The "Opt Out" lie
By ParaTed2k
@ParaTed2k (22940)
Sheboygan, Wisconsin
October 28, 2009 9:59am CST
The Criminal, Harry Reid says that states could "opt out" of the "public option" amendment he added to the "medical reform" bill. The problem with "opt out" language in bills is, they're a myth.
How many federal laws are there that come with "opt out" provisions? We have the 21 drinking age, national speed limits, no child left behind, medicare, gun laws, minimum wage laws. Even the social security act allows for states to "opt out".
While opting out is offered as a choice, continuing to support those programs through taxation isn't something we can "opt out" of. Furthermore, if our state chooses to "opt out", not only do we lose the money the fed gives the state for that program, we lose highway funds also.
How can Harry Reid and others talk about an "opt out" option that comes with fines imposed?
1 person likes this
6 responses
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
30 Oct 09
I don't know if it will be tied, I was giving examples of the "public options" of the past that ended up anything but "options".
@missybal (4489)
• United States
30 Oct 09
I will see what I can find. I've heard that in it is the fine will be something like 2.5%+ of your gross income if you don't purchase healthcare. I've already noticed a ton of things that will definitely raise the cost of purchasing health care and also the new restrictions on pre-existing condition time limits makes it even easier to not purchase and just sign up if something comes up. I'm trying to understand also this age as defined as a minor child who is to be covered as a dependent, it says 27? my kid brother still lives at home and he's 24... this sounds like my parents will have to cover his healthcare.
Got to read on long way to go... I'll try calling my representatives with actual page numbers and ask them questions and lets see how many staffers even know what's in this thing.
1 person likes this
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
29 Oct 09
Whoever told you this is telling a lie. The details of the compromise legislation have yet to be released but every other plan with the opt out provision has required the cost to be covered by premiums of those who enroll in it. You can't believe everything you hear from Fox and Rush!
Annie
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@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
29 Oct 09
All "opt out" provisions in federal laws and programs are a lie. I didn't say anything abut Rush or FOX news. I merely pointed out that none of the other "opt out" provisions have proved to be valid, so why would we think this one will be?
@laglen (19759)
• United States
29 Oct 09
If they say it, it is true. You should just blindly trust that they will always do whats best for us. They know better than us.
I would love to see an "opt out" option for federal government. We can opt out of paying taxes to them and collecting funding from them. I would be the first on board!
@rodney850 (2145)
• United States
28 Oct 09
What can you expect from people like this? Pelosi, Reid and their minions along with his majesty Obama all believe that their way is the only viable one! They treat the entire country like mushrooms--Feed them $hit and keep them in the dark!
1 person likes this
@lilwonders456 (8214)
• United States
28 Oct 09
You hit the nail on the head. They are basically telling the states....you can opt out but you better be prepared to be fined for not doing what we say.
So you can "disobey" them and not do the public option....but you will be punished for it.
Reid is a liar. Remember he was the one the snuck in the bail out bill that the companies could use the money to pay the CEOs multi million dollar bonuses. And then lied saying that no such language was in the bill....until after it was voted on and passed. By which time it was too late to do anything about it.
He owned up to it....but nothing was ever done to him about it.
He needs to go. Hopefully he gets a pink slip in his re-election.
1 person likes this
@wlee9696 (595)
• United States
28 Oct 09
Opt out is BS - everyone know you can't afford to opt out. It's just another way for the dems to try and foist socialized medicine on us. If you have a public option you will not be able to keep your current insurance - because the employers who offer that insurance are going to cease to offer it. Paying the fine for not offering it is cheaper than paying for the insurance. So this public option will take over in short order. If health care is what is breaking our nation now then how will we ever afford to offer coverage to the millions of more people? Reid, Pelosi and Obama just don't get it - it is middle class America that they are sinking beneath this mounting debt. The people who aren't paying for health care now will not pay for it with a public option either, and no state will be able to afford to opt out.
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