Hello Everyone:

Here is the CNN transcript where Harry Reid announced his support "to include a public option with the opt-out provision for states" and where the White House seems to support Harry Reid:

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0910/26/cnr.07.html

CNN NEWSROOM

DEA Agents Dead in Afghanistan; Reid Supports Opt-Out Public Option; President Obama Speaks About Afghanistan and Iraq at Jacksonville Naval Air Station

Aired October 26, 2009 - 15:00 ET

SEN. HARRY REID, SENATE MAJORITY LEADER: "As we've gone through this process, I've concluded, with the support of the White House, Senators Dodd and Baucus, that the best way to move forward is to include a public option with the opt-out provision for states.

Under this concept, states will be able to determine whether the public option works well for them, and will have the ability to opt- out if they so choose. I believe that a public option can achieve the goal of bringing meaningful reform to our broken system. It will protect consumers, keep insurers honest, and ensure competition. That's why we intend to include it in the bill that that will be submitted to the Senate..."

RICK SANCHEZ, CNN ANCHOR: "Let me read you something we just received from the White House.

"The president congratulates Senator Reid and Chairman Baucus and Dodd for their hard work on the health insurance reform. Thanks to their efforts. We're closer than ever -- closer than we've ever been to solving this decades-old problem and while much work remains," reading on here, "the president is pleased that the progress in Congress is made. We're also pleased that the Senate has decided to include," here it is, bingo, "a public option for health coverage..."

When I heard this, the first question that I thought of is what about people who live in red states where the Governors will probably opt-out of the public option? What is going to happen to these people?

I have only seen this very important question directly asked once so far and it was not even answered in this dialogue:

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0910/26/ec.01.html

CAMPBELL BROWN

H1N1 Vaccine Delay; Senate Leader Pushes Health Care Public Option

Aired October 26, 2009 - 20:00 ET

ROLAND MARTIN, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: "The fight now is going to be whether or not you're going to allow the opt-out, because the problem is, when you look at those who truly need it, they live in places like Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Tennessee, Louisiana, all places with Republican governors.

And, so, you are going to hear people say, wait a minute, they're not going to go for the plan anyway. They're going to opt out of it. The folks we know most need it are still going to be impacted by it. This reminds me of the whole idea with the bailout. Remember when they passed the stimulus package? I'm sorry. Not bailout, stimulus package -- when the governors said, no, we don't want to take the money?

They're still going to push for it. But the bottom line is, this is some kind of an achievement. It's not a robust public option, but it still gives some type of public option, satisfies liberals, but also more importantly conservative Democrats.

CAMPBELL BROWN, CNN ANCHOR: Well, Kevin, to that point, Senator Reid ridiculed Republicans today for their lack of cooperation on this, saying that he could count the number of moderate Republicans on two fingers..."

Harry Reid was not asked about this when he took questions after announcing it and I have not seen anyone even try to seriously answer this question yet. I really hope that someone publicly asks this question to Harry Reid, Robert Gibbs, or to any elected Democrats in Congress who are interviewed. Once asked, they should NOT be let off of the hook until they give a very direct and specific answer to it!

I live in Texas where Governor Rick Perry is in a tough Republican primary race with Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison to try and keep his job so he will more than likely opt-out of the public option if it is his decision to make. Perry has already tried to refuse economic stimulus money for what I believe are political purposes:

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/bus/stories/031309dntexperrystimulus.2b47185d.html

Texas Gov. Rick Perry rejects stimulus money for jobless claims

07:03 AM CDT on Friday, March 13, 2009

By CHRISTY HOPPE and ROBERT T. GARRETT / The Dallas Morning News

AUSTIN – "Gov. Rick Perry, joining a handful of his fellow Southern Republican leaders, said Thursday that he was rejecting $556 million in federal stimulus money for unemployed Texans because it had too many strings attached..."

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2009-03-12-texas-unemployment_N.htm

Texas rejects stimulus money for unemployment

Posted 3/12/2009 9:34 PM

HOUSTON (AP) — "Texas Gov. Rick Perry on Thursday rejected $555 million in federal stimulus money that would expand state unemployment benefits, saying the money would have required the state to keep funding the expanded benefits after the stimulus money ran out..."

What also concerns me about Harry Reid's public option legislation which the states can opt-out of are the lack of details in it so far and the possibility that Harry Reid may be playing Nevada politics:

1) Lack of details:

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0910/26/ldt.01.html

LOU DOBBS TONIGHT

Deadly Days in Afghanistan; Cockpit Mystery; Fighting the Swine Flu; Keeping Food Safe; Obama vs. the Chamber; Dr. Anthony Fauci Interview

Aired October 26, 2009 - 19:00 ET

LOU DOBBS, HOST: "Harry Reid put his weight behind health care legislation that includes a public option with an opt-out while Nancy Pelosi was talking about a consumer option and competitive option. The language is getting a little complicated.

MARK HALPERIN, SENIOR POLITICAL ANALYST, TIME MAGAZINE: By the end of this week or beginning of next there will be more clarify for the next phase. All they need to do is get things to the floor of the house, to the floor of the senate, and at that point I think they're on a glide path. They now have Democrats across the spectrum, unhappiness on both ends, but committed to their success politically and in terms of what they want to accomplish, getting this done..."

2) The possibility that Harry Reid may be playing Nevada politics which is mentioned in this same transcript (while I agree that this is only an opinion, it is still possible that Errol Louis could be right):

LOU DOBBS, HOST: "Your thoughts Errol?

ERROL LOUIS, NEW YORK DAILY NEWS: My sense is Harry Reid is playing Nevada politics. He's in serious, serious trouble for not one, but two Republican challengers. If you look at polls, he's been down five to 11 points in recent polls. He's trying to consolidate his base back home as well as across the Democratic spectrum in the senate and this is a way for him to do it. Some independents suggested in Nevada want something he can to satisfy that base. He's got to rally them both nationally and at home..."

In conclusion, I want a very specific answer as to what will happen with average citizens who live in red states where the Governors are more than likely to opt-out of the public option if Harry Reid passes this legislation and I also want to see 100% full transparency. That means knowing exactly who will be covered, what all of the coverages are, how much it will cost, and other questions that will come up!

Mitch Dworkin

http://mitchdworkin.com/
Check out my new political website!

http://www.securingamerica.com/

http://securingamerica.com/ccn/node/16039
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Submitted by Mitch Dworkin on July 7, 2008 - 2:51pm.

http://www.securingamerica.com/ccn/node/7191
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