Over the past few days, you have clearly and systematically stated your opposition to a Public Option in Health Care Reform. I have not seen, however, any justification for this stance or any facts to substantiate your position.
As a Mainer who owns a small business in the Health Care field, I have seen payments from private insurers shrink as premiums have soared. They have passed on costs to their policyholders in the form of higher deductibles and larger co-pays. I have also witnessed the major private insurer in the state cut payments to providers by 20% to cut their costs, with no justification for their actions. (The insurance company was sued and "settled" the case in class action status for about a million dollars. In the meantime, provider contracts were amended to include the arbitration clauses favored by credit card companies, thus eliminating any possibility of future response to similar insurance company abusive behaviors.)
As a small business, I pay $12,000 a year for my health insurance, with a $5000 family deductible. This number has increased by at least 10% each year. The reason for these increased consumer costs and decreased provider payments is simple: Lack of competition. With this in mind, I would like clear and concise answers to the following questions regarding your plan to reduce costs and increase competition in our state.
- What is your reason for objecting to the public option?
- Sen. Snowe, in your "trigger" plan, could you specifically state what would constitute failure on the part of insurance companies. Please be specific, including: timelines; cost Reductions in premiums, co-pays and deductibles; and total limits on out-of-pocket expenses per family per year and per lifetime.
- How much money have your campaigns taken from health insurance and pharmaceutical lobby's and affiliates since your first campaign. Could you please itemize by vendor and category.
- Please state whether you are in favor of the Medicare age being dropped to 55 years of age.
- Do you favor a percentage cap on total expenses that a family may incur over the course of a year, not just for premiums, but for all medical expenses including deductibles, co-pays, associated costs.
- Will you vote to end a filibuster of the bill if it includes the public option? If not, please explain why this measure should not be given an up-or-down vote. (h/t Antboy)
As a health care consumer and provider in Maine, I would like to know exactly how you are representing me in the Health Care Debate. I appreciate your time and prompt response in this matter. Thank you.
Kossacks, I would like to add some more questions, any suggestions? I would like this to be as strong as possible!