Breaking: Public Option in House Reconciliation Bill

[Dark]

Source: News Junkie Post

This afternoon the House Budget Committee reported The Reconciliation Act of 2010 to the House of Representatives by a vote of 21 yays to 16 nays. Included in the release is a Public Health Insurance Option on page 116.

The Public Option appears to have made it into the last incarnation of a reconciliation bill in the US House. There has been immense pressure for 10 months over this component to health care reform, with those on the right comparing to socialized medicine and those on the left considering their fall back position, their line in the sand.
Ole Ole Olson
By Ole Ole Olson

This afternoon the House Budget Committee reported The Reconciliation Act of 2010 to the House of Representatives by a vote of 21 yays to 16 nays. Included in the release is a Public Health Insurance Option on page 116.

The Public Option appears to have made it into the last incarnation of a reconciliation bill in the US House. There has been immense pressure for 10 months over this component to health care reform, with those on the right comparing to socialized medicine and those on the left considering their fall back position, their line in the sand.

On page 116 of the document, released in pdf form and available for everyone to read on the budget.house.gov website, it reads:

Subtitle B- Public Health Insurance Option

Section 221. Establishment and Administration of a Public Health Insurance Option as an Exchange-Qualified Health Benefits Plan.

(a) Establishment – For years beginning with Y1, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall provide for the offering of an Exchange-participating health benefits plan that ensures choice, competition, and stability of affordable, high quality coverage throughout the United States in accordance with this subtitle. In designing the option, the Secretary’s primary responsibility is to create a low cost plan without compromising quality of access to care.

(b) Offering as an Exchange-Participating Health Benefits Plan.

1. The public health insurance option shall only be made available through the Health Insurance Exchange.
2. The Public Option shall ensure a level playing field.
3. The public Option shall offer basic, enhanced, and premium plans.

Read more: http://newsjunkiepost.com/2010/03/15/breaking-public-option-in-house-reconciliation-bill/

---

Note to mods: searched page, didn't find words "public option"

Also, most of quoted material is from the house bill, so it's public record.

[tekisui]

1. KNR! Let's hope it stays.

[thotzRthingz]

77. re: "KNR! Let's hope it stays." -- ditto! (n/t)

[Beetwasher]

2. Will Need Confirmation Of This

n/t

[Dark]

7. I know it's in the pdf file of the reconciliation bill

http://budget.house.gov/doc-library/FY2010/03.15.2010_reconciliation2010.PDF

on edit: page 116

[Oregone]

3. I about dead tired of hearing about the "public option"

Its about as specific as a one armed fisherman telling you about his catch

:)

Maybe now that they are finally trying to put it through and pander, theyll draw some lines in the sand. People are going to go hog wild for the "level playing field".

[bain_sidhe]

4. The bad news is, this is just a "shell"

It will be gutted and the actual reconciliation bill inserted. If I'm understanding what I've been reading, that is. Because of the budget reconciliation rules, they need to use a bill that was introduced before 10/15/09. This bill was. So they pass that out of committee, where the actual text gets stripped and replaced with the new reconciliation bill.

Sorry to be a downer.

[TheDebbieDee]

6. I hope this is a case of you not knowing what you're talking about!

[Davis_X_Machina]

8. He's right. It's a shell bill.

Link to Ezra Klein.

The original reconciliation instructions require Democrats to use a bill written before 10/15/09, and this bill fits, well, the bill. What'll happen next is that the legislation will head to the Rules Committee, who'll erase what's currently on the page and replace it with the real reconciliation package. It's a bit like how painters will reuse a canvas they've already painted on, though they're doing it to save money and the House and Senate do it because their rulebooks are confusing.

[bain_sidhe]

14. Looks like we read the same sites!

Some of 'em, anyway.

And, btw, a "banshee" is a female spirit ;-) I adopted it in 2001 because the legend is that it wails in the night to warn of impending doom.

