Did We Just Get Sold Out?

2 thoughts on “Did We Just Get Sold Out?”

1. With $3 billion to $4 billion in initial support from the government, the co-ops would operate under a national structure with state affiliates, but independent of the government. They would be required to maintain the type of financial reserves that private companies are required to keep in case of unexpectedly high claims.

   “I think there will be a competitor to private insurers,” Sebelius said. “That’s really the essential part, is you don’t turn over the whole new marketplace to private insurance companies and trust them to do the right thing.”
   

   Either way, the private co-op seeded with 3 or 4 billion dollars of federal funds in lieu of a public option will be pounced upon by the Limpbaugh-crazies, regardless.

   The ultimate measure of success remains the same — will this bill reduce the number of uninsured, “bend the curve” of health cost inflation downward, increase portability, and eliminate policy cancellations or refusals due to pre-existing conditions?

   I’d never expect to see Obama in a high-stakes poker game, but I wonder if he’s actually taking a bigger risk with this apparent compromise than he would with knocking a few more heads in the Democratic Senate Caucus.

   The real problem is with the feeble leadership of Harry Reid.  Where’s Lyndon Johnson when you need him?  Even Hillary could’ve probably whipped the original plan through if she were still in the Senate…

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2. Look, Obama didn’t make it as far as he did without knowing how to play hardball and cut deals where profit’s to be made.

   He may know something we don’t, it’s possible. But it sure as heck looks like Obama is cutting a deal where a) no deal needs to be cut, b) there are no benefits to be made by cutting the deal, c) if Obama wants to go for “co-ops,” which seems to be the lead (and most people with half a functioning brain know is a crock of stale mess), there are no pluses for Dems or Republicans. The conclusion has to be that Obama is getting something in return for caving so early on such a huge issue.

   It’s a helluva concession with him not even 9 months in, but if he’s set up, what does he care?

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