Posted by
Roxanna M. on Tuesday, December 22, 2009 12:37:24 PM
I got the following e-mail from Dianne Feinstein in response to my letter to her. What do you think?
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Thank
you for writing to me to express your concerns about healthcare reform. I appreciate the time you took
to write to me, and I welcome this opportunity to convey my opinions on how we should reform our health
care system.
There are several key provisions that I believe should be part of any healthcare reform legislation. First,
it should prohibit coverage denial based on preexisting conditions. The bill pending before the Senate
accomplishes this central goal. Second, it is absolutely essential that the bill reduce healthcare premium
costs. Between 2000 and 2007, combined profits for 10 of the country's largest publically traded insurance
companies rose 428 percent. The bill includes several provisions to keep costs lower, including the
establishment of competitive insurance exchanges and providing subsidies for Americans that can't afford
coverage on their own, Third, the bill must address the growth of entitlement spending,
which makes up 56 percent of all federal dollars spent in 2009. President Obama has stated that any health
reform approved by Congress must slow the growth of entitlements in order to reduce our nation's debt
and budget deficit -- and I strongly agree.
This
legislation is not radical, it is incremental. Some important changes that will occur immediately and
others will be phased in. Once the bill is approved, uninsured individuals with a pre-existing condition
will have immediate access to insurance. All group health plans and individual plans would be required
to immediately provide coverage for preventative services. And the legislation would shrink the Medicare
prescription drug coverage gap by $500, and begin a 50 percent discount on brand name drugs and biologics
for Medicare beneficiaries.
Among
the incremental changes, beginning in 2011, primary care physicians and general surgeons would receive
a 10 percent bonus in Medicare payments. Beginning in 2013, the public option would be a choice available
for purchase by individuals without employer provided coverage and to small businesses. The public option
will provide choice, competition, and stability of affordable, high quality coverage throughout the United
States. States would have the ability to opt out of offering the public option in the small market exchange
that is being created. As these health reforms take place, Congress will be able to assess and adjust
the programs to improve healthcare for all Americans.
Any
Senate health reform bill must improve California's complex health care system, and please know that
I am working hard with my colleagues to make health care affordable for all Americans, without adding
to the federal deficit.
Again,
thank you for contacting me. If you should have any further comments or questions, please feel free to
contact my Washington, D.C. office at (202) 224-3841. Best regards.
Also,
may I take this opportunity to wish you a happy and healthy holiday season. And may 2010 be a good year
for us all.
Sincerely yours,
Dianne Feinstein
United
States Senator