tazzygirl
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It was the biggest setback to date for liberal Democrats, but did not kill the possibility of a public insurance option's being included in final legislation. Liberals argue that such a plan is needed to increase competition among insurance companies, rein in costs and guarantee affordable coverage for all Americans.
Backing an amendment by Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., the liberals were rebuffed by five centrist Democrats, some of whom argued that such a plan would bankrupt hospitals in rural areas, while others expressed concern that it would hurt the private insurance industry that is important to their communities -- and their campaign treasuries.
All 10 of the panel's Republicans also voted no.
.....
Other Democrats voting against the public option were Arkansas Sen. Blanche Lincoln, who may face a tough re-election fight in 2010 in a conservative state; Florida Sen. Bill Nelson, a former state insurance commissioner worried about its effect on the private insurance companies; and Delaware Sen. Tom Carper, who shared those concerns. Mr. Nelson and Mr. Carper were the two who switched sides and voted for the Schumer amendment.
GOP opponents included Maine Sen. Olympia Snowe, the only Republican who is even considering supporting the bill. But she did not speak during yesterday's debate, while one Republican after another denounced the idea as the equivalent of a government takeover of health insurance. "It is a slow walk toward government control," said Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa.
Proponents of the government program want consumers to have access to one option that is not profit-driven, and thus can charge less. Without that, they argue, there will be no pressure on private insurance firms to hold down premiums.
"It would simply guarantee there is at least one health insurance plan in the exchange ... that ordinary Americans can afford and count on," Mr. Rockefeller said. "It acts as a counterweight to the way I would characterize health insurance companies -- I love to use the word 'rapacious.' "
Republicans said the government program would turn from an option to a dominant force, because it would be hard for private companies to compete with government's ability to operate at a low cost. As Mr. Grassley put it: "The government is not a competitor. It is a predator."
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09273/1001808-84.stm?cmpid=nationworld.xml#ixzz0Sh37vDTb
My problem with all this is the insurance companies are deep in the pockets of politicians... and no one is calling them on their bs. If a company cannot compete, they should not be in business... pretty much business 101. Yet we are being told that because the government... read that as the people... are sick of being gouged and raked over the coals by private insurance companies, we are predators against the private companies and are trying to drive them out of business. Well, guess what... maybe its time that happens.
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RE: Some Adversaries Don't Talk - They Do. - 
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You guys are just cracking me up today. THANKS! 
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