President Addresses Congress on Healthcare Reform

"We did not come to (elected office) to fear the future. We came here to shape it. . . . I still believe we can do great things, and that here and now we will meet history's test." To read President Obama's speech to the joint session of Congress, delivered September 10th, click on the link below.

The reform plan the President requested "will provide more security and stability to those who have health insurance.  It will provide insurance to those who don't.  And it will lower the cost of health care for our famlies, our businesses, and our government."

For those who have health insurance, the President's plan will

*  End discrimination against people with pre-existing illnesses;

*  End premium discrimination based on gender and limit premium discrimination based on age;

*  Cap out-of-pocket expenses so people do not go broke if they need to receive extensive medical care;

*  Eliminate extra charges for preventive care like mammograms, flu shots, and diabetes tests;

*  Improve the coordination of medical care for seniors and gradually eliminate the "donut-hole" in coverage for prescription drugs.

For those who do not have health insurance, the President's plan will

*  Create a new insurance marketplace - the Exchange - that by 2013, will allow people without insurance and small businesses to shop for insurance and buy coverage at competitive prices;

*  Provide sliding scale subsidies for individuals and families who do not have access to affordable insurance on the job so they can afford to buy coverage;

*  Provide tax credits for small businesses so they can afford to buy coverage for their employees;

*  Immediately offer new, low-cost coverage through a national "high risk pool" to protect people with pre-existing illnesses from financial ruin until the new Exchange is up and running.

For all Americans, the President's plan will

*  Implement delivery system reforms that begin to rein in health care costs and better align incentives for hospitals, physicians and others to improve quality;

*  Create an independent commission of doctors and medical experts to identify waste, fraud and abuse in our health care system;

*  Order immediate medical malpractice reform pilot projects that test ways of focusing doctors' attention on their patients' care, not on the practice of defensive medicine;

*  Require large and medium-sized employers to provide health coverage for their employees;

*  Require every individual who can afford it to either secure health coverage on their job or via direct purchase;

*  Not add a dime to the deficit.

During the week of March 21, the Senate Finance Committee will hold hearings on a health reform bill. 

After that Committee has finished its work, Senate leaders will merge the Finance Committee bill and the bill already reported out of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions.  Then - probably in mid-October - the Senate will be ready for floor debate.

House leaders are in the process of setting a date for floor debate on HR 3200, the House bill that already has been recommended by three committees.  A floor vote on HR 3200 is expected during the last few days of September or the first few days of October.

Obama Speech to Congress.doc