE!

"All of the health care reform proposals that have passed Congressional committees to date, including three House committees and the Senate HELP Committee, include an individual mandate and the choice of private or public health insurance," Health Care for America Now sent.

[dadw5boys]

The Public Option will have a MEANS TEST !!!!!!!!

[PhilipTaylor]

Here is the RESULT:

CBO SAYS the Medicare Public Option saves $85 Billion MORE than BAUCUS BILL!

Democrats will commit po1itical su!cide if they force Americans to buy insurance and not have a Medicare Public Choice.

CBS Poll = 65% (2/3rds) support a Medicare Public Choice
CBS Poll = 47% of Republicans Support Medicare Public Choice and 42% say NO
CBS Poll = 57% of Republicans say NO to a bill without a Medicare Public Choice
CBO says Medicare Public Option can save $85 Billion MORE!

"All of the health care reform proposals that have passed Congressional committees to date, including three House committees and the Senate HELP Committee, include an individual mandate and the choice of private or public health insurance," Health Care for America Now sent.

[dadw5boys]

LOL CBO --- they never reared their head over the Iraq War and the Afganistan War ot the perscription drug bill

[dadw5boys]

Within 10 years it would save over $810 Billion with Precentive Care, Nurse Practioners, and Health Education Classes.

[TheShadow]

".....includes an individual mandate but no public option - will be resoundingly opposed by the American public."

Ya think?

[Ken Maddox]

When Wall Street imploded from its own stupidity, bail outs were hastily planned, shaped into a bill, voted on, and signed by GW Bush. The purists(co­nservative­s) cried loudly let 'em fail. Let the market sort it out.
When the Auto Manufactures faltered under their version of tunnel vision from the top, bail outs were planned, and approved. The purists (conservatives) cried loudly with gnashing of teeth let 'em fail. Let the market sort it out.
When the American people cried we need health care reform, and bills were written (and continue to be), debate spread across the land, dire predications are made about the state of the nation if reform is passed. The purists (conservatives) are crying loudly with gnashing of teeth and the renting of clothes, it will kill the insurance companies. The market can not with stand this assault. We must not let them fail.

I'm a little confused. Are you for free markets or not? Come on Republican party let 'em fail if they can't stand a little competition.

[AllShookUp]

How anyone can get behind an insurance company when people are literally d y ing for lack of care, often due to a decision based solely on the fact that they want to make a buck, is completely beyond me. We treat our fellow Americans like dirt. And we call ourselves civilized.

[Ken Maddox]

It is at once discouraging and amazing how many people, living from payday to payday, think they are paying their own way.
What you produce today, what you earn today is in large part possible because of the blood, sweat, tears, and sacrifices of those who preceded you. Truly compassionate human beings all seem to understand this premise. All others turn inward to claim success.
They blast union members, and then think they themselves alone caused the company they work for to provide the things thought impossible before the unions went without pay and benefits to earn those things for us.
They blast social programs while depending on Medicare and Social Security to provide for their parents needs while freeing them of the responsibility.
They accuse the government of being unable to perform in any manner close to efficiency, but are quick to call on officials to arbitrate their grievances.
Unless you are one of the 1% of Americans that have 90% of the wealth. You are not safe from catastrophe, your world can turn and leave you destitute and dying on the street.
Wake up America, get behind true Health Care Reform, do it for yourself, do it for your family, do it for our nation. Do It Today!

[kjwhite]

That only a small percentage of Americans may have chosen the public option isn't really the point. That option provided a CHOICE, and choice injected into the insurance industry equation would inspire much needed competition that inevitabley brings down prices and increases benefits. THAT was the public option's greatest strength.

With no public option, the insurance industry will have ZERO incentive to drop costs for consumers, and we know they will not give up a penny they don't have to. As long as we had the public option, we KNEW that an affordable choice would be available and that the insurance industry would finally have to compete for our business as opposed to being the only dealers in a rigged game. Remove the public option from the equation, and what then is the point of all this? If the insurance industry knows that in the end, we have no choice but to come to them for the insurance we are now mandated to have, why would they change a thing? All they need do is sit back and wait for all the new business to roll in.

