Pelosi Shoots Down Public Option "Trigger" Idea

By: Jill Jackson
Topics: Health Care

(AP Photo/Harry Hamburg)

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi offered few specifics today about compromises Democrats are making on health care reform. The speaker was crystal clear, however, on her thoughts about one possible compromise known as the public option "trigger."

The trigger is an idea supported by many fiscally conservative Blue Dog Democrats. The idea is that private insurance companies would get a window of time to get in shape, reduce costs and expand coverage. If the insurance companies fail to do so after a certain period of time, then the government could step in by creating a public insurance option to compete with private insurers. Moderates in both the House and Senate have favored, or are at least open to this idea, because it would give markets a chance to reach the goals Congress sets, but could, ultimately, keep the government out.

When asked today if the trigger was on the table as a possible compromise, Pelosi quickly shot the idea down. She said that members of her Caucus felt that "a trigger is an excuse for not doing anything." When asked if that was her personal view, the Speaker said she believes the bill is the trigger and waved off the idea.

"I don't even want to talk about a trigger," Pelosi said.

She also reiterated that the health care bill that comes to the House floor will have a public option despite the Senate Finance Committee moving forward without one.

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Pelosi told members behind closed doors yesterday that she hopes to see a final House bill by the end of next week. Publicly, however, the Speaker continues to say they will move forward when they are ready, but it will be soon. Between now and then, Democratic leadership will continue their marathon of caucus meetings and small-group discussions in an effort to bring fiscally conservative Democrats who won't vote for a bill with a public option together with progressive Democrats who won't vote for a bill without one.

Meanwhile, Republican Leader John Boehner today continued to criticize Democratic efforts, saying Pelosi is committed to moving forward with a "big government approach that the American people have made very clear that they are opposed to."

CBSNews.com Special Report: Health Care

Jill Jackson is a CBS News Capitol Hill Producer.

Jill Jackson
Jill Jackson is a CBS News senior political producer.
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by jamenta September 27, 2009 4:14 AM EDT: Right.

So it all comes down to: we can't trust the goverment to handle our health care, but we can trust it for the little stuff - say, like our
Nuclear Weapon arsenal.

You know - this really is THE most important bill to be passed since ... well since Bush gave that Trillion dollar tax break to the richest Americans ... I would say.

And if the Health Insurance Industry manages to stop real reform with the same tired arguments that they can run our Health Care better than our own government, or that somehow, a public option will be more expensive for Americans, OR GOD FORBID, a public option would put these bastards out of the health care business for good - and the American Health care system would then resemble all other Western Industrial CIVILIZED country's health care systems - if they manage to continue to SCAM and hold hostage an entire country just in the name of profit - then we indeed no longer have a democracy, and this once great nation of the people, for the people - has become one huge joke, and other countries in the world just laugh at us.

I am so ashamed to be an American right now. To see so much greed and so much selfishness rule our country. And to see how Americans continue to be duped by a bunch of thieves who care nothing except for their own profits at literally the cost of life and health. It's sickening and it's shameful.; Reply to this comment


by tomdegan58 September 25, 2009 7:05 AM EDT: Hey, Democrats! Although I left your silly party over a decade ago, my heart is still essentially with your platform and agenda. That being said, I would ask all of you to think of me as Dr. Degan, your loving and trusted family veterinarian. After a complete and thorough examination of your beloved pets, it grieves me to offer you this final diagnosis:

Your Blue Dogs must be put to sleep.

Let's stop kidding ourselves and face some serious and uncomfortable facts here, okay? Any chance of serious health care reform is about as dead as the nails the GOP has spent the last nine years hammering into their own coffin. And the biggest irony? It was killed by a coalition of "Conservative Democrats" - or DINOs: Democrats In Name Only - which begs the musical question: With donkeys like these, who the hell needs elephants?

http://www.tomdegan.blogspot.com

Tom Degan
Goshen, NY; Reply to this comment

by smoshlak September 24, 2009 8:08 PM EDT

Another freakin' welfare program that we the taxpayer have to fund? Healthcare is something you pay for, not a given freebie. If you want a "public option" it is called Medicaid.

The Democrats plan to cut Medicare reimbursements to doctors, hospitals and the like. Geraitric care will soon be history. These people in the medical community already receive only 10 cents on the dollar of the "Usual & Customary Fees," while BCBS, United, Aetna and all of the rest pay 70-90 cents on the dollar and guess who gets sacked for the rest? John or Jane Q. Public.

How do they plan to fund it? Tax the Hell out of employer policies, tax the Hell out of medical supplies, like "Q-Tips," razors and tampons, and for all of you folks with tax-deferred health savings accounts, they are history.

The Democrats in Congress are toast in 2010 and to the Obimbo-in-Chief, feel free to call me out, if you like. You're a lame-duck, anyway.

So all of you enabled losers that are supporting Pelosi, listen-up. Look at California and look at her district. The State of California can no longer support AIDS patients or the homeless that live in Obama-villes.

With passage of the "public option" these folks will suck whatever resources there are for people who are truly in need. Specifically speaking, those that contribute to society, not suck-up limited resources.

No "public option" and no to State bailouts.

By the way folks, how's that "Hopey and Changey" thing working for you?

Reply to this comment


by ransom43 September 25, 2009 10:08 PM EDT: At least with a public option maybe you would get the psychiatric help you need. All that anger...

Medicaid is state by state, it may be a "public option" but here in Texas, you basically need to have kids to qualify. So basically all the illegal immigrants here get the public option, but not the working poor who are here legally. So you think the current system that incentives having children that "suck-up limited resources" is superior to a public option?

You're right about Pelosi's district, but you that is more likely the fault of Tom Delay's congress, and Bush, or Newt Gingrich and Clinton. Also all the illegal immigrants that are the real drains on California's economy.


by earlysaid September 24, 2009 5:15 PM EDT: The Public Option is the best way to ensure America has decent Health Care Reform.; Reply to this comment


by earlysaid September 24, 2009 5:13 PM EDT: No way is a trigger a sensible or reliable way to go on Heath Care Reform. The Public Option is the last thing that republicans have not been able to rub out with their distortions and misinformation. The Public Option has to be a part of the final Health Care Bill. We have seen just how motivated to be fair and honorable providers these health insurance corporations have been. They have become greedy. They have become profit driven. Profit is fine but not when it becomes the main focus of health care corporations. Now is the time for our government to step in and make sure that people get fair and decent care.; Reply to this comment


by earlysaid September 24, 2009 5:11 PM EDT: No way is a trigger a sensible or reliable way to go on Heath Care Reform. The Public Option is the last thing that republicans have not been able to rub out with their distortions and misinformation. The Public Option has to be a part of the final Health Care Bill. We have seen just how motivated to be fair and honorable providers these health insurance corporations have been. They have become greedy. They have become profit driven. Profit is fine but not when it becomes the main focus of health care corporations. Now is the time for our government to step in and make sure that people get fair and decent care.; Reply to this comment

by stuart-johns September 24, 2009 3:48 PM EDT

I agree with Pelosi 100%. Public Option!! You go girl!!!

Reply to this comment


by Stop_the_crying September 24, 2009 4:49 PM EDT: You Bet. The only way to get the insurance company's to come to the table is to have the public option.


by starleo146 September 24, 2009 6:35 PM EDT: She is dead right on this one . Why would they fight this otherwise, Insurance lobby got to them theses blue dogs are republicans running under democrat banner, either you are or you are not no in between. I bet they do a lot of this in 2010 election. Watch who you are voting for no more republicans in blue dogs clothing.