Why not allow people and business to buy into the same plan that Federal employees get? The public option will not start for at least three years. There are lots of people who cannot wait that long.

Most people and businesses who looked at the options Federal employees have would be green with envy. I do not mean that the Federal Government would pay for it, just that people would be able to use the money they are spending on healthcare already to get a better deal now, not three years from now. It would provide many more options for many more Americans.

The only right this would restrict is the right some health insurance companies feel they to a virtual monopoly in their walled off little fiefdoms.

These are the health insurance options available to Federal employees:
http://www.opm.gov/INSURE/HEALTH/

I’m actually for something the insurance lobby is for (along with Senator Wyden): nationwide plans. Logically, the bigger the pool, the lower the premiums will be. That’s also why I agree with the insurance lobby that the mandate penalties have to be high. These plans aren’t going to get less expensive unless they’re big. Of course I would also say that, if insurers don’t have to meet state regulations, they should be forced to meet strict national regulations. Risk adjusters to spread cost among private and (the proposed) public insureres should be applied and strictly enforced. And the government should get involved in negotiating standard prices for medical care, equipment and drugs on behalf of all insurers, public and private. All insurers should have to offer a basic plan that meets minimum cost and benefits standards; they can make their money elsewhere, on special Cadillac supplemental plans. Finally, if there’s a mandate, there has to be a public option, and a strong one, not subject to triggers, not some balkanized regional scheme. Well, those are my big ideas, for what they’re worth.

One thing is certain, it’s a non-private health insurance option that is comparable to any option private companies have to offer. The other certainty is that it cannot work if it’s not available nationwide to all those mandated to buy health insurance on day one of the mandatory insurance coverage regime.

It is clear that Obama has no intention of introducing such a scheme and that he wants to pass the buck to Harry Reid who’s only pushing for an opt-out public option scheme — which is no option at all for those who will be forced to buy health insurance.

It is always shocking to me how Republicans talk a good game about states’ rights…

The shock is not that the Republicans do this,
but that they are allowed to get away with it by the lapdog media.