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The public option helps offset costs of the bill. It's inclusion would aid in deficit reduction and unemployment.

Without it, the government picks up the tab for the sick and elderly while the insurance industry gets to fleece the rest of us; corporate welfare at its finest.

Bev.

Isn't it funny. When polls favor your side or belief you spout them as the gospel, but when they don't support your person or cause you question their validity.

I am sure you don't do that though do you?

Dick Durbin – He wants HIs Money Now! The Terrorist are providing his State "The Money and Jobs we so badly need now, and we are not going to past it up!" Now he and his Comrades are passing a health bill with a chance to increase our taxes Trillions of Dollars, and "He is not going to pass it up, either!"

We have seen so much in the debate on health care about the cost of health care and the need to reduce that cost. We have heard nothing about the fact that over 60 percent of Americans are over weight and over half of those are obese. The over weight and obese population consumes a hugely disproportionate amount of the health care dollar. There is a tremendous opportunity to save money on health care by addressing the causes of obesity. In the recent past we have seen class action law suites brought by state attorney generals to recover health care costs from tobacco companies because their products are so damaging to a person’s health, why do we not see the same type of class action law suites to recover some of the health care costs that are caused by the products made and sold by McDonalds, Bugger King, Jack-In-The-Box, etc? A large tax on Junk Food, Fast Food, Sugar Drinks, etc. would force people to make wiser decisions about their nutrition, which in the end would actually make them healthier and they would feel better, and at the same time reduce the national cost of health care. Nutritional education at a very early age could save a tremendous amount of health care costs.

NO TRIGGER. There are too many uninsured people losing their homes and businesses and LIVES because of health insurance costs. PUBLIC OPTION NOW!

Why do the republicans keep saying that the people do not want the public option or health care reform? the people want it and need it. they have fought against any thing that helps the public. all they care for is big corporations and the riches 1% of the people. they were against medicare, social securityand any thing else that the democrats came up with. also the catholic church ought to be made to pay taxes and stay out of politics.

If the current health program is "so great", you wonder why no one in congress have opted out of THEIR cadallac health program to join with the public?

Medicare for all or at least allowing those without insurance due to pre-existing conditions to get on medicare should have been the first priority. Medicare rules are already in place, and other than an amendment or two, it would have been an easier place to start than what congress has come up with and alot easier for Americans to understand and get behind.

Can anyone explain to me why the USA is the only industrialized, western democracy, that does NOT provide universal healthcare for its citizens? I personally cannot think of a single factor that would justify that situation!

Dick Durbin will be one of a hoard of liberal Democrats looking for a new job after his re-election bid. Americans supporting him today will soon see the error of their ways when the IRS comes knocking! People vote their pocketbooks and the frivilous spending totally out of control now will come due as early as next year. The liberal stranglehold on Congress will implode as a result! Thank you Democrats for your illegitimate wisdom in knowing what is best for us! I Pray for our great Country knowing where your pitiful leadership is taking us!

Texas has greatly reduced medical costs with tort reform but this bill will forbid the steps Texas and other states have taken.
Without tort reform (nowhere in this bill) we are headed in the wrong direction.
Also don't the caculations include ten years of taxes for about five years of operation. Taxes now coverage changes starting in something like five years. No wonder the numbers don't look worse than they do.

The health care reform bill specifically excludes coverage for illegal aliens.
READ THE BILL!

Tort reform would result in reducing health care costs by 0.5%.
DO A LITTLE RESEARCH!

The health care reform bill will bring down costs.
READ THE CBO REPORT!

The majority of Americans support the public option.
STOP LISTENING TO FOX!

No trigger! The health insurance companies don't deserve it, after all the harm they have done to people in the name of profit.

Here's how to fund the public option:

1. Eliminate the FICA tax cap on income above $90,000. This would generate a huge source of funds. (Right now, no FICA is paid on individual income above $90,000.)

2. Change the top tax rate to what it was under Ronald Reagan: 39%. Right now, the top rate is 36%; people making higher incomes can afford to pay an additional 3%.

Are these "taxes on the rich?" Yes, they are. And the wealthy can certainly afford it. After all, it's the least they can do for the country that has given them the opportunity to create their wealth in the first place.

The Public Option is the ONLY thing that will make a worthwhile effect on the health care bill and they all know it!
That is why so much effort to keep it out of the final bill..

Here We Go Again! People (Democrats) Trying To Sell Out On The Public Option, All While Letting Those With No Fortitude (Leiberman) Dictate The Terms And Call The Shots.

I am proud of our president, that he has gotten this far with the health bill.
This shows that he really cares, unlike the lying GOP who NEVER did a good thing while in office.
I am confident that this bill will change history for this country.
I am proud that is is being done by a democrat.
Congratulations Mr. President!

