[onion-head hat]

Originally Posted by Juan

Congress will definitely have their choice to not be on the peoples plan. (They also do not participate in social security - they have their own deal there too. If they didn't, they may have an incentive to fix it, but that's another story) To gain more control over the voters, what would prevent the public option from operating at a loss to drive some or all for profit insurers out of business? That is what scares people.

I get why people are scared. Scared people don't have to participate - they can hide - uninsured - under theirs beds hoping not to get injured or sick

Originally Posted by Juan

So, if they are already getting coverage on our dime - how much more would it cost to expand coverage to the same people? Where will that money come from?

Where does it come from now. It is the same people as you say. Higher premiums? higher taxes?

Originally Posted by Juan

To the original post though, if this plan is really for the people, why not do something which would reduce cost in the entire health insurance system and propose tort reform?

That is a good question, but that seems a bit more of a tar-baby to wrestle with and it won't lead directly to health care for all. I suppose you have to chooe your battles and tat one seems not to be a priority. Perhaps when the champions of that cause are in back power they can be prevailed upon do something about it.