State of Play: Health Care

THE NEED FOR REFORM

A new Consumers Union survey released this week shows the dire health care situation Americans are facing each day.

Findings:
28% lost or experienced cutbacks in healthcare coverage in the last year;
51% put off medical care to save money—from skipping doctor’s appointments to splitting pills to make their prescriptions last longer;
73% are very or somewhat concerned about major financial loss or setback from cost of illness or accident, not being able to afford healthcare in the future, and care being denied or rationed by health insurance companies;
59% worry about health care costs increasing more or much more than other expenses.
The data also shows that people who have a public option—a program such as Medicare—are almost 40% less likely to have delayed or forgone care.


TOP TEN WAYS HEALTH INSURANCE REFORM WORKS FOR YOU
1. Ends insurance company discrimination
2. Makes coverage more affordable
3. Improves choice and competition
4. Ensures quality coverage for 97% of Americans
5. Does not add one dime to the deficit
6. Improves our focus on wellness and prevention
7. Improves quality
8. Strengthens Medicare
9. Cuts down on fraud, waste and abuse
10. Lowers costs over the long term

More details here.


WOMANHOOD: A PRE-EXISTING CONDITION
In our current health care system, women often face higher health care costs than men and face multiple other barriers to obtaining health insurance. Fewer women are eligible for employer-based coverage. In the individual insurance market, women face discrimination – often being charged substantially higher premiums for the same coverage as men or being denied coverage for such “pre-existing conditions” as pregnancy, having had a C-section, or being a domestic violence victim. As a result, many women are under- or uninsured, and simply can’t afford the services they need. In a recent study, more than half of women — compared with 39% of men — reported delaying needed medical care due to cost. See a new report: Women Have the Most to Gain from Health Insurance Reform.


SUPPORT FOR HEALTH REFORM GROWS
A new AP/GfK poll shows, opposition to health insurance reform has dropped across the board since a similar poll in September:

Opposition is down 9 percent among all Americans
Opposition is down 15 percent among Independents
Opposition is down 16 percent among seniors

The drop in opposition from seniors is particularly telling, especially after months of aggressive misinformation campaigns led by industry and partisan opponents of reform that scare seniors about the potential impact of health insurance reform on Medicare (see more below).


EXPERTS: REFORM STRENGTHENS MEDICARE
In the October issue of the AARP Bulletin, a number of experts go on the record in support of the reforms to Medicare included in America’s Affordable Health Choices Act and decry attempts to scare seniors in an effort to derail insurance reform.

Excerpts from the AARP Article:
“Experts who have studied the proposals now being debated generally say the changes actually aim to strengthen Medicare and improve beneficiaries’ care and access to physicians…

“All the reform proposals so far include around $500 billion in savings carved from future growth in Medicare spending over a 10-year period. Although that sounds like a huge sum, it’s actually only a small fraction of the $6.4 trillion expected to be spent on Medicare from 2009 to 2019. Still, where will the money come from?

“The savings are expected to be achieved mainly by: reducing fraud and waste more aggressively; reducing government subsidies to private Medicare Advantage plans; paying doctors more for practices that improve quality of care and save money; and paying providers (notably hospitals and home health agencies) a little less of an increase each year in an effort to gradually trim the rate at which Medicare costs climb over time – aka ‘bending the cost curve.’”


MORE GOP LEADERS STEP FORWARD TO SUPPORT REFORM
As former Republican congressman Mickey Edwards, currently a lecturer on public affairs at Princeton, puts it: "The grown-ups are beginning to speak up." [USA Today, 10/7/09]

Former Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole (R-KS)
“This is one of the most important measures members of Congress will vote on in their lifetimes. If we don't do it this year I don't know when we're gonna do it… I want this to pass. I don't agree with everything Obama is presenting, but we've got to do something…I don't want the Republicans putting up a ‘no’ sign and saying, ‘we're not open for business.’” [10/7/09]

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-CA)
“Our principal goals, slowing the growth in [health care] costs, enhancing the quality of care delivered, improving the lives of individuals, and helping to ensure a strong economic recovery, are the same goals that the president is trying to achieve. I appreciate his partnership with the states and encourage our colleagues on both sides of the political aisle at the national level to move forward and accomplish these vital goals for the American people.” [10/6/09]

Governor Bobby Jindal (R-LA)
Acknowledges Republicans haven’t offered up any real ideas: “I think now is the perfect time to pivot and to say, not only here’s what we’re against, and not only here’s how we’re going to contrast ourselves, but here’s what we’re for.” [9/30/09] Jindal then released 10 ideas that The Washington Post dubbed a rehash of the bills pending before Congress: “Nine of these 10 are in the current process in some form or another.” [10/6/09]
Mayor Michael Bloomberg (I-NY)
“The health reform proposal that Congress will shortly consider is shaping up to merit broad, bipartisan support, incorporating Republican ideas and earning deserved support from Republican leaders such as former Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist. The approach has great potential to reduce costs for families, businesses and government at every level over the long term, while extending coverage to many millions of the uninsured and investing in proven, cost-effective public health strategies. This is an approach that Republicans, Democrats and Independents can and should support.” [10/5/09]

