Move On is sponsoring a health care demonstration at Pioneer Square in Portland at 6:45 pm, Thursday the 23rd. Please check in at that link.
Bring a sign and an attitude.
Oregon Senator Ron Wyden's health care plan and his role in the Senate Finance Committee's contribution to a health care bill have been controversial. Wyden has been cast as an obstructionist while at the same time he has labored hard to create a plan he obviously believes in.
I recommend that anyone who is interested in taking a position that they read his plan. Also, here is an email he wrote to me today. My bolds added.
Dear Mr. D......:
Thank you for contacting me regarding the issue of including a public option in health reform. I appreciate hearing from you on this important issue.
I have clearly stated, and want you to know, that I am very open to a national public option if accompanied by real, comprehensive health reform, and if the underlying legislation is responsibly and sustainably financed.
You may also be interested to know that my bill, the Healthy Americans Act, S.391, not only allows a public option in states that want one, but also requires a public option if a state doesn't have at least two health plans offering everyone benefits just like members of Congress have today. This will ensure that all Americans have high quality and affordable coverage.
In addition, the Healthy Americans Act provides universal, affordable, guaranteed coverage that can never be taken away. Individuals would get a choice of health plans with benefits just like Members of Congress have now. Insurance companies would be prohibited from charging you more if you are sick or older, nor could they refuse to provide you health coverage if you have a pre-existing condition. Health insurance would no longer need to be tied to where you work. Individuals can keep the coverage they have or can purchase coverage through statewide or regional agencies called Health Help Agencies. Individuals and families who aren’t able to pay the full cost of health insurance would be subsidized on a sliding scale to help assure that their health care coverage will be affordable and every bit the equal of those more financially-fortunate. If you would like more information about my bill, it is available on my website.
Wyden wants statewide or regional agencies to administer plans. Wouldn't this limit "portability" ? People move from state to state.
He makes his public option voluntary in states "that want one.". Betcha the no-no's love that.
Here's my comment from CornSyrupAwareness' diary up now.
Wyden's bill shifts health insurance (1+ / 0-)
to individual responsibility and away from employers, and this has some merit. But then I see too many areas of potential abuse. Do not employer plans contain the advantage of a risk pool that in theory should lower individual costs? Does an employer not have a bargaining leverage with insurers that an individual doesn't?
So then we'll have millions of individuals shopping on their own? Obama said that Wyden's plan is too radical. I wouldn't use that word but I do suspect that aside from being portable from job to job there is little advantage, and no better than the House version and with the hurdle of laying a new thing at the peoples' feet.
If Wyden wants this then why not go ahead and call for a single payer plan? Then everyone could have a portable, personal plan.
The heart of health care reform should be a strong public plan that is administered by a national not for profit entity.
If Wyden were to firmly and explictly endorse that feature then I'd be willing to reconsider. Can't we have the public option and a portable employee centered plan?
That's my two cents, what's yours? This demonstration is about a strong public option and not specifically aimed at Wyden. Maybe you like his plan; hopefully you also want the public option. Hope to see you Thursday.