AP: Sources: Senators weigh 3 government health plans

[OmahaBlueDog]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090508/ap_on_go_co/us_health_overhaul_public_plan

<<The three approaches being discussed are:

_Create a plan that resembles Medicare, administered by the Health and Human Services department.

_Adopt a Medicare-like plan, but pick an outside party to run it. That way government officials would not directly control the day-to-day operations.

_Leave it up to individual states to set up a public insurance plan for their residents.

But many key details would still have to be fleshed out.>>

[DJ13]

1. 3 government health plans

[leftstreet]

2. And which of the 3 will our esteemed elected officials be using?

Oh...wait

[ThomWV]

10. The "Federal Employees Health Benefit Plan"

This is the magic plan that just about every person who works for the Federal Government, from the President and his family to the entry level clerk, can sign up for. I have it but because its not so much a plan as it is an umbrella under which many plans are available at different costs to the insured I couldn't tell you what it cost who. As I recall overall the Government subsidizes about 65% of the total cost; my monthly payment into the system is $365. I can tell you this, it is just as bad as any other health insurance when it comes to them not wanting to pay for jack shit and under-reimbursing for actual expenses.

I'm actually hoping for some sort of national health care system because it would have to be better than what I have now and I already have that magic plan that all of Congress has. Don't be fooled, it sucks too.

[bluestateguy]

3. On #3

That would suck if you lived in a state like South Carolina, where I'm sure Mark Sanford would create the most bare bones minimalist program he could possibly get away with by law.

[napi21]

4. What's the diff between Medicare and "a plan that resembles medicare"

What's wrong with simply expanding the current Medicare to let others buy into it?

I don't like the second option because we'd have the same built in profits we currently have with the private plan

You CAN'T leave it up to the individual States because there are too many who would simply ignore the problem! (Like SC, GA, AL, Ms)!!!!!

[leftstreet]

5. Profit

[shadowknows69]

6. Choice one is best. My bet is we get 2 or 3

They'll pass this on to already broke States that will have to tax their people into poverty to implement it.

[bemildred]

7. Weigh retirement. Weigh it real soon now. nt

[CreekDog]

8. Senators have the same benefits as Federal Employees, which are quite good, but not what you think

About half of Federal Employees belong to one plan among hundreds of choices:

Blue Cross/Blue Shield PPO. For an individual, $152 in premiums is deducted from their paychecks each month, for a family $357 is deducted each month, the government picks up the rest. There is no dental or vision coverage with this health insurance.

When John Kerry ran for president, he said specifically that he had the Blue Cross Blue Shield plan.

The copays with that plan are $20/doctor visit and a percentage of tests and outpatient costs.

[OmahaBlueDog]

9. This other part is also worth mentioning

<<President Barack Obama and many Democrats say a government option would serve as a check to keep the private insurance industry honest.>>

Obviously, the article isn't quoting a source, but seems to indicate that the Administration favors a public/private approach.