Could a co-op be a legitimate option?
As talk of a public option for healthcare appears to be dying down, cries for a co-op, once again, are getting louder.
Back in June, we wrote about Sen. Kent Conrad's (D-ND) plan to essentially create a regional cooperative that he believes could achieve the public option's goals without the government's help. Now, Conrad's "Gang of Six"--two other Democrats and three Republicans from the Senate Finance Committee--have a better chance to push this agenda, as they are scheduled to discuss how to "keep prospects for a bipartisan health plan alive" on a teleconference, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Conrad has talked about co-op programs in Seattle and Minnesota as examples of how such a strategy would be enacted. In those two instances, as with Conrad's vision, the federal government would only give start-up money to the various regions to help get the co-op plan off the ground, but would have no managerial responsibilities thereafter.
Those that oppose such ideas, such as Sen. Jon Kyl (R-AZ), believe that a co-op could essentially be considered the same as a public option. Kyl says that the start-up money and the tax advantages that would be made available for co-ops would "put private insurers at a disadvantage"; he also believes that, despite what Conrad thinks, the government would exercise control of the co-ops.
What do you think? Do you feel that a co-op is a legitimate option?
To learn more:
- read this Los Angeles Times article
Related Articles:
Tweaks could help GOP accept 'co-op' health plan
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Comments
By jacksmith | Posted 12:28pm | August 20, 2009
NO CO-OP'S! A Little History Lesson
Young People. America needs your help.
More than two thirds of the American people want a single payer health care system. And if they cant have a single payer system 76% of all Americans want a strong government-run public option on day one (85% of democrats, 71% of independents, and 60% republicans). Basically everyone.
Our last great economic catastrophe was called the Great Depression. Then as now it was caused by a reckless, and corrupt Republican administration and republican congress. FDR a Democrat, was then elected to save the nation and the American people from the unbridled GREED and profiteering, of the unregulated predatory self-interest of the banking industry and Wallstreet. Just like now.
FDR proposed a Government-run health insurance plan to go with Social Security. To assure all Americans high quality, easily accessible, affordable, National Healthcare security. Regardless of where you lived, worked, or your ability to pay. But the AMA riled against it. Using all manor of scare tactics, like Calling it SOCIALIZED MEDICINE!! :-0
So FDR established thousands of co-op's around the country in rural America. And all of them failed. The biggest of these co-op organizations would become the grandfather of the predatory monster that all of you know today as the DISGRACEFUL GREED DRIVEN PRIVATE FOR PROFIT health insurance industry. And the DISGRACEFUL GREED DRIVEN PRIVATE FOR PROFIT healthcare industry.
This former co-op would grow so powerful that it would corrupt every aspect of healthcare delivery in America. Even corrupting the Government of the United States.
This former co-op's name is BLUE CROSS/BLUE SHIELD.
Do you see now why even the suggestion of co-op's is ridiculous. It makes me so ANGRY! Co-op's are not a substitute for a government-run public option.
They are trying to pull the wool over our eye's again. Senator Conrad, if you don't have the votes now, GET THEM! Or turn them over to us. WE WILL! DEAL WITH THEM. Why do you think we gave your party Control of the House, Control of the Senate, Control of the Whitehouse. The only option on the table that has any chance of fixing our healthcare crisis is a STRONG GOVERNMENT-RUN PUBLIC OPTION.
An insurance mandate and subsidies without a strong government-run public option choice available on day one would be worse than the healthcare catastrophe we have now. The insurance, and healthcare industry have been very successful at exploiting the good hearts of the American people. But Congress and the president must not let that happen this time. House Progressives and members of the Tri-caucus must continue to hold firm on their demand for a strong Government-run public option.
A healthcare reform bill with mandates and subsidies but without a STRONG government-run public option choice on day one, would be much worse than NO healthcare reform at all. So you must be strong and KILL IT! if you have too. And let the chips fall where they may. You can do insurance reform without mandates, subsidies, or taxpayer expense.
Actually, no tax payer funds should be use to subsidize any private for profit insurance plans. Tax payer funds should only be used to subsidize the public plans. Healthcare reform should be 100% for the American people. Not another taxpayer bailout of the private for profit insurance industry, disguised as healthcare reform for the people.
God Bless You
Jacksmith — Working Class
Twitter search #welovetheNHS #NHS Check it out
(http://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/07/25/why-markets-cant-cure-healthcare/)
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbWw23XwO5o) CYBER WARRIORS!! - TAKE THIS VIRAL
By Anonymous | Posted 3:40pm | August 21, 2009
Do the math.Add the premiums collected by insurers. Subtract high priced executive salaries and stockholdrr profits. Use that money to pay reasoable fees to providers. Eliminate governmental influence which would work with the efficiency of the US Postal Service, the fiscal responsibility of the Pentagon and the compassion of the IRS and you have a good argument for coops.
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