Pawlenty: My State Should Opt Out of Public Option
EmailABC News’ Rick Klein reports: If Congress’ passes a health care bill that would allow states to opt out of the “public option,” the issue will fall to state legislatures and governors, who would have to decide for themselves whether to have their states participate. On ABCNews.com’s “Top Line” today, Gov. Tim Pawlenty, R-Minn., said he’d urge lawmakers in his state to opt out.
“I don’t know if we would opt out, but I personally would like to opt out because I don’t like government-run health care,” Pawlenty said. “And we shouldn’t call it the public option; we should call it what it is, which is government-run health care. They are desperate — the Democrats are thrashing about trying to find some way to get government-run health care into the final package, to embed it in the final package.” “And the rationale is, ‘We have to keep the private sector honest.’ So what’s next then? If you don’t like the price of toilet paper and toothpaste, are we going to have a government-run Target or Wal-Mart to keep the private sector honest?” Pawlenty said. “I mean, it’s a ludicrous proposition that government’s going to come in in this space and compete directly with the private sector. Whether it’s opt in, opt out, trigger — I don’t care. I don’t like the idea.” Pawlenty said he’d prefer that Congress give states the option than to impose it on the entire nation — but that he doesn’t believe it would be good for states to participate in. “In terms of the state option, it’s better than having them mandate it. But I still don’t like the idea, philosophically, of government-run health insurance. I think it’s a bad idea.” Pawlenty also said he was “concerned” about some of the positions taken by the Republican nominee in a special election in New York State, strongly hinting that he’d endorse the Conservative Party candidate in that race. (You can read more about that portion of the interview HERE.) On Afghanistan, Pawlenty expressed agreement with former Vice President Dick Cheney’s critique of the pace of President Obama’s decision-making. He also endorsed Gen. Stanley McChrystal’s request for additional troops. “I would support his request to put more troops in there. I’m concerned by the delay that President Obama and others have in making this decision,” he said. “I understand they wanted to do a review; they’ve done it and now it’s the fork in the road. They need to make the decision. And in the meantime we have troops and families wondering about what the future of that mission is. Are the troops going to be supported there? Are they going to advance? And there’s concern and questions that need to get answered, and now the president needs to answer them. And I wish he would do it soon.” And on immigration, Pawlenty said he would deal with undocumented immigrants who are now in the country based on their individual status. “I don’t think we’re going to give them or should give them a pathway to citizenship in terms of cutting in front of the line,” he said. “Some people, I think, should be returned or asked to leave. But if you have, for example, somebody who’s served in the military, has been in the United States for 20 years and has served with distinction and honor in the United States military, you going to throw that person out? So you know, I think it’s not a one-size-fits-all answer. I think you have to go through the group of 12 or 15 million people and look at, you know, have they been crime free? Have they served in the military? And make some decisions on a case-by-case basis.” Watch the full interview with Gov. Tim Pawlenty HERE. We also chatted with Politico’s Jonathan Martin about the special election in New York, plus Democrats’ efforts to get a health care bill passed. You can watch that part of the show HERE.
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“I mean, it’s a ludicrous proposition that”… health insurance is just like toothpaste (which is apparently made by Target and WalMart now?).
People know what Medicare is, and the public option as proposed is basically allowing normal folks to buy into a Medicare program. So why not call it selling Medicare at the cost of providing the coverage to anyone in the general public willing to pay?
Posted by: jhw539 | October 23, 2009, 3:45 pm 3:45 pm
Isn’t Pawlenty supposed to be one of the brightest stars of the GOP? One thing is certain: either Pawlenty is being downright dishonest, or he is not only ignorant of what he speaks (which is worst), or he’ an idiot.
He states: “And the rationale is, ‘We have to keep the private sector honest.’ So what’s next then? If you don’t like the price of toilet paper and toothpaste, are we going to have a government-run Target or Wal-Mart to keep the private sector honest?”
Pawlenty should know that the insurance industry is not like Target or Wal-Mart. Target and Wal-Mart has to compete for our dollars – the insurance companies don’t (hence the public option). Target or Wal-Mart doesn’t have my life/death in their hands, and they cannot come together and price fixed me out of the market. Target or Wal-Mart can’t deny me the procedure my doctor want to do, they cannot claim I have a pre-existing condition and refuse to pay; they cannot drop me from coverage because I get sick. United Healthcare has done those things to me, and I know that they have done it to millions of Americans. Pawlenty should know that also – and he wants to run for president? President of what?