[Firbolg]

Forget about the “public option”. It is not worth the effort anymore.
When the “public option” was first floated it appeared that it would be a government configured and government run source of coverage available to the general public and would gain enough customers (130 million mentioned at one point) so as to provide meaningful competition to private companies.
As it is now offered (depending on the final bill) it just might see the light of day years down the road as a restricted option to a small sub-set of the public, based on a means test. It will not be run by the government, but outsourced to insurance companies.
This is no more a public option than the Congressional cafeteria is a public restaurant.
It was touted as “keeping the insurance companies honest”.
What we need is something to keep the administration and congress honest.

[DamnGoodmon]

But wait, the president is boasting that ONLY 5% OF THE POPULATION WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE PUBLIC OPTION.

And CBO is saying that the public option premiums to be JUST AS HIGH AS PRIVATE INSURANCE!

Yea, that's "change I can believe in."

In total HCAN fashion, they've spun this poll, which really is the greatest indictment of ObamaCare to date. It confirms the rage people will have the day we're all forced to buy private insurance and the public option presented is only $10 less a month and firewalled to prevent any more than 10-11 million Americans from enrolling.

Americans are going to blame the Democorporate Party, and Republicans will run and win big by vowing to repeal the mess. There's a reason, Obama doesn't want his plan to go into effect until after the next presidential election.

Incidentally, a real "robust/strong" public option would allow any person/business to buy into Medicare. It would reduce private insurance's market share significantly, which is why it's not being considered. Indeed, the questions that no one ever seems to answer are: "what exactly is the definition of a robust/strong public option?" and, "How much will the premiums cost?"

I'd really like to see someone important answer those two questions.

This whole health insurance bailout is a fraud on the American people, and exposes just how far the Democratic Party has fallen.

[freshnotbitter]

I am going to be fair to Obama right up untill the bill is passed at which point I will decide whether I will or will not vote democratic in the next election.

I believe that Obama wanted as strong and populist a health bill as he could get passed in the congress and I think he is working for that.

However, he really needs to make a strong argument for the public option.

There are many ways the public option can be presented and done. If he presents it one way and the public/congress does not support that particular presentation, is that his fault?

[Firbolg]

You are taking a ride with Thelma & Louise.

[meko]

If you wait till after a bill is passed to contact your representatives, contribute to those who influence the policy debate or taken any action at all, then you deserve whatever you get.

[VegasWolf]

Sit back, enjoy the ride, America has chosen the Democrats to lead our nation in this time of great social injustice. America has ensured that the Republicans are nothing more than squawk boxes at this stage in history.

[marxmarv]

So what? It's just a brand. Corporate center-right party vs. corporate right-off-­the-end-of­-the-pier party. What a choice!

[jimfl]

51 votes for public option. Stop kissing republicants butts.

[PhilipTaylor]

CBO SAYS the Medicare Public Option saves $85 Billion MORE than BAUCUS BILL!

Democrats will commit po1itical su!cide if they force Americans to buy insurance and not have a Medicare Public Choice.

CBS Poll = 65% (2/3rds) support a Medicare Public Choice
CBS Poll = 47% of Republicans Support Medicare Public Choice and 42% say NO
CBS Poll = 57% of Republicans say NO to a bill without a Medicare Public Choice
CBO says Medicare Public Option can save $85 Billion MORE!

"All of the health care reform proposals that have passed Congressional committees to date, including three House committees and the Senate HELP Committee, include an individual mandate and the choice of private or public health insurance," Health Care for America Now sent.

[PhilipTaylor]

MEDICARE PUBLIC CHOICE + COMPETITION = Lowest Cost + Highest Quality

Enter your Zip Code and Medicare Public Choice Plan plus all Legal Plans for your state are shown sorted by ANNUAL COST!

