President Obama’s health care speech was aired live on all of the major networks and CNN tonight. Obama began his speech with two key statements: “I can say with confidence that we have pulled this economy back from the brink.” “I am not the first President to take up this cause [health care], but I am determined to be the last.”
He went on to state that 30,000,000 American citizens are without coverage. We spend 1 and a ½ times more than any other country and we have worse coverage. We know we must reform this system. Democrats believe that we should have a system like Canada’s, while Republicans believe we should end employer based systems, and let employees get their own health care coverage. Obama stated that we must bring the best ideas of both parties together.
This plan has three basic goals: to provide more security to those who have coverage, bring insurance to those who don’t have coverage, and to slow the growth of health care costs.
Obama stated that if you already have insurance…there will be no change. This plan will add some benefit to you. Under this plan, you cannot be denied coverage for a pre-existing condition. It will be against the law to drop your coverage or limit it. There will be a limit on out of pocket expenses, and prescription drugs. All insurance companies will be required to cover the basics of preventive care.
President Obama proposed a public insurance exchange – for new small businesses and people who are not covered and will be able to shop for affordable health insurance.
Tax credits will be provided for people who do not have insurance. Obama expects this public insurance exchange to be up and running within 4 years. And immediate affordable health care coverage will be available for those who cannot afford it…Obama said that no one should go broke because of a health problem.
Under this plan, everyone will be required to have health insurance, just as auto insurance coverage is currently required. Obama recognized John McCain for his ideas on insurance health care from his presidential campaign, and said he used some of his ideas in this plan.
Obama mentioned that none of this insurance coverage will cover abortions.
Obama stated that: consumers do better when there is choice and competition. In 34 states, 75% of the health care insurance companies are controlled by just 5 companies. These insurance reforms would keep those companies honest. This "Public Insurance Option" would only be an option for those who do not have insurance. He believes that less than 5% of the American public will sign up for this coverage. The “Public Insurance Option” would provide a good deal for consumers. He compared this plan to something like Medicare. If an American can’t find affordable coverage, Obama said they will be provided with a choice. The public insurance option will compete with private insurance companies.
President Obama went on to say that he will not sign a plan that adds any money to the deficit. Cuts will be made if the savings he promises don’t materialize. Obama believes that this plan will cost less than 900 billion dollars over 10 years, and will be paid for with money already being spent (and he mentioned that this is less than the war).
Obama mentioned Intermountain Health Care in Utah and another insurance company in California and how they can currently offer low cost health care, and that clearly it is possible for some companies can do this, and make a profit.
President Obama mentioned that this plan will take some time and effort to be ironed out, and received quite a loud chuckle on that one. Obama mentioned that we cannot fail at this...too many Americans are depending on us to provide quality health care. The speech lasted about 45 minutes.
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Comments
I am wondering where the figure of 30 million uninsured came from. For so long we have been told that the number of uninsured was closer to 46 million.
This is not a slip of the tongue, and means that someone has not been honest in the health care debate with the numbers that need to be addressed.
DON'T JUDGE ME!!!!!!!!!!!
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