4.1. HEALTH CARE PLAN
Without regulation, the insurance companies will stick the government with all of the "risky" people. David Certner: AARP is driven by its members best interests, as it is with every debate. We have both those who are on Medicare, and who are looking to strengthen the program, including looking to lower their costs, keep their doctors, and get better drug coverage. As you note, we have members who are not yet eligible for Medicare, who either want to keep the insurance they have, or who are desperately trying to find insurance in the individual market. About 1 of every 4 60-year-olds can't even get insurance because of a pre-existing medical condition -- and we agree with you that this must change. Dime Box Texas 77853: Why doesn't AARP poll members to find out how many of do not support Obama Health Care plan? You will lose a lot more than 60,000 members over this issue by saying that your members are in support if you don't show proof. [1] At issue is a proposed "exchange" or "marketplace" in which a new government plan would be one option for people who aren't covered at work or whose job coverage is too expensive. The exchange would offer some private plans as well as the public one, all of them required to offer certain basic benefits. [2]
"There's been a lot of misinformation," Obama said, complaining about people who are "bearing false witness." He said the first thing he wanted to correct was the idea that the proposed overhaul would force some people into different health care plans. "If you like your health care plan, you can keep your health care plan," he said, repeating one of his stock lines. [2]
WASHINGTON ??? President Barack Obama Wednesday tried hard to create momentum for his ailing health care overhaul plan, offering a lengthy, methodical ??? and at times defensive ??? explanation of why Americans should embrace his changes. Obama, whose plan has been stymied by moderate Democrats who worry about higher taxes and Republicans who paint the effort as a big government takeover of health care, told the nation in a prime time news conference that the initiative is "central" to his effort to rebuild the economy "stronger than before." Obama's latest health care push came as his popularity has been slipping. In a July 9-13 Ipsos-McClatchy poll, 57 percent said they approved of the job Obama was doing, a 7-point drop from early June and the lowest of his presidency. [2] President Barack Obama's lack of a detailed plan for overhauling health care is letting critics fill in the blanks in the public's mind. [2]
It???s a busy day for health care in the Port City. I???m at the Hilton downtown right now, listening to presentations about how health savings accounts/high deductible health plans work and why for some families they save more money than traditional health plans. The accounts are one tool being talked about at this luncheon organized by the Raleigh-based John Locke Foundation to discuss consumer-driven health care. [3] San Francisco put an ambitious health care plan into effect last year, and the early results are in. [4]
Bellevue, Wash: Good afternoon. Is the AARP in favor of doing away with Medicare Advantage plans? My congressman has told seniors in his district that the savings the President hopes to glean from Medicare, including getting rid of Medicare Advantage plans, would mean that Medicare would no longer have coverage for durable medical equipment. [1] David Certner: First, AARP has not endorsed any particular plan. We have done significant outreach to our members, both through polling, research, town halls, and the large amount of calls and e-mails we receive. [1]
Frank, who chairs the House Financial Services Committee, sought to assure more than 500 people attending the rowdy meeting that the average taxpayer wouldn't be hurt by plans currently under consideration in Congress. Some of those attending the meeting organized by the Democratic Town Committee of Dartmouth shouted and booed as Frank and others addressed the crowd. [5] Businesses with 20 to 99 employees pay $1.23 an hour, and businesses with 19 or fewer employees are exempt. These are much higher spending levels than mandated in Massachusetts, and more stringent than any of the plans currently under consideration in Congress. [4]
We sell all kinds of candy. Mackey attempts to outline plans for his company to put more emphasis on healthy eating; his comments are described as a "Ratner moment" in the UK press. The internet ID "Rahodeb" becomes notorious when it emerges that it belongs to John Mackey and he has been using it to post positive messages about his company on Yahoo's stock forum. Not the smartest thing for a CEO to say when his company is bidding to buy a rival, Wild Oats. His words were in a memo issued to staff. [6] Then no more medicine. It was better before Part D as the Drug Companies offered accommodating PAP assistance plans. [1]
RANKED RECOMMENDED SOURCES
(6 source documents numbered in order of appearance in text)
1. Health-Care Reform: The AARP Perspective - washingtonpost.com
2. FACT CHECK: Health overhaul myths taking root - Nation AP - MiamiHerald.com
4. Op-Ed Contributors - A Public Option That Works - NYTimes.com
3. HEALTH PULSE: Are health savings accounts the answer? - Health Pulse - Wilmington Star News - Wilmington, NC - Archive
6. Customers call for boycott after Whole Foods chief executive criticises US healthcare reform | Business | The Guardian
5. Rep. Frank lashes out at protester for Nazi remark
1. Health-Care Reform: The AARP Perspective - washingtonpost.com
2. FACT CHECK: Health overhaul myths taking root - Nation AP - MiamiHerald.com
4. Op-Ed Contributors - A Public Option That Works - NYTimes.com
3. HEALTH PULSE: Are health savings accounts the answer? - Health Pulse - Wilmington Star News - Wilmington, NC - Archive
6. Customers call for boycott after Whole Foods chief executive criticises US healthcare reform | Business | The Guardian
5. Rep. Frank lashes out at protester for Nazi remark
Joseph Coletti (pictured), the think tank??? s fiscal and health care policy analyst, spoke to about 50 people who attended. He gave his reasons why consumer products, namely health savings accounts, are a better approach than many of the provisions called for in the current health reform bills that expand government intervention. [1]
Through our experience working on health-care-reform efforts in California and Washington (one of us worked for President George W. Bush's Council of Economic Advisers), we have seen how concern over employer costs can be a sticking point in the health care debate, even in the absence of persuasive evidence that increased costs would seriously harm businesses. San Francisco's example should put some of those fears to rest. Many businesses there had to raise their health spending substantially to meet the new requirements, but so far the plan has not hurt jobs. [2] WASHINGTON ??? President Barack Obama participated in a scripted online discussion of his health care overhaul with a friendly audience of religious voters and pastors Wednesday. It ended with him bemoaning those who bear "false witness" against his plans ??? and then making a claim of his own that's been widely shown to be false. [3]
Businesses can meet the requirement by paying for private insurance, by paying into medical-reimbursement accounts or by paying into the city's Healthy San Francisco public option. There has been great demand for this plan. [2] I know of no one who has studied the plan that supports it including me. [4] AARP opposes any cuts to Medicare benefits. We do support savings in the Medicare program that will help lower costs, such as those changes that will weed out waste and inefficiency in the program. [4] "I think what's important is choice and competition. I'm convinced at the end of the day the plan will have both of those." [5] A new NBC News poll suggests some of the myths and partial truths about the plans under consideration are taking hold. [3]
RANKED RECOMMENDED SOURCES
(5 source documents numbered in order of appearance in text)
2. Op-Ed Contributors - A Public Option That Works - NYTimes.com
4. Health-Care Reform: The AARP Perspective - washingtonpost.com
3. FACT CHECK: Health overhaul myths taking root - Nation AP - MiamiHerald.com
1. HEALTH PULSE: Are health savings accounts the answer? - Health Pulse - Wilmington Star News - Wilmington, NC - Archive
5. Health Care Reform: Dems Could be Losing Battle Over Public Option - ABC News
2. Op-Ed Contributors - A Public Option That Works - NYTimes.com
4. Health-Care Reform: The AARP Perspective - washingtonpost.com
3. FACT CHECK: Health overhaul myths taking root - Nation AP - MiamiHerald.com
1. HEALTH PULSE: Are health savings accounts the answer? - Health Pulse - Wilmington Star News - Wilmington, NC - Archive
5. Health Care Reform: Dems Could be Losing Battle Over Public Option - ABC News