HEALTH CARE REFORM

One would have to be living in a barrel on a jungle island not to have heard or read about “Health Care Reform” that is being considered by the Congress.  Everyone should read as much as possible of the bills being considered in the House of Representatives and Senate.  They are available on-line on the websites of most of the members of Congress. 

These bills are truly an overhaul of both health insurance and the manner in which patients will receive health care in the future, especially if a “public option” is included in the final bill. 

The two main arguments put forth for passing such legislation are cost of health care and lack of coverage for certain groups of people.  Currently, the expected outlays for Social Security Retirement, Social Security Disability, Medicare, and Medicaid over the next 25-30 years exceed expected tax receipts by 43 trillion dollars.  Clearly, there is a strong motivation on the part of the Federal Govern-

ment to reduce costs.  How they plan to do this is outlined in the bills.  Since a large percentage of health care dollars are spent on Medicare recipients in the last six months of life, limiting care to older patients could save the government vast amounts of money. 

Those who don’t have health insurance total about 47 million people.  About 17 million of these could afford insurance, but they are young and healthy and don’t want to pay for insurance that they will not use.  Another group of some 15 million or so are undocumented aliens from other countries.  Finally, about 12-15 million uninsured really need insurance and do not have it.  Many of these may qualify for Medicaid or Medicare, and the bills in Congress address this problem by expanding coverage under Medicaid. 

The bills increase taxes in various areas.  “Cadillac” health insurance plans, will be taxed at a rate of about 40%.  Such plans have been purchased by employers to cover highly paid employees and by employers and labor unions to cover members of labor unions.  Employers who do not purchase health insurance for their employees will be taxed, as will individuals who choose not to purchase health insurance.

Everyone should become familiar with the details of the bills in Congress and write their senators and representatives to let them know their opinions.