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Highlights of Obama's Health Care Speech
- On September 9, 2009, President Obama held a televised address to the Joint Session of Congress on health care reform. Here are some of the highlights of that speech. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/09/09...
- If you already have health insurance through your job, Medicare, Medicaid, or VA, then nothing in the proposed plan will require you or your employer to change the coverage or the doctor you have. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/09/09...
- Insurance companies will not be allowed to deny coverage because of a pre-existing condition. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/09/09...
- Insurance companies will not be allowed to drop coverage or "water it down" if you get sick. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/09/09...
- There will be no caps on the amount of coverage you can receive in a given year or in a lifetime. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/09/09...
- There will be a limit on the amount of out-of-pocket expenses a person can be charged. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/09/09...
- Insurance companies will be required to cover, with no extra charge, routine checkups and preventive care, like mammograms and colonoscopies. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/09/09...
- A "marketplace" will be set up where individuals and small businesses can shop for health insurance at competitive prices. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/09/09...
- For those Americans who can't get insurance today because they have pre-existing medical conditions, a low-cost coverage will be offered immediately. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/09/09...
- There will be a publicly-sponsored insurance option administered by the government just like Medicaid and Medicare. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/09/09...
- Taxpayers will not be subsidizing the public insurance option; it will be self-sufficient and will rely on the premiums collected. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/09/09...
- The proposed health care plan will cost around $900 billion over 10 years, but it will not add to the deficit - it will be paid for with money already being spent in the existing health care system. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/09/09...
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The Health Care Reform Bill, or America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009, is the proposed bill before the United States Congress to provide affordable, quality health care for all Americans. The Health Care Reform Bill, which is H.R. 3200, includes a public health care option that will compete with private health insurance companies. The bill is designed to extend health insurance to millions of Americans who currently lack it.http://www.healthreform.gov/about/index.html
On October 13, 2009 the Senate Finance Committee voted 14 - 9 in favor of passing its version of the Health Care Reform Bill. The Senate Finance Committee's version of the health care legislation will now go to the Senate floor. This version of the bill was drafted in large part by Senator Max Baucus, and it does not contain a public health care option.http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/10/13/senate-finance-committee-approves-health-care/
Controversial Issues
- DEATH PANEL: Opponents claim that under H.R. 3200, care will be rationed and denied to the elderly and disabled by a panel of bureaucrats (labeled the "death panel") who will decide whether a person was worthy of health care.http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/08/07/palin-says-obamas-plan-overhaul-health-care-evil/ However, supporters of the bill claim that the "advanced care planning consultations" was designed to encourage doctors to talk to their patients about all of their options.http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Wellness/story?id=8295708&page=1 In President Obama's September 9, 2009 address, he refuted the death panel claim by stating that, "It is a lie, plain and simple.http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/09/09/obama-health-care-speech_n_281265.html
- ABORTION: Opponents of the bill argue that the Health Care Reform Bill will lead to federally-funded abortions. Under the bill, low-income Americans will have their health care subsidized by the government which would allow them to choose a health plan that covers abortion.http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/politics/2009/August/Could-Health-Care-Reform-Bill-Fund-Abortions/ Rep. Lois Capps, D-Calif., has introduced an amendment to the Health Care Reform Bill that seeks to prohibit public funds from paying for abortions.http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2009/aug/07/john-boehner/boehner-says-democrats-health-care-plan-would-lead/ President Obama also addressed the abortion issue in his September 9, 2009 speech stating, "...under our plan, no federal dollars will be used to fund abortions, and federal conscience laws will remain in place.http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/09/09/obama-health-care-speech_n_281265.html
- ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS: Opponents of the Health Care Reform Bill want to be assured that illegal immigrants will not be covered under the taxpayer-funded health care plan. At this time, there is no language in the bill that prohibits illegal aliens from receiving benefits.http://www.examiner.com/x-9384-Mesa-Independent-Examiner~y2009m8d12-Health-care-reform-to-cover-illegal-immigrants Health coverage for illegal immigrants was also addressed by President Obama in his September 9, 2009 speech, wherein he stated, "The reforms I'm proposing would not apply to those who are here illegally".http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/09/09/obama-health-care-speech_n_281265.html
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Mahalo Answers for Health Care Reform Bill
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