Health Reform Facts

The health reform plan that the senate panel has approved for presentation to the full house and senate is not as bad as many people would have us believe.

In fact, I think it's the best plan so far.

I am tired of so many people telling me what it's going to do, which is basically a worst possible nightmare scenario, so here are a few of the facts as listed on CNN.

This healthcare reform bill would:

1. subsidize insurance for poorer Americans
2. 
   
3. establish nonprofit health care cooperatives (I assume this would be reduced fee clinics)
4. 
   
5. cap annual out-of-pocket expenses
6. 
   
7. prevent insurance companies from denying coverage for pre-existing conditions
8. 
   
9. create health insurance exchanges to make it easier for small groups and individuals to purchase coverage
10. 
    
11. impose a new tax on high-end health care policies known as "Cadillac" plans
12. 
    
13. impose fees on drug and insurance companies, medical device manufacturers and other industries tied to the health care sector
14. 
    
15. require those who can afford it to purchase their health insurance or face fines
16. 
    
17. NOT include a government-run public health insurance option

The biggest problem with this plan, so far, is that it would decrease the funding for Medicare, which is why so many are upset. However, this plan will be discussed and modified before a final vote is taken.

Snowe indicated she has concerns with several aspects of the bill, but didn't want to see the reform process derailed.

"Is this bill all that I would want? Far from it," she said. "Is it all that it can be? No. But when history calls, history calls. And I happen to think that the consequences of inaction dictate the urgency of Congress [taking] every opportunity to demonstrate its capacity to solve the monumental issues of our time."

Read more about it at CNN.com.