[Davis_X_Machina]

16. I otta know better. It's not that I don't know the language

bean sí or sidhe= woman of the Otherworld. Sheila/Síle has the same element.

[bain_sidhe]

22. Well, I did spell it wrong

I got it out of a book that spelled it "bain", but later on, I discovered that it's supposed to be spelled "bean" - which means "woman." Or some spell it "ban", which means "white" or "pale."

[Jennicut]

9. It is the shell only. Doubt it will have a PO in it.

The House Budget Committee got the ball rolling Monday by approving, on a 21 to 16 vote, the reconciliation bill.

But that vote wasn't on the actual changes to the health-care bill that Democrats want to make. Instead, the committee voted on what's known as a "shell bill" -- a measure whose contents will be erased later in the process and replaced with the guts of a new bill. Why? Because under the instructions written into last year's budget, the reconciliation process must use a measure written no later than Oct. 15, 2009.

The Budget Committee is now considering a series of "motions to instruct" the Rules Committee -- legislative recommendations from Republicans and Democrats that are totally symbolic and nonbinding, but can be used to score political points.

After the Budget Committee approves the reconciliation measure, the Rules Committee must wait at least two days before it takes up the bill, technically so members have time to review it. http://voices.washingtonpost.com/44/2010/03/health-care-reforms-road-map-t.html

[mwrguy]

13. Correct. It all gets stripped out and redone.

Nobody knows what the new content is yet.

[SlingBlade]

15. Not a downer. I read it the same way.

Better to face reality because it is what it is.
The Big Push is on and many democrats are beginning to believe what Progressives
and their core have been saying. Pass a piece of shit Corporate Welfare Bill and you will
be done come November, Rahm will not be able to save your sorry asses.

Watch for all the tricks of the trade, Anything to appease their Corporate Masters while
at the same time trying to hide their nasty little fingerprints.

Don't let them do it, Make 'em stand up in public and say what they are for and what they are against.

That's Democracy !

[Political Heretic]

62. Dammit.

[TheDebbieDee]

5. This is great news!

Maybe they waited til nearly the last minute to add the PO to keep the opposition quiet!

[Javaman]

10. Yawn. wake me up when there is real news.

we have been down this road before and frankly, I'm fucking sick and tired of it.

If it's in the finally bill and the bill passes, well then, lo and behold our congress assholes grew a spine.

If not, this is nothing more that fucking insane kabuki theater run by a bunch of sociopaths with Alzheimer's.

Just past the fucking thing without the melodrama, it's really annoying.

[FarLeftFist]

11. Strangest chess game ever.

[Javaman]

12. That's because what you are mistaking as chess is really checkers. nt

[tinrobot]

20. More like poker.

[harun]

24. I see poker as well. You have what members of Congress

really want, what they can be seen as wanting, what they can be held accountable for in their next campaign, what their Corporate Masters want, what their constituents want and then what the Congressional leadership actually does. Not to mention what the WH wants, which I don't know how anyone can even keep track of it anymore.

[tinrobot]

34. Everyone is bluffing in order to maximize their financial gain.

[tekisui]

35. Excellent and succinct analysis.

[suffragette]

38. It's reminding me more of hokey pokey

Just sub Public Option for right foot, left foot, etc.

You put your right foot in,
You put your right foot out,
You put your right foot in
And you shake it all about.
You do the Hokey Pokey
And you turn yourself around,
That's what it's all about.

You put your left foot in,
You put your left foot out,
You put your left foot in,
And you shake it all about.
You do the Hokey Pokey
And you turn yourself around,
That's what it's all about.

You put your right hand in,
You put your right hand out,
You put your right hand in
And you shake it all about.
You do the Hokey Pokey
And you turn yourself around,
That's what it's all about.

You put your left hand in,
You put your left hand out,
You put your left hand in,
And you shake it all about.
You do the Hokey Pokey
And you turn yourself around,
That's what it's all about.

