My Open Letter on Health Insurance Reform

This August recess has seen a remarkable mobilization of legislators and activists for a national health insurance overhaul. The nation has been held rapt by torrents of news reports, town hall debates, right wing media distortions and rumors, and good old fashioned progressive activism. While it is not yet clear what the final legislation will look like, or how far our President will go to make sure that the bill he signs meets all of his original criteria, what is clear is that the progressives who are championing health insurance reform -- in Congress, on the blogs, and on the streets -- are grappling with the most important legislative issue of the day.

It is critical that we pass legislation to dramatically reform our health insurance system, and this reform should include a genuine public option, universal coverage, an end to insurance policy rescissions, and no restrictions against covering people with pre-existing conditions. These reforms are not simply important but are, in fact, a necessity if we are to fix our broken system and bring our nation's health care and health insurance industries into the 21st century.

I must say that progressives have done a lot this summer to help strengthen the backbone of their Democratic leaders on health insurance reform. Together, we have fought back against a massive, coordinated campaign of disinformation and lies designed to intimidate us with talk of mythical death panels, euthanasia, socialized medicine and other fictions. The forces that have worked hard to stoke populist anger against reform are the very ones that benefit from a health system which puts profits ahead of quality care for its patients.

The truth is on our side, and the status quo for health insurance is alarming: 47 million Americans are without health insurance, and 25 million more cannot afford to cover the gap between coverage and the actual cost of medical bills. Even those families with adequate health insurance are struggling to pay for premiums that are rising at five-times the rate of inflation. Thousands die each year because they are uninsured or under-insured.

The answer is simple: we need meaningful legislation to solve this crisis, and that legislation must include a strong public option, without which we will be unable to stem the dramatically mounting costs of the private market and, as the President has said, to "keep the insurance companies honest."

Let's drive the message home: we need health insurance reform, we need a strong public option, and we won't settle for less.

Comments

[billcole]

YES, our current system is suffering but not broken. It does need some change but they need not come in the form of a government run option. It is a false statement that this would create a level playing field for insurance.

I disagree that our health care system is the most expensive in the world. It might have the highest premiums, I don’t know, but not the highest cost. Many countries tax their people severely and we will also, direct and indirect, if the government option is passed. By the way, those people who choice a private option will be taxed to support the government option, is that fair? Why do we pay more for drugs developed in our own country than what it costs anywhere else, and fix tort. These two changes will reduce medical cost considerable.

The idea that the public option allows another choice with private option is only temporary. You know that many Democrats want a government only option with the difference paid for by taxes and fees. This will leave a government only option, is this what you want?

Insurance companies need to be able to operate in all states and not selected states, this would provide more options to choice.

[creolechild]

If you are concerned about receiving "real" health care reform in this country, please take the time to watch a video on our current system. The video was created by Oregon physicians who are advocating for the single-payer option. The video is very informative and helped me to gain a better understanding of various aspect of health care, as we know now it.

https://www.madashelldoctorstour.com/Mad_as_Hell_Video.html

These Oregon physicians are in the process of organizing a caravan designed to inform the public about the benefits of the single-payer option. At last count they will be stopping in approximately 23 states, on their way to demonstrate in Washington. They need volunteers and our support. Please spread the word.

[DestinationsUnknown]

Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) yesterday requested that six top insurance company executives appear before his subcommittee to explain how they do business. Kucinich has asked the six executives from Aetna, WellPoint, Cigna, Humana, Hemingway Health Care, and United Health to "put into context anecdotes of claims denials, deferrals, and policy rescission by insurers."

Can't wait for this!

[Samalabear]

I wonder if one of Obama's BFFs is going to show up, the one that got a star turn in his ABC town hall -- Ron WiIliams from Aetna, I think is his name was. Remember Wendell Potter's blog about this guy:

http://www.prwatch.org/node/8441

[luckylinkster]

The health insurance industry has had what now, 60-70 years to deliver an effective economic model for insuring the health of US citizens? Why has there been no dialogue about whether the economic model is sound? Isn't that what we as capatilists are supposed to be good at?

