From Alaska Republican Party Research - Reports Of Public Option's Demise Greatly Exaggerated

Alaska Republican Party

"PUBLIC OPTION" BY ANY OTHER NAME IS STILL GOVERNMENT-RUN HEALTH CARE

Sen. Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) Says Co-Ops Another Form Of Government-Run Health Care. "'We're going to have some type of public option, call it "co-op," call it what you want,' Reid said, adding that Democrats are working on 'some version of a co-op that may satisfy everyone.'" (Trish Turner, "Reid Says Co-Ops Might Be Public Option," Fox News's "The Speaker's Lobby" Blog, 7/9/09)

Open To Co-Ops, Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) Doesn't Care What Government-Run Health Care Is Called. "'We don't care what it's called. We need something that's going to keep the insurance companies honest,' Schumer said, adding that any co-op plan must also 'be available right at the beginning, have competition ... and have the strength to bargain.'" (Trish Turner, "Reid Says Co-Ops Might Be Public Option," Fox News's "The Speaker's Lobby" Blog, 7/9/09)



SO WHAT IS A "CO-OP"?

Co-Ops Would Be Funded By Federal Government. "Senator Kent Conrad, a Democrat, proposed creating nonprofit, member-operated health cooperatives to compete with insurers ... The government would offer start-up money -- Conrad said $6 billion would be needed -- in loans and grants to help doctors, hospitals, businesses and other groups form nonprofit cooperative networks to obtain and provide healthcare." ("Q&A - Co-Ops In Focus In U.S. Health Care Debate," Reuters, 7/30/09)

Co-Ops Would Be Regulated By Federal Government. "Advisory board makes recommendations to HHS Secretary who makes final decisions about approvals of business plans ... Business plans must meet governance standards, and eligible applicants must meet the standard for non-profit, participating mutual insurance." ("Senate Finance Committee Draft Proposal," 6/19/09)

Co-Ops Would Force Individuals Who Want To Join To Go Through State Governments. "Co-op membership would be offered through state insurance exchanges where small businesses and individuals without employer-sponsored plans would shop for health coverage." ("Q&A - Co-Ops In Focus In U.S. Health Care Debate," Reuters, 7/30/09)

Federal Government Would Use Co-Ops To Monopolize Health Insurance. "[T]hese co-ops sound a lot like a health-care Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which Congress created because there was supposedly no secondary mortgage market. The duo proceeded to use their government subsidy to dominate the market and drive out private competitors." (Editorial, "Fannie Med," The Wall Street Journal, 7/30/09)


WHY WHITE HOUSE IS FAKING CENTER-RIGHT

White House Open Up To Co-Ops To Fool Dem Senators Into Government-Run Health Care Compromise. NBC'S CHUCK TODD: "This is about getting folks like Ben Nelson in Nebraska; Joe Lieberman in Connecticut; Blanche Lincoln, Mark Pryor of Arkansas -- getting them on board. And a full-fledged public option was making them hesitant. Co-op will be the option that probably gets them done. And that's why the White House is allowing themselves wiggle room." (NBC's "Nightly News," 8/16/09)

House Dems Admit Co-Ops Being Used In Desperate Attempt To Pass Government-Run Health Care Through Senate. "A top House Democratic aide: 'This is just for the Senate. There is no way it passes the House the first time around without a public option. The liberals (around 100+) won't allow it. It if comes back from conference committee without public option and there is the right pitch that it is this or nothing, then it may pass the House.'" (Mike Allen, Politico's "Pulse," 8/17/09)