You put your right shoulder in,
You put your right shoulder out,
You put your right shoulder in,
And you shake it all about.
You do the Hokey Pokey
And you turn yourself around,
That's what it's all about.

You put your left shoulder in,
You put your left shoulder out,
You put your left shoulder in,
And you shake it all about.
You do the Hokey Pokey
And you turn yourself around,
That's what it's all about.

You put your right hip in,
You put your right hip out,
You put your right hip in
And you shake it all about.
You do the Hokey Pokey
And you turn yourself around,
That's what it's all about.

You put your left hip in,
You put your left hip out,
You put your left hip in,
And you shake it all about.
You do the Hokey Pokey
And you turn yourself around,
That's what it's all about.

You put your whole self in,
You put your whole self out,
You put your whole self in
And you shake it all about.
You do the Hokey Pokey
And you turn yourself around,
That's what it's all about.

[mlevans]

72. And now...

A rousing chorus of "One Hundred Bottle of Pills on the Wall"...

[2Design]

17. just let me know when they are done f.....k ing it up and passed or not passed crap n/t

[Speciesamused]

18. Yeah!!!!!

that is all.

[Kber]

19. Hot Damn!

[Jester Messiah]

21. Sweet! [nt]

[Jackpine Radical]

23. Let it be!!!

[DesertDiamond]

25. Bravo! Bravo! Bravo!! Now they just need to stick with their guns to get it into the reconciliation!

[Froward69]

26. WOO-HOO (PDF) specifically page 116!!!

http://budget.house.gov/doc-library/FY2010/03.15.2010_reconciliation2010.PDF

[icee]

27. This is a ruse!

[Deep13]

28. I hope this is fer real.

I hope it is. It will go a long what toward getting liberals on board. And by that I mean it will be a big step toward the public interst.

[No Elephants]

29. Amazing how many post without reading the thread.

[Myrina]

32. No kidding!!!

Woo Hoo Knee Jerk Yay Party Rah Who Cares About Details? ;-)

[rpannier]

59. I read it

Twice, the 2nd time after reading your comment

I'm okay with it.
It's better there than not

I still am confused on one thing

years beginning with Y1... WTF does that mean?

[thesquanderer]

70. Y1

re: "years beginning with Y1... WTF does that mean?"

I assume Y1 is the first year that the bill is in effect, Y2 would be the second year, etc.

[rpannier]

87. Thank You

Makes perfectly good sense


Thanks

[h9socialist]

30. Come on folks, it's time to rally and get this done!

Stop trashing Obama. This is a battle we have to win! The reforms can be tweaked later. This is the best chance we've ever had! Don't fuck it up!

[TerribleLarryDingle]

31. +1

[Change Happens]

40. +1

[Cal Carpenter]

68. LOL

The man in your avatar would be rolling in his grave at your post.

Just sayin' :shrug:

[IndianaGreen]

33. This is an exchange in which you still have to pick from among for-profits health plans

It is not a bona fide public option, such as Medicare buy-in.

[slipslidingaway]

36. And many people are not even eligible for the exchange and no subsidies

unless you buy from the exchange.

[IndianaGreen]

37. People with insurance, however crappy and expensive, cannot go to the exchange

Senate HCR puts the health insurance monopoly under the protection of federal law.

[slipslidingaway]

41. Yes ...

and finding out first hand that our insurance pays less than I would have thought. They have really started to reduce the plan over the last couple of years, but you never know how bad until you use it.

If premiums stay under a certain percentage then you are locked into the employer insurance.

:(

[laughingliberal]

43. Actually, I believe those who have benefits at work are eligible to use the exchange if their part

of the premium exceeds 8% of their income. Now, that may not be a lot of people but there are some with employer sponsored benefits who could use the exchange. That said, I am doubtful this public option will be in the final reconciliation package. The reconciliation bill is expected to be posted sometime in the next 20 hours or so.

[slipslidingaway]

49. Thanks, what they have done is reduce the policy to keep the premiums lower...

but if you have to start paying the deductible every year, not to mention items not applied to the deductible, medications and any out of network charges it does add up quickly.

