Improved access to health care a promise that can't be delayed
Published on Wed, Sep 23, 2009 by Representatives Mike Sells And John MccoyRead More Voices
RE: Your Voice is Essential in Proposed Changes to Your Healthcare, by Rep. Dan Kristiansen, published Wednesday, August 26, 2009, North County Outlook
We are disappointed that a fellow state legislator, Rep. Dan Kristiansen, misrepresents what the health reform measure winding its way through Congress would actually do.
In reality, by putting people before profits, HB 3200, "America's Affordable Health Choices Act," will make health care more affordable for every American. You will be guaranteed the choice of keeping your current plan. Or you can choose another private plan or a quality public health insurance plan if you wish. You will also be able to keep your current doctor.
Our colleague is simply wrong to claim that "millions of Americans could lose their existing health insurance and be forced into government-run healthcare." Giving people the choice of a quality, affordable public health insurance plan, as this legislation would do, will encourage competition among private insurers and put downward pressure on costs. According to research from the nonpartisan Commonwealth Fund, health reform that includes the option of a public plan would save employers $231 billion over 2010-2020, and $3 trillion for the nation. Without the public plan to promote competition and control costs, we lose three-quarters of those savings.
It makes no sense to leave health reform solely in the hands of private insurance companies, as Rep. Kristiansen suggests. These companies have a terrible track record of gouging consumers with high prices, inadequate coverage, pre-existing condition exclusions, and fine print that get in the way of the decisions we make with our doctors. Individuals and small businesses simply don't have the bargaining power to negotiate with insurance companies for affordable premiums.
We need reform to keep the private sector honest. We need strong oversight to make sure our precious premium dollars are invested in health care, not CEO bonuses. Since 2002, the average premiums paid to large U.S. health insurance companies increased 87 percent and the profits of the top insurance companies has skyrocketed 428 percent.
Here in the 2nd Congressional District of Washington State, thousands of people will benefit from passage of this legislation. Nearly 20,200 small businesses will receive tax credits to provide coverage to their employees; 10,100 seniors will avoid the dreaded "donut hole" in Medicare Part D that makes their prescription drugs so unaffordable; 1,150 families would be spared from bankruptcy each year due to medical debt; and 82,000 uninsured individuals would gain access to high-quality, affordable health insurance.
How will we pay for health reform? In keeping with President Obama's pledge, health reform will not burden the middle class or increase the federal deficit. Rather, the measure will effectively pay for itself in two ways: first, by cutting wasteful, unnecessary subsidies to the insurance and pharmaceutical industries in the Medicare and Medicaid programs (hence, some of the corporations that profit from these subsidies spread misinformation in an effort to derail health reform); and second, by taxing the income of the wealthiest individuals. This surtax would affect only 3,100 households in this congressional district. The surtax would not affect 99.1 percent of taxpayers in the district.
The AARP, AMA, and countless business owners, nonprofit organizations and labor unions support this legislation, which keeps what's good and fixes what's broken in our current system. Contrary to the frightening claims of reform opponents, this measure will improve Medicare benefits for seniors and strengthen the long-term financial health of Medicare.
What is the cost of inaction? If Congress fails to take action this year, your health costs will double over the next decade and millions more people will lose their insurance. As things now stand, approximately 14,000 Americans lose their healthcare every day. That is roughly the population of Lake Stevens. Inaction means even more employers will stop offering health care, insurance companies will let rates soar, and working Americans will be told they aren't rich enough to receive healthcare. We simply cannot afford to wait.
Despite the shouting and scare tactics by opponents of reform, our congressman, Rick Larsen, set a positive tone for constructive dialogue during the town hall meetings last month. His time studying this important legislation is evident. He led a level-headed, fact-based civil discussion about the importance of enacting reforms that offer more stability and affordability to middle class families and small businesses. We urge Congressman Larsen to support this legislation, including the provision assuring all Americans the choice of a quality public plan.
It's time to get the job done and pass health insurance reform.
We are disappointed that a fellow state legislator, Rep. Dan Kristiansen, misrepresents what the health reform measure winding its way through Congress would actually do.
In reality, by putting people before profits, HB 3200, "America's Affordable Health Choices Act," will make health care more affordable for every American. You will be guaranteed the choice of keeping your current plan. Or you can choose another private plan or a quality public health insurance plan if you wish. You will also be able to keep your current doctor.
Our colleague is simply wrong to claim that "millions of Americans could lose their existing health insurance and be forced into government-run healthcare." Giving people the choice of a quality, affordable public health insurance plan, as this legislation would do, will encourage competition among private insurers and put downward pressure on costs. According to research from the nonpartisan Commonwealth Fund, health reform that includes the option of a public plan would save employers $231 billion over 2010-2020, and $3 trillion for the nation. Without the public plan to promote competition and control costs, we lose three-quarters of those savings.
It makes no sense to leave health reform solely in the hands of private insurance companies, as Rep. Kristiansen suggests. These companies have a terrible track record of gouging consumers with high prices, inadequate coverage, pre-existing condition exclusions, and fine print that get in the way of the decisions we make with our doctors. Individuals and small businesses simply don't have the bargaining power to negotiate with insurance companies for affordable premiums.
We need reform to keep the private sector honest. We need strong oversight to make sure our precious premium dollars are invested in health care, not CEO bonuses. Since 2002, the average premiums paid to large U.S. health insurance companies increased 87 percent and the profits of the top insurance companies has skyrocketed 428 percent.
Here in the 2nd Congressional District of Washington State, thousands of people will benefit from passage of this legislation. Nearly 20,200 small businesses will receive tax credits to provide coverage to their employees; 10,100 seniors will avoid the dreaded "donut hole" in Medicare Part D that makes their prescription drugs so unaffordable; 1,150 families would be spared from bankruptcy each year due to medical debt; and 82,000 uninsured individuals would gain access to high-quality, affordable health insurance.
How will we pay for health reform? In keeping with President Obama's pledge, health reform will not burden the middle class or increase the federal deficit. Rather, the measure will effectively pay for itself in two ways: first, by cutting wasteful, unnecessary subsidies to the insurance and pharmaceutical industries in the Medicare and Medicaid programs (hence, some of the corporations that profit from these subsidies spread misinformation in an effort to derail health reform); and second, by taxing the income of the wealthiest individuals. This surtax would affect only 3,100 households in this congressional district. The surtax would not affect 99.1 percent of taxpayers in the district.
The AARP, AMA, and countless business owners, nonprofit organizations and labor unions support this legislation, which keeps what's good and fixes what's broken in our current system. Contrary to the frightening claims of reform opponents, this measure will improve Medicare benefits for seniors and strengthen the long-term financial health of Medicare.
What is the cost of inaction? If Congress fails to take action this year, your health costs will double over the next decade and millions more people will lose their insurance. As things now stand, approximately 14,000 Americans lose their healthcare every day. That is roughly the population of Lake Stevens. Inaction means even more employers will stop offering health care, insurance companies will let rates soar, and working Americans will be told they aren't rich enough to receive healthcare. We simply cannot afford to wait.
Despite the shouting and scare tactics by opponents of reform, our congressman, Rick Larsen, set a positive tone for constructive dialogue during the town hall meetings last month. His time studying this important legislation is evident. He led a level-headed, fact-based civil discussion about the importance of enacting reforms that offer more stability and affordability to middle class families and small businesses. We urge Congressman Larsen to support this legislation, including the provision assuring all Americans the choice of a quality public plan.
It's time to get the job done and pass health insurance reform.
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