Politics

Delivering An American Solution For Quality Affordable Health Care

By Karina

This afternoon, Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles B. Rangel, Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Henry Waxman and Chairman Emeritus John Dingell, and Education and Labor Committee Chairman George Miller released a discussion draft for health care reform to reduce costs, offer a greater choice of doctors and plans, and guarantee affordable, quality health care for all Americans:

We know our economy and fiscal future are tied to building on what works in our health care system and fixing what?s broken. A recent study published in the American Journal of Medicine showed two out of three personal bankruptcies in 2007 were a result of medical debt, even though more than 75% of those bankrupted had private health insurance. Since 1987, the cost of the average family health insurance policy has risen from 7% of median family income to 17%, with small business premiums rising 129% since 2000. Since the recession began, an estimated 4 million additional Americans have lost their health insurance ? and are currently losing coverage at an average of 10,680 workers each day. Without health care reform, health care spending will rise to $4.4 trillion, more than one?fifth of the economy, by 2018 and the number of the uninsured will reach 61 million by 2020.

Here are 12 ways health care reform will help you and your family:

LOWER COSTS

No more co-pays or deductibles for preventive care

An annual cap on your out-of-pocket expenses?no longer driving Americans to financial ruin

An end to rate increases based on pre-existing conditions, gender, or occupation

Group purchasing power of a national pool if you have to buy your own plan

Guaranteed, affordable oral health and vision care for kids

GREATER CHOICE

Keep your doctor and your plan if you like them

More plan choices, including a high-quality public health insurance option that would compete with private companies

STABILITY & PEACE OF MIND

An end to coverage denials for pre-existing conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, or cancer

Get the care you need with an end to lifetime limits

Job and life choices will no longer be based on health care coverage

HIGHER QUALITY

Doctors?not insurance companies?in charge of health care decisions

More family doctors and nurses entering the workforce, at better payment rates, helping guarantee your access to quality care

Read the full discussion draft text>>

Read a detailed summary>>

President Obama said the House proposal “would improve the affordability, availability, and quality of health care and represents a major step toward the our goal of fixing what is broken about health care while building on what works.” Speaker Pelosi:

Today?s joint announcement by the House chairmen is historic and a critical step forward in meeting our commitment to the American people: to deliver an American solution for quality affordable health care.

Our economic recovery and nation?s fiscal future hinge on building on what works in our health care system and fixing what?s broken: lowering costs to families and businesses, preserving choice of doctors and plans, ensuring stability and peace of mind that Americans will always get the care they need, and improving the quality of health care.

As Congress prepares to act in the coming weeks, the American people, small businesses, and all those who have a stake in this debate will continue to have an opportunity to offer input and shape this legislation.

Americans need to know that President Obama?s promise is our promise too: if you like your health plan and your doctor?you can keep them. It?s that simple. But we will fix what?s not working ? reducing costs, improving quality, and covering more Americans. And we will make preventive care affordable for all, to make us a healthier America.

Congress will work with the President to ensure that this is the year we finally put the American people and their doctors back in charge?with an affordable and fiscally sound system.

Full post as published by The Gavel on June 19, 2009 (boomark / email).