But for many there will be nowhere to go, we'll see what they come out with in the next day.

[Change Happens]

39. Prices will be negotiated, just like they are for members of Congress...etc.

Add the anti trust exemption gone, add the President's proposal to regulate pricing and potential increases where they have to go ask for permission and justify the reasons to increase prices...etc.

[slipslidingaway]

42. Many people with policies from their employers cannot use the

exchange and have to accept reduced policies.

[Change Happens]

51. If you work at a large company, the kind of people you talk about, then this for the most

part would not effect you and you have the best health care option out there...I call all of them Cadillac plans, they are the best you can hope to get anywhere, better then Medicare even.

[Mithreal]

63. Stop calling them that. Cadillacs are a luxury item. Everyone needs quality comprehensive affordable

health care, in other words, the best care. Everyone does not need a cadillac.

It's destructive framing unless you are a conservative, in which case, it fits the Regressive agenda.

[jeff47]

65. LOL

I work for a very large company.

My insurance options are crap, more expensive crap, and very expensive crap. The beancounters negotiated an exclusive deal with an insurance company that's fond of gouging and denying claims. And since this is a large company, those of us 'experiencing the joys of the health plan' don't have any significant leverage to get the suits to change plans.

One of the major reasons for the public option is to give people like me choices, so that the aforementioned insurance company would have to stop providing crap.

[Change Happens]

74. Ok, now you are not being realistic...What you have is the best of the best of health insurance and

probably other benefits too. I know prices go up and I know you would like to keep things on the cheaper side and I know that your company is making you pay a larger share of the cost every year, but overall, you are in the best shape compared to all Americans...Millions have nothing at all, no health insurance and no benefits, others like my family have to be in the individual insurance market. I do have the money to buy it, but deductibles are the highest possible, my share of the cost is usually more than the insurance company pays, I have limits to just about everything, including routine lab work each year. If one of us get seriously sick they can drop us, they can even drop us retroactively if they want...If we get sick and cost them more money than they like, they can tell me my policy is now $5000.00 a month!!! And on and on.

I compare policies to Medicare, even Medicare is a 80/20 policy, meaning people still have to pay their 20% for things, I am sure your's is better than that.

You are probably one of those people who would still complain even if we get a public option, you will say it is not robust enough, blah blah blah...

Overall, for now, I am happy with the current bill as is...I am a 100% supporter!

[mrdmk]

78. Obviously, you have never with a insurance called

Aetna (we never said we would cover that, well so-and-so made a mistake) Insurance.

After that insult,then had your health benefits cut in half by your employer without an option of you buying them back. You get from both ends, your employer and the insurance company...

Just saying!

[Change Happens]

79. You people are just crazy...A group policy is light years ahead/better than anything else out there:

Yes I have had Aetna, Cigna, United Health Care, and now Humana...I have worked for large organizations which provided group coverage at various prices...etc. and now I am in the Individual markets...We are also providers for some of them including Medicare...I work in this universe all day everyday.

[jeff47]

84. No, I don't.

I am fully aware of the limitations of my heath care plan. You are spouting platitudes about how you think the plan works, but I actually experience it every day.

We're talking about a plan that claims it covers everything, but routinely denies any significant claim, in the hopes we will give up on having them pay for what they promised. And it usually results in lots of 'personal time' to run through their appeal process. Which, btw, isn't paid but must take place during normal business hours.

We also get nice, high deductibles and low lifetime coverage maximums. As in if I need some serious medical care (transplant, the more expensive cancers, etc) I get a few months before I pay for everything for the rest of my life, despite my enrollment in what you call a "Cadillac" plan.

The only 'perk' is like all group plans they can't do the pre-existing conditions surcharge game. While we technically can't have our coverage dropped, the insurance company can tell our company there will be a $1M surcharge for the person they want dropped. And let's face it, it's very easy to come up with a reason to fire said individual that will stand up in court.

