Confused About the Realities of Health Care Reform?

By Pamela D. Wilson, The Care Navigator, CSA, MS, BS/BA, CG

Do you approve or disapprove of healthcare reform? Wonder what programs the tax dollars you contribute support? An article recently published in the Wall Street Journal reports "for every voter who strongly favors the plan, two are strongly opposed." 1 It's no surprise that most voters believe health care reform a negative for the economy in spite of predictions of cost savings. When did a government program ever decrease cost? This program that began as health insurance reform changed quickly when the President realized insurance companies wouldn't come along without financial incentives. In the blink of an eye health insurance reform revolutionized itself into health care reform.

According to the Policy Center on Budget and Priorities, Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security represent 41% of our national budget or $1,461 trillion dollars (social security 20% or $708 billion, Medicare, Medicaid and CHIP 21% or $753 billion of which $468 billion goes to Medicare). Interest on the national debt is hitting 209 billion or 6% of the national budget.2 How can we possibly add another program, healthcare reform, topping over $1 trillion dollars and not see costs explode? The American public, or at least a majority of the public, is not fooled.

What does healthcare reform mean for you? It depends which side you're on. If you're already a person who has health insurance it likely means higher taxes and ratcheting down to a less expensive plan. Let's be honest, health insurance companies are not going to decrease premiums. This past year, Blue Cross/Blue Shield increased rates of individual plans by 35-50%. Neither the federal government nor state governments did anything to stop the increase. Right now in the state of Massachusetts insurance companies have stopped selling plans because they're losing money. 3 What makes anyone think the government is going to take over the insurance industry to avoid cost increases for consumers when the government receives billions of dollars in special interest money from insurance companies?

If you're on the other side without health insurance, healthcare reform is likely the greatest thing since sliced bread. You'll either join the ranks of millions of other Medicaid beneficiaries; few states have figured out how they're going to find the money to pay for this program (hint: increase taxes) or you'll pay for a plan that will cover your basic needs. Either way healthcare will be good.

The bottom line is that the country is headed for trouble. Increased taxes, higher insurance premiums, penalties for individuals who don't purchase health insurance that can't be enforced, small companies who can't afford to offer insurance or pay the penalties going out of business. Health care reform means less in your pocketbook and more government control.

If you'd like to learn more and hear from industry experts about the realities of health care reform tune into The Caring Generation this Sunday 4/18/10 on 630 KHOW-AM Denver (or listen live at www.khow.com) from 10a-12n. If you miss the program you can listen anytime by visiting the website, clicking on As Heard On and then Listen to Past Programs. It's never too late to become more educated, no matter which side you find yourself.

Sources:

1 Rasmussen, Scott and Doug Schoen. "Why Obamacare Can't Move the Health-Care Numbers". Wall Street Journal, March 10, 2010 p. A21

2 Policy Center on Budget and Priorities, http://www.cbpp.org/cms/index.cfm?fa=view&id=1258

3 Weisman, Robert. "Insurers Call Halt - Get State Warning". The Boston Globe 4/7/2010.

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