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Another reason why Mary Landrieu's bill is a political winner
Another reason why Mary Landrieu's bill is a political winner
by Jed Lewison
Markos on why Sen. Mary Landrieu's (D-LA) legislation to prevent unwanted cancellation of health plans is a political winner:
As Markos pointed out, however, Republicans will almost certainly block Landrieu's bill precisely because it fails to achieve the goal that they really care about: Ending Obamacare. But let's imagine what would happen if they decided to get behind it.
In that scenario, one year form now, people would get letters informing them that they can keep their current insurance, but that they can get better coverage at a price that is comparable if not better on the exchange. And since the exchanges will be working better by then, people who already have insurance in the individual market would be able do what they should have been able to do this year: Shop for a better policy without fear of losing their current one.
Some people would stick with what they have, but many if not most would switch, and they'd switch knowing that it was Obamacare that gave them access to a better insurance product. Add to that the millions of presently uninsured people who will get coverage under Obamacare's Medicaid expansion and exchange subsidies, the cancellation issue would be turned around 180 degrees, because it would be Republicans seeking to cancel people's health insurance.
Of course, that scenario probably just guarantees that Republicans won't ultimately support Landrieu's bill, but that brings us back to the real issue as far as the GOP is concerned: They don't care about policy cancellations, and they don't care about Obamacare working. They want it repealed, and nothing else will satisfy them.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/11/14/1255596/-Another-reason-why-Mary-Landrieu-s-bill-is-a-political-winner
by Jed Lewison
Markos on why Sen. Mary Landrieu's (D-LA) legislation to prevent unwanted cancellation of health plans is a political winner:
In short, it would allow people to keep their crappy individual insurance policies, but insurance companies would be unable to keep selling them to new customers, and they'd have to let their customers know why the government considers their policies crap and point them to the exchanges for other options. <...> Right now, the blame is being put on Obama and the Democrats. This bill would turn things around and put the pressure exactly where it belongs: on insurance companies and obstructionist Republicans.
As Markos pointed out, however, Republicans will almost certainly block Landrieu's bill precisely because it fails to achieve the goal that they really care about: Ending Obamacare. But let's imagine what would happen if they decided to get behind it.
In that scenario, one year form now, people would get letters informing them that they can keep their current insurance, but that they can get better coverage at a price that is comparable if not better on the exchange. And since the exchanges will be working better by then, people who already have insurance in the individual market would be able do what they should have been able to do this year: Shop for a better policy without fear of losing their current one.
Some people would stick with what they have, but many if not most would switch, and they'd switch knowing that it was Obamacare that gave them access to a better insurance product. Add to that the millions of presently uninsured people who will get coverage under Obamacare's Medicaid expansion and exchange subsidies, the cancellation issue would be turned around 180 degrees, because it would be Republicans seeking to cancel people's health insurance.
Of course, that scenario probably just guarantees that Republicans won't ultimately support Landrieu's bill, but that brings us back to the real issue as far as the GOP is concerned: They don't care about policy cancellations, and they don't care about Obamacare working. They want it repealed, and nothing else will satisfy them.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/11/14/1255596/-Another-reason-why-Mary-Landrieu-s-bill-is-a-political-winner
Kos was claiming the plan was "genius" because Republicans would block it. Now, it's a "political winner" even if Republicans "get behind it."
<...>
Heading into 2014, that may be the difference between retaining the political high ground, or facing another 2010. Landrieu's gambit is genius.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/11/13/1255362/-The-Landrieu-amendment-and-the-politics-of-Obamacare
Heading into 2014, that may be the difference between retaining the political high ground, or facing another 2010. Landrieu's gambit is genius.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/11/13/1255362/-The-Landrieu-amendment-and-the-politics-of-Obamacare
Well, Republicans are jumping on board, Upton: http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024028231#post8
GOP Senator: Obama's Obamacare Fix 'A Good Move'
Republican Sen. Bob Corker praised President Barack Obama's decision on Thursday to let insurers continue existing insurance policies into 2014.
"I think it's a step in the right direction," the Tennessee senator told reporters. "I'm glad the president has taken this step. ... It's a good move and I'm glad that it's occurring."
Corker called the move "a nice step but it's not going to solve the problem," lamenting that "we've had so many people in our state -- it's just been amazing -- are in such emotional distress over the fact that they've gotten cancellations and haven't been able to purchase a policy.
"I don't support the (Affordable Care Act) but I'm not going to oppose fixes to it," he said. "Again, it's a very, very small step. ... It's going to affect a few people in a good way."
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/gop-senator-obama-s-obamacare-fix-a-good-move
Republican Sen. Bob Corker praised President Barack Obama's decision on Thursday to let insurers continue existing insurance policies into 2014.
"I think it's a step in the right direction," the Tennessee senator told reporters. "I'm glad the president has taken this step. ... It's a good move and I'm glad that it's occurring."
Corker called the move "a nice step but it's not going to solve the problem," lamenting that "we've had so many people in our state -- it's just been amazing -- are in such emotional distress over the fact that they've gotten cancellations and haven't been able to purchase a policy.
"I don't support the (Affordable Care Act) but I'm not going to oppose fixes to it," he said. "Again, it's a very, very small step. ... It's going to affect a few people in a good way."
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/gop-senator-obama-s-obamacare-fix-a-good-move
