From 'Opt In' to 'Opt Out': Schumer's Key Role

Now even intelligent democrates want to see what is really in the bill before commiting to it, even they want some of that transparancy that is so lacking even though it was promised by the lier in chief.

Something tells me that if this is Chuckies idea then opting out will be punishable by having finger nails pulled out or having a fine that will be so steep that it will bankrupt a state.

And I'm guessing just like the stimulus package, any Gov that decides to opt out of it will have the Obama Admin and MSM attacking them left and right for not going with the flow and just accepting it.

Thank you, Senator Schumer. I like to see creativity and innovation in American politics. This is democracy in action. I am very proud of our representatives who are hanging in there and working to find a healthcare solution that works.

I live in Texas, which has the highest rate of uninsured in the nation. It will be very interesting to see how the GOP reps, who dominate our legislature, handle this here. Pete Sessions has more uninsured in his district than any other district in Texas.....but is in denial about the need for change to healthcare...maybe because of the hundreds of thousands he has received from the insurance industry lately.

States will opt out to save them money (which will be spend on politically advatangous projects) and keep the poor out. This is the America we will see. This compremise is not worth bipartisan support. The Senate is not making it easy on the people or the President.

I live in Texas as well. Texas governor, Rick Perry, has been very vocal in his opposition to the current federal administration....so much so, that he refused federal unemployment stimulus stating it came with too many strings. The same will probably happen with health care if states are allowed to opt out.

Opt in or opt out, means that isn't going to work....pure and simple.

Come on folks, open your eyes.

How about making an "opt out" clause for every bill the dems pass? It would be great for the country!

This is just another way of dressing the monkey but it is still a monkey. The dems plan is to get the govt. option and pour your tax dollars into it and make it cheaper than the insurance you can buy on the free market. Once this happens people will pressure their state legislators to go with the public option. The dems are just using the back door to get the same thing.

Is this not a lie??? If they opt out the opt out will include medicare and medicaide?? Who is lying to who here. So in reality the opt out is a control chip.

Well the deep red states will opt out and then the people can go after their govenors. I think its a good idea people and the states have a choice its not being forced great job Sen Schumer!

I live in Georgia, and I will "CLOWN" if this rich, bald republican doesn't see that this "pitiful" state need Healthcare for it's citizens....Georgia is a "stoneage" state, masqurading as a modern state, controlled by Republicans but has conceded the city of "Atlanta" only to the progressives....has been that way for decades.

Chuck Shumer's other great moment when he said the American people didn't care about PORKY amendments added to bills is another example of his fine Democratic thinking which is not in line with the American people.We do care when so called PORKY amendments are added to a bill,contrary to what Chuck thinks.I believe he will find that out in his next and last election campaign.

Sara
you can count on the Red states Opting out. Republicans do not care about people they care about how much money they recieve from the Big Insurance compaines!oh and war!

Amy and Angie - Pie in the sky people! I can't believe all the uninformed, blind, O'Bama lovers out there who REFUSE to see the truth!! This administration is RUINING America and our children and grandchildren will pay for it. The latest Gallop poll showed "The Economy" at 44% and "Healtcare" at 5%. That's what the American people think of this monstrosity! No thanks to Shumer, this bill will bankrupt America and there are far too many people willing to let that happen under the mistaken assumption that this will be "good for us." No, it will not. This needs to be done but done in increments. Try this and see if it works, then try that. Why does this have to all be done YESTERDAY? Because the government wants to POWER in America and if this passes THEY WILL HAVE IT!! WAKE UP, AMERICA!!!

And I'm guessing just like the stimulus package, any Gov that decides to opt out of it will have the Obama Admin and MSM attacking them left and right for not going with the flow and just accepting it.
mikemcdon321 | Oct 27, 2009 8:10:10 AM

If by attacking you mean pointing out the truth, which can indeed be a devastating attack on modern Republicans, yes. Any state that opts out will have lower taxes - and end up paying more for lower quality healthcare. We'll see how that sits with 'self reliant' red states (who coincidentally are already heavily subsidized via federal spending supported by blue states who actually value infrastructure, education, and social cohesion - check out the numbers from the conservative Tax Foundation).

THIS ADMINISTRATION IS RUNNING AMERICA SAYS M SMITH REALLY?

Bush nearly bankrupted this country because of his wars more and more Jobs lost under the Bush Admin People lost more homes under the Bush Admin, people lost their Retierment in the 401ks under the Republican admin. Lots of live lost under admin worst terriost(911) attack under Republican admin,Allies turned against us need i go on oh more and more people bankrupt under his watch pluuuuuuuze wake up and smell the truth!

If they opt out the opt out will include medicare and medicaide?? Who is lying to who here. So in reality the opt out is a control chip.
Jim Rod | Oct 27, 2009 9:31:58 AM

You are lying. The opt out will not include existing programs, just like the proposed additional taxes states would opt out of are not to support existing programs.

Bush is gone, Angie. Face it, he even looks pretty good right now considering what we ended up with! I think that 10 months into an administration is probably long enough to blame the last one! You have to know in your heart that this is not working. He has accomplised NOTHING good for America. He has spent his time overseas APOLOGIZING for America! SHAME! We need NOONE to apologize for our great country. If he could find time to come in off the golf course, he might see that his party is ruining what could be a fair, bipartisan healthcare bill. It just needs to be done in increments and not shoved down our throats in one big gasp!!!