The economic model for insurance is to guage risk. It works quite well in assessing whether someone is a good driver, or if someone's home will burn, whether a buildings heat system boiler will burst or if a plane is safe to fly.

When it comes to someones health the cards are stacked against the enrolee (applicant). What has the insurance industry done? Minimize the chance that they will have to pay for a claim ( deny coverage because of a pre-existing condition; drop coverage if long-term illness occurs(recission); or just raise rates to price someone out of the pool. This is nothing more than a game of high-stakes poker, with the odds in favor of the insurance companys.

Over the last 70-odd years the insurance industry has not helped Americans become healthier. I would suggest that it is a failed economic model.
Why are we attempting to resuccitate a dead body?

[ekristfelt]

Lucky,
You may want to check into the heavy regulation both state and locally on the insurance companies that cause quite a bit of overhead.
There are some good insurance companies and while they cost more provide great coverage.
You may want to look at Non-Profit insurance entities.
The free market can do it better besides I do not trust the federal government to keep its promises. They really do not have a good track record.

[luckylinkster]

ekristfelt,

Look, all I'm saying is that whenever an analysis of operations is done the question comes up - what are the outcomes? Why are there still 50 million uninsured? That begs the question whether the current economic model can even deliver healthcare to all.

Isn't that what the moral imperative is? Trying to find or define boogymen only skews the attempt towards a solution.

[ADVOCATE4ZPG]

.....but you IMPLICITLY trust the insurance companies and their egregious, cost structures? How is that? Why do you support the regulated distribution of electricity, water, auto insurance, licensing for various privileges, et al., but you don't TRUST the Federal Government! If you're a BUSH-apologist, you apparently trust the FG to conduct a foreign policy based on false premises......

Could it be, just could it be, that YOU"VE picked up the "I do not trust" government as merely a residual mantra left over from the days of that "Murkan" IKON(???) Ronald Reagan who trusted "gub'ment" enough to run the deficit of his administration up five times the level on which he found it. Obviously he trusted that the U.S. "gub'ment" would be able to redeem the bonds!!!

What "promises"? That sounds so much like a disappointed child....denied a trip to the zoo, an ice cream, or a toy....possibly because the parent is short of cash....

The conclusion you reach from your non-analysis is about as shallow and substance-free as someone who doesn't trust "used car dealers/agents"!!!

[ekristfelt]

Why do we have so much faith in politicians? So let's assume that the current admin is putting UHC in place for our own good. Everything is fine and running well. Then the Admin changes 4-8 years later and they spend all the money on pet projects like they did with Social Security. This is a bad idea and the democrats passing this will cause another Reagan revolution.

Always love your country — but never trust your government!'
Robert Novack

[ADVOCATE4ZPG]

You trust ROBERT NOVACK as a source of wisdom on "economic policy"! Novack made his living, i.e., he was the venal agent of pseudo-con­servative, econ. forces, but you TRUST his impartiality.....? Your view have the ring of the parochiality of parental ignorance!

[nancytheragingliberal]

Thank you Rep. Jerrold Nadler for advocating for people like me who are being robbed blind by BC BS and the thieves just raised my rate by $200.00 per month for their crappy services. Americans must stop being used and abused by bailouts for crooked CEO's from banks and other corporations. Heath care is beyond recognition and must be fixed now by the Democrats. I don't recall working 24/7 for Dems and giving chunks of my money to have repubs invited to the conversation. They had their eight long, miserable years to screw up the country and the world. Out with all of them, I say.

[ADVOCATE4ZPG]

Correction, my youthful friend! The REPUBLICANS and pseudo-conservative have been blocking meaningful, HEALTH CARE REFORM since, at least, the 1950s. All that time, they've been on the hook from the insurance companies, and esp. the AMA!!!

