We should also have a 0% tax rate this year, but people can contribute voluntarily to the government. If revenues drop precipitously, then NEXT year we can have taxes again.

The problem with delays and "triggers" is that my family and I don't have health insurance NOW! The "market" currently refuses to meet our needs (too expensive, premiums, deductables, copays, pre-condition limits). By the time corporate private insurers finish gaming the system for all it's worth and obstructing reform in the form of a public option, members of my family may be irreparably harmed.

I actually believe that the notion of a trigger has merit since private insurers could actually reduce premiums, expand coverages, reduce costs and compete without a public plan (they did it to some extent in the 90's for fear that the Clinton Administration would revive the issue).

However, in reality, a trigger isn't pragmatic. It essentially puts off the debate until another day under a Democratic administration (when the trigger is pulled, the Republicans will raise hell in the media) or kills the public option altogether under a Republican administration (a Republican president would claim to have found a loophole and refuse to implement the public option).

In summary, because Republicans can't be trusted, a trigger wouldn't work. The public option has to be implemented now.

Well, DUH, I'm a subscriber to the idea that IF a public option of any kind is put in place and successful it truly will show up the REPUGS for the despicable, obfuscating, obstructionists of public good that they are!!! And, perhaps along with that there will be a few more sheeple who have their eyes open and then can work on the despicable DEMS (and we have them, folks...can you say FEINSTEIN)and get some new blood into our government...

Even though it has been clear for just-about-ever, I still find it amazing that the insurance industry and their Repub enablers can argue with a straight face that a public option should be delayed - or, preferably, excluded completely - because of its clear price advantage.

Our elected so-called representatives are literally endorsing the idea that it is more important for insurance companies to make money than it is for people - and the country as a whole - to save money on the cost of health care.

Why is this point not being pounded home mercilessly and continuously?

I just sent Senator Snowe an email reminding her that the public option IS the compromise and that we have already HAD the trigger. Health care delivery via private insurers has proven to be unaffordable for the nation. We must have an alternative.

Maybe if we all send her an email........

I think Obama should let the Health care private companies buy into a Public Option. It would only be a matter of time before they formed it into a huge money making endeavor that is screwing policy holders just like the are doing now.

Snow and the rest need to become uninsured for 3 or four months. That would do it I think. Then bring these ass holes back to the table.

No, the problem is that Congress has outstanding healthcare and inside of their bubble they do not see anything wrong with the healthcare system.

They have only one option, which is a fantastic one. They don't need a free market.

They have everything covered, including pre-existing conditions, and they do not get recinded (whatever the tense would be for recissions).

I would venture to guess that they pay less for a family annually then I do for me alone.

There is no free market in health insurance. Either your employer chooses it or you go it on your own and pay 3-4-5x as much with all the usual problems with going to a new insurance company. (Talk about the devil you know!)

If you work for the government or a large company you have good coverage. You still do not have a free market option, but you don't need it.

The GOP talks about free market but there is none. No choice in providers, no choice when the insurance company denies your claim (ok, you fight it and maybe get it covered - or maybe you die before they might allow whatever is needed.

There is no free market in health care. There is only taking money for health and denying care.

"If you establish a public option at the forefront that goes head-to-head and competes with the private health insurance market ... the public option will have significant price advantages," Snowe said.

and god forbid that the public should have an affordable option instead of the awesome choice of being ripped off AND denied by their existing 'choices'.

and she's considered a 'reasonable' republican?

until one of these sleazebags has proven their point by their years-long participation in the very policies they advance, fuck 'em.

The problem with the Health care act and climate control act is politicians. The politiciana will destroy America for the $$$ provided by the lobbyists.

You're all talking common sense and using logic. In the spirit of bipartisanship, the Democrats have taken common sense and logic off the table.

It was nice of the insurance companies to buy us a whore. They pay her, and she fucks us.

according to wilder practicalities of quantum physics a "trigger" mechanism could be effective on heath care in Amerika...

and a bird of paradise could come flying out of my ass, too, at any moment...

"trigger" = camel nose at tent flap...

Clue: Blue Dogs and Moderate Repugnants ARE Camel Noses -- that's their job...

Shorter Olympia Snowe - We don't want people to stop giving money to CEOs and investors, just because they're sick, or poor.

Senator Snowe sees some tension between the interests of the wider public and the interests of health insurance companies and decides that the interests of private enterprises should prevail. As American as apple pie, cause the other way round would be socialism.

Maybe the Dems should run someone against Snowe the next time she is up, but the only basis for the person running is that they have a pre-existing condition and can't get any coverage other than the Senates health insurance.

Do they even realize how tone deaf they sound to people with no coverage, limited coverage or no choice in their coverage??

Really, we can't implement the public option because it will save too much money for the American people and won't funnel enough to private insurers (who, btw, already stand between the doctor and the patient)? That's your argument??

100% correct on the merits, but surely the proper title of this blog post was some variant of "Whoa, Trigger!"

This is not much a mystery. Many of our Senators really believe their first obligation is to keep the for-profit medical-industrial complex up and running. They are not necessarily against the American people having better access to care, but that is clearly secondary.

