Snowe and Collins

[ins.dave]

What, exactly, is the exchange? I somewhat understand it conceptually, but I don't understand the end user interface. I don't think anyone really knows yet.

I've pictured it something like Norvax (or Quotit) with lots of things listed, but hard to sort out what you really need. Very useful for somethings, but not really a good closing tool.

If anyone has any better idea, I'm all ears.

Dan

God.
Help us?
The only thing known or relevant is that an exchange or a public option is a means to starve out private carriers.
This is the end game. i wish some of you guys would wake the hell up on that instead of worrying about whatever lil table scraps Barry's bunch are going to leave us and in what form?
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Now if you are REQUIRED to buy from exchange to get subsidies, that's another story.

Huh?,

Yo, the whole reason of it is to do just that.
What other purpose? It would be a total sudsidized way of phasing out the private carriers and their options.
You wouls also have the phsican rates pre determined through the "exchange" also.
They should call it the freedom exchange.

 

[CHUMPS FROM OXFORD]

Remember..."public option" and "exchange" are two completely different things. I am much less concerned about the "public option."

 

[Winter_123]

I'll be shocked if this is not phased in over many years.

Indeed. That is true not only because there needs to be a "wait and see where this economy is headed" approach but also because a bill of some sort will pass and each side will be able to declare victory.

I have no doubt whatsoever that there will be so many ifs, ands, buts, tiggers and contingengies that come springtime both sides will be able to declare that they got a bill either passed or not passed. My comments have always been in the direction that this bill "as is" is not going to pass. However since I am totally convinced that reform is coming that implies somehting will pass.

Example, (and this is to your point about phase-in) if we get to spring and there is a public option but trigger, subsidy but level of funding yet to be determined, no abortion but implied that the bill can be amended, medicare cuts in the bill but a side bill to restore them, cuts to doc fees but sidebills to restore, a mandate except not to be phased in until the economy is doing such and such and subject to state opt-out then did we get a bill that passed or one that did not pass. Beats the hell out of me. There is enough material there to paint any picture you want.

I just look for the big picture. GI is coming. Subsidies/credits are coming. Mandate is up in the air, probably a trigger than can be pulled down the road if partiicaption is not high enough. Public option is coming but with so many conditions that is really is more of a threat than an implementation plan. Medicare will not be cut but will subject to cost-savings, whatever the frig that means.

As I mentioned before, just think of that cartoon (if you have seen it) which shows a picture of a camel and the caption underneath says "A horse designed by a committee." Such is the current health reform plan. The White House provided no leadership whatsoever by sponsoring a plan and a bill. It just said that it will watch Congress flop around and sign anything that looks good. Thus we have ended out right where we are.

This bill is not going to be signed into law but if one wants to make a case that it was signed at some point then there will be room for that if the criteria is to be able to say that some bill with the same Senate Bill number will pass. That is all fine unless you are also looking to see whether it is a horse or camel regardless of what it was supposed to be initially.

But yes, to your point, one way for congress to not deal with things is to adopt them but put some ungodly timetable on it so it might as well have not been adopted and then declare victory. Then do nothing later- their speciality.

Was watching TV with my morning fix today. Wasnt even six in the morning yet and the Blue Hair Brigade was out in full force preparing the welcome mat for congress when they come home for TG. Good luck with that. You want to take how much out of Medicare? Good gravy!

Change you can believe in .

 

[ins.dave]

I supported Palin

Huh?
============================

I vehemently argued that the press needed to give her a chance and some breathing room and then I voted for her.

What's unclear about that?

Sure, I'd like to get in a three way with her and Pelosi, but c'mon ... the woman is a moron?
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Exchange deal is sealed. No one is arguing the exchange. Could amount to very little depending in final language, subsidies, and exchange participation requirements.

Ain't sh*t sealed bubba.
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Remember..."public option" and "exchange" are two completely different things. I am much less concerned about the "public option."

Practically speaking chumps, a rose by another name would smell as sweet ... or as fowl in this case.