More people want health care reform. Here’s why
For all the complaints from critics that Obama’s health care reform will push costs up, it’s become clear that health insurance costs are going to continue to soar no matter what. A survey of large employers shows that 56 percent will pass higher costs on to their workers next year:
Many say they may charge more to cover spouses, tighten eligibility standards for their health plans and dispense financial rewards or penalties based on the results of certain lab tests. At some companies, employees who are overweight could be excluded from the most desirable plans.
Meanwhile, employees at many companies can expect significantly higher premiums, deductibles and co-payments, according to the annual survey by the National Business Group on Health, a coalition of big employers, and Towers Watson, a consulting firm that advises companies on employee benefits.
“This shows that the constant, unrelenting increases in health-care costs are going to cost employees and their families more and more,” said Helen Darling, president of the business group. Faced with rapidly rising medical expenses, “employers are going to have to do something,” she said.
People who work for large corporations have some of the most stable and comprehensive medical coverage in the nation. They are insulated from insurance industry practices at the heart of the Washington health-care debate, such as having their policies rescinded after getting sick or being denied coverage based on preexisting conditions. However, the new survey is a reminder that even people who are satisfied with their insurance plans cannot count on a continuation of the status quo.
With or without reform, coverage at big corporations is likely to become less affordable, and it could become more restrictive.
That may help explain why support for health care reform is trending upward, as this poll of polls shows:
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203 comments Add your comment
TnGelding
March 11th, 2010
8:39 am
It’s trending upwards because some of the misrepresentaion by the GOP has been debunked. But the cost is going up regardless, unless we start using our health care dollars more wisely, and it might not include insurance in some cases.
As I’ve said many times before, Medicare for all! The required tax would be much less than employers and employees are paying for insurance.
Grayson introduces Public Option Act
Congressman Alan Grayson, (D-Orlando), today introduced a bill (H.R. 4789) which would give the option to buy into Medicare to every citizen of the United States. The “Public Option Act,” also known as the “Medicare You Can Buy Into Act,” would open up the Medicare network to anyone who can pay for it.
Congressman Grayson said, “Obviously, America wants and needs more competition in health coverage, and a public option offers that. But it’s just as important that we offer people not just another choice, but another kind of choice. A lot of people don’t want to be at the mercy of greedy insurance companies that will make money by denying them the care that they need to stay healthy, or to stay alive. We deserve to have a real alternative.”
david wayne osedach
March 11th, 2010
8:46 am
I lived in the UK for three years; worked there and used their NHS – National Health Service. Doctors, medicines and hospital visits for everyone. We should do the same!
Granny Godzilla
March 11th, 2010
8:47 am
Morning all!
Did you see that the list of senators supporting the public option hit 41 last night?
It’s a good thing.
Ragnar Danneskjöld
March 11th, 2010
8:52 am
Rasmussen March 5, 2010 agrees that the hostility to Obamacare is diminished:
The president’s health care summit last week seems to have nudged up support for the reform plan, but 52% of U.S. voters continue to oppose it. Forty-four percent (44%) are now in favor of the plan.
Most U.S. voters (55%) would rather see Congress scrap the original plan and start all over again
Sixty percent (60%) of voters believe Democrats should change the bill to win support from a reasonable number of GOP’s. This finding is similar to the those found in October and August of last year. Only 31% believe Democrats should go ahead and pass the bill without Republican support.
Thirty-seven percent (37%) now think it would be better to build on the health care plan
Scout
March 11th, 2010
8:55 am
What we WANT is less government control of our lives in ALL areas ………………. this one is a monster that we will live to regret if it is passed.
Chris
March 11th, 2010
8:58 am
Sure if you ask people if they “Want healthcare reform” more will answer affimatively…What they DON’T want is Obamacare as THE solution….Why can’t the Democrats and lapdog media understand that? Why do they feel it HAS to be OBAMACARE or absolutely NOTHING at all? There can be a middleground.
Scout
March 11th, 2010
9:01 am
Headline (CNN): “Ex-Obama adviser: Democrats may get ’slaughtered’ in election”
The “backlash” is coming ………….. get ready.
T-Town
March 11th, 2010
9:02 am
While I will agree that our health care system will need some TLC, the health of our economy will be on life support if we don’t get more people working again. Affordable HC will be less important if my children don’t have enough to eat because I am not working. Affordable HC will be less important to my children as we pack ourselves into our small apartment because they foreclosed on my house. Affordable HC will be less important to my children if I don’t have enough money to purchase gas to get them to an affordable health care facility. If you’re hungry, affordable HC means very little.
