Statements on the Senate Bill
Posted on October 26th, 2009 by Jason Rosenbaum in Congress Watch
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Folks are coming out in support of Majority Leader Reid this afternoon. Well, everyone but the insurance industry. A roundup…
The White House:
"The President congratulates Senator Reid and Chairmen Baucus and Dodd for their hard work on health insurance reform. Thanks to their efforts, we're closer than we've ever been to solving this decades-old problem. And while much work remains, the President is pleased that at the progress that Congress has made. He's also pleased that the Senate has decided to include a public option for health coverage, in this case with an allowance for states to opt out. As he said to Congress and the nation in September, he supports the public option because it has the potential to play an essential role in holding insurance companies accountable through choice and competition."
Senator Chris Dodd:
“I fought for a strong public option – in the HELP Committee and in this merger process – because it is the best way to keep costs low and insurance companies honest,” said Dodd. “Majority Leader Reid has made a bold and right choice to endorse the HELP Committee public option, along with a provision allowing states to opt out. At its core, health care reform is about making insurance more stable and affordable for those who have it, and available to those who don’t, while improving quality and lowering costs. I believe that the public option is a key component to successful reform, and I will continue to lead the fight for it on the Senate floor.”
Senator Max Baucus:
"It is time to make our system work better for patients and providers, for small business owners and for our economy. It is time for health care reform. For more than a year, we've been working to meet the goals of reducing the growth of health care costs, improving quality and efficiency and expanding coverage. There are a tremendous number of complicated issues that go into reform and the public option is certainly one of them. I included a public option in the health reform blueprint I released nearly one year ago, and continue to support any provision, including a public option, that will ensure choice and competition and get the 60 votes needed to pass the Senate. Success should be our threshold and I am going to fight hard for the 60 votes we need to meet that goal this year."
Senator Chuck Schumer:
"Leader Reid has always been a strong supporter of a public option that could help keep the insurers honest, and today he showed just how deep his commitment is. The public option has new life because as Americans have learned more about it, they have come to see it is the best way to reduce costs and increase competition in the health insurance industry. This form of public option is not exactly what either liberals or moderates would want. But a public plan based on a level playing field, with an opt-out for states, is the best compromise that has the potential of getting 60 votes in the Senate."
Richard Kirsch, our National Campaign Manager:
"We applaud Majority Leader Reid's leadership in making sure the Senate bill includes a public health insurance option to lower costs and inject much-needed competition into the health insurance marketplace. We appreciate his recognizing a public health insurance option is key to achieving meaningful reform, protecting consumers, and keeping insurers honest.
"As we move forward, it is essential that Senate legislation addresses all of our key concerns including making sure health care is truly affordable, ensuring employer responsibility, generating revenue through fair financing rather than taxing higher-cost plans, and implementing a strong public health insurance option.
"We now call on all Senators to stand with leadership and vote to begin debate on the floor. We are closer now than ever before to achieving a true guarantee of good, affordable health care for all. With 47 million people uninsured, tens of millions underinsured, and businesses and families throughout the country struggling with rising costs, there can be no excuse for blocking a full and fair Senate debate on health care reform."
And just for fun, AHIP, the insurance industry lobby, with some whining:
"A new government-run plan would underpay doctors and hospitals rather than driving real reforms that bring down costs and improve quality," said Karen Ignagni, president and CEO of trade group America's Health Insurance Plans, in a statement. "The American people want health care reform that will reduce costs and this plan doesn't do that.
"The divisive debate about a government-run plan is a roadblock to reform," Ignagni continued. "It's time we focus instead on broad-based reforms that will ensure the affordability and sustainability of our health care system."
How to fix the Health Care Crisis: Growing up around medicine and doctors I have learned a few things about the rise of the health care cost problem. It is not what many think…fat cats increasing rates. For effective control of costs and a re-emergence of the grandeur of the US Health system, ten steps must be taken immediately. They are not cruel suggestions, rather real solutions for the problems we face.
1. Standardize Prices for procedures – Equalizing the cost Hospitals and Medical Groups may charge for a similar procedure allows insurance to budget expected costs.
2. Limit Liability for Malpractice – For any mistake including Gross Negligence, neither person nor family affected by the malpractice claim may capture more than 1 Million in damages.
3. Force all Medical Malpractice to Arbitration – Less expensive for the hospital, medical group and easier access for consumer to file a complaint / claim.
4. Nationalize a Government Healthcare System – Provide government Health Insurance for Government Hospitals– Consumers can opt to have free insurance via the government (funded by taxes) to be insured. Government run Health (like VA system) will be longer lines but less expensive health care and focus more on acute care rather than preventative. Care is first come first serve basis, as socialized medicine.
5. Incent the taxpayer to have private health insurance instead of the free one by giving them a $8,000 direct tax write-off.
6. Force Pharmaceuticals to offer name brand meds as generics to Government Health System at 50% off.
7. Repeal any laws requiring private hospitals and private practice to care for uninsured. Instead refer them to Government Health System.
8. Set a max threshold payment any insurance (private or government) would pay, whereby anything beyond 1M within 10 years is not covered for any reason. The unhealthy will die anyway and should not bankrupt the system.
9. Employers may at their option, choose the least expensive option for employees, even no insurance (Government Health System).
10. Give additional yearly tax credits for every member of the family for obesity body fat measurements that can be certified and filed online by any healthcare provider. Severe / High – no credit, Mild / Elevated - $200, Normal / Low $500.
11. Health Care Database – Based on Social Security Numbers, a facility treating a patient may request and receive secure electronic medical records from a previous treatment or facility.
We face a certain break in our health care system within the next 1 to 5 years unless significant change occurs. The rise of health care costs is because the system is ineffective at treating and communicating together. The changes above all or partial will help lower the costs of healthcare to the individuals, allow for coverage for everyone and incentivize better health and private insurance.
This Public Option compromise is complete BS. It allows states to opt out, so people who need it but happen to live in the states that opt out get screwed. This is almost worse than doing nothing.
Once again, the Democrats show NO backbone and have let us down.
THE ART OF COMPROMISE MEETS THE MARTIAL ARTS
The battle moves onto the next level. See “Healthcare Fighting (Kung Fu Mix)” at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nc1VwJOb9Y
Agree with Kenneth Mundy'saying.
But people such as us has no way to change that.