Former Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN)
“I would end up voting for it…As leader, I would take heat for it. ... That's what leadership is all about.” [10/2/09]

Dr. Lewis Sullivan, Former Health and Human Services Secretary under President George H.W. Bush
“…Many administrations, including ours nearly 20 years ago, have tried to fix our health care system. In the time since I left office, approximately 10 million more Americans are uninsured, an increase of 27 percent, which is unacceptable. The longer we wait and ignore the problems in our system, the larger that number will grow. Fortunately, today we have a real opportunity to pass health reform and change the path we’re on…It’s time for members of both parties to work together to pass a bill that will fix our system, help those who have health care keep it, help those without health care to get it, and improve the health care and the health status of all Americans.” [10/8/09]

Tommy Thompson, Former Health and Human Services Secretary under President George W. Bush (co-authored by Former House Democratic Leader Dick Gephardt)
“…Failure to reach an agreement on health reform this year is not an acceptable option. Inaction will only increase the burden of rapidly rising health care costs and care denied for millions of American families. Inaction will increase the crushing burden of rising health costs on American businesses that are struggling to create jobs and lead America’s economic recovery. It is time for action.” [10/5/09]

Mark McClellan, Former Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services under President George W. Bush
“The health-care problems facing this country are urgent and large, and we need to do something about them … I don't want to miss this opportunity.” [10/6/09]


IS “THE PARTY OF NO” SERIOUS ABOUT REFORM?
As more and more former GOP leaders break ranks with Republicans in Washington and step forward to support health reform, they’re also criticizing Republicans’ “Party of No” strategy.

DOLE: I don't want the Republicans putting up a ‘no’ sign and saying, ‘we're not open for business.’” [10/7/09]

JINDAL: “I think now is the perfect time to pivot and to say, not only here’s what we’re against, and not only here’s how we’re going to contrast ourselves, but here’s what we’re for.” [9/30/09]

FRIST: “I would end up voting for it…As leader, I would take heat for it. ... That's what leadership is all about.” [10/2/09]

Seems the American people feel the same way: according to a CBS News poll Americans think the Republicans in Congress are not serious about reform -- and a majority would be disappointed if reform doesn't occur... Just over half, 52 percent, think the Democrats are really serious about reforming the nation's heath care system, compared to 69 percent who think the Republicans are not serious about reform.

No wonder… It has been 112 days since Rep. Roy Blunt (R-MO), Chairman of the House Republican Health Care Solutions Group promised an alternative: “I guarantee you we will provide you with a bill that costs less and provides better care for the American people.”

Even Paul Ryan (R-WI) admits Republicans failed to get serious about health reform when they were in the majority: During a CNBC debate: “REP. FRANK: You had control of the Congress. Why didn’t the Republican Congress fix it? REP. RYAN: I will have a moment of bipartisan agreement. We should have fixed this under our watch and I’m frustrated we didn’t.”


GOP OUT OF TOUCH ON PUBLIC OPTION
Last week House Minority Leader John Boehner claimed that he hadn’t met anyone who supports a public option, and thought it was as unpopular as a garlic milkshake, angering garlic growers, and appearing out of touch considering a Quinnipiac poll shows 57 percent of Ohioans support the public option.

This week House Minority Whip Eric Cantor demonstrated how out of touch he is during an interview on the CBS Early Show by saying the public option has been “resoundingly rejected by the American people.” Watch Video Here

Here is a sampling of some recent polling to set Mr. Cantor straight:
· Quinnipiac Poll: 61% support government-run plan to compete with private insurers. Link
· NBC News/WSJ Poll: 73% think it is important to give people a choice between a government run plan to compete with private insurance. Link
· CBS News/New York Times Poll: 65 % support a public option. Link
· Kaiser Foundation Poll: 58% support a public option. Link
· And in his home state of Virginia….Research 2000 Poll: 48% favor the creation of a public option versus 43% who oppose it. Link

Even Fox News’s Shep Smith defended the Public Option: “Why would we not want a public option?” Shep Smith asked Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY), kicking off a tense and lively exchange [this week] on Fox News.

When Barrasso quickly launched into his Frank Luntz-inspired GOP talking points, calling it a “government take-over of health care,” Smith — who’s been known to go off the Fox News reservation from time to time — pushed back:

SMITH: It’s not a government take over, Senator! That’s not fair and we both know it. It’s not a government takeover because what it would be is a government option if you have insurance now and you like it you can keep it. … That’s not a government take over if we’re being fair is it Senator?

LIFE IMITATES ART
We all had a laugh at the satire piece, "Protect Insurance Companies PSA:"
“Health insurance companies are huge. They need to make big profits so they can afford to give their employees health insurance. Believe me that stuff’s not cheap!”

The joke was over when WellPoint announced last week it was laying off workers, cutting employee health benefits and increasing deductibles and premiums for some employees benefits due to declining enrollment.

WellPoint made $2.49 billion in profits last year and ranked #2 on the Forbes Health Care: Insurance & Managed Care top companies list.