Welcome to my vision for the future of HCR, as Washington Democrats respond to the public concerns, come together to craft a comprehensible message explaining their new approach, and then use reconciliation to turn the Senate bill into a truly good, and popular, piece of legislation.
From the offices of President Barack Obama, Representative Nancy Pelosi and Senator Harry Reid:
We have heard you. We have heard the anger as Washington wrestles over choices that should be yours to make. We have heard the frustration that nobody is listening. We have heard you, and we have responded.
We have applied a simple principle to our proposed health care reform bill, a simple principle that has made it immensely better. We are putting you back in charge.
Backroom Deals - Eliminated:
Legislation should be about you, the American public, not about backroom deals crafted to secure the vote of a skittish Senator. We have eliminated the Nebraska provision from the legislation, and no further insertion of state specific privileges will occur.
Public Option - Restored:
The choice of whether a private insurance company or a public option best serves your needs should be your decision, not a politician's. We have restored the public option, available to anyone who cannot get insurance through their employer.
The Mandate - Eliminated:
If you do not want to buy health insurance you shouldn't be forced to. We have replaced the Mandate with a Bargain: If you agree to maintain your insurance, or pay a fine when you don't, you will gain access to the public option and health insurers will offer you insurance regardless of preexisting conditions and never rescind your policy. If you choose to go without health insurance and not pay a fine, you will simply be in the same situation as now, subject to rescission and screens for pre-existing conditions. Either way, it is your choice.
Medicare Buyin - Restored:
Starting next year, people over the age of 50 will be able to buy into Medicare early. They will pay the full cost of their policy, receiving no special subsidies, simply gaining another health insurance option. Your health insurance, your choice.
National Marketplace - Created:
For the first time there will be a national marketplace for health insurance, creating a level of competition which does not exist at the present time. Without the monopolies existing in many states, a national marketplace will force insurers to compete. And, as we know, when companies compete, consumers win. The national marketplace will produce more choices, and better choices, for you.
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There has been a lot of hue and cry, argument and counter-argument, hemming and hawing about pieces of health care reform. The one thing we've become sure about is that this is not a "one size fits all" problem. So, we're taking the decisions away from the politicians and returning them to where they belong, to you. This healthcare bill will offer you every option possible, because no other person knows better than you what is right for you.