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National

Snowe disappointed by elimination of 'trigger'

By The Associated Press
Published on Tuesday, Oct 27, 2009 at 12:12 am | Last updated on Tuesday, Oct 27, 2009 at 1:01 pm 5 Comments
Olympia Snowe
Senate Finance Committee member Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine talks to reporters outside of the Senate Chamber on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Oct. 8. (AP Photo/Harry Hamburg)
- Harry Hamburg
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) - Maine Sen. Olympia Snowe says she's "deeply disappointed" by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's decision press for a government-sponsored health insurance plan.

Snowe, a Republican, has said that she prefers a "trigger" option that would allow a government plan only if the private market fails to lower costs on its own.

But Reid said Monday he wasn't sending that trigger option to the Congressional Budget Office for evaluation. Instead, his proposal would let individual states opt out of the government plan.

Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine also opposes a government-run plan. She says it could "further exacerbate the cost-shifting that already drives up premium costs for consumers."

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Displaying comments, from newest to oldest

mmorin3's picture

Whether you're for it or

By mmorin3, unverified — Thu, 10/29/2009 - 12:15

Whether you're for it or against it, until they take out the "mandate to buy insurance or get fined" provision, any plan WILL be unconstitutional. Don't think it won't be challenged.

mad dad's picture

Looks like the only

By mad dad, unverified — Wed, 10/28/2009 - 06:36

Looks like the only individuals who can opt out of the plan are the politicians in Washington. They don't care because their insurance is next to nothing.

taxpayer's picture

Reid is trying to fool the

By taxpayer, unverified — Tue, 10/27/2009 - 13:51

Reid is trying to fool the public. If any State were to "opt out" of the plan, Federal dollars would surely be held from the State as punishment. The fed does this often to force States to comply with Federal law. I'm so glad Snowe is listening to her constituents.

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