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Politics 101: What is health care reform?
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The term "health care reform" is actually quite misleading. The legislation that is currently sweeping through congressional committees in Washington right now is actually health care insurance reform, a very different beast.
Essentially what President Obama has said is that he wants every person living in America to have health insurance coverage. According to White House numbers, there are 47 million people in the U.S. without it. Those numbers are debatable however and could be significantly less when one removes those earning in excess of $50,000 per year (because they could afford coverage but choose not to pay for it), those who are not legal U.S. citizens (approximately 10 million), and many more who are already eligible for government health care insurance options such as Medicare and Medicaid but have not signed up.
Members of congress and the senate are drafting thousands of pages of legislation to accomplish the president's goal. Though a final bill has not yet been drafted, here's what's been reported so far.
* It will be mandated for every American to participate in health insurance. There is still debate as to whether you will be able to keep your current plan as employers will soon have the option of dropping private insurance (and pay a tax to the government), keeping your current plan, or shopping around for a cheaper program.
* There will be "surplus" taxes for the "rich" (as defined by congress) to help pay for the new government service. Reports thus far have estimated that any individual or business making more than $250,000 would be subject to the tax. The consequences of further taxing those who provide jobs, contribute to charity, and help the economy grow have not been evaluated by congress or the Congressional Budget Office yet.
* The price tag for this legislation will top $1,000,000,000,000.
* There will be a new government agency charged with determining what is acceptable, affordable and treatable. All plans currently in committees add the creation of a "rationing body" of sorts to constantly evaluate and change the health care system. This government body will not be restrained by congress and its members will be chosen by the administration.
* Under all plans in review, Congress, the Senate, their staff, and the White House staff will be exempt from participating in the public option program. They will keep their current insurance, doctors, etc. There have also been reports that unions will not have to participate in the program or pay taxes and penalties associated with the program.
Though the president held a press conference on July 22, 2009 to help explain what exactly the health care insurance reform will look like, many Americans are still unsure of what it all means. Will they be able to keep their current doctor? Will the government be the "middle man" in determining procedures, medicines and care? How exactly will the American people pay for this program? Will illegal immigrants be able to participate in the program?
When asked what the American people will have to sacrifice to accomplish the president's ambitious goals, he replied, "They're going to have to give up paying for things that don't make them healthier." - July 22, 2009 press conference.
Obama didn't go into specific detail, but one has to ask, does that mean certain tests to determine illness or injury will be denied? Though a test doesn't make you healthier, it no doubt may be a desired service. Different drugs work differently on different human bodies. Does this mean that a drug that only helps a few will be denied in favor of a drug that helps the masses? The new government health agency will answer that question.
Quite possibly the most revealing question of the press conference was from Steve Koff of the Cleveland Plain Dealer:
"One, can you guarantee that this legislation will lock in and say the government will never deny any services, that that's going to be decided by the doctor and the patient, and the government will not deny any coverage?"
The President's response:
"No. The whole point of this is to try to encourage changes that work for the American people and make them healthier."
Healthier as determined by whom? Will the government rationing body have access to our healthcare records? Likely. Will that body be able to determine the best care for a patient in Roanoke while seated at a fancy mahogany conference table in Washington D.C.? We'll have to see.
For more details on the president's plan for health care insurance reform, please click here:
Health Care
AP Photo Pablo Martinez Monsivais
