Senator Wyden takes on health care

Senator Ron Wyden (D.-Oregon) took on a health care system he thinks is badly broken during a visit to Sisters last week.

Wyden stopped for several hours in Sisters last Wednesday, October 10, to speak at a luncheon organized by the Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce and to speak at Sisters High School (see related story, page 1).

"We do not have a system of health care. We have a system of sick care," said the Senator.

To change the current system Senator Wyden has a proposal known as the Healthy Americans Act that guarantees private health care coverage for all Americans that cannot be taken away. The program's benefits are equal to those currently provided to members of Congress and provide incentives for individuals and insurers to focus on prevention, wellness and disease management.

The system will require no additional expense. It can be accomplished with the same $2.2 trillion which is currently spent on health care in the United States.

"The Act provides universal coverage for no more money than our country spends today - better care, financial health and security - no increase in costs," said Senator Wyden.

Senator Wyden does not believe that the current system is beyond redemption.

"Fixing health care is not as complicated as one might think. Start by making care more affordable. That means eliminating inefficiency, beginning with when a person signs up for coverage. Get citizens good quality outpatient health care so they don't go to hospital emergency rooms. Reward prevention - health care, not sick care. Beef up the quality of care by reducing medical errors in our hospitals," he said.

Health care costs in the United States have been spiraling out of control. Americans spent $1.9 trillion on health care in 2004. This year the spending is expected to exceed $2.2 trillion.

"The bill levels the playing field by requiring insurance companies to value every American equally, and it requires insurers to give consumers the information they need to have power in the marketplace. The Healthy Americans Act also contains costs by better investing health care dollars. For example, because low-income people would have coverage, they can go to the doctor and get treated before their condition gets so serious they need to go to the emergency room for costly procedures," said Senator Wyden.

The bill will open the door for those who have been shoved aside by the system due to preexisting conditions or occupational hazards.

"For those who already have existing health problems, occupation, gender, genetic information and age will no longer be allowed to impact your eligibility or the price you pay for insurance," said Senator Wyden.

Senator Wyden's plan will spread the burden so that no one is saddled with all the responsibility.

"All employers will share the responsibility of financing health care with individuals and the government. During a two-year transition phase, employers who have been providing health insurance will 'cash out' the value of that health insurance and provide that amount in wages to their employees. After the two years all employers will make a shared responsibility payment, meaning they pay up to 25 percent of the average premium for essential care in the area. Employers will no longer have the burden of finding affordable health care for their employees," he said.

What do you think about the Healthy Americans Act? Email comments to [email protected]