Posted by: William | October 23, 2009, 4:47 pm 4:47 pm
Whether the state of Minnesota participates in the public option health insurance offered by the federal government should not be left up to governor Pawlenty, it should be left up to the individual citizen to decide. Gov. Pawlenty is an elected official who should represent the best interest of the people of Minnesota. Obviously if he prevent the citizens from obtaining cheaper insurance, he is not representing the best interest of the people. He is representing the interest of the big private insurance companies in which case, the people of Minnesota should hold him accountable when the time comes to elect the next governor.
Posted by: johnnylee | October 23, 2009, 4:57 pm 4:57 pm
So this is one of the brightest of the Party of NO? He has his insurance as does all of his rich scalywags, but BEFORE he opts out –the whole state!!!–should he not ask the citizens who cannot afford to be scalped by the commercial world of insurance how they feel aboutit? Remember the nonthinkers who were going to turn down the stimulus money to their states? The Party of No has nothing wholesome to offer to address the ills of the nation; they just whine and cry. . .
Posted by: clever bob | October 23, 2009, 5:25 pm 5:25 pm
Doesn’t Gov. Pawlenty know that Medicare is run by the government and is more cost effective and efficient than any private insurance?
Doesn’t the governor know that it is a public “option” and nobody is forced to take it unless they find it is cheaper and better than private insurance?
Too many Republicans are paying too much attention to Glen Beck and Rush Limbaugh.
Posted by: findlayway | October 23, 2009, 5:35 pm 5:35 pm
William:”Isn’t Pawlenty supposed to be one of the brightest stars of the GOP?” — Well, if he is why is he sounding a lot like Sarah Palin and Glen Beck? Nothing like taking a page right out of Man Coulter’s new book: ‘Stupidity for Dummies & Conservatives’.
Posted by: Mangalore | October 23, 2009, 5:36 pm 5:36 pm
Mr. Pawlenty,
To quote one of my favorite senators, Barney Frank, Mr Pawlenty “what planet are you from?” Do you think Minnesotans are stupid? Do you think that the state which produces such cultural programs as Prairie Home COmpanion, and St. Paul Sunday Morning, would tolerate such an action? I think you days are numbered, Pawlenty, start packing now.
Posted by: thinker | October 23, 2009, 5:53 pm 5:53 pm
I think Gov. Pawlenty is losing his marbles…he is the Governor who let a bridge fall down and let our roads in Minnesota crumble along with taking education and school funding downhill in this state. Check out what he’s done for cities and towns, cut funding, forcing higher local property taxes, but his added fees that he created, he doesn’t call increased taxes, hmmm. Minnesota has less jobs now than when he came into office. Good Grief it’s just too much lip-service from him. There should absolutely not be any option for the state to decide to opt out of the public option, it should be up to the individual to want it or not!
Posted by: Bill | October 23, 2009, 6:10 pm 6:10 pm
The public option is a good idea if we can have it as freedom of choice as it is wrtten now if you have insurance you have to keep what you have period.
Posted by: earl | October 23, 2009, 6:25 pm 6:25 pm
Shame on you Pawlenty! Comparing something as paramount and elemental to life as healthcare (which is crucial to our very existence on this planet) to commodities such as clothing, and toothpaste and haircolor. I mean without health our nation is no longer a productive nation. Without our health we are nothing!! So how can we be held hostage by the insurance companies who are only trying to sell their ‘wares’ based on bottom line profit?? Because guys like you JUST ALLOW IT!! Go accept your million $$ payoffs from the industry lobbyists! You don’t care about the average American! & you call yourself a public servant? You only have healthcare because we the taxpayers are paying for YOUR PUBLIC OPTION!! But yet WE CAN’T HAVE IT?? You sir are are corrupt!
