Schumer: Senate Dems Will "Come Together On A Public Option"

Senator Chuck Schumer said on Sunday that Democrats in the Senate would agree on a public option for insurance coverage, though the proposal will be different from the ones currently under consideration.

"We are going to come together on a public option," said the New York Democrat. "It will have some modifications. Senators like Tom Carper [D-Del.], one of the leaders of the moderate group, have made some proposals. Others have made some proposals. There are lots of different alternatives. But we need a public option simply for this reason: There is no competition in the insurance industry right now... the public option will bring costs down by providing competition. And it is only an option."

Appearing on ABC's "This Week," Schumer's remarks come at a time when the public option seems more than likely to be jettisoned from the final health care bill. His comments should be a bit soothing for a progressive community that increasingly equates the success of reform with the ability to pass a government-run plan.

That said, a whole slew of sub-debates could very well erupt in the next few weeks over the types of adjustments that Schumer and others are willing to make on the public plan. Carper's proposal to allow state governments to set up and administer a health insurance entity, for instance, may make political sense -- it could have the 60 votes needed to pass the Senate. But it is also a proposal that drew heavy criticism from progressives when it was first put forward by former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle in mid-June.

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Comments

[Bpeirce]

02:17 PM on 10/06/2009

Schumer better be right. It has to be a solid public option...NOT SOME WATERED DOWN, LUKE WARM, CO-OP, TRIGGER CRAP, THAT I'M AFRAID THE PROGRESSIVES ARE GOING TO GO ALONG WITH. THE DEMOCRATS WILL PAY DEARLY IF WE GET A BILL THAT IS STILL CONTROLLED BY THE INSURANCE CO.

[mrinternational]

01:41 PM on 10/06/2009

You Can't Always Get What You Want...But if You Try Sometimes...You Just Might Find....YOU'LL GET WHAT YOU NEED!! AAAHH YEAAH.

[Leahk]

05:24 PM on 10/05/2009

If Schumer is right, pharmaceutical and insurance companies might just help to fund research toward finding cures for some of the diseases that have been around far too long: cancer, aids, diabetes, etc. Who knows? We may finally have a vaccination for the common cold and a pill that prevents arthritis.

[Bpeirce]

02:31 PM on 10/06/2009

I wish I was more optomistic about that. Big Pharma and the Insurance Companies don't want to find CURES for Diseases. They have created billion dollar businesses around a wide variety of ailments that people suffer and die from. Cancer being one of the top on the list. Not finding a cure keeps these businesses going. Why do you think assisted suicide is frowned upon. If your dead Insurance can't suck the rest of your life savings out of you.

[hypnus]

03:46 PM on 10/05/2009

Yes, there will something called a public option and thanks to all the lobbying by the insurance companies it won’t be competitive with private plans which was the main point in having one. Using the public option will be like using a public toilet, you really aren’t going to want to, but if you got to….

[claudiam]

03:14 PM on 10/05/2009

I hope he is right. I will be very disappointed if the "Blue Dogs" do not come together for the American people on this issue. They really need to look at the polling numbers on this issue. For Christ sake event the country's doctors are for reform! claudiatucsonaz

[Bronxdude]

03:00 PM on 10/05/2009

Real reform means real choice—Private versus Public. There is nothing more American than real, competition-based choice, something republicans despise because the continued monopolization of the health industry ensures their uninhibited access to wealth, which translates into limitless political power. Universal healthcare works well in Great Britain, but is opposed by republicans because the Brits have succeeded in removing the constant quest for greed-driven profit from the equation. By using alarmist rhetoric, republicans are attempting to intimidate Americans into remaining loyal to an unsustainable and broken system that is exploitive, abusive, predatory, corrupt and immoral. Contrary to what republicans would want you to believe, socialize medicine works exceptionally well in America, as evidenced by Medicare, military medicine and the Veterans Administration. Over 44 million Americans receive their healthcare through Medicare, and the number of Medicare beneficiaries receiving prescription drug coverage is expected to top 28 million this year. Combined, the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs provide health care services to more than 17 million beneficiaries. Unlike predatory private insurers, beneficiaries in these systems receive benchmark pricing and have patient protection rights because the incentives have been changed from profit to ensuring quality-based, cost-effective healthcare. Republicans demonize Medicare because the profit incentive has been removed, which means they can’t exploit government-run healthcare for monetary gain. Even though as a B film actor Reagan was paid to villainize socialized medicine, 40 years later, Medicare is a glowing success.

