Saturday, August 15, 2009

So What's the Truth in Health Care Reform?

I know many of you are following this health care reform battle daily and trying to figure out what would be the best for you and your family. For Sound-off Saturday I've decided to provide 3 points of view (Click on titles to link to original article) that I've read over the last week and see if any of you out there have any insight onto what's actually going on with this whole mess. The first article is President Obama's bullet points on what reform will do. The second is from a House Republican Leader on what the reform will actually do. The third article is debunking the myths that the GOP is putting out there about health care reform.

I know one thing for sure: when it comes to politics, it's very hard to separate the truth from lies. So guys, tell me what you think!

Why we need reform:

Over 46 million Americans have no medical coverage at all; millions more are under-insured or fear losing coverage. If we continue on our current path health care costs will continue to soar and within the next decade one out of every five dollars will be spent on health care.

This is unacceptable, the system is broken and we cannot postpone meaningful reform any longer.


What's in it for you:

Your choice of doctors and plans will be protected; those that are happy with their current coverage can keep it or choose a new plan--including a public option.

Additionally, everyone will benefit from eight protections that will ensure stability and security for families across the country:

1. Coverage Regardless of Pre-Existing Conditions

Insurance companies will be prohibited from refusing coverage because of medical history.

2. An End to Exorbitant Out-of-Pocket Expenses, Deductible and Co-Pays

Insurance companies will have to abide by yearly caps on how much they can charge for out-of-pocket expenses.

3. Full Coverage for Preventive Care

Insurance companies must fully cover--without charge--regular checkups and tests that help prevent illness, including mammograms or eye and foot exams for diabetics.

4. No Dropped Coverage for the Seriously Ill

Insurance companies will be prohibited from dropping or lessening coverage for people who become seriously ill.

5. No Gender Discrimination

Insurance companies will be prohibited from charging people more because of their gender.

6. No Annual or Lifetime Caps on Coverage

Insurance companies will be prevented from placing annual or lifetime caps on the coverage people receive.

7. Extended Coverage for Young Adults

Children will be eligible for family coverage through the age of 26.

8. Guaranteed Insurance Renewal

Insurance companies will be required to renew a policy as long as the policyholder pays their premium in full. Insurance companies won't be allowed to refuse renewal if someone becomes sick.

"This isn't about politics. This is about people's lives.
This is about people's businesses. This is about our future."

-President Barack Obama

6 people had something to say...:

NoExcuses said...

No one would love access to healthcare for all than me.

But as you and I have discussed, this Utopia won't work the way everyone says it will. Government policy rarely does....

If the gov't gives cash vouchers to those without insurance like in some countries in Europe, I would support it.

If the gov't had income limits for the gov't option, I would consider supporting that as well.

But access to healthcare for all - no chance. Sacrifices will have to be made.

And if companies don't get a return on their R&D investments for drug development, drug development for CF will slow.

This article by the Whole Foods CEO yesterday was BRILLIANT:


http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204251404574342170072865070.html

Jason Addink said...

Have you seen this article yet? Great suggestions as an alternative to the current nightmare going though congress...

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204251404574342170072865070.html

Deb said...

lord, ronnie, i have no idea. it is all confusing and apparently, quite easy to spin in any political direction.

we are fortunate to have extremely good insurance and, selfishly, i don't want that to change. but i also realize that once my son is too old to stay on our policy, he will have a TOUGH, TOUGH time, which is where a LOT of people are right now, and i don't like that either.

we have doctors in our family and i will say that the way they have been mischaracterized as money hungry and willing to perform procedures at the expense of their patients' health is ridiculous. there has to be some trust extended to the doctors that they are treating their patients according to the oath that they have taken. now, as far as the insurance companies are concerned... there is where i think they should be looking to do the 'reforming'.

it would be nice if everyone would just slow down a bit. i think there's a solution in there somewhere, i just don't know what it is. but something like this takes time and shouldn't be rushed.

so there you have it. i got nothin'.

Lucy's mom said...

Thanks Ronnie for the bullet point blog on health care!! We all need to open our eyes to the facts, NOT WHAT LIMBAUGH TELLS US ON TV! Ugh!

So many people I talk to are unhappy with their coverage or don't have coverage at all but are such staunch republicans that they can't see that reform will be work to regulate these insurance companies that make a profit off sick people! We pay insurance premiums...shouldn't these companies be working for us NOT against us!?

I believe a government-regulated health system will work for this country as soon as people see the light!

Thanks again for a post with pros and cons!

~ Kacie AKA Lucy's mom

Uva Be Dolezal said...

thank you for taking the time to type this out - the yelling and snippets out of context are enough to drive anyone crazy, reading this made me feel better :)

Unknown said...

Amy and Jason- Thanks for the link to the WSJ article...maybe the Whole Foods CEO will hook me up with a job so I can have some of my own insurance.

Ronnie