Policy Development: The Heritage Foundation Analyzes Current Reform Legislation
Posted by The Campaign on July 31, 2009 at 1:37 PM
The Heritage Foundation today released an analysis of various reform proposals being discussed.
Click here to read the analysis.
MUST SEE TV: Watch Mort Kondracke on Fox News Talk about Health Plans' Support for Reform
Posted by The Campaign on July 31, 2009 at 12:58 PM
Last night on Fox News, Roll Call's Mort Kondracke talked about the health plan community's support for reform.
Watch below to listen to his full comments about health plans:
MUST SEE TV: MSNBC Commentator Discusses Health Plans' Support for Reform and Political Rhetoric
Posted by The Campaign on July 31, 2009 at 12:38 PM
MSNBC's Morning Joe discussed health care reform this morning and the changing rhetoric coming out of Washington.
Watch below to get Andrea Mitchell's take on the health plan community's support for reform and the rhetoric being used now:
MUST SEE TV: AHIP's Mike Tuffin Discusses Health Plans' Support for Bipartisan Reform
Posted by The Campaign on July 31, 2009 at 11:55 AM
Watch the clip below as AHIP spokesperson Mike Tuffin discusses AHIP's support for bipartisan reform and the rhetoric coming out of Washington.
Fox Business News Interview Part 1:
On The Hill: Statement From Senator Grassley on Reform and Government-run Plan
Posted by The Campaign on July 30, 2009 at 4:56 PM
From a statement from Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), ranking member on the Senate Finance Committee:
"The public doesn't want a government takeover of the health care system that would put a government bureaucrat between patients and their doctors..."
AHIP's PERSPECTIVE: Statement on Health Care Reform Rhetoric
Posted by The Campaign on July 30, 2009 at 3:04 PM
AHIP STATEMENT ON HEALTH CARE REFORM RHETORIC
WASHINGTON, DC -- America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) today released the following statement from spokesman Robert Zirkelbach.
“Health care reform is far too important to be dragged down by divisive political rhetoric from Washington, DC.
“Health plans have been working in support of bipartisan health care reform for three years. Our community has proposed guaranteed coverage for pre-existing conditions, discontinuing rating based on a person’s health status or gender, and a personal coverage requirement to get everyone into the system. We have proposed far-reaching administrative reforms to slash paperwork, reduce medical errors, and ensure doctors and hospitals can focus on patient care.
“Countless physicians, hospitals and employers, and millions of concerned citizens agree that a government-run health care plan will dismantle employer-based coverage, bankrupt local hospitals and break the promise made to the American people that those who like their health plan can keep it.
“Health plans remain committed to working constructively in support of bipartisan health care reform.”
POLL VAULT: Americans Oppose New Tax on Health Plans
Posted by The Campaign on July 29, 2009 at 7:19 PM
The latest Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll was just released, click here for the full results. It includes this interesting finding:
48% of Americans are opposed to "Requiring insurance companies who offer expensive health plans with more
generous benefits than a standard plan to pay additional taxes."
POLL VAULT: New Polls Show Public's Concern About a Government-run Plan
Posted by The Campaign on July 29, 2009 at 7:14 PM
The latest New York Times/CBS News poll was released this evening, click here for the full results. Some key findings related to the public's views of a government-run plan are here:
69% very or somewhat concerned under government-provided health care the quality of their personal care will get worse
73% very or somewhat concerned under government-provided health care their access to medical tests and treatment will be limited
62% very or somewhat concerned under government-provided health care they would be required to change doctors
77% very or somewhat concerned under government-provided health care the cost of their own health care would go up
76% very or somewhat concerned under government-provided health care their taxes would go up
81% very or somewhat concerned under government-provided health care many businesses would have to cut jobs because they wouldn't be able to afford to provide insurance to all of their employees
POLL VAULT: New Economist/YouGov Poll Shows Public Satisfied with Health Insurance Coverage
Posted by The Campaign on July 29, 2009 at 11:36 AM
The latest Economist/YouGov poll has been released. Click here to see the full results.
One key finding from the poll:
75% of Americans are either very or somewhat satisfied with their personal health insurance coverage.
AHIP's PERSPECTIVE: Health Plans Support Consumer Protections
Posted by The Campaign on July 29, 2009 at 8:40 AM
Health Plans Support Consumer Protections
AHIP Proposal Includes Guarantee Issue, Rating Reform and Coverage Requirement
WASHINGTON, DC -- Health plans today reiterated their strong support for new market rules and consumer protections to cover all Americans and guarantee coverage for pre-existing conditions.
“Health insurance reform is an essential part of health care reform,” said AHIP President and CEO Karen Ignagni. “Health plans have listened to concerns of the American people and proposed reforms to cover everyone and make sure no one is locked out of the system because of a pre-existing condition.”
Last year, health plans offered a proposal that includes far-reaching market reforms and new consumer protections. Health plans proposed guaranteed coverage for pre-existing conditions, discontinuing rating based on a person’s health status or gender and a personal coverage requirement to achieve universal coverage. To learn more about AHIP’s reform proposal, please click here.
These proposals are highlighted in a new national television ad campaign AHIP launched last week in support of bipartisan health care reform. To view the ad please click here.
In a national survey, more than 70% of Americans signaled their support for a personal coverage requirement as part of a reform plan that includes market reforms, new consumer protections and tax credits. To read more on this poll, click here.
Background on Individual Market Reform
AHIP’s survey of the individual market shows that individually purchased health insurance is far more affordable and accessible than is widely known. The survey found that 9 out of 10 applicants undergoing medical underwriting were offered coverage. The plans commonly purchased by consumers provided financial protection and a wide range of benefits, including coverage for behavioral health, prescription drugs and preventive services.
Some individuals are unable to purchase individual health insurance coverage in the private market because of their health status. One approach taken by states to address this issue has been the enactment of guarantee issue legislation without a coverage requirement. These well-intentioned reforms have often resulted in severe unintended consequences, including significantly higher costs for all policyholders.
A report by Milliman, Inc. found that enactment of guarantee issue laws in the absence of a coverage requirement may incentivize people to defer seeking coverage until they have health problems – a situation which unfairly penalizes those who are currently insured. According to the report, states that implemented these laws saw a rise in insurance premiums, a reduction of individual insurance enrollment and no significant decrease in the number of uninsured. To learn more about the individual market survey please click here and the Milliman report please click here.
###
