Healthcare Reform - Opinions, Surveys, Legislative Contacts

November, 2009 - Health Care Bills

• Senate Bill - "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act" (Reid) - $849 billion - passed 1st Senate hurdle on November 13, 2009
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• HR3962 Bill -  "Affordable Health Care for America Act" (Pelosi) - $1.055 trillion - passed Congress on November 7, 2009
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• Senate FINANCE Committee Bill - "America's Healthy Future Act of 2009" - $829 billion - passed committee on October 13, 2009
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• House TRI-COMMITTEE Bill - "America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009" (HR3200) - $1.042 trillion - passed committee on July 14, 2009
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• Senate HELP Committee Bill ($611 billion) - passed committee on July 2, 2009
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 October 12, 2009 - Letter to the Editor (Commercial Appeal):   In yesterday's article, "Health Reform Gaining Support", President Obama is quoted as saying that he sees "unprecedented consensus" to remake the nation's health care system. His use of the phrase, "unprecedented consensus", implies agreement on specifics. This is NOT THE CASE. Even a simplistic observation of the media reports suggests otherwise. The reality is that there are few people who say health care reform is not necessary or appropriate. The President's comments imply agreement on the solution. Many of our nation's governors, as well as many Washington insiders, are NOT IN AGREEMENT on the proposed solutions for reform. The public is certainly not in support of the plans that have been proposed by Senate and Congressional Committees. Governors know that their State budgets will be overwhelmed with increased Medicaid costs due to cost-shifting by the Federal Government. People in Memphis need to let their Congressman know how they feel. REFORM IS GOOD; the WRONG REFORM COULD BE DISASTROUS.  Philip S. Johnson, Partner, Argyle Benefits Consultants, LLC

September 8, 2009 - Decoding the Debate:

Decoding the Debate.  Over the last 6 weeks, we have had the opportunity to present information to our clients and friends regarding the current "health care reform" debate.  We hope to provide well-researched, accurate information that can help you evaluate the options under consideration.  The information is continually changing.  This Power Point document is current through Labor Day (9/7/2009).

Healthcare Reform...What's the Hurry?  President Obama is “moving too quickly”.  He said yesterday when he spoke to the AFL-CIO in Ohio that “the time is now”.  “We need to stop talking, and act.”  It is our belief that this is fundamentally wrong.  Surely candid, open discussion of the options would provide a more meaningful, acceptable solution to meeting the goals that everyone seems to agree on.  Link to our Comments.

August 24, 2009 - Understanding the ISSUES:

• Will Illegal Aliens Be Covered? (August 14, 2009)
• Will I Be Able to Keep My Coverage? (July 15, 2009)

July 27, 2009 - ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS REGARDING HEALTHCARE REFORM:

Thanks to those of you who attended our Healthcare Reform Seminar at Financial Resource Management on Tuesday afternoon.  Our hope is that the information we shared was both insightful and motivating.

PLEASE CONSIDER EMAILING OR PHONING OUR LEGISLATORS REGARDING YOUR OPINIONS ON THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION.

Our concern is multi-faceted, but most significantly relates to the following:

• We DO NOT need to be in a rush to complete this process.  Cool heads and considerate deliberation will produce a more acceptable plan for everyone.
• A "Public Plan" is NOT the solution for providing health insurance for all.  It is a train-wreck waiting to happen.  We have no idea what it will cost, and we have no idea how it will/should be funded.
• A system of "vouchers and tax credits" as proposed by Senator Jim DeMint (R-SC) would produce more significant results at a lower cost than either the House Tri-Committee Plan or the Senate HELP Committee Plan.
• With plan details exceeding 1,000 pages of legislation, it would seem that a description of the "plan designs" and "pricing" could be included.  Unfortunately,  we are asked to "trust" Congress to do the right thing for us.  THIS IS WRONG!  Not only should we (and our legislators) have the opportunity to evaluate the final product, but we should also have the opportunity to provide timely feedback to what is being proposed.
• Today (July 29, 2009), President Obama flippantly responded to a question regarding the provision on page 425 of the House Tri-Committee bill that would require individuals who are on Social Security to meet every 5 years with an ADVANCE CARE PLANNING CONSULTATION specialist. He suggested, initially, that the government did not have enough staff to do such work.  But, then indicated that the provision was included as a means of encouraging people to use LIVING WILLS to outline their desires regarding "end-of-life" care. WE BELIEVE THIS IS UNNECESSARY AND INTRUSIVE.  The provision should be removed from this bill.
• Congress and the President should acknowledge that if a government plan is good enough for one, it should be good enough for all.  THEY NEED TO BE INCLUDED.

You, as interested parties to Healthcare Reform, can help by letting Congress know your feelings on this topic.

June 27, 2009 -  Our Opinion Regarding Healthcare Reform:

Healthcare costs are out of control!  That's NOT the question.  The real question is what to do about it.  The parties to the healthcare reform equation all have different objectives:

• Individuals - Want broad access to care that includes the latest/greatest technologies/treatments...at low cost
• Physicians/Other Healthcare Providers - Want fair/appropriate payment for the services they render (typically those desired by the public)
• Government - Wants coverage for everyone...particularly a streamlined means of paying for care for our population of uninsureds
• Employers - Want to provide an employee benefit package that attract/retains valuable employees at a cost that is economically affordable and comprehensive
• Insurance Companies - Want a modest return on their investment for administering and processing claims, negotiating provider contracts, packaging products that meet consumer needs, and projecting healthcare costs in various markets and for different populations.

Most consumers would agree that healthcare in the U.S. is the "best in the world", and that the treatments/care available are reflective of our desires/expectations.  Yes...we pay for it (and, we may complain), but we expect the "latest/greatest" care.

So, is HEALTHCARE REFORM needed today?  Should healthcare reform be incremental, or should we totally re-define what we have grown to understand as "normal"?

YES...Healthcare Reform is needed.

NO...We should not re-define what we understand as "normal".

Our President is proposing a massive change in the structure of the healthcare industry...including Providers, Insurance Companies, Employers, and Insureds.

We say, "NO".

We believe, as Rep. Jan Schakowski (D-IL) has said, that the "public option is not a compromise, but a strategic step toward the single-payer system and the elimination of the private insurance industry."

We see a "public plan" as a plan:

1. that would become the only plan;
2. that would have an enormous budget impact;
3. that would result in the disintegration of choice in the consumer marketplace;
4. that would achieve a level of dissatisfaction on the part of consumers; and
5. that would not produce the targeted savings suggested by the Obama administration.