Obama says he won’t Back Down on Public Plan as Choice for Affordable Health Care Coverage
The President laid out his case and solution for health care reform in a speech to Congress last night. He specifically addressed some of the points of the plan and detailed what the plan would mean for small businesses.
President Obama took to the airwaves Wednesday night to detail his plan for health care reform and denounce claims that his plan is a government takeover of the health care system.
During a near-hour long speech before Congress, Obama told lawmakers and the American public that his plan provides more security for people who have coverage, more affordable coverage for people who don’t, and slows the growth of health care costs in future years.
Hoping to show how his plan will benefit consumers, Obama said no one with health care coverage will be required to change their coverage or doctor, and insurers will no longer be allowed to terminate or deny coverage to policy holders who become sick or have pre-existing conditions. Obama said his plan also limits out of pocket expenses, while eliminating insurer caps on annual and lifetime coverage.
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For people and small business owners without insurance, Obama said his plan includes a health care exchange and tax credits that will help pay for coverage based on their need. Obama said the exchange, which would include plans offered by private insurers, wouldn’t become available for four years. However, for those people who can’t get coverage now, the government would immediately offer low-cost coverage to protect against financial ruin if you become seriously ill, a proposal Obama said was offered by Senator John McCain during his presidential campaign.
The speech came a few hours after Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus announced that he intends to unveil a bill from his committee next week and move ahead with the legislative process with or without Republican support. The Senate Finance Committee is the last of five congressional panels needed to approve health care legislation before the full house and senate can work towards a final bill.
The Senate Finance Committee plan is said to include provisions that sidestep requirements currently in other bills, and that Obama mentioned in his speech, that companies would be forced to offer coverage to their employees or pay a penalty of up to 8 percent of their payroll to fund a public plan.
According to the Washington Post, the Senate Finance plan would require firms with more than 50 full-time employees to pay if they hire people who are eligible for government subsidies. In the case of the Senate Finance Committee, that includes people who earn between 133 percent of the federal poverty level and 400 percent of the poverty level, or about $88,000 a year for a family of four.
Obama said he wants to see a public plan included in the health care exchange to keep private plans affordable. But he said the public plan would only be an option for people who don’t have insurance.
“No one would be forced to choose it and it would not impact those of you who already have insurance. In fact, based on Congressional Budget Office estimates, we believe that less than five percent of Americans would sign up,” he said.
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Comments
Comment from Lois on September 10, 2009 at 12:11PM EST
I thought was what all Americans needed to hear. I have worked for small agencies for many years in this induestry and was either offered no health plan or one with very little to offer. I understood the reason for it as there was no bargaining chip with insurance agencies. I was also fortunate to have a husband who worked for a large company who was able to get health insurance cheaply with excellent coverage. Over the years I have seen our out of pocket, deductibles and premimums sky rocket. In our industry,especially medical collections, we see on a daily basis bankruptcies because of one major illness/surgery or disease. How many times do we see bills because the insurance denied as it was deemed "pre-existing" illness? How about the clients who get small payment because of the inrance company stating the "prevailing rates in your area" excuse. I,for one, will be happy to see this health reform pass. I am tired having only 3 choices when it comes to insurance plans offered. I am certainly tired of the false representations and name calling this issue has brought about.Since when does someone we elected shout out in the midst of our President's speech??Is this what we want the world to see??How dare that happen? This reform is to help the middle class afford health care.congressman Wilson has the best health in this country. How about the naysayers in Congress give up their healthcare and go to the insurance marketplace to afford get their own?!! They should walk in our shoes for a mile and see what life is really all about.
Comment from K on September 10, 2009 at 3:36PM EST
I agree with Lois 100%. It's about time a powerful democracy like ours takes care of the average American by offering affordable healthcare insurance. The millions of hardworking people with either little or no healthcare coverage in this country is a travesty.
Comment from Anonymous on September 10, 2009 at 4:53PM EST
Yes, we will all get health insurance like the citizens in other countries that the government controls the healthcare - BUT, what kind of healthcare will we get? If you know anyone that lives in one of these above-mentioned countries, ask them and you will discover what kind of lousy healthcare Obama is trying to implement.
Comment from sd1950 on September 10, 2009 at 4:57PM EST
If this plan is so great why do most Americans oppose it. I would suggest you do your homework before you start believing everything that was said last night. I am not going to go into everything that is wrong with this as it would take up far too much space here.
This was nothing more than a political speach designed to bring Obama's party in line. There was nothing new offered and many of this statements of misinformation were repeated.
Comment from Anonymous on September 10, 2009 at 10:58PM EST
I agree with sd1950 Americans need to do their homework. Obama is a great speaker but don't believe everything he says. In his campaign he said no increase in taxes not even one dime. Well, where do you think the 13 trillion dollars to fund this health care reform is going to come from? Also, the small businesses will either have to 'pay or play'. If they don't provide insurance for their employee they will be penalized with a tax of 8% pulse other taxes.This will only cause more small business to close down. Also, he stated that if you have insurance you will not have to change unless you want to. Think about it, the companies will eventually go out of business trying to compete with the large govt run companies. Please do you homework and call you legislators and tell them you DO NOT want this bill passed.