The public option is the most controversial because it is the only component of the bill that has any possible to bring about real meaningful change. It's the only part with real teeth, the only part with a chance to check the power of insurance companies. They can maintain their profits lost by being forced to cover high-risk folks by getting all the new customers that will be forced to get insurance policies. But if those new customers actually have the option to go with something reliable and dependable, like a government option will be, then chances are they will go there and the insurance companies could lose all that business. Too bad, so sad.
Pass the public option! It will help all us regular folks by forcing insurers to offer competitive prices for your policies in order to keep your business!

Create a national pool from which subscribers can pick the insurance company they want to use.

The national plan keeps risks lower for insurance companies by expanding the risk pool. They will need this because they will no longer be able to refuse coverage; in addition, costs are reduced by expanded competition, and some profit margin regulation.

Keep a 'pubic' option by creating a national pool. Current, smaller employer pools are to small and too variable to keep costs fair for each.

Republicans used the identical language to attack Social Security in 1935 and Medicare in 1965.

I find it ironic that the GOP senators will now cry foul and call the Dems. 'arrogant' for having banded around the passing of the health care bill. Of all people, the GOP representatives wrote the book and are the poster children of arrogance, of ignoring everyone's views, and of trashing Dems's efforts to get consensus. It was about time they get their comeuppance. By the same token, I am happy to see that the Dems. finally 'saw the light' and rallied around such an important bill; there is hope on immigration and on many other bills currently in the pipeline, and which will go a long way to make life better for all of us.

This bill needs the public option.

Hey Bev......
I know that you are so blinded by Faux Not News....that you are blogging their stats on Heath Care Bill......

FOX News/Opinion Dynamics Poll. Nov. 17-18, 2009. N=900 registered voters nationwide. MoE ± 3.

"Based on what you know about the health care reform legislation being considered right now, do you favor or oppose the plan?"

Favor Oppose Unsure
35% 51 % 14%
But what is funny look at what they Approve????

Would you favor or oppose the government offering some people who are uninsured the choice of a government-administered health insurance plan - also known as a 'public option' - that would compete with private health insurance plans?"
Favor Oppose Unsure
61% 28 % 11%

Makes you go HUH! You people have no CLUE! What the Faux?

The Catholics are opposed to murder unless it's at their behest. There were the crusades that murdered how many? Then the inquisitions that killed several millions. Later there was their official refusal to oppose the nazi exterminations of eleven plus millions doing WWII. I've also yet to hear official condemnation of abortion clinic bombings and murder of abortion doctors. The Catholic church has massacred more people in the name of their holiness than most people can imagine and few dare criticize their pious deeds.
There should more to prolife than disallowing women personal choice.

David in Georgia

PUBLIC OPTION is the only fair way to go for the uninsured in America. Hopefully Sen. Durbin will not sell out the American people to the insurance companies, Republicans, and Conservatives.

The Public Option really is NOT the right way to go. Our government doesn't handle bureaucracy well.

Here are two other options:

1) Limit the insurance company profittering. You can do this by limiting the amount one pays on insurance premiums based upon the precentage of income levels. Or, you set a "profit windfall" tax on the insurance company (where the dollars of that tax go back to the taxpayer in the form of a rebate). If the insurance companies then try to increase premiums to pay for the tax, then they will be fined. ALL of those dollars would got back to us, the taxpayer. The insurance companies, therefore, couldn't job the system.

2) If you want the Public Option, fine. But make it an "opt-in" not an "opt-out". For any state that does not "opt-in" create a trigger system (as was proposed earlier).

The Republicans ( a party of white christless, bigoted and racists people) missed the opportunity to do good again; just like Social Security they voted against it. If your poor; The Republicans just don't care.

As big as the Health Care Reform project is, it is not the greatest of the problems that we will face in the near and not-so-distant future. If we can not find common ground on efforts to protect the health of our own children, wives, mothers, fathers, siblings, and other relatives, I see us facing an horrific future. Doesn't is seem that the number of social, political, and environmental fires that need to be put out are increasing? And that they are being increasingly difficult to extinguish. In my humble opinion this trend will continue until we realize that humanity has reached a point in our development where we are in need of a Prime Directive to plot our future course and to prescribe our current and future choices.

Every species of life has a Prime Directive built into its genetic code. Most forms of life follow their Prime Directive instinctively and without significant variation or deviance. The human animal is different. Humans have, in our minds, elevated ourselves above our fundamental nature, have imagined ourselves separate from the ecosystem of which we are a part and upon which we are mutually dependent, and we have forgotten the process, the importance, and the benefits of Creating Peaceful Space. Without a Prime Directive chaos is inevitable.

The Prime Directive is the foundational principle or mandate for our journey in the world. Without an umbrella directive that embraces all humankind our cultural traditions, religious ideologies, political philosophies, and racial and ethnic divisions will continue to breed conflict. Creating Peaceful Space is a natural progression of the Prime Directive.

THE PRIME DIRECTIVE

TO SEEK PLEASURE AND AVOID PAIN FOR YOURSELF AND OTHERS, TO TRANSFORM NEGATIVE ENERGY INTO POSITIVE ENERGY THROUGH YOUR CONDUCT IN THE WORLD, AND TO NURTURE LIFE AND STRUGGLE AGAINST DEATH FOR THE WELFARE OF THE PLANET AND THE COEXISTENCE OF ALL LIVING THINGS.

It could take generations for universal acceptance but it seems clear to me that unless we begin to move in that direction we face what for many is the unthinkable.

What does Dickie Durban know about insurance (nothing) he's an assistant majority lap dog he can't think for him self and he will say anthing to get the health care bill passed. What he doesn't tell the American people is that the American tax payer is paying for his health care and is not available to the American people. Dickie Durban is a do nothing say nothing senator from Illinois. Dickie Durban is a man who can't think for him self he has to have some one do his thinking for him. I'll bet he hasn't read the health care bill that becaues he dosen't know what's in. Everyone will no have what the Democrats have always wanted TAX AND SPEND. Congress is going to do what they are going to do once the bill is passed it will be to late. Well come the second GREAT DEPRESSION.

Why attempt reform when the most sucessful part is omitted??? We should simply eliminate the monopoly and offer Medicare as an option. The insurance companies will offer better coverage to compete with Medicare while affordability is attained via competetion. Issue solved!!!

The Public Option would save taxpayers the most money, and bring down health costs the most. So what's the problem?

Well, one can agree or disagree with the plan(s), but there is one thing that is not in question. That is, the USA is the only industrialized, western democracy, that does not provide universal healthcare for its citizens. That, in itself, is shameful and our citizens should stand ready to fix this deficiency in our society. That we have the best, most advanced, healthcare in the world as it is, does not serve as a legitimate excuse for leaving things "as is" and not providing access to that system to ALL our citizens.

The Public Option is being brought to you by the economic wizards who thought the Stimulus bill would keep unemployment from rising above 8%. Either they don't know what they are doing or they don't care about what the results really are. As we have seen over and over, all they want to do is pass big spending bills and could care less about the actual results.

The actual results of a Fedreal Health Insurance bureaucracy will be a huge burden on the people and economy of America without lowering the cost of health care. It is well documented that it will only increase health care costs. Kill this idea and save America from another useless diversion from real improvements in our health care system. This is not one of them.

You might agree or disagree on the plan, as it will be finally ironed out, but something we all ought to note is: why the USA is the only western democracy that does not provide universal health care access to its citizens? Touting the point that we have the most advanced, best care, system in the world says nothing when millions of the citizens simple do not have access to that system. And, in addition, it is the less fortunate in society that suffer the most!

Don't you dare agree to do anything the gop wants.They have had years of control to help with health care and did nohing !! The same as abortion,they had control and did squat !! Move this along for the good of the people not the cry baby gop...

Buying insurance across state lines is a nitwit's answer that provides no reform at all. Insurance companies will flock to the states with the least restrictions, like the credit card companies did. They will offer a list of doctors that may not be the best qualified, or close to your own state.

Senior Lilarose in Oregon – perhaps you missed it. The majority of Americas oppose the public option.

I want the government to stop creating massive programs that we can't possibly afford. I have yet to see the government run anything in a cost effective manner. STAY OUT OF HEALTH CARE! This is nothing more than a power grab of 20% of our economy.

Those voting against Public Option are voting for the insurance companies to remain in complete control on health care and the continuation of the raping of the American people.
We can no longer allow or accept big business to run, control our country making crucial decisions on our behalf. We are all victims of what has happened these last eight years.
We must demand Health Care Reform contain a comprehensive, strong Public Option and the political games that are going on,
sacrificing us and our country come to an end.

no strong public option is no fix all

Health care needs true reform. New laws need to be passed regarding hospitals and costs, and the current system needs a complete overhaul. The insurance companies charge too much, and even those who have insurance have a huge chance to wind up amongst our destitute should anything major happen to them.

We desperately need a public option. We also desperately need regulation for the health care industry. Please think of the people in this country, and think of why Obama promised health care for all in the first place!

