Posted 10:25 pm Sunday, September 27, 2009
September 27: Flawed Legislation
Last week Sen. Max Baucus released his Senate Finance Committee's long-awaited version of health care reform. Regrettably, it is a deeply flawed bill which fails to meet the criteria set forth by President Barack Obama for meaningful reform.
There are some very troubling key provisions in this bill which would place an enormous and unfair burden on working people and older Americans, while letting insurers and employers off scot-free
The excise tax on certain "high-cost" health plans makes a lie of the promise that people will be able to keep the coverage they have now. There is virtually no employer responsibility to provide coverage or pay into a fund so their workers can get a subsidy when purchasing coverage on their own. The only employer requirement is minimal, calling on employers to pay up to $400 for any worker who has to obtain a subsidy to get insurance.
The Baucus bill fails to provide a public health insurance plan as was included in the House bills. The problem with state and regional co-ops is that they would not have enough market "clout" and absolutely no ability to drive down overall health care costs.
Now, during the "mark up" of the bill, is the time for rational, thoughtful citizen involvement in the legislative process. The demagoguery, misrepresentation and fear-mongering should be behind us. Now is the time for each of us to call on our senators to support a robust public health insurance option; to dump the excise tax or drastically change it; and include a "pay or play" requirement on employers.
Shane Fox
Executive Board, Alliance for Retired Americans
Vice President, Texas Alliance for Retired Americans
Executive Board, Alliance for Retired Americans
Vice President, Texas Alliance for Retired Americans
