Collins: CSR Payments Not a Bailout for Insurance Companies; ‘Disturbing’ to Hear It ‘Mischaracterized’

EXCERPT:

CUOMO: "It’s one of the things that I guess wasn't fully understand by people, that, you know, the strong do have to give in order so that the weak and the sick can get the coverage that they need. I know that makes people uncomfortable, especially when they're young and healthy, when they don't need that kind of coverage. But that's kind of the deal that insurance's always been. We'll see if that stays the same. Now the big question, will you get a vote on this?"
COLLINS: "Well that is the big question, indeed. Yesterday I would have told you absolutely. It seemed to me everything was going very well, that the president, despite in some ways precipitating the crisis had come onboard with the bipartisan approach. But now the White House is sending conflicting messages and —"
CUOMO: "How so?"
COLLINS: "They now are saying they are not quite sure they like it or whether it’s necessary. You know, no one should buy into the rhetoric that somehow this is a bailout for the big insurance companies, it is not. This money goes to people, to help out set the out-of-pocket costs for people who make between 100 percent of the poverty level and 250 percent of the poverty level. So it's [indecipherable] vulnerable citizens. And that is -- it’s really disturbing to hear it mischaracterized. So now that some opposition seems to be arising, and I’m not sure what’s going to happen, but I really think we have a duty to act and to act quickly so that we can have an impact before open season starts, which is going to in just a few weeks."