Some selected user comments from the New York Times and Washington Post on yesterday’s news that Harry Reid will include a public option–with a provision for states to opt out–in the final health care bill This whole debate tells me that the next thing that needs to be reformed are the rules of the Senate. [...]

Unless states can mandate that all individuals and employers purchase insurance in-state in addition to whatever coverage they may have through another state I just don’t see how opt-out does anything but prevent insurance sales on your own state exchange.

Which is why I don’t think supporters of the PO have much to worry about as concerns Opt-Out. It seems to just be a sop thrown to more conservative states who don’t want to get tinged with accusations of collaboration with socialism (or something). From a mechanical standpoint I just don’t see how you enforce this.

A little guerilla musical theater from the Billionaires for Wealthcare YouTube channel. Performed in the middle of an AHIP convention meeting. That’s AHIP as in America’s Health Insurance Plans, the industry lobbying group. Thanks to our sister site EconomyStory.org for scouting this out.

Perhaps, in the middle of this national free-for-all of a health care debate, you’ve found yourself in an argument with friends, family, or a stranger on the Internet masquerading as the same avatar your 13-year old uses. Here is one such mini-drama, spied on Facebook. (Disclaimers: Certain emoticons have been changed to protect the innocent, [...]

A search on “public option” on Digg reveals the most popular link to be this cartoon from Mike Stanfill’s The Far Left Side: This single panel has generated over 1,000 comments. Here’s an interesting little side discussion on Medicare: Comment: -Medicare works. Lower the eligibility so more people can use it. Taking something that works, [...]