Health care: A hot topic

During his 1944 State of the Union address, President Franklin D. Roosevelt expressed the importance of health care in the lives of Americans. He declared that every citizen has the “right to adequate medical care and the opportunity to achieve and enjoy good health.”

Since FDR’s address, health care has evolved into a hot-button issue comprised of many facets. Today, the focus, being driven by the efforts of President Barack Obama and others, is on health care reform. Health care reform is a priority of the president.

Obama said in his Sept. 9 address to congress “I am not the first President to take up this cause, but I am determined to be the last.”

Since his speech, opinions about current and proposed health care plans have been made obvious by the politicians, those in the media and Americans who hold them.

The president cannot enforce health care reform on his own, though.

Support from Congress is necessary for any change in health care policies to take place. Different congressional committees are currently working to pass their own acts in reforming health care policies.

Four of the major Democratic plans for health care reform are Principles of Health Reform, America’s Healthy Future Act of 2009, Affordable Health Choices Act and America’s Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009.

“Principles for Health Reform”

Principles for Health Reform, President Barack Obama’s vision for health care reform was announced Feb. 26.

In Obama’s address to Congress on Sept. 9, he stated that insurance companies would be required to cover, at no charge, check-ups and preventive care.

The principles include that insurance companies cannot decline coverage based on a pre-existing medical condition and coverage cannot be dropped if an individual becomes sick.

To prevent citizens from being uninsured, health coverage would be required. Businesses that choose not to provide insurance would have to “chip-in” to cover health care expenses.

Obama wants to see a public option that would be available in insurance exchanges for individuals and small businesses.

A cap on out-of-pocket charges would be enacted and there would be no cap on annual or lifetime benefits. Tax credits would also be available to alleviate the burden of health care costs.

The Affordable Health Choices Act

The Affordable Health Choices Act, a plan through the Senate HELP (Health, Education Labor and Pensions) Committee was announced June 9 and passed through the committee July 15.

The bill provides a “community health insurance option” public option that is self-sufficient in that it receives its funding through premiums.

The act prohibits the declining of coverage based on pre-existing medical conditions and the cancellation of a plan for any reason other than fraud.

Should the plan pass, coverage would be required for all Americans and a penalty would ensue for the uninsured.

The plan would limit out-of-pocket expenses and provide tax credits for those who need assistance.

The act states that employers with more than 25 employees who do not provide coverage are subject to a $750 annual fee per full-time employee and a $375 fee per part-time employee.

The America’s Affordable Health Choices Act

The America’s Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009, a plan through the House Tri-Committee was announced June 19 and passed through the committee Nov. 7.

The plan would create a state-based insurance exchange and a not-for-profit public health option. The public option would operate only by its premiums.

The act would ban discrimination based on any prior medical conditions, but premiums could vary based on age, geography and family size.

Annual out-of-pocket spending would be limited to prevent medical expense-related bankruptcies.

Coverage is not required under the plan, but a penalty exists for those not insured.

Employers have the option to provide health insurance to employees or contribute funds towards coverage on their employees’ behalves.

Income-based tax credits are available to help with the cost of insurance.

The America’s Healthy Future Act of 2009

The America’s Healthy Future Act of 2009, a plan through the Senate Finance Committee, was announced Sept. 16 and passed through the committee on Oct. 13.

Under this plan, individuals would be required to obtain coverage or face a fine. Businesses with 50 or more full-time employees must offer coverage or pay a penalty if the employee uses federal subsidies to buy insurance. The penalty is up to $400 per employee. For individuals or small businesses that cannot afford to purchase a plan, tax credits will be provided to lessen the cost.

Under the plan, no American would be denied insurance or pay more based on gender or a pre-existing medical condition.

The act would create a states-based health insurance exchange where individuals and businesses could compare and shop for coverage. Members of Congress would be required to purchase insurance using the same methods as other Americans.

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Nov 13 2009. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry