President Obama Reiterates Support for Public Health Insurance Option and Insurance Exchange
Posted by cloe on June 4, 2009 at 12:00 PM
In a letter to Democratic Senators Kennedy and Baucus yesterday, President Obama underscored the importance of a health care plan that lowers costs, preserves choice and expands access – and reasserted the need to pass reform before the end of the year. He also reiterated his support for a public health insurance option and an insurance exchange – a market where Americans can shop for a health care plan, compare benefits and prices, and choose the plan that's best for them. Excerpt below:
“…The plans you are discussing embody my core belief that Americans should have better choices for health insurance, building on the principle that if they like the coverage they have now, they can keep it, while seeing their costs lowered as our reforms take hold. But for those who don't have such options, I agree that we should create a health insurance exchange – a market where Americans can one-stop shop for a health care plan, compare benefits and prices, and choose the plan that's best for them, in the same way that Members of Congress and their families can. None of these plans should deny coverage on the basis of a preexisting condition, and all of these plans should include an affordable basic benefit package that includes prevention, and protection against catastrophic costs. I strongly believe that Americans should have the choice of a public health insurance option operating alongside private plans. This will give them a better range of choices, make the health care market more competitive, and keep insurance companies honest.
“I understand the Committees are moving towards a principle of shared responsibility -- making every American responsible for having health insurance coverage, and asking that employers share in the cost. I share the goal of ending lapses and gaps in coverage that make us less healthy and drive up everyone's costs, and I am open to your ideas on shared responsibility. But I believe if we are going to make people responsible for owning health insurance, we must make health care affordable. If we do end up with a system where people are responsible for their own insurance, we need to provide a hardship waiver to exempt Americans who cannot afford it. In addition, while I believe that employers have a responsibility to support health insurance for their employees, small businesses face a number of special challenges in affording health benefits and should be exempted….”
Here’s a link to the full letter from the President on the Organizing for America blog.
Comments (5) «
Single-payer is the best way to go, Mr. President. Put everyone on Medicare, remove the payroll cap so the fat cats have to pony up, and insurance companies can sell supplemental plans to offset the co-payments. It really is that simple, Mr. President.
Single-payer is the best way to go, Mr. President. Put everyone on Medicare, remove the payroll cap so the fat cats have to pony up, and insurance companies can sell supplemental plans to offset the co-payments. It really is that simple, Mr. President.
I'll second those sentiments, Bob. We all know what will really help the American worker and fix the current problem.
We also know where the money is to pay for it. K Street and Wall Street shouldn't have been so obvious with their waste and greed. Instead of worrying about those who have no worries, let's take care of our sick.
Let there be no move excuses or procrastination talking about a trigger or taxing benefits. Health care is a necessity for all citizens and its costs are holding back our economy versus the rest of the world.
Just do what should have been done when Truman advocated it over 60 years ago. Imagine how far ahead of the game we would have been if we had.
Hello, I am encouraged by the aspect of being able to buy into a public health insurance plan such as medicare. I do not buy the argument that just because other countries do not do well with their plans that we can not do well with ours. Once the system is computerized and payment is faster and goes thruough the system a lot of the fraud and abuse will be cut out. The system should be run by doctors and nurses not politicians or insurance agents. I believe that a well run computerized system can eliminate 40 % of the total medicare budjet. The fear is that it will cost to much and the reality is that it is going to be that it saves money and provides insurance for everyone. Insurance is a gamblers business. You used a pay a little for a lot of coverage but that is not the case now. Insurance companies do not do health care research. If I buy an insurance policy and stay well I loose the bet and the insurance company wins. If I get sick and have to collect on my policy I am kicked out the door and my rates are raised to a point where I can not buy insurance. My money is never in my hands except before I pay the insurance company. When I need medical attention I should not have to go through a gambling house in order to see a doctor. Another improvement for the economy is that Americans will no longer have to pay for 6 or 7 health insurance policies as we do now. One for work and one for off work. One for your auto insurace and one for your homeowner policy, etc. etc. A single policy will cover all medical cost no matter how you became ill or injured. We also need tort reform. Doctors should not have to work under the constant stress of being sued. They should not have to pay 100,000 per year just for malpractice insurance. This will also save our economy a lot of money. It is not rocket science to any country who is a competiter in the global market just how important good public health care programs are. I hope this will not be the umpteeth time that the American people are denied a good health care program. Thank You
This is what Americans AND American businesses need in the worst way. We REALLY need to fight for this issue to make change a reality. The industry will spends many MILLIONS to derail reform AGAIN. We need fight harder, louder, and not allow lies from the industry to scare people. I'm very proud President Obama has the courage to take on the vital issue.
Indeed, companies like GM will compete better with health care reform. And don't let the Republicans say otherwise. If you're pro-business, then you're pro-health care reform. It's that simple.
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