wow

Senator Hatch seems to think that a public option (strange term, eh?) would cost so much less than private insurance that it would attract too many subscribers. This is bad? And why not change Medicare rules so that employers and individuals could choose to purchase "Medicare policies" for those under 65? Unlike co-ops and exchanges, Medicare is already in place and a broader patient base might also enhance Medicare's solvency--something which seems to be missing from other healthcare reform proposals.

I have no problem with a public option... as long as we don't force companies into taking it further down the road because they have to, or want to. And if that becomes the case, I want EVERY member of Congress, and all their FAMILIES, to be forced into taking it too!!

1.SIMPLIFY.All insurance contracts should have 1 deductible (2% to 10% of 1040 or 1099 income), then 100% coverage thereafter for everyone, Private and Public Sector employees including drugs.
2.COMPETITION. Every insurance company in USA must offer these plans. no exceptions, everyone is guaranteed issue. no exclusions for pre-existing conditions.100% participation and coverage for everyone.
3.GOVERNMENT. purchases reinsurance to cover all claims over $5,000,000. Insurance companies pay one fee to government for this reinsurance.
4."GENERALLY ACCEPTED" PRICE BOARD. a 33 member board,for each region of the country, made up of doctors (every type), hospital CFO's,insurance company actuaries,PT's, agents,and the general public to set "reasonable treatment and pricing" for every illness and condition.
5. Tort Reform with loss limitation on Medical Malpractice for both Doctors,Clinics, and Hospitals.

The president faces opposition for broken promises to the anti-war and homosexual activist communities. He faces opposition for his determination to break a "no tax increase" burdening families with health care reform, as well as cap-and-trade legislation, not to mention bailouts, stimulus, and budget concerns.
He's promised a public option for the uninsured, but then said it would not be required for final passage.
He's promised to win the "right" war in Afghanistan but is wavering on his own military adviser's request for resources.
He's promised to close Gitmo, it sits open today.
He's promised to create millions of jobs and not allow the unemployment to exceed 8%, but today its at nearly 10% nationally.
He's promised to be the most transparent president in history, yet conducting the final rounds of talks for health care reform entirely behind closed doors.
He's promised to put all legislation on the Internet for at least five days before he signs it into law but has not done this on any of the legislation he's signed in the first year of his administration.

I am not at all surprised that the public option is so resisted by the Republicans just as they would stand in the way of many bills and measures being considered. Their ignorance of public opinion to me at least shows that by and large they are bought and paid for by special interests such as the insurance industry. Other developed countries around the world manage health care coverage for everyone for about half the cost we are paying currently. So resistance to a reform of this industry must be resisted because of some profiting from the existing system. I am sure of one thing, I will likely be one of those who gets the short end of that stick regardless.

I'm so glad someone is still fighting for this. I'm so upset about this issue that I haven't been listening to the radio or reading the news for weeks because it's so upsetting.

As someone who works in social services for minimal pay and is not eligible for employer-based health insurance, I often wonder to myself where the money will come from if any new legislation requires me to purchase my own coverage from one of the massive national agencies. I cannot remember the last time I saw a doctor, and the cost of food, rent, and transportation has me on a crippling budget that does not include a provision for recreational activities or any sort of regular medical or dental check-ups. I have no savings and I do not own a home from which to draw equity until "things get better". A public option would seem to serve people such as myself who contribute to the good of society on a daily basis. Otherwise, hardworking, honest citizens like myself will have little choice but to crowd emergency rooms, when in need of care, with untreated, undiagnosed illnesses that we could never possibly cover treatment costs for. It won't feel good to have to do it, but without a public option, people like myself have no other choice.

There is no such thing as a public option, however there is Government Run Health care.

I want to make it plain. My health care and my family's health care is my business. It is everyone's individual responsiblility.

Health care and health insurance is not the business of the United States Federal Government.

Medicare is failing. Medicade is failing. The United States Post Office has failed.

Obama thinks old people should just take a pain pill instead of needed surgery.

Obama has repeated stated that he wants a single payer system. Barney Frank made it clear that a "public option" is just the first step to full socialized government run health care.

I just do not need that. The idea to force citizins of this country to buy health insurance is most certainly against the United States Constitution.

Stop Stop you are a liar. Most of the citizens are oppised to the federal bills that have a "Public Opption."

Who are the people who want the government to manage our healthcare? Government hasn't managed welfare, medicare or social security well. Fix what plans they do have before adding another.

I'd be more open to a public option if you could opt out of it. The problem is it wouldn't work.

The people who opt out of paying for the public option would be those who can afford their own, and therefore would not add a lot of costs to the government plan. Thosee who would use the public option would be those who can't afford health insurance, and would most likely cost more than they'd contribute to the public option.

Bottom line is the public option will not work unless it is subsidized with taxes. If it is subsidized with taxes, there is no opt out option and thus begins the slide to a single payer system.

jerandi | 2:36 p.m. Oct. 16, 2009
"Who are the people who want the government to manage our healthcare? Government hasn't managed welfare, medicare or social security well. Fix what plans they do have before adding another."

I am one American that wants government run health care. I have first hand knowledge of the VA system and it has made such great strides that it outranks all hospitals in Utah for patient satisfaction.

Did you know that? It is better than IHC!

And it is comepletely run by the government.