[Bronxdude]

02:59 PM on 10/05/2009

Republicans aren't interested in offering real solutions or engaging in a civil debate over reform. The Party of No is resorting to shameful scare tactics to defeat reform. Grassley, Palin and Blunt claim healthcare reform will create government “death panels.” The claim of government sponsored euthanasia is a lie, manufactured by self-serving republicans loyal to their insurance industry pimps. The amendment Palin is referring to was introduced by Johnny Isakson and it allows individuals to control their own health care decisions via the implementation of an optional living will. Every time you walk into the examine room, there are 4 people in the room: you, your doctor, the predatory insurance executive rationing your healthcare and the sleazy republican protecting the immoral insurance industry. No American should go broke and have to file bankruptcy because they get sick. The republican debacle surrounding Terri Schiavo was allowed to unfold because there was no living will in force specifying her wishes for life-extending measures under various scenarios. While republicans say they despise government intrusion, they were quick to meddle in Ms. Schiavo’s affairs for political gain. The same kind of living will proposed by Isakson would have prevented the republican led public spectacle that forced Terri Schiavo to endure suffering and disgrace. Everyday, 15,000 Americans lose coverage, and another 100,000 are denied life saving care due to a preexisting condition like acne, while parasitic insurers get rich.

[Bronxdude]

02:58 PM on 10/05/2009

Predatory insurance corporations – the real death panels – are spending more than $3.6 million per day to buy republican votes, gin-up fear and defeat reform. When it comes to receiving payoffs from the insurance industry, of 535 Congressmen, Grassley, Baucus and Coburn rank 7th, 15th and 20th, respectively; therefore, how can I trust them to represent my best interest when it comes to negotiating healthcare reform? Making money off human pain is a republican principle. Real competition is the de facto monopoly buster. 200,000 people die each year due to insurers denying coverage. This is criminal and immoral. Georgia state employees have no due process patient protection rights, a negotiated constraint that gives UnitedHealthcare carte blanche to chose who lives and who dies. If competition is the lynchpin of free-market capitalism, why is UnitedHealthcare afraid to compete on a level playing field? Limiting choice drives up cost, benefiting the insurer, which is why slime-dog republicans defend the middleclass being systematically bilked by corporations like UnitedHealthcare. Through mendacious scare tactics, lying republicans curry favor and fear monger by preaching that reform will lead to rationed healthcare and place restrictions on doctor choice. Contrary to specious talking points propagated by solution-less republicans, as it stands right now, without true marketplace competition, insurers not only dictate the cost of medical care, but they also get to choose who lives and dies. Despicable republican profiteers will not retreat quietly from millions in payoffs. PUBLIC OPTION NOW!

[Bronxdude]

02:56 PM on 10/05/2009

As a result of collusive, exclusionary and illegal practices that make a mockery of the Sherman Antitrust Act, predatory insurers like UnitedHealthcare and WellPoint funnel millions to crooked republicans in exchange for favorable legislation designed to crush competition, increase profits and solidify their monopolistic advantage through deliberate manipulation of the insurance market. There is no “free market” or real choice when subscribers are forced to select doctors from a list complied and approved by for-profit, degenerate insurance industry bean-counters. Doctors selected by UnitedHealthcare as “approved providers” are not done so because of their demonstrated level of peer reviewed expertise, exceptional competence and professional commitment; instead, they are chosen because of their willingness to accept extremely low reimbursement fees. In essence, with UnitedHealthCare, the notion of true choice and quality care is a farce because the subscriber is steered toward low-bid doctors willing to accept very low reimbursement. Pick a non-approved doctor, and, similar to Pavlov’s dog, the subscriber is punished financially to deter any future occurrence of such treasonous and ungrateful behavior. Physicians who agree to accept such low reimbursement are not the “honor grads” of their class, nor are they respected and accomplished among their peers. They are singularly motivated by greed, not a desire to practice their craft adeptly. The public option would offer real choice and allow Americans to select from the most competent practitioners, not just the low-bidders forced on subscribers by greed-driven, parasitic insurers.

[Philclock]

03:45 PM on 10/05/2009

Crooked Democrats rely on the legalized monopoly power of Big Government agencies to protect their fraud, like Medicare.

