Quote:
Originally Posted by guy44
You're right on target. Throwing crap at a wall. Two mutually exclusive arguments against the public option.
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How about different people with different points of view are making different arguments or that they are simply two different issues.
On one hand we know that Medicare/Medicaid at current costs and projected cost increases that these programs can not be sustained unless there are some significant changes. We also know that private sector health care insurers, like them or not, are mostly profitable. Some very reasonable people agree that private sector companies are too restrictive and need to be forced to address things like pre-existing conditions. Even people like me see a need for some change. There are also some very reasonable people who agree that Medicare/Medicaid are generally good programs but because of out of control costs have concerns regarding increases in taxes or reduction in benefits, or both. Even people like me see a need for some change.
A totally different issue is the "public option". Some very reasonable people agree that there needs to be increased competition and increased consumer choice. Different solutions have been proposed contrary to statements from the President - Republican have presented alternative solutions. Some of us believe it is unlikely that the government can enter the health insurance market and act like a private insurance company. Given this belief, if government enters the market and creates a competitive advantage, private insurance companies will not be able to compete. If the government has "hidden" subsidies (i.e. - like Medicare/Medicaid that will eventually have to make major changes), the period where these subsidies exist will put private insurers out of business or turn them into niche players.