Gibbs: No "Postal Service" for Health Care

President Still Favors Public Option as a Means of Creating Competition and Choice, the White House Press Secretary Said

(CBS)  White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said on Face the Nation Sunday that President Obama is still in favor a government-sponsored health insurance plan -- but does not intend to replicate the beleaguered U.S. Postal Service.

The federal government would be able to successfully administer a health insurance option, Gibbs told CBS Anchor Harry Smith, even though the government-run Postal Service is facing serious financial problems.

"I don't think he was saying that what we were going to do is create the postal service for healthcare," Gibbs said. "The president believes this option of a government plan is the best way to provide choice and competition."

The president intends to build on the employer-based insurance market already in place, Gibbs said. He added, though, that the public option would drive down costs and provide more options particularly for people who currently have limited options.

"There are places in this country unfortunately where if you don't get insurance through your job and you are seeking it on the private insurance market you don't have any choice but one health insurance company," he said.

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Gibbs said the riskiest option of all is leaving the status quo in place.

"We know that premiums will skyrocket -- for a family listening out there, your premiums will double in less than nine years if we do nothing," he said.

The president's town hall meetings have been an attempt to dispel the myths surrounding health care reform, Gibb said. He stressed, though, that most conversations on the topic have been civil.

"I think most of what you are seeing on TV, no offense, is good TV, and that's about it," he said. "I think the vast majority of people are having discussions, whether it is around their kitchen table or with their congressmen... and they are doing this the way every American discusses issues, and that is trying to get some information and some facts to make a good decision.

Gibbs added that the economy has "pulled back from the edge of going into a depression," but that there is still room for improvement.

"This president won't be satisfied that our economy is back on track again until the people that want to work in this economy can find a good paying job that lets them provide for their family," he said.

[wyzguy11]

The "partisans" on the healthcare debate are ridiculous! We are the wealthiest nation on the planet. Every American should have health care.

We can pay for it by "taxing" unnecessary procedures such as breast implants, facelifts, liposuction, and botox treatments and use the money to pay for necessary treatments like child immunizations.

For cripes sakes......Joan Rivers could pay to immunize a small West Virginian town by herself...lol.

[Darkman1955]

I would like to know what areas of the country have only one choice for private health care. And who that company is. Sounds like more Obama Babble that is not founded in fact. I have searched for Private health care and there are over 50 providers that I know of.

[ianlou]

One of the loudest complains about a public option for health care is that it will put private health insurance companies out of business.

Well Boo Hoo!!!

If they had not been so greedy, this issue would never have reached our legislators in Washington.

This reminds me of the campaign banks were waging to limit public access to credit unions.

The argument (translated) was "How can we as banks expect to be able to continue gouging people when credit unions are none profit?"


Let the Health Insurance Industry go the way of the Telemarketing Industry, the are just as worthless, greedy and irritating.

[xlib]

Since the unsolicited emails sent from your WH to citizens who have not contacted the WH isn't covered here I just thought I would let you know that,in typical democrat way they blame a THIRD PARTY. They had nothing to do with the emails sent, supposedly, by the 2nd pit bull, axelrod.
See, a reporter had the AUDACITY to ask gibbs about this issue and he, in typical arrogant democrat way, got testy and downright rude. But, then they came out and blamed someone else. So typical of the left. NOT OUR DOING!!!

[rhs648]

It is amazing that no matter what a country does there are critics and backseat quarterbacks. Mexico has serious problems with lawless and violent drug cartels. Kidnappings, beheadings, torture, murder of soldiers, policemen, reporters, innocent people, and whole families are becoming an everyday occurrence. It appears that the Mexican government feels that most Mexican customs people are corrupt and must be replaced. For some posters, no matter what governments do, there is a need to find fault and condemn their efforts. They are dammed if they do and dammed if they don't.

[xlib]

I do believe country's where there isn't any dissent are governed by tyranny. I suppose you would prefer that, correct? Under the previous administration there was daily dissent for anything and everything. When a government attempts to take over every aspect of our lives so quickly and without any real discussion, yep, we don't like that. See, may of us aren't sheep, we question,we criticize AND it would seem, we get called names and are demonized by politicians.
To compare us to Mexico seems rather simplistic to me. It appears you don't think dissent is needed until we reach the beheading stage?? Rather strange.

[STBY21]

The Federal government is planning on using a nationwide "group" like they do with Medicare. If they allowed private plans that same option instead of being state specific they would have larger groups and make the health care costs more uniform. This is a reform that could take place without the government stepping in and screwing the whole thing up...again.