Posted by: ltl lulu | October 23, 2009, 10:24 pm 10:24 pm
“I don’t know if we would opt out, but I personally would like to opt out because I don’t like government-run health care,” Pawlenty said.—————————
Then would you please have a discussion with the 55 Republican lawmakers that are on Medicare?! The list includes Senate Finance Committee members Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Sen. Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.), part of the Gang of Six that helped shape health care reform. Hypocrites!
Posted by: Try the truth | October 23, 2009, 10:48 pm 10:48 pm
Another Republican empty suit. Minnesota should bury this dead man before the place begins to smell.
Posted by: Stevie | October 24, 2009, 3:41 am 3:41 am
“I don’t know if we would opt out, but I personally would like to opt out…”
Yeah, and you’ll end up like those Gov.s that decided to “opt out” of the stimulus – overruled by your legislature and the courts.
What a campaign speech – I decided that you didn’t need health care, so vote for me.
Posted by: OB-Wan222 | October 24, 2009, 6:05 am 6:05 am
Did I read this correctly. Pawlenty said that undocumented immigrants are serving in our military? I thought you had to be a US Citizen and show a Birth Certificate to serve in our military.
Review Entrance RequirementsWhile the Service branches have similar entrance requirements, each has its own admission standards based on the amount and type of recruits needed. The requirements listed here apply to the U.S. Military as a whole. For more specifics, it’s best to contact a recruiter.
Age RequirementsEach branch of the Service has different requirements. Minimum entrance-age requirements are 17 with parental consent or 18 without parental consent.
Review a Chart of Age Requirements.
Physical RequirementsBecause of the varying physical demands on servicemembers in each branch, physical requirements vary greatly. These differences can vary even within each branch of the Service. Generally speaking, potential servicemembers should be in good physical condition, of appropriate weight, and able to pass a standard physical screening prior to entry. For more specific information, please contact a recruiter.
Educational RequirementsSuccess in any branch of the Military depends on a good education, and a high school diploma is most desirable. Candidates with a GED (General Education Development certificate) can enlist, but some Services may limit opportunities. It is very difficult to be considered a serious candidate without either a high school diploma or accepted alternative credential. In any case, staying in school is important for entering the Military.
Citizenship RequirementsU.S. citizens or Permanent Resident Aliens (people who have an INS I-151/I-551 “Green Card”) may join the U.S. Military. For more information about citizenship, visit the U.S. Immigration and Nationalization (INS) web site.
Noncitizens may enlist, but cannot re-enlist (extend their enlistment beyond their first term of service) unless they become naturalized U.S. citizens. However, after service of three years, additional residency requirements for citizenship can be waived. The Military does not assist in the immigration naturalization process.
For enlistment purposes, the United States includes Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Northern Marianas Islands, American Samoa, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Marshall Islands.
Citizens of certain countries may require a waiver to enlist. These include citizens of countries considered hostile to the interests of the United States. For more specific information on the current list of hostile countries, or for other specific questions, contact a recruiter.
You must have perfect vision to serve in the Military. For the most part, an individual can serve as long as their vision can be corrected (i.e., with glasses) to 20/20. See other Myths vs. Realities. They have no alliance to us?
Posted by: Birther1957 | October 24, 2009, 9:54 am 9:54 am
Between Pawlenty and Bachmann Minnesota is one messed up state!!
Posted by: pfr | October 24, 2009, 11:16 am 11:16 am
MINNESOTANS GOING TO ‘SLAM HIM’> HIS STATE AINT ALL THAT……THERE ARE A LOT OF POOR AND MIDDLE CLASS PEOPLE IN ST.PAUL/MINNEAPOLIS. THE PEOPLE OF HIS STATE SHOULD RISE UP!!!!! THEY RUN THE STATE AS ‘RICH AND POOR’…..AND THAT’S WHY THEY GOT MICHELLE BACHMAN AND PAWLENTY…….THAT’S GOING TO CHANGE. FIRE UP AND READY TO GO!!!!
Posted by: sara | October 24, 2009, 1:55 pm 1:55 pm
What will the public do when they realize that the government is going to take 30% to 40% of each and every paycheck to pay for this public option? Our economy will really go down the tubes when that happens.
Can’t buy your dream house? Can’t afford fuel to keep warm? Not enough money for food? What will Obama and his cohorts do then?
Will they increase food stamp & fuel assistance? We’ll become a country of welfare recipients and no one will want, or need, to work for a living. It’s a downward spiral folks!