However, like the French aristocracy in the late 18th Century, they will resist until displaced, imprisoned, exiled, or executed....!

[nancytheragingliberal]

Advocate, Thank you. I have something to look forward to and as you say, "they will be displaced, imprisoned, exiled, or executed. " Somehow, the little w. guy and sure-shot Dick have not had their a**es kicked, but I/we can dream for the day of reckoning. Right?

[textynn]

We need Single Payer. The Medical Health care industry has all the money it needs to reinvent itself like millions of unemployed Americans are trying to do, most in later years of their lives. Also we must remember that the Medical health Care industry must have the most brilliant and talented people working for them because the profits these leaders have made every year would indicate that these people are "off the charts" business geniuses . LOL. Close down for-profit health care all together. We don't need to compromise, the people are behind Single Payer and we deserve it.

Employer provided health care will only continue discrimination of health care against older Americans and those with health issues. To me, one of the most needed health care changes needed is to eliminate the need to be duly approved by an employer to get it.

Demanding that Americans get health care from employers creates a situation in which Americans must appeal to an employer like a date. The employee must remain healthy (cute) and perky (young) and in good shape (not cause the employers health care rates to rise) otherwise it's "Maybe we should start seeing other people. or I'm just not that in to you" And when this happens, you have sick and aging people being disenfranchised from health care.

[ADVOCATE4ZPG]

Your characterization of these MORES is apt!

[hoosier96]

Yes, we must have reform and everyone can help. Sign the petition!

http://www.freeourhealthcarenow.com/form.php

[joyfulworld]

Please explain to me why we need health insurance at all? What do the insurance companies contribute to health care? Do the agents, perhaps, give shots or set broken bones? Other than adding a completely unneeded bunch of paperwork, just what do they contribute?

[vanmungo]

Rep. Nalder keeps tossing around the term "strong public option" as though it means something. But until and unless he defines the specifics of that option, it's just an empty marketing slogan, like "change."

Most people ]assume that "public option" means "something like Medicare." But the current shriveled version of the public option (in HR3200 and the Senate HELP bill) is nothing like Medicare.

Unlike Medicare, it will be self-sustaining, not publicly funded; unlike Medicare, it will charge premiums and impose deductibles, making it unaffordable for the tens of millions most in need of help; unlike Medicare, it will have to negotiate provider fees on the same footing as HMOs--so no cost saving there, no cost savings of the single risk pool of single payer--according to the CBO, no cost savings period.

And no significant expansion of coverage, because it will be open only to those not already covered by employers, and even for them not until 2013!

This is a gift to the HMO lobby, pure consumer fraud-- a public option that is neither really public nor an option for most people!

This is just a ploy to divert people attention from the only real reform--Medicare for all.

See "Bait and Switch: How the Public Option Was Sold"

http://www.pnhp.org/blog/2009/07/20/bait-and-switch-how-the-%E2%80%9Cpublic-option%E2%80%9D-was-sold/

[DestinationsUnknown]

183 GOP amendments in that Senate Kennedy H.E.L.P Bill McCain and Hatch voted NO for

McCain said Healthcare was a privilege

Obama said Healthcare is a Civil Right

POINT out what Country First wanted in December 2008 CHAP 7

vs

CHAP 11 in June 2009- What Obama worked on getting.

Point out what would happen with Chap 7- for all those whining dealers.

Comments to takeover Financial Services- Program of Bush Administration

Define the word Unprecedented to these Murdoch Followers

Remind Murdoch followers of Sep 15- 2008

2008 Largest Corporate Loss in 2008 = Last Quarter

Explain what Bush and Rove did in 2003 for BANKS Private and Commercial

What was the ‘Administr­ation-wide effort to bring new tools and resources to would-be homeowners…’ after June 13, 2003?

