Americans confused over health care reform

CBS News is reporting two out of three Americans are confused about health care reform.

That seems consistent with my understanding of it. There are multiple bills floating around the Senate and House. It is difficult, if not impossible to keep up with them all. Each of the ones of know about are different, one from the other. I am presently aware of S703, HR3200 and HR676. There is a bill in the Senate which last I checked isn’t even numbered. The Senate Committee seemingly just dropped it on their desk, apparently unfinished, and left town for the month long “vacation” during August.

When the Town Hall Meeting was conducted last Sunday here in Pahrump various people would refer to “the bill.” I sat there wondering, “which bill?” I doubt those referring to “the bill” knew which bill they were talking about as well.

The other thing that is not really clear is the phrase “Public Option.” I understand it to mean the concept of having a government sponsored health care program to be competitive with private for-profit insurance companies. The various bills rolling around Congress are various concepts of just what the public option might include. For example, the public option could be S703, or HR 3200 or HR 676, or some combination of the three.

Whatever, President Obama issued

The Presidents

Health Insurance Reform

GUARANTEES

1. No discrimination for pre-existing conditions. Insurance companies will be prohibited from refusing you coverage because of your medical history.
2. No exorbitant out-of-pocket expenses, deductibles or co-pays. Insurance companies will have to abide by yearly caps on how much they can charge for out-of-pocket expenses.
3. No cost-sharing for preventive care. Insurance companies must fully cover, without charge, regular checkups and tests that help you prevent illness, such as mammograms or eye and foot exams for diabetics.
4. No dropping of coverage for seriously ill. Insurance companies will be prohibited from dropping or watering down insurance coverage for those who become seriously ill.
5. No gender discrimination. Insurance companies will be prohibited from charging you more because of your gender.
6. No annual or lifetime caps on coverage. Insurance companies will be prevented from placing annual or lifetime caps on the coverage you received.
7. Extended coverage for young adults. Children would continue to be eligible for family coverage through the age of 26.
8. Guaranteed insurance renewal. Insurance companies will be required to renew any policy as long as the policy holder pays their premium in full. Insurance companies won’t be allowed to refuse renewal because someone became sick.

All that is well and good, but is not the solution to the problem. The problem is for-profit health insurance. The solution is having an alternative choice for health care. That choice should be the public option and the public option should be HR 676.

Related posts:

1. AARP: Myths About Health Care Reform
2. Exchanges, Co-Ops And Cop-Outs On Health Care Reform
3. Health Care Reform Bill expected in August
4. YouTube – President Obama on Organizing for Health Care Reform
5. Resurrection of Health Care Reform