You and/or Your Family Pick a Choice and changes any time the plan fails you-No Strings!
_______________

Medicare Public Choice in an Internet EXCHANGE with 1,300 INSURERS Plans Ranked by COST

Competition Between Public & Private Plans BRINGS DOWN COSTS+IMPROVES QUALITY

We have Three (3) passed committee Bills in House + One (1) in Senate all With Public Options!

BAUCUS PLAN IS Badly FLAWED and must be SHELVED!
_______________

Details:

HR 676 (Medicare Public Choice 26% Savings) + Wyden Bill (Internet Exchange)

HR 676 Link: http://www.thomas.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c111:H.R.676.IH:

Wyden S 391 Link: http://www.thomas.gov/cgi-bin/thomas

Merge these two SIMPLE COST SAVING IDEAS so easy to READ and Understand!

CBO calls Wyden Plan Deficit Neutral and reduces Deficit by $Billion!
__________ __________ ___

BAUCUS BILL IS IN A QUAGMIRE = PURE Gobbledygook on TOP of a BROKEN SYSTEM!

BAUCUS = DUCT TAPE AND RUBBER BANDS ON A BROKEN SYSTEM! NOT even Good Tape!

It does not work on a flat tires and it will NOT work HERE!

Shelve the Baucus Plan and use the FOUR PLANS that are already approved by Committees!

[freshnotbitter]

I'm not against single payer considering all the shenanigans going on in congress which makes a man want to throw his hands up and scream "medicare for all now!!".

But, let's face it, a medicare public option means medicare takes the private insurance payment schedule, knocks 20% off and they have 15% less administrative so everybody piles into the medicare public option. At that point the private insurers go out of business and you have one government agency which sets fees paid for all medical delivery. At that stage is somebody develops a drug which cures a certain disease or a machine that performs a task better, will the government pay for it or not? Under the present system, all the insurance companies basically end up buying the drug or treatment because Aetna can't say we don't cover something which our competitor covers.

This procedure doesn't do anything to lower costs across the system. It does play a part in the progress (investment) in new technologies without subjecting them to the political influence which could creep into a medicare bureaucracy over time.

So you have a two track system with private insurers covering employers et al and a public option designed to lower costs across the system covering others.

[PhilipTaylor]

Insurers spend 30% on Administrative Charges while Medicare charges only 3%!

That is a 1,000% SURCHARGE for Marketing, Advertising, and Denial of Services! WHO WANTS TO PAY THAT?

Plus the PROFITS Skimmed off by the Executive Employees worth tens of Millions to tens of Billions depending on the size of the company! Stakeholders have been R1PED-0FF for years!

[marxmarv]

How many people actually read the formulary, let alone factor its contents into a buying decision? How many employees actually MAKE a buying decision? Not many.

On the other hand, insurers' formularies are built by negotiations between manufacturer and insurer.

[Beca]

Private Health Insurance denies care, treatment and service a thousand times more often than Medicare ever does. In fact, with Medicare, (not the Medicare Advantage that is tied in to private health insurance companies) there really is not denial of service. There is a list of services Medicare pays for, such as primary care, specialists, etc. , seniors go to the doctor get what they need and that's that. There is no hagling, no denial of treatment. That is the m.o. of private insurance industry, because they make money from denying care and services. The government would not be making money off of denying care or treatment. What makes you think that if a new drug is found to cure a disease that the government won't pay for it? why wouldn't they? They are not in it for the profit margin, so it would be more cost effective for the government to pay for the drug that actually cures your disease than to keep paying for long tern treatment of your disease. The for profit company would deny your the new treatment because it is too expensive for their profit margin, so it would be better if they just cancel your coverage, or deny you future treatments because of some loop hole they have in their books to make sure you end up dying.
The government would have no incentive to deny you care, they are not in it to make a profit off you.