Mark
March 11th, 2010
9:14 am
Middleground? Obamacare or nothing? That is a laugh. The majority among Democrats already have given up far too much in an effort to get some support of the Republicans and the right-wing Democrats. Republicans keep pointing out the polls showing disapproval of the Democrat’s plan. When do we hear about the majority supporting the public option?
Shawny
March 11th, 2010
9:21 am
spin, spin, spin.
Americans want insurance reform. Americans want health costs to be lower. Many Americans even want ‘free’ coverage for those (legal citizens) that can’t afford it.
If you ask the straight up question, “do you want the US govt to compete directly with private companies (public option)?” and you reveal the SPECIFIC details as to the plan for this, more than half will say no.
If you give Americans the details behind all of the dem bills so far that offer under the table deals, kickbacks, other assorted wastes of taxpayer dollars, etc., then they will also reject the bills.
Start over. Make it right. Keep it very simple and keep out the crap. Govt “competion” is not competition. It is heavy handed, unequal playing field bullying.
Ron
March 11th, 2010
9:23 am
It appears we should force all companies (they are greedy- much different than the non greedy politicians) and move to the UK where everything is peachy (really?). Then we can really make things happen. For those of you waiting for government the lifeline- is 9 feet long and you are 12 feet away from the moving and drifting. Obama will soon join Gore as a very rich (he is already rich) ex politician, Bush didn’t need the office to improve his net worth. Anyway, I still remain concerned about the ever increasing dependence on others- especially when the others appear to have no substance except looking for Enron type loopholes.
Tax Target
March 11th, 2010
9:23 am
“Want” and “need” are two very different things, i.e., I want a number of “things”, but need very few after I objectively weigh the cost/benefit.
I’m still looking for the objective one-pager factsheet or FAQ which expains what the current health care reform proposal is, what it will cost and what it means (impact) to each SES/income level — does this exist??
Dee keith
March 11th, 2010
9:23 am
As usual ignorant/conservative don’t understand that it will be difficult for any job growth in this country as long as businesses continue to choose between HC and jobs, they are both tied into each other. As for Obamacare, refer to the RNC’s powerpoint presentation, before addressing individuals using that term. What most people want is single payer, or at least a PO.
LibraryJim
March 11th, 2010
9:27 am
Nancy Pelosi: “We need to pass the Healthcare bill so we can find out what’s in it.”
Um, no. we need to find out what’s in it BEFORE you pass it. That’s like saying “Here, sign this binding contract. Don’t worry about what’s in it, I’ll explain all that after you sign it.” Or: “Just say ‘I Do’. I’ll explain what your vows are after the wedding.”
Never a good idea. Scrap the plan and start over with a simpler, easier to understand, SHORTER bill.
Mark
March 11th, 2010
9:29 am
“If you ask the straight up question, “do you want the US govt to compete directly with private companies (public option)?” and you reveal the SPECIFIC details as to the plan for this, more than half will say no.”
Actually, most will say YES to public option. If you distort and lie about the specifics, no wonder they will say no.
NYorker
March 11th, 2010
9:31 am
haha…the piper will take your whole party off a cliff, keep it up Nov is almost here!! Acron is gone, good luck creating votes this time around…we want reform just not his idea of reform.
Whacks Eloquent
March 11th, 2010
9:31 am
What gets me is the arrogance of the lawmakers regarding it. Nancy Pelosi on record saying “we have to pass the bill so that you can find out what is in it” and now them talking about this Slaughter plan, where they weasel around a true vote by voting on some stupid rule that says that the Senate plan passes as is.
I pray the American people are not this stupid. Nancy and her pals think they are the intellectual giants of the country, and that they don’t need to explain or justify their actions. Yes, we need health care reform. Yes, public sentiment is growing. If so, then why not sit back a bit, and make modifications to make it truly useful for America. As it is now, the benefits won’t be seen for 4 years! There has to be something we can do cheaper that will help cover the uninsured much quicker. The current courses of action are sophomoric though, and if Pelosi et al insist on using them, they will swing that public sentiment right around again and wind up at the unemployment offices themselves come November.
Biff Jones
March 11th, 2010
9:36 am
A tax payer voting for Obama care is like a chicken voting for Col Sanders
Morrus
March 11th, 2010
9:36 am
Vote out the incumbents and start over
Drifter
March 11th, 2010
9:37 am
The Democrats are going to take a beating later this year and in 2012, but I believe people are starting to realize that doing nothing (like the Republicans did) is as dangerous as passing the reforms currently being considered in Congress.
chuck allison
March 11th, 2010
9:37 am
Nobamacare
ctucker
March 11th, 2010
9:39 am
Dee, I agree with your sentiments, but don’t call those with whom you disagree “ignorant.”
