Letting states decline a government insurance plan could help unify congressional Democrats

[one...two...tree 2,762]

By Noam N. Levey and James Oliphant, LA Times

Reporting from Washington - House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) said Friday that states might be able to "opt out" of any nationwide government insurance plan, a compromise that she suggested could unify congressional Democrats and enable President Obama to sign a healthcare overhaul bill later this year.

Pelosi remains a leading champion of the "public option," which would establish a federal health insurance program that would give consumers who don't get coverage through their employer an alternative to plans offered by commercial insurers. But she told reporters at the Capitol that she did not "think there's much problem" with the opt-out alternative, which had sparked interest among moderate Democrats in the Senate.

"The robust public option is, in my view, a preferred way to go," the speaker said. "It's not the only way to go."

A group of Senate Democrats is also trying to build support for such a plan in the healthcare bill that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) is planning to bring up for a vote next month.

Reid and Pelosi are advancing separate healthcare bills in the Senate and House. The House is not currently considering a proposal that would allow states to opt out of a federal insurance plan. But Pelosi's remarks Friday opened the possibility that the opt-out alternative could be included in a reconciled bill that would be sent to the White House.

In the Senate, the opt-out proposal, which is being championed by Sens. Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Thomas R. Carper (D-Del.), has sparked interest among some moderates who like the concept of allowing states to regulate their own insurance markets.

And some liberal groups like Health Care for America Now, a leading consumer coalition pushing for a public plan, have expressed openness to the idea under some conditions.

"We prefer to see something in every state on Day One," said the group's national campaign director, Richard Kirsch. "So if you have an opt-out, you'd like to see something that was available immediately."

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/na...0,6370833.story

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Yeah, that would be the ultimate campaign here in Florida where the same government that introduced a public option for property insurance would then rally against a public option for health insurance. Oh the hypocrisy. I can't wait...

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Yeah, that would be the ultimate campaign here in Florida where the same government that introduced a public option for property insurance would then rally against a public option for health insurance. Oh the hypocrisy. I can't wait...

It'll be interesting to watch how this all plays out.

[Heracles 417]

It's the only way those opposing this will play along.

Also a little devious because those who decline are going to have to defend their actions to their constituents, who will look at other states and watch them being covered. All while they or their neighbors are denied treatment, due to technicalities.

Anyone with half a brain would actually move if their state declined it.

Edited October 24, 2009 by Booyah!

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

It's the only way those opposing this will play along.

Also a little devious because those who decline are going to have to defend their actions to their constituents, who will look at other states and watch them being covered. All while they or their neighbors are denied treatment, due to technicalities.

Anyone with half a brain would actually move if their state declined it.

There are several states, no matter what gets passed, that will ask for exemption from the Federal plan, because they are currently offerring, or will soon offer, plans of their own:

States with Pools

Alabama (for portability only)

Alabama Health Insurance Plan

Phone 1-800-513-1384 or (334) 242-4301

Alaska

Alaska Comprehensive Health Insurance Association

Phone 1-800-467-8725 or (907) 269-7900

Arkansas

Arkansas Comprehensive Health Insurance Pool

Phone 1-800-285-6477

California

California Major Risk Medical Insurance Program

Phone 1-800-289-6574 or (916) 324-4695

Colorado

CoverColorado

Phone (303) 863-1960

Connecticut

Connecticut Health Reinsurance Association

Phone 1-800-842-0004

Florida (not open for new enrollees)

Phone (850) 309-1200

Idaho

Idaho Individual High Risk Reinsurance Pool

Phone (208) 334-4300

Illinois

Illinois Comprehensive Health Insurance Plan

Phone 1-800-367-6410 or (217) 782-6333

Indiana

Indiana Comprehensive Health Association

Phone 1-800-552-7921 or (317) 614-2000

Iowa

Iowa Comprehensive Health Association

Phone (877) 793-6880

Kansas

Kansas Health Insurance Association

Phone 1-800-362-9290 or (316) 792-1779

Kentucky

Kentucky Access

Phone (502) 573-1026

Louisiana

Louisiana Health Insurance Association

Phone 1-800-736-0947 or (225) 926-6245

Maryland

Maryland Health Insurance Plan

Phone (888) 444-9016

Minnesota

Minnesota Comprehensive Health Association

Phone (866) 894-8053

Mississippi

Mississippi Comprehensive Health Insurance Risk Pool

Phone (601) 899-9967 or (888) 820-9400

Missouri

Missouri Health Insurance Pool

Phone 1-800-843-6447 (All but NW Missouri)

Phone 1-800-645-8346 (NW Missouri)

Montana

Montana Comprehensive Health Insurance Association

Phone (406) 444-8200

Nebraska

Nebraska Comprehensive Health Association

Phone (402) 343-3574 or (877) 348-4304

New Hampshire

New Hampshire Health Plan

Phone (603) 225-6633 or (877) 888-6447

New Mexico

New Mexico Medical Insurance Pool

Phone (866) 622-4711

North Carolina

North Carolina Health Insurance Risk Pool

Phone (866) 665-2117

North Dakota

Comprehensive Health Association Of North Dakota

Phone 1-800-737-0016 or (701) 282-1235

Oklahoma

Oklahoma Health Insurance High Risk Pool

Phone 1-800-255-6065 or (405) 741-8434

Oregon

Oregon Medical Insurance Pool

Phone 1-800-848-7280

South Carolina

South Carolina Health Insurance Pool

Phone 1-800-868-2500, ext. 42757, or 1-803-788-0500,

ext. 42757

South Dakota

South Dakota Risk Pool

Phone (605) 773-3148

Tennessee

CoverTennessee (AccessTN)