National Homeownership Month, 2003
For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
June 13, 2003
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation

Homeownership is more than just a symbol of the American Dream; …

The Department of Housing and Urban Development is leading an Administration-wide effort to bring new tools and resources to would-be homeowners.

What were these NEW TOOLS AND RESOURCES?
LED by the ADMINISTRATION in 2003?

SIX YEARS AGO? RUBBERSTAMP GOP- MAJORITY!

[DestinationsUnknown]

First-

Call a lie a lie

Prove it and move on to the next one

[joyfulworld]

Good idea.

[humanbeing-rick]

"Let's drive the message home: we need health insurance reform, we need a strong public option, and we won't settle for less."
Thank you Congressman Nadler, you are a scholar and a genius.
Keep up the good work, and keep reminding us too.

Public option can include a single payer system, which I prefer myself, but we need something quick.
We cannot allow this health care tragedy to continue one more day than necessary.
It is the humanitarian thing to do.

[vanmungo]

There is so much confusion about this public option. Few people understand what it means

Single payer is not an "option"--it would include EVERYONE in a single risk pool: everyone in, nobody out, just like the systems in Canada in Europe, with no more for-profit private insurers. So publicly financed coverage would not be an "optIon." Every citizen would automatically be enrolled, just as in Medicare.

Most people assume that "public option" means "something like Medicare." But the current shriveled version of the public option (in HR3200 and the Senate HELP bill) is nothing like Medicare.

Unlike Medicare, it will be self-sustaining, not publicly funded; unlike Medicare, it will charge premiums and impose deductibles, making it unaffordable for the tens of millions most in need of help; unlike Medicare, it will have to negotiate provider fees on the same footing as HMOs--so no cost saving there, no cost savings of the single risk pool of single payer--according to the CBO, no cost savings period.

And no significant expansion of coverage, because it will be open only to those not already covered by employers, and even for them not until 2013!

This is pure consumer fraud, a gift to the HMOs, a ploy to divert people attention from the only real reform: Medicare for all.

See "Bait and Switch: How the Public Option Was Sold"

http://www.pnhp.org/blog/2009/07/20/bait-and-switch-how-the-%E2%80%9Cpublic-option%E2%80%9D-was-sold/

[vanmungo]

The sad reality is that WITH the shrunken public option being peddled by the Democrats, we have no reform either.

Do you even know the specifics behind the term "public option"?

There are many different versions of the public option, yet you treat it as though it were a single, well-defined entity.

The current, alarmingly shriveled version of the public option is nothing like Medicare. Unlike Medicare, it will be self-sustaining, not publicly funded; unlike Medicare, it will charge premiums and impose deductibles, making it unaffordable for the tens of millions most in need of help; unlike Medicare, it will have to negotiate provider fees on the same footing as HMOs--so no cost saving there, no cost savings of the single risk pool of single payer--according to the CBO, no cost savings period.

And no significant expansion of coverage, because it will be open only to those not already covered by employers, and even for them not until 2013! This is a gift to the HMO lobby, pure consumer fraud-- a public option that is neither really public nor an option for most people!

Even Dr. David Scheiner — Obama’s personal physician for 22 years — said, “It’s a bad bill. No bill is better than this bill."

See this article from Physicians for a National Health Plan:

"Bait and Switch: How the Public Option Was Sold" http://www.pnhp.org/blog/2009/07/20/bait-and-switch-how-the-%E2%80%9Cpublic-option%E2%80%9D-was-sold/

[WeMustSpeakOut]

Thank you Congressman Nadler!
Please rally your colleagues and stand firm on REAL humane healthcare reform!
H.R. 676 shows how it can be done!

We are battered and bruised from being thrown under the bus by corporate-owned legislators over and over again!

I applaud you and urge you to stand strong, speak loudly and firmly and gather as many of your fellow-legislators as you can!

[nlb]

Dear Representative Nadler:

Thank you for staying the course. Please pass a bill with a public option that anyone can opt into.

Good luck and courage to you.