MiltonMan
March 11th, 2010
9:39 am
Let’s just give more responsibilities to our goervment since they do so well in other areas like the VA hospitals that were crumbling apart, having a monopoly on our public education system that produces kids who can’t read/write, Medicare/Medicade that is wrought with fraud, etc. etc.
ctucker
March 11th, 2010
9:40 am
T-Town, There is a direct link between health care and jobs. As long as employers are spending a lot on health care, they are not going to hire more workers.
ctucker
March 11th, 2010
9:40 am
Rasmussen leans to the right, Ragmar. Most other pollsters discount him
Dee keith
March 11th, 2010
9:40 am
If Repugs. were so sure that Obamacare would be an electoral disaster for Dems. then let it pass, and let the voters decide, but they won’t do that, because they know the opposite will happen. When it passes their will be no death panels, and then they will say the death panels will come before the 2012 Presidential elections.
ctucker
March 11th, 2010
9:41 am
Good for you, osedach. So, when you speak of health care in the UK, you actually know what you’re talking about
MiltonMan
March 11th, 2010
9:42 am
Dee, I grew up “poor” in Alabama worked hard, went into the military (saw the world), had my college education (BS & MS) paid by the GI Bill, became conservative and live comfortably in North Fulton. That makes me ignorant???
If anything, makes you look clueless
Granny Godzilla
March 11th, 2010
9:44 am
I welcome the GOP running in 2010 and 2012 to repeal HCR.
I applaud it. I revel in it. I highly suggest it.
Yessiree. Go for it!
JMoore
March 11th, 2010
9:45 am
Minorities pay almost no income tax. Many receive, EIC, headstart, Medicaid, etc. Why do they have the privilege of voting themselves more entitlements? This madness must stop.
MiltonMan
March 11th, 2010
9:46 am
Yes, socialist healthcare is the best. This is why the Canadian premier came to the US for his heart surgery.
Dee keith
March 11th, 2010
9:46 am
ctucker I apologize, I try my best to give Conservatives the benefit of the doubt, which is to say they are not as ignorant as they sound, but then they open their mouths and remove my doubt, but I will try to keep in line with the RNC powerpoint presentation of REACTIONARY.
Barry
March 11th, 2010
9:47 am
I believe the polls show most people want health insurance reform. Health insurance is currently not operating in a free market, nor even in a relatively free market. It is highly regulated and some of those regulations result in higher costs. Open up the markets and let companies truly compete for your business across state lines. Make health insurance costs deductible from taxes. Let people form risk pools to buy group coverage (like they can already do with car insurance). These are relatively small tweaks with small costs that can be done incrementally, studied and easily changed if some unintended impact is discovered. Two thousand page bills are not about health care, they are about control. Just look at how many times “shall” and “must” are in the bill. Just think, for the first time ever, the Federal government is going to require private citizens to purchase something (don’t bring up car insurance, if I don’t drive or own a car, I don’t have to have insurance). As for single payer, any one who wants the government to run health insurance just doesn’t understand the problem. Many of the current insurance issues are a direct result of Medicare/Medicaid. Both systems are basically broke and ridden with fraud and abuse (more than $40 Billion a year – possibly as much as 80!!!!). The government doesn’t do anything efficiently – just look at how well it managed the swine flu vaccines this year. Horrible.
MiltonMan
March 11th, 2010
9:49 am
Granny, be very careful what you wish for. If the election results in NJ, VA & the most liberal state of them all MA does not clue you in that most Americans are not buying this current joke of a President, you have you head in the sand – change your name to Granny Ostrich
The Tar and Feathers Party
March 11th, 2010
9:49 am
Democrats will be crushed at the polls come November, they will lose 50 seats in the House, and ten in the Senate. ObamaCare smells of defeat, decay, and a dying Empire. The passage of ObamaCare will accelerate the death of the American Empire by at least 5 years…and we only have ten years left.
Tammi
March 11th, 2010
9:50 am
The american people don’t want THIS turkey called Health Care Reform as concieved by Obmam and peddled by Pelosi and Reid ( peddled of course being the operative word). This bill is a fiscal disaster, an unnessary disruption to millions of patients and a drag on our economy. Tucker has her marching orders from Rham and it’s all out this week for Obamacare.
