It’s time for an American solution that will guarantee our families’
health and a healthy economy. The first order of business for the new President
and Congress in 2009 should be health care legislation that guarantees quality, affordable health care for all.
We all agree that the longer we wait to fix our broken health care
system, the harder it will be for us to get the health care we need. BUT WHAT KIND OF SOLUTION DO WE WANT? A solution in which all of us – individuals, employers, and government – share responsibility
for guaranteeing access to health care we all can count on? Or a scenario in
which we are on our own when it comes to getting health care? WHICH SIDE ARE YOU ON?
Which Side Are You On?
On your own to get health insurance
·
Coverage and care for everyone
in our nation are not guaranteed.
·
Discourages employers from
providing health benefits for workers, leaving more and more people on their own with the insurance companies.
·
For the first time, people
would pay income taxes on health insurance benefits paid for by their employers.
·
Individuals and families
would receive a tax credit that would pay for about one-quarter to one-half of the cost of health insurance that they purchase
on their own.
·
No requirements that health insurers have standard benefits. Health insurance
companies could charge high deductibles – as much as $10,000.
·
Nothing to stop abusive insurance company practices, like refusing to cover pre-existing conditions,
denying or delaying claims or restricting your choice of doctors.
·
No choice of a public health insurance plan as an alternative to private health insurance.
·
No controls on insurance company premiums or profits or on how much drug companies can charge for prescriptions.
·
Health insurers will be
able to sell policies across state lines, leaving people without the protection of their state laws.
□I’m on this side.
Signature:_________________________________
Name:____________________________________
Date:_____________________________________
Quality, affordable health care for all
·
Guaranteed coverage and
care for everyone in America.
·
Affordable coverage and
care, with premiums and out-of-pocket costs based on a family’s ability to pay.
·
Everyone gets a choice
of health insurance plans, including the right to keep your current insurance, choose another private plan or to join a public
health insurance plan.
·
Standard, comprehensive
benefits, with a choice of providers, that meet our families’ health care needs – from preventive care to care
for serious illness.
·
Equity in health care access,
treatment, research and resources to people and communities of color and strengthening health services in low-income communities.
·
Coverage that is predictable
and affordable for working families, retirees, small businesses, and other employers.
·
Government sets and enforces
rules on insurance company practices and charges, requiring them to put our health care before their profits.
·
Controls costs while improving
quality, with measures such as: lowering administrative expenses, investing in preventive care, actively managing disease,
setting standards for performance, reducing medical errors, and using the public’s
purchasing power to lower drug and other prices.
□I’m on this side and I oppose the other side’s
“on your own” proposals.
Signature:_________________________________
Name:____________________________________
Date:_____________________________________
