health insurance reform

Trigger Troubles—And Why the Senate Can’t Fix Them

A persistent bad idea in the debate over the public health insurance option is the so-called trigger. In theory, a trigger would make a public health insurance plan available to Americans receiving coverage through a health insurance exchange if private health plans did not sufficiently hold down costs. In practice, however, a trigger inserted into either of the two Senate bills now being merged (the Senate Finance Committee bill and the Senate HELP bill) would not be able to work. more »


Jacob S. Hacker's picture

Trigger Troubles—And Why the Senate Can’t Fix Them

As closed-door discussions continue in the Senate, the resilient bad idea of triggering the public plan is once again on the table. Advocates of the trigger cast it as a compromise that will attract the support of the small number of conservative Democrats who have expressed reservations about the public option, as well as Republican Olympia Snowe, who has proposed a trigger. more »

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Roger Hickey's picture

The House Will Make Sure the Senate Includes a Robust Public Option

This is the moment when Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus and Majority Leader Harry Reid (and President Obama) should make history by producing a Senate health reform bill that

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Health Policy Experts Speak Out About Why A Public Insurance Option Is Essential For Reform

WASHINGTON -- As sweeping health care reform legislation moves on Capitol Hill, the Institute for America’s Future compiled the following statements from health care experts and leaders in support of a public insurance option to compete with private insurers. more »