by publius
One sign that coverage reform has momentum is that several of the recent attacks from insurers are designed to make the bill more like Democrats want. Understandably, insurers want more healthy people buying coverage -- and so they want a stricter mandate. The only way, however, to justify a stricter mandate is to expand subsidies -- another good policy goal.
These are all potentially positive developments. Indeed, it's always good when the interests of formidable political opponents align with your cause.
Also, as a matter of tactics, the recent insurer attack was clumsy and too late. If anything, it all but justified a public option by threatening to dramatically raise premiums. Plus, it gave Democrats license to bash them for a few days, which is always a good PR move.
Not counting chickens yet, but things look good at the moment.
Maybe the insurers' attack increased pressure for a public option, but will that be enough to overcome the coronation of Snowe as empress of health care reform?
Posted by: KCinDC | October 14, 2009 at 10:51 AM
Unpublished a comment purporting to be Gary Farber, but there were some inconsistencies.
Gary, if that was you, shoot me an email.
Posted by: Slartibartfast | October 14, 2009 at 10:53 AM
I agree. The insurance industry's 11th hour release of that economic "study" was extraordinarily ill-timed. Perhaps they're losing some measure of their lobbying chops. Or perhaps they're really worried after apparently having things in the bag.
Posted by: ChrisJ | October 14, 2009 at 02:18 PM
Jane Hamsher thinks the public option is dead, and she makes sense.
http://campaignsilo.firedoglake.com/2009/10/14/rahm-meetw-to-combine-bill-with-reid-today/
Posted by: The Crafty Trilobite | October 14, 2009 at 03:13 PM