[motodude]

02:56 PM on 10/05/2009

What happened to all the health reform news? All of a sudden there are almost no stories about this? Did someone put Baucus in charge of the daily news feed too? Did he hide the news like he scuttled the public option? Where is all the health reform news Huffington Post?

[Bronxdude]

02:55 PM on 10/05/2009

The healthcare insurance monopoly thriving in Georgia represents a textbook example of what happens when competition is ruthlessly eliminated. Republican Senator Jon Kyl believes that free speech grants him the right to spread lies about reform. In Georgia, scheming UnitedHealthcare executives conspired with corrupt republicans to eliminate BC/BS as a competitor, narrowing the slate of choices for state employees to two – Cigna and UnitedHealthcare. Reducing competition drives up the cost of healthcare, generating greater profit. Georgia state employees have no due process patient protection rights, a negotiated constraint that gives UnitedHealthcare and Cigna carte blanche to deny claims, institute exorbitant copays, set outrageous deductibles, cancel coverage, dictate treatment and decide who lives. There is no real choice in Georgia, just monopolistic and morally corrupt Cigna and UnitedHealthcare – the real death panels. In the 12 months following Cigna and UnitedHealthcare hijacking the Georgia employee health benefit plan, premiums have increased by 88%, while worker wages have increased a meager 2%; as a result, when compared to the second quarter of 2008, 2009 profits for UnitedHealthcare increased by a whopping 155%. In Georgia, insurers like UnitedHealthcare deny 1-of-every-4 treatment recommendations prescribed by physicians; nationally, UnitedHealthcare and Cigna deny 45,000 physician directed treatment and diagnostic recommendations everyday with horrific conclusion, i.e., people die. The public option will force real competition and put a stop to the monopolistic stranglehold enjoyed by UnitedHealthcare and Cigna. Every 12 minutes, an American dies because they lack health insurance.

[Bronxdude]

02:54 PM on 10/05/2009

Just like the infamous Lewin Group, republicans are a wholly owned subsidiary of the health insurance industry. While 66% of her constituents support a public option, Senator Blanche Lincoln opposes it. Why? The answer is simple: Lincoln has received over $1.7 million in “campaign contributions” from corrupt insurance lobbyists. While 57% of Ohioans support a public option, Congressman John Boehner opposes it. Why? The answer is simple: Boehner has received over $3.7 million in “campaign contributions” from corrupt insurance lobbyists. Rather than invest in the health and wellbeing of the average working-class American, republican whores have followed the money and taken sides with their insurance industry pimps. Every Member of Congress pays approximately $530 per month for “gold option” family health insurance coverage, which includes reasonable and affordable copays and deductibles. Every American should wonder why they can’t have access to such a great deal. Like Grassley said, “If you want government health insurance, join the Army or go to work for the Federal government.” Boehner: Picking big business over the interests of your fellow Americans in Un-American, and I am ashamed to call you an American.

[Bronxdude]

02:54 PM on 10/05/2009

John “take the money” Boehner, the United States Senator from UnitedHealthcare.
Tom “where’s my check” Coburn, the United States Senator from Cigna.
Jon “no maternity care” Kyl, the United States Senator from Blue Cross / Blue Shield
Mitch “show me the money” McConnell, the United States Senator from Aetna.
Blanche “let’em eat cake” Lincoln, the United States Senator from WellPoint.

[Coinyer101]

01:08 PM on 10/05/2009

lol @ Schumer. This entire country would be much better off without a Senate......,

[shelby35]

02:07 PM on 10/05/2009

No it wouldn't.

[sc300nc]

10:23 AM on 10/05/2009

Say NO to any government option. They can't effectively manage any program.

[ClevelandTom]

10:28 AM on 10/05/2009

Your's is a shouted chant, not a reasoned argument. Medicare seniors are delighted with that government-run program. Check the polls on that.

Besides, name one single measure that can be taken to curb insurance premium increases in any significant way besides the Public Option.

[sc300nc]

12:39 PM on 10/05/2009

Tort reform, opening up competition for healthcare insurance across state lines.

[Jamie Kowalski]

11:40 AM on 10/05/2009

If you are being intellectually honest with this comment, you must also be for shutting down our highways, police departments, mail service, schools, child protection services, et al. Of course, maybe you *are*... I don't know. Just as long as you realize the implications of your argument.