They just keep repeating that anyone who is against the house or senate bill wants the status quo to continue. I have yet to meet a person who wants the status quo to continue. Most people want a reform of healthcare, but just one that is not so radical and far reaching all at once. Limited reform of health insurance is not a bad idea, but you have to be careful.

Obama sees in the polls that most Americans want healthcare reform so he puts together a radical plot for the government to take it over. If we took a poll and found out that 52% of the American people believe life could exist on Mars Obama would put together a plan to move us all there in the next five years.

I just HOPE that Obama doesn't CHANGE everything else.

[rhs648]

State insurance commissioners must approve both health insurance policies offered in their state and must approve rate increases. On top of that, state legislatures mandate coverages that must be included in policies. In Maryland, for example, group insurance policies can not have preexisting conditions clauses. It is not true that insurance companies are unregulated. Health care could be reformed in incremental stages by not allowing insurance policies to have preexisting condition clauses and insuring uninsured people who can't afford it with subsidies. Health care reform doesn't have to be an all or nothing proposition. Fear of the unknown and questions of how people will be affected by these reforms scares many people. Hence, there is a backlash against reform.

[jsd330]

rhs648

you are correct about state insurance, what needs to be done is have the Federal government combine state regulations and come up with one set of regulations for all 50 states. That would open up competition with all the insurers by not having the states create monoply's by only allowing certant companies to sell in their states.

[thgdriver]

I went in a hardware store to buy a snow shovel, they were asking 21.00.

I stated I could get the exact same one down the block for 9.00, they asked why I did not buy one? I stated they were sold out.

Oh, he said, well, when we are sold out our shovels are free. See, we still beat their prices.

Whats the point? This reminds me of what Nobama sezzz, It's free but you can't get anything.

You think health care is expensive now? Wait till you pay for "FREE" Nobamacare!!

[cbs20091]

No public option? Mr. President: You were elected to provide health care/insurance for all Americans. The Republicans and the insurance companies are againt the public option. Remember President George W. Bush? He with the Republican Congress passed laws in their favor. In other words, they did pass laws for the Republicans. Now, Mr. President, you have to do the same thing. You have to work for the Democrats who elected you. Politics is politics. Forget about the Republicans. They had 8 years. They destroyed this country in 8 years. And they did what they pleased. Now is our time. The public option must be included in the final product. Otherwise, you will be a one term president.

[incog-nito]

When running into financial difficulties, companies downsize their operations, close down some branches, and lay off workers.

Conservative logic: This is a great example of the magic of the free enterprise system at work.

When running into financial difficulties, USPS downsizes its operations, closes down some branches, and lay off workers.

Conservative logic: This is a great example of why the government can never do anything right.

[wmsshields]

Why would anyone believe a word from Obama's mouth? Campaign promises: C-Span coverage of back room negotiations; no earmarks; read every line of legislation; bipartisan lawmaking; no new taxes on middle class; open and honest; balanced budget; eliminate deficit... If any form of healtcare "change" passes, why should we not expect governement mismanagement a la Post Office, Amtrack, Veterans' health care, medicare, social security etc etc etc. Even the car dealers are not getting paid for the Cash for Clunkers! Washington is guaranteed to foul up every thing they meddle in, and our health is too important for this gamble. Especially with the current lying administration and congress.

[consciousnes]

B.S.!!!!!!!!!
First of all you can't even equate the US Postal Service with what OBAMA is trying to do to health care.
Second, if it weren't for the Democratic Congress that is FORCING the Postal service to pay 5 Billion dollars a year 'UP FRONT" for "Advanced" retire health care the Postal Service would not be having the problems it is having today and the price of stamps would NOT have had to go up.
In the last 5 years the Postal Service has paid $25 Billion dollars into this fund and yes, today the Postal Service is looking at loosing about $7 Billion. Let me see, where is the other $18 Billion dollars that Congress has control over that the Postal Service paid in?
If Gibbs wants to equate the US Postal Service with anyone, lets look at Congress. The Postal Service has the "HIGHEST" customer satisfaction rate of any, that is "ANY" Federal agency. The Postal Service also runs on a "Non-Profit" making adgenda. In other words it is "NOT" supposed to make money, just break even. But, with Congress's fingers in their pocketbook, that is NOT possible.
"DOES CONGRESS BREAK EVEN?"

[xlib]

Hey cbs, what's with the way the posts are coming up??

[ubrew12]

Republicans have controlled the Presidency for 71% of the last 28 years, have controlled the Senate for 57% of the last 28 years, and have controlled the House for 50% of the last 28 years. If the Federal Government is incompetent it may have much to do with the fact that Republicans actually get elected to office by complaining about its incompetence. What possible reason do they have for changing its level of competence, when its incompetence has been so richly rewarding to them, politically?