Posted by: Alice | October 24, 2009, 3:24 pm 3:24 pm
I believe that Governor Pawlenty should leave the “Option” to the citizens. I really don’t think he could get state legislation that would deny his consitutents from participating. I believe that he is one of many government officials both Republican and Democrat who are opposed to this Health Care Option clause. I feel confident that this will never become reality.
Posted by: lonedell | October 24, 2009, 4:29 pm 4:29 pm
“States rights?” Doesn’t this guy know about the legacy of the old South and its use of states rights? Minnesota, get rid of this nut. He’s no Humphrey or Mondale!
Posted by: B Brown | October 24, 2009, 5:56 pm 5:56 pm
What arrogance that governor has for himself to KNOW what all of the citizens of the state want! Those kinds of oligarchs should be things of the past. In today’s governance, the electorate should be the deciders. Minnesotans should let this gentleman know that.
Posted by: Jim Hultman | October 24, 2009, 6:21 pm 6:21 pm
I wonder if he ever thought to ask the people of his great state what they want?
The opt out will really impact the poor in the south who are the ones with the worst health care in the nation. Unfortunately the majority in their areas are against helping their needy fellow man which seems odd for people who call themselves evangelicals.
Posted by: Chuck | October 24, 2009, 7:51 pm 7:51 pm
Hasn’t anyone heard of Cost Shifting? Medicare underreimburses health care professionals and they just increase the cost charged to non-medicare patients. This results in higher health insurance premiums. This is actual government policy and one congressman said in public he wanted to shift even more to the non medicare system to “save medicare costs” (Sorry I didn’t get his name when I saw the interview) When we add 10-100 million people to a government plan that also underpays the heath care system, it will simply charge even more to the non medicare part of the system, making government plan even lower priced relative to the non govt plan, encouraging more people to move to the govt plan, resulting in even higher non govt premiums- see where this is going? Eventually everyone will be in the lower priced govt plan- and who is the medical system going to shift the cost to? It will go broke or reduce services, and the lower pay for health care will result in fewer health care providers (unless someone has magically repealed the laws of supply and demand, which liberals think they can do on a regular basis and fail every time). Every liberal Senator and Congressman knows this is the way a single payor system will be inevitable if a government plan that will shift part the cost to the private insurance market is put in place.
Also, if there is waste and fraud in Medicare that they are going to eliminate to pay for the new plan, what is stopping them from taking care of it now? They have been saying they are going to fix the problems for years- how about you show us the savings and then you can spend the money. The waste and fraud will only get larger proportional to the size of the increase in government run insurance. The bad guys are salivating at the prospect of an additional trillion+ government dollars being spent. At least the private sector has an incentive to watch the money, and it is the governments job to watch the private sector, not replace it.
Posted by: Mike M | October 25, 2009, 8:37 am 8:37 am
Pawlenty is just blowing smoke – just like he did when he said “Minnesota wont take any of that stimulus money” – and then he DID take the stimulus $. A perfect candidate to tun for President – a liar like all the other Republicans who are so obviously bought and paid for by the Insurance industry. He wont opt Minnesota out, unless he thinks he has a great shot at President in 2012 and wont have to sit for re-election in a state where he has just screwed the entire population out of affordable health care insurance!
mme
Posted by: m english | October 25, 2009, 9:47 pm 9:47 pm
I am enjoying the comments of the viewers. I live in MN. This guy has had his eye on national office since 1999. Half of the citizens of this state have gotten behind him, the business people! He arbitrarily unallotted many funding programs that were sent to him by the last Legislature…how arrogant is that! he has unallotted the income level downward to Human Svcs MA program and other HS programs all by himself, knocking out college students, low income single parents, disabled, seniors from health care and other HS services. Gov. Pawlenty is healthy as is his family. He doesn’t have a clue the travesty of suddenly no job, no income, no health insurance, then a severe car accident occurs, or cancer strikes. He just took the rug out from many of us….and he wants to run for President in 2012???? PLEASE…take him out at the knees. He doesn’t have a clue except for the rich and greedy businesses!
Posted by: Cher-mn | October 26, 2009, 1:06 am 1:06 am