ABQJOURNAL OPINION/GUEST_COLUMNS: Health Care Bill Means Services for All

Sunday, November 08, 2009

Health Care Bill Means Services for All

By Rep. Martin Heinrich
Democrat, N.M. District 1
          Our country's health care system is broken. We spend more than any other country — $1 out of every $5 earned by American workers — and yet our system ranks 37th out of 191 countries according to its performance. And we've failed too many Americans: 47 million people are uninsured and many more are underinsured. This problem will not go away on its own, nor will it yield to the weak proposals of those who would perpetuate the status quo. If we take no action, we will spend $1 out of every $3 on health care within a decade.
        During the past few months, we have seen a vigorous and, at times, emotionally charged debate about how to fix our broken health insurance system. I am a firm believer that the best ideas do not come from Washington but from folks at home who care enough to share their thoughts, concerns and ideas. For this reason, I spent the last several months conducting an aggressive and thorough health care listening tour across the 1st Congressional District.
        Just last week, I held a telephone town hall with almost 10,000 seniors in our district to discuss how reforming the health care system strengthens Medicare. We had a very thoughtful discussion, and I posted the audio feed of this town hall on my Web site for anyone who was unable to attend.
        I've taken your ideas and concerns back to Washington and shared them with House leadership.
        When I last wrote to you here about health insurance reform, I outlined the six principles that were guiding my work and would determine my vote on this legislation: health insurance reform must create stability, contain costs, guarantee choice, improve quality, cover everyone and include a strong public option. The Affordable Health Care for America Act delivers on each of these principles and does so without adding a penny to the deficit. In fact, the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office has estimated the bill will reduce the deficit by $103 billion during the first 10 years.
        First, we will create stability for health consumers, including families, seniors and small businesses. No longer will insurance companies be able to deny coverage for a "pre-existing condition," an industry-created policy that has denied coverage to women for being pregnant and to a 4-month-old for being overweight. The proposed bill will make this practice illegal, ensuring care for those who need it, not just those who can afford it.
        Next, we will contain costs by promoting preventive care and creating incentives through employer-sponsored health and wellness plans. This bill will limit what you have to pay out of your own pocket, guaranteeing access to care without having to break the bank. It's estimated that this important protection will prevent 900 personal bankruptcies in our district alone. Tax credits in this legislation will help 14,700 small businesses in our district purchase high quality health insurance for their employees.
        Third, this bill will guarantee choice for consumers. If you like the doctor and plan you have right now, you will be able to keep them. This bill will provide affordability credits for up to 178,000 of New Mexicans living in our district, allowing them to choose between several high quality private plans or the public option.
        Fourth, we will improve the quality of private insurance and strengthen Medicare for seniors. In New Mexico's 1st Congressional District, this bill will close the Medicare Part D prescription drug "doughnut hole" for 10,600 seniors, ensuring they can take the medicine they need all year long. This bill will eliminate co-payments for preventive services like mammograms, bone density screenings, prostate cancer screenings and other important procedures that will help people live healthier, longer lives.
        Next, this legislation will provide coverage to all Americans, including 86,000 New Mexicans in our district who are currently without health insurance. Last year hospitals and health care professionals in our district provided $124 million in uncompensated care. We already pay for this through taxes and premiums. Not only is it fair to cover everyone, but it will drive down premiums and taxes.
        Finally, I am pleased this bill includes a strong public option that will operate without government subsidy and will be funded entirely by consumer premiums. The public option is a market-oriented solution that will introduce competition into the insurance market, driving down costs for all of us.
        This brand of health care reform represents a uniquely American solution to our nation's health insurance crisis. It will bring a peace of mind to families, seniors, and small business owners by guaranteeing access to affordable, high quality health insurance. What's more, it will do so without adding a penny to the deficit.
        For all these reasons and many more, I have decided to vote in favor of the Affordable Health Care for America Act.

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