The current bill is better than nothing, which is about all that can be said for it. It creates a Rube Goldberg system in a desperate attempt to not give the public what it wants - a real public option. So that the 'moderates' can play their favorite game, "sh*t on the base".

[IndianaGreen]

45. Federal health insurance has a history of increasingly higher premiums and co-pays

plus the government has reduced its share of the premiums, forcing federal workers to pay more.

[Change Happens]

52. Yes, normal type changes, inflation and other higher costs...etc.

Still better than the 26% Humana just aksed me for to renew my policy!

[MzNov]

44. Are they trying to make us all crazy? n/t

[Kablooie]

55. Aren't we all crazy whether they try or not?

[NorthCarolina]

46. IF this is true, then thank you Mr. Kucinich for your tenacity. eom

[Uncle Joe]

47. If this is a collection of for profit health insurance, it's a not a true public option and

will do nothing to alleviate the dysfunction behind the concept of for profit health insurance.

Thanks for the thread, Dark.

[and-justice-for-all]

48. KnR!

[spanone]

50. k&r....

[Major Hogwash]

53. Yup, it's public record now.

Can't put that cat back in the bag!!

And away we go!!

[HughMoran]

54. I won't believe it 'till the bill is signed

...same as I don't believe the post that BO made a deal to not include the PO in the HCR bill.

[Faryn Balyncd]

56. If it's real, will not Obama veto it? Has he EVER broken a deal he made with lobbyists?

[rpannier]

57. Of course he'll sign it

He doesn't have much of a choice, if he Vetos it, the process starts all over again and nothing will get passed

[rpannier]

58. Question you or someone else may be able to answer for me

What the f*ck is... years beginning with Y1 ?

[Change Happens]

76. First year this law is in effect.....nt

[Political Heretic]

60. Good news. I'll be watching what happens next with great interest.

[AllyCat]

61. Ugh, now that I read it, can I unrec? I'm so sick of this worthless Congress and WH

[jeff47]

64. OP is wrong - This is just the "Exchange" with private insurance plans. (nt)

[h9socialist]

66. Has this been confirmed by other sources?

When I saw this yesterday, I was jumping for joy . . . but since then I have been unable to locate any other confirmation of the story. Neither Larry O'Donnell nor Rachel Maddow said anything of it last night. Nor has there been any mention at major news sites.

[HughMoran]

67. NPR reported exactly this today

I didn't believe this post either as they are not 'boasting' about it, but NPR did a story about the PO being in the latest House reconciliation package. I think they are not mentioning it due to the 'Lucy pulling the football from Charlie Brown' again problem. I'm glad they're not touting it.

[h9socialist]

69. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't getting all head up for nothing.

[thesquanderer]

71. More importantly, it has Kucinich's WAIVER OF ERISA LIMITATION

It allows individual states to opt-out of the national plan in favor of their own single-payer system. Pages 1195 to 1198.

However, as others have said, it seems that this entire document may only be a placeholder, whose final contents are as yet unknown.

[Change Happens]

75. Excellent!

[lonestarnot]

73. Tee hee. No wonder Dennis!

[librechik]

80. Why isn't this thread pinned to the top?

first I've heard of this! BOOYA!

[alp227]

81. Call your representatives NOW! Keep calling until James O'Keefe needs to go fix their phones.

As long as our elected reps keep feeling the pressure, they'll know what they can do will affect their chances of re-election. Once the phone lines are jammed at numerous representatives' offices, James O'Keefe will really need to go out and fix the phones. :rofl:

[kestrel91316]

82. And the frothing, shrieking 3% STILL won't accept it. Just watch.

[librechik]

83. why is this post absent from the front page?

[thotzRthingz]

85. re: "why is this post absent from the front page?" ... perhaps it needs more KICKS? ;-) (n/t)

[librechik]

86. yes, more kicks everyone! (while we wait for the CBO report)