AHIP PERSPECTIVE: AHIP Statement on House Health Care Reform Proposal
Posted by The Campaign on July 14, 2009 at 6:07 PM
Below is a statement from America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) on draft health care reform legislation that was released today:
"We strongly support comprehensive, bipartisan health care reform that makes care more affordable, improves quality, and covers all Americans. Health plans have proposed a comprehensive overhaul of market rules and new consumer protections to achieve universal coverage, guarantee coverage for pre-existing conditions, discontinue rating based on health status or gender, and ensure continuity of care and portability of coverage.
"We oppose a government-run plan because it would dismantle employer-based coverage, increase the federal budget deficit, put at risk local hospitals, and turn-back-the-clock on innovations in health care quality and safety.
"The American people insist that those who like their current coverage should be able to keep it. Yet estimates show that a government-run plan would cause 100 million people to lose their current coverage. Moreover, massive Medicare Advantage cuts would cause millions of seniors to lose their Medicare Advantage coverage altogether, while millions more would face benefit cuts and higher out-of-pocket costs.
"A better approach is to pursue reforms that can achieve broad bipartisan support, including strengthening the health care safety net, enacting new consumer protections, promoting shared responsibility, and transforming the delivery system to reward quality and value. The nation wants a uniquely American approach to health care reform. Health plans are committed to this process and will do our part to help make this goal a reality."
