Can anyone demonstrate to me that the public option will have a significant impact?
I want a public option, because I think we need to test the theory that competition will have a significant impact on premiums.
But I have seen NOTHING to support the idea that the public option is worth drawing a line in the sand.
According to the CBO, the public option will save $150 billion over ten years. Nate Silver calculates that to be $1,100 per taxpayer. That's $110 per year per taxpayer. $10 per month.
Of course, there are a lot of non-taxpayers who will be part of the system, so the $110 per year is diluted even further.
We'll save $177 billion by simply not having to reimburse hospitals for caring for the uninsured. That's more than the public option is projected to save.
I'd like to have all of the savings, and I'd really like to find out if a robust public option can save more than projected. If we don't have a public option, we'll never know.
But given the fact that the health reforms bills being considered would all provide us with:
- Insurance company mandates to cover pre-existing conditions and not deny coverage for getting sick.
- An end to lifetime limits that cut people off just when they need it most.
- Near universal coverage
- Premium subsidies for those who can't afford premiums
- Saving Medicare from bankruptcy,
it's hard for me to see how $10 a month (or less) average savings is worth a line is the sand.
Are we just being vindictive? Or stubborn? Or have we convinced ourselves of something without demanding proof?
Will someone please show me how the public option makes a significant difference? I don't mean just ASSERT it... I mean SHOW ME!