Comment from Anonymous on September 10, 2009 at 10:58PM EST
Anyone who repeats the statement "that most American oppose this plan" is so out of touch. A majority of Americans are indeed in favor of health REFORM and most polls show that the majority of Americans are in favor of this administration passing a health reform bill. Don't be misled by the loud disruption of a few.
Comment from Lois on September 11, 2009 at 9:34AM EST
I agree with anonymous. If the only place you get the facts from is talk shows and the media we are in a whole lot of trouble. I have been a life long republican but have changed in the last 6 years. I have seen people who "have" step all over the "have nots". What will happen if you lose your job and have no access to health insurance and live in a state that pays the maximum of $275/week in unemployment?This country is in a world of hurt right now. Other countries have lost respect for us. Our health care is now run by insurance companies that determine who will be treated and who will not be treated. I have seen more at town hall meetings who approve this reform than those who do not. Most of the people protesting are the status quo and not those who have been in this predicament. The "have-nots" have no where to go to get afforable insurance. Medicare is a gov't sponsored health plan and seniors are happy with it except for the republican drug part D which states gov't is not allowed to seek cheaper alternatives. Why? Because drug companies and lobbyists put money in their coffers. Go on line and see which opponents to this bill have health care and insurance companies on their campaign contributors list. It's an eye-opener.
Comment from MAJ on September 11, 2009 at 11:09AM EST
and hence, the problem with the country today. No one can agree on anything. 50% love the president and his plans and the other 50% hate it. I wonder what would happen if someone could actually unite the ENTIRE population. Its time for REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS to take some time off.
Comment from USMC vet on September 11, 2009 at 11:17AM EST
Yea sure, great idea, let's have the government run medical care for everyone. Ever been to the VA? Ask a veteran about how great this system works. I had to wait for 3 months for dental work, if a veteran who uses the VA has to go to an emergency room, the VA will not cover it (unless they are 100% service connected)! they must go to the nearest VA hospital which in most cases, CLOSES THE DOORS AFTER 5:00pm.
I am all for helping and fixing the current system, but not for the governement to run it. Look how great they (Obama and crew) did with GM, gave them billions to stop BK and GM went BK anyways.
Comment from Lori Porter on September 11, 2009 at 1:35PM EST
The only good idea was to offer insurance across state lines. That would make the insurance companies have to compete. BUT, of course, Obama doesn't like that idea! The only reason Obama wants to get something pushed through by his dead line is so that he can say "see what I did". At this point I don't think he really cares what gets put through, just so something gets approved, he signs it and he can show "the people" that he really can make changes!
Comment from Faith on September 14, 2009 at 1:39PM EST
"and you will discover what kind of lousy healthcare Obama is trying to implement." Posted by Anonymous.
Well, Anonymous, no wonder you did not want to identify yourself.
Currently America Ranks 37 in the world, just behind COSTA RICA in quality of health Care. JAMAICA is 57.
BUT, when 8 specific criteria are used, Jamaica is ranked 8th - America is way behind.
YET, Jamaica uses 4.5 of a very small GDP to accomplish this, while America uses 15.4% of a HUMONGOUS GDP to accomplish much less - these are 2005 figures, so some MIRACLE may have occurred in the intervening 4 years....but I doubt that.
Yes America has hotel quality rooms and excellent equipment, but that does not make for excellent Health Care systems in and of themselves. Access in Jamaica is Free for All, yes, the wait may be tedious, but we'd rather die waiting than die without any HOPE of seeing a doctor because of no money.
And, if you have your own money, you go to a private hospital, and private doctor, just the same, and pay either out of pocket, or use Health Insurance. In Hotel quality hospitals.
For approx $300US per month, you are covered for almost any eventuality, and this includes dental and optical. Currently my company pays approx 20US dollars per person for Health Insurance.
No country is perfect, and the poorer the country, the more overburdened the system will be. But right now, what passes in America for a System, does not allow for far too many to have no access to health care at all.
Comment from Faith on September 14, 2009 at 1:41PM EST
Please comment with honesty please:
Where did your "the 13 trillion dollars to fund this health care reform is going to come"
WHEN DID YOU HEAR 13 TRILLION?
That was 1.3 quoted by the Republicans and 900 billion quoted by the President. If we are going to have a discussion let's not distort the facts.
Comment from Faith on September 14, 2009 at 1:45PM EST
But then again, who is really listening?
READ HIS LIPS! The Public Option is the last resort for people who cannot get on any other Health Care Plan. Therefore YOU will be fine.If you have no job you get a shot at the Public option.
Now, what is all the worry about insurance companies going out of business? Were you worried when they cut your neighbor off while making massive profit yearly? At no time has anyone been discussing GOVERNMENT TAKE OVER, just offering a non profit PUBLIC OPTION. The word OPTION being the key.
As for those who posit that Obama only wants to say "I did it" well, your reluctance to support can be also read as you trying to prove "No he CAN'T!"