Jim M

No, the problem is that Congress has outstanding healthcare and inside of their bubble they do not see anything wrong with the healthcare system.

If I were in Congress I would immediately introduce a bill mandating that all Senators and Congressmen lose their federal healthcare and requiring them to purchase insurance on the open market. Of course, they'd never let it out of committee, but it would be interesting how many bold free market advocates in Congress would vote against it in a shot.

Olympia Snowe: "If you establish a public option at the forefront that goes head-to-head and competes with the private health insurance market ... the public option will have significant price advantages".

And my question is: "So the insurance companies will be sad, and their CEO may start crying a little. Please explain how that will affect me."

Let's face it, nobody can come up with a coherent rationale for the public option. So, why not just drop it???

Republicans keep offering to help cripple the bills. Not one has said they will vote for it.

When they actually start offering ideas to IMPROVE the bills (senate & house each has several), then there will be something to talk about.

Maybe they need a new metaphor because when they say "trigger", I feel the gun at my head.

This whole thing is along the lines of a magic trick where corrupt, purchased politicians of both parties are going to take The Single Payer System that 75% of the country favors and 90% desperately need, and make it disappear as if it were never there.

The only thing Key about Snowe is that she can be manipulated from either side of the aisle. Where she ends up is determined by who does the better job of flattering her fragile ego.

Why a trigger, so Big Medical can play Wall Street with the numbers ? It's ridiculous, no one seriously believes that trigger will ever get pulled. Plus of course they have had decades to clean up their act 'voluntarily' and they have already proven they are incapable of doing that.

I don't believe that a good bill is going to get passed and I fear that health care reform is going to go down as beneficial to Big Medical. Reid will never get the Senate to pass Cap & Trade or real Health Care reform.

craig @ 1:10
"Let's face it, nobody can come up with a coherent rationale for the public option. So, why not just drop it???"

Would you care to explain that a bit? More specifically, what makes you say that 'nobody can come up with a coherent rationale for the public option'?

The Economist was pushing this line in one of their typically bizarre editorials.

They conceded that a) in an ideal world, the USA should adopt single-payer, b) that the public option would work well, but c) it shouldn't be adopted now because...well, just because.

Bizarre.

AMERICA’S NATIONAL HEALTHCARE EMERGENCY!

It’s official. America and the World are now in a GLOBAL PANDEMIC. A World EPIDEMIC with potential catastrophic consequences for ALL of the American people. The first PANDEMIC in 41 years. And WE THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES will have to face this PANDEMIC with the 37th worst quality of healthcare in the developed World.

STAND READY AMERICA TO SEIZE CONTROL OF YOUR NATIONAL HEALTHCARE SYSTEM.

We spend over twice as much of our GDP on healthcare as any other country in the World. And Individual American spend about ten times as much out of pocket on healthcare as any other people in the World. All because of GREED! And the PRIVATE FOR PROFIT healthcare system in America.

And while all this is going on, some members of congress seem mostly concern about how to protect the corporate PROFITS! of our GREED DRIVEN, PRIVATE FOR PROFIT NATIONAL DISGRACE. A PRIVATE FOR PROFIT DISGRACE that is in fact, totally valueless to the public health. And a detriment to national security, public safety, and the public health.

Progressive democrats the Tri-Caucus and others should stand firm in their demand for a robust public option for all Americans, with all of the minimum requirements progressive democrats demanded. If congress can not pass a robust public option with at least 51 votes and all robust minimum requirements, congress should immediately move to scrap healthcare reform and request that President Obama declare a state of NATIONAL HEALTHCARE EMERGENCY! Seizing and replacing all PRIVATE FOR PROFIT health insurance plans with the immediate implementation of National Healthcare for all Americans under the provisions of HR676 (A Single-payer National Healthcare Plan For All).

Coverage can begin immediately through our current medicare system. With immediate expansion through recruitment of displaced workers from the canceled private sector insurance industry. Funding can also begin immediately by substitution of payroll deductions for private insurance plans with payroll deductions for the national healthcare plan. This is what the vast majority of the American people want. And this is what all objective experts unanimously agree would be the best, and most cost effective for the American people and our economy.

In Mexico on average people who received medical care for A-H1N1 (Swine Flu) with in 3 days survived. People who did not receive medical care until 7 days or more died. This has been the same results in the US. But 50 million Americans don’t even have any healthcare coverage. And at least 200 million of you with insurance could not get in to see your private insurance plans doctors in 2 or 3 days, even if your life depended on it. WHICH IT DOES!

If President Obama has to declare a NATIONAL STATE OF EMERGENCY to rescue the American people from our healthcare crisis, he will need all the sustained support you can give him. STICK WITH HIM! He’s doing a brilliant job.

THIS IS THE BIG ONE!

THE BATTLE OF GOOD Vs EVIL!

Join the fight.

Contact congress and your representatives NOW! AND SPREAD THE WORD!

God Bless You

Jacksmith – WORKING CLASS

Government must hear the needs of the low level people that is very in need of attentions , Some of them are striking for hunger. politicians react only when they need our support but when people need their support they're just keep ignoring.