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Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2009 | 2 a.m.
In Today's Sun
Sun Archives
- Harry Reid to back health care bill with public option (10-26-2009)
- Harry Reid out to topple Sen. Patrick McCarran’s statute (10-23-2009)
- Vote on health bill a surprise to Harry Reid (10-21-2009)
Sun Coverage
Beyond the Sun
- The New York Times: Senator Reid Announces an ‘Opt-Out’ Public Plan (10-26-2009)
- Forbes: Cost Estimate May Be Key For Public Option (10-26-2009)
- CBS News: Harry Reid: Public Option "the Fairest Way to Go" (10-26-2009)
Under the health care reform legislation now being shepherded by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, states could decide to reject the government’s offer of a public insurance plan.
Both Republicans and Democrats in Nevada say it’s hard to imagine legislators passing a law against the state’s participating in the public option, given the current makeup of the Legislature. Democrats hold a veto-proof majority in the Assembly and a two-vote advantage in the Senate.
Although details of the public option and how precisely states would opt out are still unclear, many observers expect it to require states to pass a law. Laws have to be passed by both houses of the Legislature and signed by the governor. If the governor vetoes a bill, the Legislature can override him with a two-thirds vote.
States would have until 2014 to opt out.
Senate Minority Leader Bill Raggio, R-Reno, said he has opposed including a public option in health care reform because “it’s unfair competition to existing practices and insurance.”
He added, though, “Opting out is not likely to happen in Nevada if we continue to have both houses controlled by Democrats.”
Assemblywoman Sheila Leslie, D-Reno, hailed the inclusion of the public option in the Senate bill as a major accomplishment for Reid and Democrats.
“If increased competition means our constituents would have lower health care costs, why would we pass a law to opt out?” she said.
Democrats have long held control of the Assembly in Nevada, and last election took control of the Senate.
Looking at the electoral map today, a major shift in the makeup of the Assembly and Senate is unlikely in the next election, in November 2010.
With term limits forcing out a number of incumbents, an unprecedented number of seats are competitive. But because of Democrats’ voter registration gains, particularly fueled by last year’s presidential election, Republicans are playing defense to protect the seats they currently control. Democrats, meanwhile, are shooting to gain a veto-proof majority in the state Senate.
The State of Nevada will be stepping into a new pool of insurance for some of it's citizens in the future that is also fiscally supported by 49 other states, providing funding and federal guarantees for healthcare (and future providers) Nevada cannot afford on it's own. Therefore, Nevada will not opt out.
All Nevadans owe a huge thank you to Senator Reid for generations to come for his quiet, effective leadership in Congress to make such legislation and change bear fruition. This legislation is big for states such as Nevada.
Any Democrat in the Nevada legislature that votes for opt-out would be really voting to be voted out of office. None are that stupid. Nevada needs the competition; it has one of the worst insurance climates in the nation -- essentially no competition or price/benefit differentials, a small base so no new carriers would enter, and low low coverage at present. Finally, Reid has done something positive for the state, and maybe he will be rewarded for thinking of us, albeit rarely.
If you are against BIG Government Take-Over by Obama, Reid and Peolsi, the Tea Party Express will be in NV 10/27 and 10/28:
Stand up for our Freedom! Please see tour schedule:
http://www.teapartyexpress.org/tour-sche...
Haha. The teabaggers just FAIL.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908/ns/...
And yes, Gregory & BarryS, this Nevadan is glad that Harry Reid delivered on health care with a good public option. He'll be justly rewarded next year.
BRAVO HARRY!!! Thank you very much for tuning-out the noise that's being propagated by the shrill minority and solidly representing your constituents.
I think that the state opt-out plan is a great idea. Let the lunatic ultra-right wing fringe states opt out -- hopefully the ultra-right loonies currently inhabiting opt-in states will move out to live somewhere where they can all get together to play with their assault rifles and let HMO's continue to rip them off, deny coverage, etc. If this comes to pass, JUST STAY IN YOUR OPT-OUT STATES even when your HMO drops you, no matter what your prognosis is. Oxycontin Rush will be so proud of you!!!
Why can't you simply open Nevada borders to allow more insurance companies in? That would be true competition, and would have the added benefit of lowering existing rates. Why is it necessary to use taxpayer's money for this monstrosity of a bill?
Harry Reid just pulled himself out of the political reelection hot seat and ensured his reelection to the U.S. Senate........6 more years for the Senator from Searchlight! Congratulations Harry!
There's no way the voters of Nevada will not reelect Harry to another term come 2010. There's no way the Nevada legislature will vote to "opt out" on the public option for health care.......NEVER underestimate Harry Reid!
"Little Tark" & "Suzie newscaster"......are you watching and learning? The master is giving you a free lesson in how the political process works.....hope you're taking notes!
Freeloading social parasites score a small victory. If this piece of crap passes it will be time for the honest citizens to have a tax strike. Let the freeloaders grovel in the streets. They are not true Americans.
ecm
You don't get it..we don't need more insurance companies. They bring nothing to the table.
If there ever was a statement by Sen. Bill Raggio that proves he works for those with money, and that the rest of us can go to **ll, it's the statement in this story...that he is opposed to a public option because "it's unfair competition to existing practices and insurance." Wow! There it is in all of its ugly splendor. Raggio is a puppet for anyone who he might have as a client. Check this acronym. Senator Collecting Unlimited Money.
tvegas - please explain.
This is supposed to be about competition and choice. It makes sense that more competition lowers the price.
ECM, the problem with allowing insurance companies to sell across state lines is that it would set off a "race to the bottom" as companies set up shop in the least restrictive, least-policed state. In effect, one state would end up dictating health insurance policy for 49 states. I think states with hard-won consumer protections would object to that, even if Nevadans don't care. Furthermore, this could spark a death spiral for the remaining insurance market (ahem, including a lot of people's current employer-sponsored plans), as the healthy are cherrypicked off.
Think of how credit card companies all seem to have South Dakota or Delaware addresses...except that with health insurance, people's lives and whole financial futures are on the line. Don't be fooled by the private insurance companies' -- and Republicans' -- meretricious talking points.
Harry Reid is one of the worst senators in the nation. Nevadans deserve better. Let's send him, Obama and the whacko Liberals a clear message next fall. Your gone Harry! Nevada needs leaders, not someone pushing us in the wrong direction.
What a great way for a state to get rid of their social parasites and illegals. Just opt out and they will scatter like rats to a blue state. Good riddens!