Why in the world would we trust our healthcare to the people behind this bill? I can’t imagine.
retiredds
March 11th, 2010
9:50 am
I have talked to many people from all different political and social perspectives and we agree that the US healthcare system needs reforming. Here is a simple (some may call it a simpleton) solution for starters. Do as some of us have done, write, pen a letter and have it delivered snail mail, to your Congressman/Congresswoman and Senators and tell them you want the plan they have, now. See what response you get, if any. I got one that told me how bad the other side’s proposals were and how good his proposals were, but not a word about letting the American people have the same plan as he has.
Drifter
March 11th, 2010
9:51 am
Barry, I’d say the government is already forcing me to buy disability and retirement insurance by ripping me off for over 15% of my pay right off the top. I hate that too, but government ripoffs are nothing new.
MiltonMan
March 11th, 2010
9:53 am
Dee, I guess that all Democrats are the greatest, most knowledgeable people around. Please explain then why our president called a Navy personnal a “corpse” man and not “core” man. If Bush had said that all of you DemoRats would be up in arms.
Mark
March 11th, 2010
9:53 am
“Yes, socialist healthcare is the best. This is why the Canadian premier came to the US for his heart surgery.”
Thisis a good example of what is wrong with the arguments against the health care reform bill. First, there is no “socialist healthcare” in the bill. Second, the US has, in many respects, the best medical technology, by not the best health care, which the bill is about. Whether somebody comes to the US for a specific procedure is totally irrelevant to the discussion.
Mark
March 11th, 2010
9:56 am
“The government doesn’t do anything efficiently – just look at how well it managed the swine flu vaccines this year. Horrible.”
Just look how well the government has managed the swine flu vaccines this year – after the private sector failed to deliver what it promised. The government does not produce any vaccine!
Mark
March 11th, 2010
10:01 am
“Federal government is going to require private citizens to purchase something (don’t bring up car insurance, if I don’t drive or own a car, I don’t have to have insurance).”
One of the silliest arguments on record. Just do not buy the car if you do not want to buy car insurance. And die when you cannot get a job because none is available if you don’t have a car, when you cannot go to a store because it is too far, etc.
Mark
March 11th, 2010
10:02 am
” I guess that all Democrats are the greatest, most knowledgeable people around. Please explain then why our president called a Navy personnal a “corpse” man and not “core” man.”
Gee, perhaps we should impeach him?
The Tar and Feathers Party
March 11th, 2010
10:02 am
From todays Washingtonpost: “Most big employers plan to shift a larger share of health-care costs to their workers next year, according to a survey to be released Thursday.”
Shawny
March 11th, 2010
10:04 am
“If Repugs. were so sure that Obamacare would be an electoral disaster for Dems. then let it pass, and let the voters decide, but they won’t do that, because they know the opposite will happen.”
uh, no, they know if they let it pass, meaning give up, then they themselves will be in the unemployment line with the other 10% of Americans.
Del
March 11th, 2010
10:04 am
With or without reform, coverage is likely to become less affordable and more restrictive.
Cynthia seems to be supporting Dick Durban”s comment that no one should believe that premiums won’t rise with health care reform. It also conflicts with Obama’s claim that his reform will reduce both premiums and the deficit. The lib’s are confused as is everyone as to what will actually happen, however, the majority still believe that the results will produce more cost and a higher deficit along with a heavy burden on the middle class. No acceptance is not trending upward.
sam
March 11th, 2010
10:05 am
once the smoke clears and the bill is seen for what it is (reform) and isnt (g’ment takeover/single payer) people will judge it on its merits not what they have been told it is…maybe that is whats happening?
M Percy
March 11th, 2010
10:06 am
Today’s ratio of words from Ms. Tucker as compared to those she has borrowed from others: 69 to 229. One whole sentence of her own creation that was not merely introducing words from others is almost a new low.
Fang1944
March 11th, 2010
10:06 am
A poll by the AP this week found that 4% of Americans want health care to stay as it is; everybody wants a change.
Polls by ABC, CBS, CNN show that a strong majority favor the President’s proposals when they are told what the proposals are.
Of course, if you ask them, “Do you want evil, totalitarian, socialist health care?” they’re apt to say that they don’t.
Mark
March 11th, 2010
10:07 am
retiredds: Petrhaps you have not noticed that the current plan calls for creation of exchanges where people and businesses could get together and negotiate with private insurance companies insurance plans for their members – which is what our representatives in the Congress have.