Congress Announces Health Care Reform Draft Proposal
Written by Imperial Valley News
Imperial Valley News
Jun 23, 2009
Washington, DC - Three committees in the House of Representatives have created a draft proposal to reform our health care system and ensure affordable, quality health care - a critical fix to an unsustainably expensive system that hurts families and puts American businesses at a global disadvantage. The committees on Education and Labor, Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means worked together to present a uniquely American plan that reduces costs to consumers, protects current coverage and preserves the choice of doctors, hospitals and health plans.
“I support this draft proposal because it will lower health care costs for American families and businesses,” said Rep. Filner. “We have the most expensive health care in the world now. It makes no sense to place such a tremendous burden on American families, businesses and our fiscal future. The status quo is a broken system. It’s time to act to get our economy back on track and help every American family afford the best care in the world. Otherwise, the burden will only get worse.”
The draft proposal announced today would protect what works in our health care system and reform what doesn’t, encouraging competition to lower costs and increase choice.
“This proposal tells every American - if you have coverage and a doctor you like, keep it,” said Rep. Filner. “If you don’t, this provides the tools and resources you need to get affordable, quality care. It’s your choice.”
Our plan would fulfill commitments made by this Congress and President Obama to reform health care. The draft proposal:
* Lowers costs for American families by:
* Putting an end to co-pays and deductibles for preventive care * Capping annual out-of-pocket expenses so Americans are no longer driven into financial ruin by the cost of medical care * Ending rate increases based on pre-existing conditions, gender, or occupation * Offering the group purchasing power of a national pool if you have to buy your own plan * Guaranteeing affordable oral health and vision care for kids
* Provides greater choices like:
* Keeping your doctor and your plan if you like them * Participating in your choice of a high-quality public health insurance option that competes with private companies
* Offers stability and peace of mind with:
* An end to coverage denials for pre-existing conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, or cancer * The care you need with an end to lifetime limits * The freedom to make job and life choices not based on health care coverage
* Improves the quality of health care in this country:
* Doctors - not insurance companies - will be in charge of health care decisions * More family doctors and nurses will enter the workforce, at better payment rates, helping to guarantee your access to quality care
Reforming health care is an important part of every family’s economic well-being and our economic recovery. We must act now to put our nation on a strong fiscal foundation moving forward. Because we can’t leave that burden to future generations, we will make sure our plan is fiscally responsible.
“If we don’t act now, within a decade, we will be spending one out of every five dollars we earn on health care,” said Rep. Filner. “Right now, America spends nearly twice as much more per person on health care than any other country - and all that spending isn’t making us any healthier. We know how to lower the cost of quality care for Americans and American businesses - and now we need every American to lend their voice to this debate to make reform a reality.”