Contact Tennessee area county medical assistance offices, or

Phone (866) 636-0080

Texas

Texas Health Insurance Risk Pool

Phone 1-888-398-3927

Utah

Utah Comprehensive Health Insurance Pool

Phone 1-800-538-5038 or (801) 442-5038

Washington

Washington State Health Insurance Pool

Phone 1-800-877-5187

West Virginia

AccessWV

Phone 1-866-445-8491

Wisconsin

Wisconsin Health Insurance Risk Sharing Plan

Phone 1-800-828-4777 or (608) 441-5777

Wyoming

Wyoming Health Insurance Pool

Phone (307) 634-1393

Only in Wyoming 1-800-438-5768

http://naschip.org/portal/index.php?option...46&Itemid=2

[AlHayatZween 2]

Louisiana

Louisiana Health Insurance Association

Phone 1-800-736-0947 or (225) 926-6245

First i have heard about this... i'll have to look into it...

[Sofiyya 1,687]

It's the only way those opposing this will play along.

Also a little devious because those who decline are going to have to defend their actions to their constituents, who will look at other states and watch them being covered. All while they or their neighbors are denied treatment, due to technicalities.

Anyone with half a brain would actually move if their state declined it.

I'll move if my state accepts it.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

It's the only way those opposing this will play along.

Also a little devious because those who decline are going to have to defend their actions to their constituents, who will look at other states and watch them being covered. All while they or their neighbors are denied treatment, due to technicalities.

Anyone with half a brain would actually move if their state declined it.

I'll move if my state accepts it.

Outstanding. May I recommend Morocco or Lebanon.

[Sofiyya 1,687]

It's the only way those opposing this will play along.

Also a little devious because those who decline are going to have to defend their actions to their constituents, who will look at other states and watch them being covered. All while they or their neighbors are denied treatment, due to technicalities.

Anyone with half a brain would actually move if their state declined it.

I'll move if my state accepts it.

Outstanding. May I recommend Morocco or Lebanon.

Already covered. I own homes in both countries.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Louisiana

Louisiana Health Insurance Association

Phone 1-800-736-0947 or (225) 926-6245

First i have heard about this... i'll have to look into it...

Here's the link.

http://lahealthplan.org/

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Louisiana

Louisiana Health Insurance Association

Phone 1-800-736-0947 or (225) 926-6245

First i have heard about this... i'll have to look into it...

Here's the link.

http://lahealthplan.org/

...850,000 Louisianans are uninsured, a staggering 20% of the state's population...

One hell of a plan leaving LA well below the national average of health insurance coverage.

What's the story now, lone Ranger? That the states have got this all covered? Texas on the list? Are you kidding me?

[AlHayatZween 2]

Louisiana

Louisiana Health Insurance Association

Phone 1-800-736-0947 or (225) 926-6245

First i have heard about this... i'll have to look into it...

Here's the link.

http://lahealthplan.org/

Thanks...

Yes, i do remember seeing this when i first moved down here a few months ago...just didn't remember the name of it.

Still, it's quite expensive considering wages are so low here...

Did you check out the HIPAA rates for women in their 30s & 40s... i think that is monthly...

[Heracles 417]

Louisiana

Louisiana Health Insurance Association

Phone 1-800-736-0947 or (225) 926-6245

First i have heard about this... i'll have to look into it...

Here's the link.

http://lahealthplan.org/

...850,000 Louisianans are uninsured, a staggering 20% of the state's population...

One hell of a plan leaving LA well below the national average of health insurance coverage.

What's the story now, lone Ranger? That the states have got this all covered? Texas on the list? Are you kidding me?

I hope he doesn't run his business on hearsay like that.

The 62% of Americans going bankrupt due to Medical debt must be made up Obama.

Edited October 25, 2009 by Booyah!

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Louisiana

Louisiana Health Insurance Association

Phone 1-800-736-0947 or (225) 926-6245

First i have heard about this... i'll have to look into it...

Here's the link.

http://lahealthplan.org/

...850,000 Louisianans are uninsured, a staggering 20% of the state's population...

One hell of a plan leaving LA well below the national average of health insurance coverage.

What's the story now, lone Ranger? That the states have got this all covered? Texas on the list? Are you kidding me?

I hope he doesn't run his business on hearsay like that.

The 62% of Americans going bankrupt due to Medical debt must be made up Obama.

The FL legislator just came up with a plan last year. It has ZERO Floridian's enrolled to date. Very effective...

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Louisiana

Louisiana Health Insurance Association

Phone 1-800-736-0947 or (225) 926-6245

First i have heard about this... i'll have to look into it...

Here's the link.

http://lahealthplan.org/

Thanks...

Yes, i do remember seeing this when i first moved down here a few months ago...just didn't remember the name of it.

Still, it's quite expensive considering wages are so low here...

Did you check out the HIPAA rates for women in their 30s & 40s... i think that is monthly...

Yep. It's not cheap, but if you can't get insurance anywhere else, at least there is that.