[JenPcamacho]

I agree. Instead of encouraging a monopoly of private insurers on healthcare, there should be a public option the provides care for middle class, working class people that can't afford to pay for the coverage offered by their employers. Where are all the people that are paying an obscene amount in health care coverage? Why aren't they out there shouting for a public option? I haven't had healthcare in about five years. Can't afford it. I work but can't afford the $300 a month it would cost me. My money is now going to pay $10K in year in real estate taxes. ANYONE ELSE OUT THERE FEEL THAT PAIN?

[xlib]

And there were never, ever any dems in DC, right?? Grow a set, get some intestinal fortitude, get some gonads for God's sake. It's thinking like that that your thug just loves. Look at us at each others throats.
They are politicians first and foremost. For God's sake, cut the crap out and stop playing into their hands. This is too important.

[Wolf1944]

"Republicans say government can't work. When they get elected, they prove it"--P.J. O'Rourke.

[nextgenman09]

You'd think that CBS - having had this "new" website and comment blog up this long - would actually have it functioning properly by now.

This is what happens when you let high school kids write software...

[daffy64]

Sorry but I just don't understand Americans. You don't want the government to be in charge of health care and run it the same way the post office and military operate?

Uh, you mean, not for profit, and the benefit of all Americans?

You'd rather spend the extra money to employ hundreds of thousands in the insurance agency? Who are out to make a huge profit?

Sorry. Don't get the logic.

[ubrew12]

Republicans think the Federal government can't run anything right, and they may be correct.

That's mostly because Republicans have been in CHARGE of the Federal Government for 70% of the last 30 years, and have made DAMN SURE it doesn't do anything right. For example, here in America, our last president put a horse-trainer in charge of our Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). And, of course, doubled the national debt. The best way, Republicans figure, for the U.S. government to do a bad job is to bankrupt it, and they've been working to make that happen for three decades. Quite successfully, I might add.

[xlib]

Then I suggest you stay right where you are. Oh, and only come here when you need some medical care that your system doesn't provide or you have to wait for. Oh say, like radiation treatment for cancer or a follow-up MRI for a brain tumor. OK??

[daffy64]

Then I suggest you stay right where you are. Oh, and only come here when you need some medical care that your system doesn't provide or you have to wait for. Oh say, like radiation treatment for cancer or a follow-up MRI for a brain tumor. OK??

--

Oh that's just silly. I don't know anyone who hasn't gotten proper medical care here. Just a legend created by HMO's in the States. There was a TV story about a Canadian woman who couldn't get an operation for "life threatening cancer" a while ago. She supposedly had to mortgage her house and go the States to get the operation.

Now it turns out she only has a non-cancerous cyst on her pituatary gland that was not affecting her health in any way, but wouldn't wait her turn to get it removed because she was a hypochondriac.

It's all nonsense. But yes, there are narcissistic millionaires in Canada who run to the States to jump the line for operations.

I suppose they're the same ones that if they were in a plane crash, wouldn't expect the medics to treat the folks in first class first.

[bajajohn1]

Republicans want to abolish Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid because they are socialist programs.

[xlib]

You just did what I knew you would do. Well, cite your source there pot stirrer, cite your source.

[jab232]

People keep talking about how a public health insurance option will run the insurance companies out of business. I don't believe it. I have Medicare and a private company's tie in. I expect health insurance companies can make reasonable profits just selling tie-ins. That's not what I expect to happen. I expect private insurance to compete with any public option and survive, but even if it didn't, the insurance companies would not just survive. They would thrive.

Of course, they would not make the excessive profits and CEO salaries, bonuses and golden parachutes available when you only insure mostly healthy people and exclude the others. But they would make fair(and I think large) profits.

[jsd330]

If and thats a big IF the playing field is even between private and government insurance. Is the governent plan going to follow state insurance regulations as the private insurers have to. Will the goverment make rates so low, and subsidize them with tax money, that private insurance won't be able to match their prices? There is a lot of questions that haven't been answered yet. And remember The President, Congress and Senators all get golden parachutes and how much is the health care Czar going to get paid?

[bajajohn1]

My Hog: Read the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution, where is states,....to promote the common welfare....health care is the welfare of the people...

[bajajohn1]

Republican blogger just wrote that Republicans want to Abolish the following: Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.

[xlib]

So, someone posts something and you take it as fact. You truly are a product of your media. Throw it out there, someone picks it up and BAMMM!! it's gospel. Look at the garbage thrown around on this site. Either you are very gullible or just stirring the pot to get your minions all riled up. Next perky katie couric will be spewing the same crap.
If any entity wants to abolish those programs it's this administration. THAT'S MY OPINION!! Get it, it's an opinion.