Something New On Health Care: Deal-Breakers From The President (Obama will offer his own plan)

theatlantic.com ^ | Sept. 1, 2009 | Marc Ambinder

[Free ThinkerNY]

This time, the President is going to be specific. Next week, President Obama is going to give Democrats a health care plan they can begin to sell.

He plans to list specific goals that any health insurance reform plan that arrives at his desk must achieve, according to Democratic strategists familiar with the plan. Some of these "goals" have already been agreed to, including new anti-discrimination restrictions on insurance companies. Others will be new, including the level of subsidies he expects to give the uninsured so they can buy into the system.

Obama will also specify a "pay for" mechanism he prefers, and will specify an income level below which he does not want to see taxed.

He will insist upon a mechanism to cut costs and increase competition among insurance companies -- and perhaps will even specify a percentage rate -- and he will say that his preferred mechanism remains a government-subsidized public health insurance option, but he will remain agnostic about whether the plan must include a robust public option.

[Free ThinkerNY]

[KarlInOhio]

Bait and switch. Watch the Dems claim to anyone quoting from the House bill: "That's not the plan now. Why are you wasting everyone's time with that?"

[henkster]

All kids know that if you want a cat, ask for a pony. We heard the plea for the pony. Get ready for “Fluffy.”

[devistate one four]

They are all hard of hearing and hard headed in DC.

Roll on tea parties and wake America up!

[RushIsMyTeddyBear]

Don’t want ONE THING of what Zero is selling.....THAT’S FOR SURE!

[DennisR]

http://pushbackuntil.com!

[what's up]

and he will say that his preferred mechanism remains a government-subsidized public health insurance option, but he will remain agnostic about whether the plan must include a robust public option

In other words, both sides are still going to be just as unhappy as they are now.

This is their trial balloon? More of the same?

[Onelifetogive]

...including new anti-discrimination restrictions on insurance companies.

I hope this does not just apply to health insurance. I have a grandfather who died a few years ago and those evil life insurance companies are denying me the right to buy a life insurance policy for him because of his "pre-existing condition." Evil jerks!

[nufsed]

Now his plan? What’s he ben supporting so far?

[TonyInOhio]

Too late, Barry. The train has left the station.

What a stroke of luck that The One wasted the enthusiasm surrounding his election on passing a failed "stimulus" bill - had he started with health care, the press would still be raving about the wonders of the ObamaCare law.

[ImJustAnotherOkie]

Everyone with any intelligence knew that On the Job Training was a bad Idea for a President. You would think he might get something right if he just used a dartboard for his decisions.

What a stupid clown this Zero is.

[swain_forkbeard]

I want a high-deductible, catastrophic major medical insurance plan, plus an HSA. I’m willing to pay for those things with the money I earn.

I don’t want to be forced to buy anything, or to pay for someone else’s decisions. I want decisions about my healthcare to be left to me and my family and to any doctors we trust.

Is that the new plan?

[SAJ]

'Lifts and separates!'

ROFL!

[ridesthemiles]

Bait and switch. “

That is the basic clogan for the entire campaign and actions of this administration.

[0scill8r]

Malpractice reform or STFU!

[KarlInOhio]

That was one of the things they brag about outlawing in the House plan. On the White House website you can enter in your particular status (sex, age range, current insurance, etc.) and get a list of why Obamacare is wonderful for you. One of the reasons was: 5. Reform puts a cap on what insurance companies can force you to pay in out of pocket expenses, co-pays and deductibles

So, no you can't pick a high co-pay, high deductible plan and Obama is patting himself on the back about it.

[KarlInOhio]

'Lifts and separates!' ROFL!

I understand the lift, but how does it separate with only one boob in the picture?

[SAJ]

Good point. I just liked the juxtaposition of snake oil w/Playtex...heh heh

[LTCJ]

President Obama is going to give Democrats a health care plan they can begin to sell.

It was his plan before it was his plan.

[John Titor]