Why is it that people claim that Republicans care about the rich and Democrats care about the middle class? What a lie! Who was the last non-hollywood or non-millionaire that Obama spent time with? I will give you all a little clue, no party cares about anything except buying votes. They are all deranged Robin Hoods...robbing from everyone and giving just enough back to get re-elected. Change is coming...will you be part of the solution or the fake solution that so many people bought into last year?

Lord, give me strength! I just can't understand how anyone buys into the notion that a gov't sponsored 'anything' brings competition. This is the place of $700 toilet seats, remember? How 'bout the ol' regulated phone industry or regulated airline prices? The concept of "insurance" means the vast majority in the pool pay more in premiums than they ever hope to recover in benefits....you are insuring against a catestrophic loss. That's how car and home insurance works. How do people expect to get health insurance for "free"? Nothing is free.....be very careful what you wish for.

Comprimise for the benefit of the bill is fine as long as they don't comprimise out the benefits to Americans.
If there is wording that needs to be changed fine. Clarify. But the meat fo this is not a political football- it's for the health of us regular guys out here.

Don't bother to change it. Nancy will push through what she wants, regardless of what the people want, as she has stated. Arrogance? She is the queen!!! This needs to be done right, not quickly. That doesn't matter though. Nancy knows best.

The Senate membership needs to remember who is in charge here!

The People!

And the People have firmly stated that they WANT THE PUBLIC OPTION!

I am hoping when the final vote comes, if the public option is not in the bill, that we finally see the American People rise up and protest across the country like we have done over other issues, such as the wars!

Who cares for what Sen. Durbin says. Go away.

Based on recent polls–Gallup, Rasmussen, Real Clear Politics-–the Independents do NOT support this Bill by 60%!!!!

Based on recent polls–(same as above)-–the Independents said that they will vote for the Republicans by 52%-30%.

Based on recent polls-(same as above)–Obama's approval/support is now below 50%!!!

Senator Bennet-–and many other Dems-–better be okay with losing their seats in 2010 and 2012-as that is EXACTLy what is going to happen!!

Independents will be voting with the Republicans in 2010-–to vote out as many Democrats as possible!!!

The main stream media will have puzzled/shocked looks on their faces-–when they realize that even their manipulation/spin of the news–could not even save the Dems!!!

I can't wait for 2010!!!

If I am forced to buy insurance without a Pubic Option to keep costs down, you may as well throw me in jail now. Half my family is insured. My oldest son was force off my policy at 21. He works part time and goes to school part time. My husband was forced to find another job when car sales bottomed out. He now has a job without insurance. We pay our bills but my families insurance policy is almost starving me.

Stand up for what we voted for, or we will stay home in 2010. Why work so hard to get dems elected when they act like Republicans. We can get republicans for free. They care nothing about the middle class,,,,just the rich.

The American people are just going to have to settle for an extremely watered down version of a health care package that is such a baby step that it is ridiculous. This is not change. Attacking the donut hole in 2019 but giving seniors $500 more toward their prescription costs in 2010? Please. How ridiculous is that? I am joining the rolls of Medicare in January 2010 and my prescription costs are going to fall into the donut hole in freaking March. It is no wonder that the American people look at the Congress with total disgust. They are incapable of doing anything even when one party is in control because of all the people wandering around the halls who are Republicans dressed in a Democratic raincoat. Not to mention these representatives will allow themselves to be influenced by a bunch of Roman Catholic priests turned lobbyists. When are we ever going to be able to elect true representatives of the people?

Though I don't agree with the "triggers" idea, I thank you, Senator Durbin, for being open-minded and agreeable to further debate and reconciliation. "Staying the course" is NOT an option and I prefer a strong public option available to everyone. NOW is the time!

Here is a way to INJECT COMPETITION nitwit, allow for ALL of us to buy across state lines or is that to tough for you to understand?

Imagine ALL companies vying for ALL citizens in ALL the states?

Nah, the Democrats would rather lie to the bleating sheep.

You ALL do realize your taxes are going up, your premiums are going up and your parents and grandparents medicare is going down, don't you?

Just to help pay for the people that don't want insurance or the illegals, real smart Dems.

Why not just worry about the LEGAL ones falling through the cracks that WANT OUR HELP.

My bad, logic and liberalism don't quantify that, lets bleep the whole system to help the few.

So says Heir Obama.

We need to do it right! The ways to get healtchcare is to bring down costs by allowing for new research to go through so new drugs and equipments can be made cheaper.

Right now, there is a way to scan hearts for a machine of 2K and it cannot pass because machine that cost 1 zillion has the ears and eyes of the FDA.

Let's reform FDA and any governmental regulations and that will get healtchare cost down. Then, let's hire more doctors. As for as I'm concerned our doctors go through 8 years of school and know less than someone whit 8 years of experience from other countries without a degree...

Stop schooling and adjust it with experiences...